C Chord Ukulele

C Chord On Ukulele

C is probably the first chord that almost everyone learns on ukulele. It’s simple to play and it sets you up in the key of C which is one of the easiest keys to play in. Let’s take a look at the C chord in a little more detail.

The chord of C comprises of the notes C, E and G which also happen to be the top 3 strings on your ukulele (albeit in a slightly different order). If you were to play just those top 3 strings without hitting the bottom string, you’d be playing a C chord. You’ve just played a C chord without fretting a single note.

The classic C chord which everyone learns first drops your third finger onto fret 3 of the bottom string on your ukulele. This note is a C. You’re effectively doubling up your C note when you play this chord. That’s 2 C notes and the additional G and E.

The reason I’m telling you all this is that you don’t need to play it that way. As long as you have the notes C, E and G you can play it any way you like.

C Chord Variation

Let’s take a look at a variation on our familiar C chord. This time instead of putting your third finger on the third fret of the bottom string, put it on the seventh fret of the bottom string. Like this…

C Chord High E

This time instead of doubling up our C note, we’re doubling the E note. Give it a strum and listen. Notice the subtle difference? That high E makes a really sweet sounding variation.

You can throw this into your playing in place of the regular C chord that you normally play. Sometimes you’ll find it fits really well and adds a new dimension.

Another C Chord

Now let’s try another variation. We’re going to switch it up a little for this one. Drop your index finger on the 7th fret of C string. Place your second finger on the 7th fret of the A string and your third finger on the 8th fret of the C string. Leave the G (top) string unfretted. Essentially you’re playing a G chord shape at the 7th fret.

Alternative C Chord

 

Strum down and listen. You’re playing a C chord again, only again it has a different feel to it.

There are many different inversions that form the same chord. It’s definitely worth spending at least some of your time getting to grips with them. A little fretboard knowledge goes a long way here.

Check out my post on chord inversions if you’d like to know more.

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10 thoughts on “C Chord On Ukulele

    1. If you check out the F and G chords up the neck you will find ones close to the C chord up the neck which will make the chord changes easier and open up a whole new ukulele world for you 🙂

    1. Well Ally, they’re all just C chords so you can throw any of them in any song that uses a C. Give it a try!

    2. Hi, learned to play Jack Johnson’s “There’s no combination”. During the chorus, when it goes:

      [Bb] Mmmm, it’s always [C] better when we’re together
      [Bb]Yeeeeh, we’ll look at the [C] stars when we’re together…

      If you hear to the song, there’s always a sort of build down, from C through Bb. Jack Johnson plays C-B-Bb. So, you can play C as (5433), instead of (0003), then slide to B (4322) to finish with Bb (3211), and you are ready for the next verse:

      [Bb] Yeaaaaah! It’s always [C] better when we’re together [C]-[B]-[Bb]…

      I hope it makes sense 😛

  1. great tutorial. Also very useful by for more rhythm. You can mute between the strums (if you strum)

  2. comment jouer sur le ukulele le c* ou le c-
    ex : Chant Waikiki de Andy Cummings
    ….
    IT’S A FEELING HEAVEN—LY
    Gm C7 C+
    ….
    AN ANGEL SWEET AND HEAVENLY
    Am C- Gm C+ Merci de répondre.

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