A Guide to Ukulele Chords

A guide to open position, movable form, 4-part jazz chords, rock chords and more...

BC1UKE.shtml | Updated: 02-Jul-2009 - 12:04

If you know exactly what you want visit the Products Order Page for fast ordering.

A Guide to Ukulele Chords

Author: Curt Sheller
Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications - (54 pages)
ISBN-10: 0-9714044-7-X Published: October 2004
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-7-2
Size: 8.5 x 11 inches (coil binding)
Product Code: BC1UKE
Press Release: www.curtsheller.com/BC1UKE/PR_BC1UKE.html

This book is designed as a guide to ukulele (pronounced “oo-koo-lele”) chords. Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...

From a few basic chord shapes and a understanding of how chords are constructed your chord vocabulary can be dramatically increased without memorizing countless more chord shapes. There are too many chord shapes to memorize.

This book will take the mystery out playing and understanding chords on the ukulele, whether it is a standard, concert, tenor or baritone ukulele in “C”, “D” or “G” tuning, low or high string four.

Book Information Sheet

Book Information Sheet: 2 pages:
FILE: BC1UKE_about.pdf ( 1.5 MB )

You will need Adobe Reader to view your PDF file.

Foreword

“There are too many chord shapes to memorize,” writes Curt Sheller in his new volume A Guide to Ukulele Chords. No doubt, memorization can be limiting if it isn’t grounded in understanding. So, how are chords made and how are they named? Over the course of the chapters ahead, Mr. Sheller draws on his wealth of musical experience, offering answers to these questions and more. Beginning with the most accessible chords and progressing to the more challenging ones, the lessons that follow are of value to both rookie and veteran players.

A Guide to Ukulele Chords is well organized, informal yet informative and promotes understanding over memorization. “A chord dictionary,” as Mr. Sheller writes, “is not the answer.” A concise guide to understanding chord structure, however, just might be.

James Hill
Canada’s `Ukulele Virtuoso
www.UkuleleJames.com

Introduction

After playing jazz guitar for 20 years, I rediscovered the ukulele. Then I learned that ukulele players struggle (like guitar players) with movable chord forms and the more advanced chords, commonly called “jazz” chords. There was no clear, concise, organized book for guiding an aspiring ukulele player through this maze of chords, so I decided to write one.

This book is a guide to the basic chords all ukulele players should know. It introduces the ukulele fingerboard, movable chord forms and 4-part jazz chords, all in three common ukulele tunings. You can build your new skills on the simplest chords. You can also learn, rock chords and chordal transposition. In addition to doing extensive research, I have tested and improved these materials during several years of studio teaching.

From a few basic chord shapes and an understanding of how chords are constructed, your chord vocabulary can be dramatically increased without endless memorizing. In fact, this book will take the mystery out of playing and understanding ukulele chords on a standard, concert, tenor, or baritone ukulele, using “C”, “D” or “G” tuning, low or high string four.

Order print book

SECURE ONLINE SHOPPING - CCNow is a secure online retailer for thousands of suppliers on the Internet. When you shop with CCNow, you actually view products on the supplier's Web site. When you're ready to make a purchase, you are seamlessly connected to CCNow's secure online transaction system to complete your order. For your convenience, we accept credit card and PayPal payments.

* A link to a downloadable PDF file will be emailed to you within 24hrs, holding you over till your hard copy version of the book arrives.

Order both A Guide to Ukulele Chords and A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z and SAVE

* A link to a downloadable PDF file will be emailed to you within 24hrs, holding you over till your hard copy version of the book arrives.

Order eBook and Save

Go Green!!!

Save a Tree and Go Digital, and SAVE 40%

Using PayPal you can now go digital and save big time. Most of my (Curt Sheller) books are now available as PDF files. These files can be printed out and are not password protected.

  • PayPal is Safe, secure and easy way to pay online
  • With PayPal you pay without exposing credit card number to merchants

Save off the printed version and get it same day.

Curt Sheller Publications uses PayPal for PDF (printable) orders only. For print book orders that also include a PDF file use the ccNow option.

