This system is simple but it works! It helps you remember where to place your fingers and makes your chord changes much quicker.
- Set up your Ukulele by placing a set of sticky coloured paper dots from a newsagency, or office supplier, on the fretboard as shown in the diagram. You'll need red, yellow and green dots.
- Place your Fingers
Place your third finger on the red dot - you have made the C chord.
Place your first finger and second finger on the yellow dots - you now have the F chord.
Leave your first finger on its yellow dot and place your second and third fingers on the green dots - this is the G7 chord.
- Practice Chord Patterns
Try repeating these chord patterns with 4 strums on each chord. If this is difficult, play the pattern with 8 strums on each chord, then four strums , then 2 until your
chord changes are fluent. If a particular chord change is giving you trouble, slow down your strumming and practise only that change until you are comfortable
with it.
| C | F | F | C |
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
| C | G7 | G7 | C |
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
| C | F | C | G7 |
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
| C | F | G7 | C |
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
- Colour the Chord Names to Match
Circle the chord names in the first few 2-3 chord songs in Mike Jackson's Uke 'n Play Ukulele with appropriately coloured highlighter pens:
C = Red, F = Yellow, G7 = Green and you're set to go!