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The 7 Chords and 60 Minutes…
That Will Change Your Life!
January 2014
Padre Island Uke Club
Web: PadreIslandUkeClub.com
First Things First
1. How To Talk About Fret Board Locations
The Ukulele is a social instrument. To be able to play as part of a group you need to learn how to
verbally pinpoint any position or note on the fret board of the ukulele.
A. How to Refer to Each String
The first thing you need to know is the names of the open strings. This works with right or left-handed
ukuleles.
4 Strings
Ø The string closest to the floor is called the first string.
A
Ø The next one up is called the second string.
E
Ø The next string up is called the ______ _______________.
C
Ø And the string closest to the sky is called the ______ __________.
G
B. How to Refer to Each Finger
The next piece of the puzzle is learning the finger numbers.
Ø Finger one is the index finger,
Ø Finger two is the middle finger,
Ø Finger three is the ring finger, and
Ø Finger four is your pinkie.
C. Defining the Term, “Fret” and Learning How to Refer to Them
Finally you need to know the names of the frets. When we talk about frets we don’t mean the wire
that goes across the fret board. Those are called fret wires, not frets. The fret is the space that’s
created between those wires. When forming chords, your fingers are placed in the spaces between
those fret wires.
Ø Fret #1 - space between the “nut” and the fret wire closest to the head of the uke
Ø Fret #2 - space between the 1st & 2nd fret wire
Ø Fret #3 - space between the 2nd & 3rd fret wire
Ø Fret #4 - space between the 3rd & 4th fret wire
Ø Fret #5 - space between the 4th & 5th fret wire. board.
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D. Test
Now let’s test what you’ve learned by demonstration.
Ø Put your third finger on the third fret of the first string.
Ø Put your third finger of the third fret on the second string.
Ø Put your second finger on the second fret of the third string.
2. How to Hold & Strum the Ukulele
A. How to Hold a Ukulele
There IS a right and wrong way to hold the uke. Holding it incorrectly makes learning to play more
difficult. Holding it correctly, makes playing easier. Here’s the correct way.
Ø (If you are right handed) Bend your right arm at the elbow and place your hand just under
your rib cage.
Ø Rest the body of your uke ON your forearm.
Ø Rest the head of the uke between your thumb and index finger in your left hand.
Ø If you can play standing up without using a strap, you are holding the ukulele
correctly.
B. How to Strum a Ukulele
Ø Without moving your elbow, extend your open hand (palm toward the uke) and place it on
the fret board.
Ø Using the index finger on your right hand, point directly at your ukulele. Point the other 3
fingers on that hand back at yourself. To do this you will arch your wrist just enough to
create space between your pointed finger and the uke.
Ø Touch the strings of your uke with your pointed index finger.
Ø Now, look at your index finger. Your finger should be at a 90-degree angle to the strings
and your body. That’s how you will strum. That’s also where you will strum.
Ø Moving only the wrist, drag your index finger up and down across the strings. Notice that
your fingernail contacts the strings on the down-stroke. The fleshy part of your index finger
tip contacts the strings on the up-stroke.
Ø Important: DO NOT move your arm when you strum. Only your wrist moves. Strumming a
ukulele is done by shaking your wrist, NOT by pumping your arm.
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Parts of the Ukulele
Chord Shapes for the Chords: C, C7, F, G, G7, Dm & D7
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First 2 Chords: F Chord and the C7 Chord
First Song: Singing In the Rain
Singing In The Rain
I'm [F] singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm [C7] happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm [F] ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a [C7] smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the [F] rain
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Another two chords: C Chord and the G7 Chord
Second Song: He’s got the Whole World in His Hands
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
4/4 1…2…123
He's got the [C] whole world in his hands
He's got the [G7] whole, wide world in his hands
He's got the [C] whole world in his hands
He's got the [G7] whole world in his [C] hands
He's got the little bitty baby in his hands
He's got the [G7] little bitty baby in his hands
He's got the [C] little bitty baby in his hands
He's got the [G7] whole world in his [C] hands
He's got you and me brother in his hands
He's got you [G7] and me sister in his hands
He's got you [C] and me brother in his hands
He's got the [G7] whole world in his [C] hands
He's got the ukulele players in his hands
He's got [G7] the ukulele players in his hands
He's got [C] the ukulele players in his hands
He's got the [G7] whole world in his [C] hands
Other Two Chord Songs you may like to try
Song
Composer/Artist
Achy Breaky Heart
Billy Ray Cyrus
A horse with no name
America
Anyone else but you
The Moldy Peaches
Down in the valley
Drunken sailor
Eleanor Rigby
The Beatles
Feeling alright Traffic
Dave Mason
Hey Gyp
Donovan
Jambalaya
Hank Williams
London Bridge is falling down
Chords
D A7
Em D
G Cmaj7
D A7
Am G
C Em
C7 F7
AG
C G7
F C7
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Another New Chord: Dm Chord
Third Song: Don’t Worry Be Happy
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Intro: [C] [Dm] [F] [C] x 2
[C] Here's a little song I wrote,
[Dm] you might want to sing it note for note,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
In every life we have some trouble,
[Dm] when you worry you make it double,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
CHORUS (ooh’s) [C] [Dm] [F] [C] x 2
[C] Aint got no place to lay your head,
[Dm] somebody came and took your bed,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
The Landlord say your rent is late,
[Dm] he may have to litigate,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
CHORUS (ooh’s) [C] [Dm] [F] [C] x 2
[C] Aint got no cash, aint got no style,
[Dm] aint got no gal to make you smile,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
Cos when you worry, your face will frown,
[Dm] and that will bring everybody down,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
CHORUS (ooh’s) [C] [Dm] [F] [C] x 2
[C] Here's a little song I wrote,
[Dm] you can learn it note for note,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
In your life expect some trouble,
[Dm] but when you worry you make it double,
Don't [F] worry, be [C] happy
CHORUS (ooh’s) [C] [Dm] [F] [C] x 2
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No New Chords
4 Chord Song: C, C7, F & G7
King Of The Road
[C] Trailer for [F] sale or rent
[G7] Rooms to let... [C] fifty cents.