Printable PDF: $10.47

An email with a link to the PDF file will be sent upon receiving payment. Typically takes less than 24hrs.

Contents

  • Forward
  • Introduction
  • Open Position Chords
    • The Ukulele Chord Diagram
    • “C” Tuning Open Position Chords
    • “D” Tuning Open Position Chords
    • Baritone Open Position Chords
    • Open Position Chord Summary
  • Movable Chord Forms
    • “A/Bb” Movable Form Chords
    • “C/Db” Movable Form Chords
    • “G/Ab” Movable Form Chords
  • 4-Part Movable 7th Chord Forms
    • “C” Tuning - Soprano, Concert & Tenor • (G C E A)
    • “D” Tuning - Soprano, Concert & Tenor • (A D F# B)
    • “G” Tuning - Tenor & Baritone • (D G B E)
    • Generic • All Common Ukulele Tunings
    • Additional 7th Movable Chord Forms
    • Tips for Remembering Chords
  • Diminished & Augmented Chords
  • Rock Uke
    • Power 5 Chords
    • sus Chords
    • Add 9 Chords
  • 4-Part “Jazz”” Chord Forms
    • What is a Chord?
    • A Few Chord Building Rules
    • Creating the 4 Basic Chord Types
    • Building More Advanced Chords
    • Scale Interval Formula Chart
    • Suggested Learning Order
    • Scale Interval Chart
  • Transposing Chords & Progressions
  • Practice Chord Progressions
    • Orlando Blues
    • WC Swing
  • Learning The Ukulele Fingerboard
    • Common Tunings
    • Key Frets
    • "C" Tuning Natural & Sharp Notes
    • "C" Tuning Natural & Flat Notes
    • "D" Tuning Natural & Sharp Notes
    • "D" Tuning Natural & Flat Notes
    • "G" Tuning Natural & Sharp Notes
    • "G" Tuning Natural & Flat Notes

Testimonials

(Regarding QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Ukulele) ... I was looking for blues chording info but your site came up as jazz chords. I figured soon or later I would need jazzer chords so here I am. Plus nobody else is offering more indepth info on the uke, I liked the scale one the best so far. Thank you RDGauthier

 

(Regarding QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Ukulele) The ukulele book arrived, it must have been chatting with some Christmas cards somewhere.

The books are great!! I am very happy to wrap the books up, and put them under the tree.

My husband and I are both learning to play ukulele and he is also playing a little bit of guitar.  Thanks also for sending the full catalogue. These look like some of the best materials that I have found so far! Thanks, Laura C.

Regarding the Ukulele Chord and Scale books

... I was looking for blues chording info but your site came up as jazz chords. I figured soon or later I would need jazzer chords so here I am. Plus nobody else is offering more indepth info on the uke, I liked the scale one the best so far. Thank you RDGauthier

I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books -- I have four of them and they are excelent. fatveg - Portland (4th Peg Ukulele forum)

If you ask, "When I'm playing a solo over a jazz song, how do I know which notes work at any point in the song?" then you may want to have a look at this book (Harmonic Anaylsis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution)

You can glean this information from many sources, but this is a pithy, direct approach to the heart of the answer you're looking for. I would also suggest, for a broad, comprehensive, and beautifully written "Bible" on understanding jazz, Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book."

James K. Kroger, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, New Mexico State University

I wanted to pay you a compliment. (Now don’t get a big head!). I have purchased many books over the past 15 years I have been playing and none of them come even close to having the detailed and easy to understand information yours have. I really got a chance to get some practicing in and am finding your books to be such a great learning tool. I also purchased a timer like you suggested and my practice sessions the past 4 days have been my best in years. Take care,

Nick (Matty) Matyszczak

JazzGuitarLife.com

(A review of The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Vol.1 by Lyle Robinson of JazzGuitarLife) ...When I received this instructional book for review my first question was, “where was Curt Sheller when I needed him twenty years ago?” If I had access to this book early on I would have most likely progressed quicker than I did, especially when faced with a lead sheet from a fake book with all those “weird” chord names and alterations.

