Uke Lesson: Where Do Chords Come From?
All we need to play songs on ukulele are the essential 7 chords of the major scale. Here's how to play them, and how they go together.
chords
John Denver & The IV Chord
by Jim D’Ville Sure he had those boyish good looks—the impish smile, wire-rim glasses, and floppy hat. But it was his extensive use of the IV chord in his music which commanded us to turn over our hearts to him.…
What’s the Deal with Ukulele Chord Changers?
One of the enduring truths about the ukulele is that it’s an accessible instrument. Its four little strings match up nicely with a player’s four fretting hand fingers and it is relatively easy to play. Even on someone’s first day…
Ukulele Lesson: Understanding Chord Progressions
This ukulele lesson will help you recognize common chord progressions, which will help you learn songs faster when you hear them in a song.
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Unlock the Truth of A Song with Only 3 Chords
BY JIM D’VILLE | FROM THE SUMMER 2018 ISSUE OF UKULELE Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard wrote and co-wrote thousands of three-chord country gems including “Heartaches by the Number,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “I’ve Got a Tiger by the…
Teach an Old Song New Tricks with Chord Substitutions
Adding substitution chords can create more movement within a piece and add harmonic interest
The Beatles Ukulele Lesson: Extended Chords Add Emotional Punch
There's a reason why The Beatles' songs are so much fun to play on ukulele. Here's a look at some of the more emotional chord changes in The Beatles music on ukulele.
The Emotional Value of Chords
By Jim D’Ville | From the Winter 2016 issue of Ukulele When I started on the ukulele, I could not identify the chord changes in a song simply by listening. I learned the changes from written materials. A more apt…
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Minor Chords: The Keys to the Dismal, Cheery, Heartbreaking & Dramatic Sides of a Song
BY JIM D’VILLE | From the Spring 2017 issue of Ukulele In a recent column, I explained the emotional quality of the major chords built on the I–IV–V scale degrees. Now let’s explore the minor world of the remaining four chords,…
A Guide to Four Basic Movable Dominant Chords
By Alec “Cheef” Poletsky Dominant chords are often used as “turnaround” chords on ukulele, usually appearing right before the major tonic chord (for example, in the key of C, you would have a G7 followed by a C major). A…