Note 3, Learning Chords Up and Down the Fretboard, Part 1 of many: The C, A, G, F, D major chord shapes.

In order to learn chords up and down the neck, it is necessary to learn the notes on the fretboard.

One approach to learning chords is based on a system known as CAGED for the guitar, which becomes CAGFD for the ukulele. It begins by recognizing that there are essentially 5 basic chord shapes for major chords. They're named by the chords they form in the first position, that is, closest to the nut.

Each of these shapes can be made into a movable chord when it is slid up the neck by using a the index finger as a bar (except in the case of "D"). For example, take the C shape and slide it up the neck two frets (remembering to bar the 2-nd. 3-rd, and 4-th strings). (0003) becomes (2225) and the C major chord becomes a D major (C to C#/Db to D).

There are many ways to look at it. Focusing on the major chords only:

• The chord produced by the C major shape gets its name from the note on the 1-st string.
• The chord produced by the A major shape gets its name from the note on the 1-st string.
• The chord produced by the G major shape gets its name from the note on the 2-nd string.
• The chord produced by the F major shape gets its name from the note on the 2-nd string.
• The chord produced by the D major shape gets its name from the note on the 3-rd string.

The scheme could be expanded a bit.

• The chord produced by the C major shape also gets its name from the note on the 3-rd string.
• The chord produced by the A major shape also gets its name from the note on the 4-th string.
• The chord produced by the G major shape also gets its name from the note on the 4-th string.

but I'm not sure it helps. Trying to memorize too much can lead to overload, better to learn it by repetition playing.

The scheme for 7-th and minor chords are different For example, in C7=(0001) the C appears only on the 3-rd string, while in Cm=(5333), C appears on both the 1-st and 4-th strings. It has been suggested that one memorize a system for each type of chord.

Calvin Chin, in his delightful book Ukulele Breakthrough, suggests grouping forms by string! For example, the note on the first (A) string names

• the major chord resulting from moving the first position C shape,
• the major chord resulting from moving the first position A shape,
• the minor chord resulting from moving the first position Am shape, and
• the minor chord resulting from moving the first position D7 shape.

There is something to be said for picking a system and sticking with it. There is also something to be said for picking up a little bit here and there. Whatever leads to an "Aha!" moment is good!

These are the chords, but it is not the CAGFD system. We'll see that next time.

Exercise

Pick a simple three chord song.

• Play it by using chords rooted on the first string only.
• Play it by using chords rooted on the second string only.
• Play it by using chords rooted on the third string only.
• Play it by using chords rooted on the fourth string only.

For example, if the song were in C, the three chords would be C=(0003), F=(5558), G=(7,7,7,10).

(You can transpose to a different key
if the chords would drive you too far up the neck.)