Sheller’s “The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Vol.1” provides the beginner and intermediate jazz guitar player with the most common and great sounding chord voicings of all the major, minor, dominant, augmented and diminished chords plus their alterations: 9, 11, and 13ths. As well, he discusses the sus, add, and slash theory of such chord formations.

This is a text that is beautifully laid out and very easy to work through. What little chord theory there is throughout the book is clearly explained and doesn’t bog the student down with too much theoretical discourse. The chord diagrams are clearly defined and there is no confusion about where fingers should be placed. This is definitely a book that you can begin utilizing in a practical playing situation almost immediately. And it’s great for teachers to get their beginning Jazz guitar students to start hearing and playing those wonderful voicings that excited us all early on in our development as Jazz guitar players.

“The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Vol.1” is a great beginning for any aspiring Jazz guitarist and I can't wait to check out Volumes two and three.

Thank you Lyle Robinson

(Regarding QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Ukulele) ... I was looking for blues chording info but your site came up as jazz chords. I figured soon or later I would need jazzer chords so here I am. Plus nobody else is offering more indepth info on the uke, I liked the scale one the best so far.

Thank you RDGauthier

(Regarding QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Ukulele) The ukulele book arrived, it must have been chatting with some Christmas cards somewhere.

The books are great!! I am very happy to wrap the books up, and put them under the tree.

My husband and I are both learning to play ukulele and he is also playing a little bit of guitar.  Thanks also for sending the full catalogue. These look like some of the best materials that I have found so far!

Thanks, Laura C.

Book Samples

Click on sample images to view larger pages.
Sample pages may appear faded, cropped, or partially obscured. Purchased and downloaded copies do not include these imperfections.

Full sample below using Scribd.com's iPaper

NOTE: Ads are not part of the the hard copy or a PDF. They are when the book is being displayed as part of the www.Scribd.com, iPaper viewer. A larger view of the book is available in the www.Scribd.com web site.

 

Related Book Info

Books

The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I


Volume I features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z


The volume covers the key of C major and C minor, including detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and the chord substitutions. In “C” and “G” tuning.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I


Commonly referred to as “jazz” chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most ukulele players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele


Exploring “Jazz” Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

Ukulele Chords - “C” Tuning


Mini ukulele chord book of basic open position and movable form chords. Great for your uke case. “C” Tuning, high or low G

Print Book & PDF: $9.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $5.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

A Guide to Ukulele Chords


Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...

Print Book & PDF: $14.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $8.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution


Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

FREE Online Lessons

Here are two lessons based my book A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele from A to Z using the chords from A Guide to Ukulele Chords

This is a series of UkuleleLessons (FREE) I've created for uke players to get a handle on chords and progressions.

Visit www.CurtShelller.com/lessons/uke/chords/index.shtml for Learning Chords, Chord Progressions and a "little" Chord Theory on How Chords Work.

Thanks for visiting and checking out my site!

Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Curt Sheller

MAY 2009 Now accepting selected advertising.

AA.png MGM.png ad-forInfo.png
Banners Ads
  • 125x125 Banner Ads (Sidebar-every page) : $20/month
  • 468x100 Banner Ad (Single Spot on top of two pages of your choice) : $300/year
Average Visitors to CurtSheller.com

( Total - Unique visitors )
2009 Apr 32,849, 15,183 Mar 37,852, 17,396 Feb 34,900, 16,369 Jan 38,687, 16,966
2008 Dec 35,054, 16,463 Nov 35,273, 16,432 Oct 35,328, 16,494

Averaging over 1000 visitors a day.

For More Information

For more information contact curt@curtsheller.com. For available pages visit the ad rates page.

Bookmark and Share

For ALL the lastest news visit
blog.curtsheller.com

Top 50 Ukulele Sites

CurtSheller.com


Website brought to you by
Curt Sheller

Curt Sheller Publications
www.CurtSheller.com
and hosted by:

“Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.” - - Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

“I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books -- I have four of them and they are excelent.” - fatveg - Portland