No phone, no [F] pool, no pets
I [G7] ain't got no cigarettes
Ah, but.. [C] two hours of [F] pushin' broom
Buys an [G7] eight by twelve [C] four-bit room
I'm a [C7] man of [F] means by no means
[G7] King of the road.
[C] Third boxcar, [F] midnight train
[G7] Destination...[C] Bangor, Maine.
Old worn out [F] suits and shoes,
I [G7] don't pay no union dues,
I smoke [C] old stogies [F] I have found
[G7] Short, but not too [C] big around
I'm a [C7] man of [F] means by no means
[G7] King of the road.
I know [C] every engineer on [F] every train
[G7] All of their children, and [C] all of their names
And [C] every handout in [F] every town
And [G7] every lock that ain't locked when no one's around.
I sing,
[C] Trailer for [F] sale or rent
[G7] Rooms to let... [C] fifty cents.
No phone, no [F] pool, no pets
I [G7] ain't got no cigarettes
Ah, but.. [C] two hours of [F] pushin' broom
Buys an [G7] eight by twelve [C] four-bit room
I'm a [C7] man of [F] means by no means
[G7] King of the [C] road,
[G7] King of the [C] road,
[G7] King of the [C] road
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Same Four Chords
New Song
You Are My Sunshine
Chorus:
You Are My [C] Sunshine, My only [C7] sunshine.
You make me [F] happy, when skies are [C] grey.
You'll never [F] know, dear, How much I [C] love you.
Please don't take my sun[G7]shine [C] away
(last G7 C)
Verse 1
The other [C] nite, dear, as I lay [C7] sleeping
I dreamed I [F] held you in my [C] arms.
When I [F] awoke, dear, I was [C] mistaken
And I hung my [G7] head and [C] cried.
Verse 2
I'll always [C] love you, and make you [C7] happy
If you will [F] only say the [C] same
But if you [F] leave me to love [C] another
You'll regret it all [G7] some [C] day;
Play the Chorus Twice To End
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Same 4 Chords
New Song
Cotton Fields (Play Through Twice)
[C] When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would [F] rock me in the [C] cradle,
In them old cotton fields back [G7] home;
It was [C] down in louisiana,
Just about a [F] mile from texar[C]kana,
In them old [G7] cotton fields back [C] home.
[C7] Oh, when them [F] cotton bolls get rotten
You cant [C] pick very much cotton,
In them old cotton fields back [G7] home;
It was [C] down in louisiana,
Just about a [F] mile from texar[C]kana,
In them old [G7] cotton fields back [C] home.
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Last 2 Chords: D7 and G
Another New Song
Bad Moon Rising
Intro Riff ||:G / / / |D7 / C / |G / / / |G / / /:||
[G] I see the [D7] bad [C] moon a[G]rising.
[G] I see [D7] trouble [C] on the [G] way.
[G] I see [D7] earth[C]quakes and [G] lightnin'.
[G] I see [D7] bad [C] times to[G]day.
[C] Don't go around tonight,
Well, its [G] bound to take your life,
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise.
[C] Don't go around tonight,
Well, its [G] bound to take your life,
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise… Intro Riff
[G] I hear [D7] hurri[C]canes a[G]blowing.
[G] I know the [D7] end is [C] coming [G] soon.
[G] I fear [D7] rivers [C] over [G] flowing.
[G] I hear the [D7] voice of [C] rage and [G] ruin.
[C] Don't go around tonight,
Well, its [G] bound to take your life,
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise.
[C] Don't go around tonight,
Well, its [G] bound to take your life,
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise…Intro Riff
[G] Hope you [D7] got your [C] things to[G]gether.
[G] Hope you are [D7] quite pre[C]pared to [G] die.
[G] Looks like we're [D7] in for [C] nasty [G] weather.
[G] One eye is [D7] taken [C] for an [G] eye.
[C] Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's [G] bound to take your life,
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise,
[C] Don't go around tonight,
Well, its [G] bound to take your life,
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise…
INTRO as OUTRO finish on single G
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No New Chords
Useful Song Every Uke Player Needs to Know
Happy Birthday
Happy [C] Birthday to [G7] you,
Happy Birthday to [C] you,
Happy [C7] Birthday, dear [F] Name, Name,
Happy [C] Birthday [G7] to [C] you
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