Ukulele chords and guitar chords are the same theory, but different shapes: the ukulele has four strings, tuned G, C, E, A, re-entrant, and the guitar has six strings, tuned E, A, D, G, B, E. A C major chord is one finger on ukulele, and three fingers on guitar, and the shapes do not transfer, because the tunings are different, but the notes are the same.
How do ukulele and guitar chords compare?
Ukulele chords and guitar chords are the same theory, but different shapes: the ukulele has four strings, tuned G, C, E, A, re-entrant, and the guitar has six strings, tuned E, A, D, G, B, E. A C major chord is one finger on ukulele, and three fingers on guitar, and the shapes do not transfer, because the tunings are different, but the notes are the same, C, E, and G, for C major, on any instrument, and the theory is the same, and the chord is the root, the 3rd, and the 5th, whether it is played on ukulele, or on guitar, or on piano. The ukulele is easier, because it has fewer strings, and the chords are simpler, with one or two fingers, and the sound is bright and happy, because the tuning is re-entrant, and the strings are high, and the guitar is harder, because it has more strings, and the chords are more complex, with three or four fingers, and the sound is fuller, and warmer, because the strings are lower, and the range is wider, and the two instruments are different, but the music is the same, and the player who knows one can learn the other, because the theory is the same, and the chords are the same, only the shapes are different. The C major ukulele chord and the C major guitar chord are the chords most players first compare, and the chord finder shows the notes of any chord, on any instrument.
How ukulele and guitar chords compare
Ukulele and guitar chords compare because the theory is the same, and the shapes are different, and the difference is the tuning, and the string count. The ukulele has four strings, G, C, E, A, re-entrant, with the G string high, G4, 392 Hz, and the guitar has six strings, E, A, D, G, B, E, with the low E string, E2, 82.41 Hz, and the high E string, E4, 329.63 Hz, and the ukulele is tuned high, and the guitar is tuned low and high, and the range is different, and the chords are different, because the strings are different, and the shapes are the shapes, of the strings, and the tuning, and the chord is the notes, and the notes are the same, on any instrument. A C major chord on ukulele is played with one finger, on the 3rd fret of the A string, and the notes are G, C, E, C, which are the 5th, the root, the major 3rd, and the root, and the chord is C major, with the root doubled, and the sound is bright. A C major chord on guitar is played with three fingers, on the 3rd fret of the A string, the 2nd fret of the D string, and the 1st fret of the B string, and the notes are C, E, G, C, E, which are the root, the major 3rd, the 5th, the root, and the major 3rd, and the chord is C major, with the root and the 3rd doubled, and the sound is fuller, and warmer, because the guitar has more strings, and the range is wider. The G major ukulele chord and the G major guitar chord are the chords the comparison is built on.
Worked example — C major on ukulele and on guitar. Play C major on ukulele, with the ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, and the other strings open, and the notes are G, C, E, C, which are the 5th, the root, the major 3rd, and the root, and the chord is C major, played with one finger, and the sound is bright, because the ukulele is tuned high, and the strings are close together, in pitch. Now play C major on guitar, with the ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, the middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and the index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, and the notes are C, E, G, C, E, which are the root, the major 3rd, the 5th, the root, and the major 3rd, and the chord is C major, played with three fingers, and the sound is fuller, and warmer, because the guitar has six strings, and the range is wider, and the chord is the same, C major, but the voicing is different, because the instruments are different. The key of C major lists the chords the comparison is built on.
How to practise ukulele and guitar chords together
Practise ukulele and guitar chords together by playing the same chord on both instruments, and comparing the notes, the fingers, and the sound, so the theory is learned, and the shapes are learned, separately.
- Play a C major chord on ukulele, with one finger, and on guitar, with three fingers, and compare the notes, G, C, E, C, on ukulele, and C, E, G, C, E, on guitar, and listen for the notes to be the same chord, C major.
- Play the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major on ukulele, and then on guitar, and listen for the harmony to be the same, and the sound to be different, bright on ukulele, and full on guitar.
- Practise with the metronome at 60 beats per minute, and increase the tempo by 5 beats per minute when the chords are clean at the current tempo, on both instruments.
- Use the chord finder to find the notes of any chord, on ukulele and on guitar, and check that the notes are the same, and the shapes are different.
- Learn the theory, the root, the 3rd, and the 5th, for each chord, so the chords are known by their notes, not just by their shapes, and the theory transfers, between instruments.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the shapes transfer — A ukulele chord shape will not make the same chord on a guitar, because the tunings are different, and the strings are different, and the shape is the shape, of the tuning, and the chord is the notes, and the notes are the same, but the shape is different. Learn the shapes for each instrument, separately, and the chords will be right.
- Thinking one instrument is better — The ukulele is not better than the guitar, and the guitar is not better than the ukulele, they are different, and each has its place, and the ukulele is bright and happy, and easy to learn, and the guitar is full and warm, and versatile, and the best player uses both, choosing the instrument that fits the song.
- Ignoring the theory — The theory is the same, on any instrument, and a player who ignores it will learn the shapes, but not the music, and the chords will be memorised, not understood, and the player will not be able to transpose, or improvise, or write songs. Learn the theory, the root, the 3rd, and the 5th, and the chords will be understood, on any instrument.
Quick reference
This table compares the ukulele and the guitar side by side, so you can see the differences at a glance. The ukulele has four strings, tuned high, and re-entrant, and the guitar has six strings, tuned low and high, and the chords are the same theory, but different shapes, and the sound is different, bright on ukulele, and full on guitar.
| Ukulele | Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Strings | 4, tuned G–C–E–A | 6, tuned E–A–D–G–B–E |
| Tuning | Re-entrant, G string high | Standard, low to high |
| C major fingers | 1 finger | 3 fingers |
| C major notes | G – C – E – C | C – E – G – C – E |
| Sound | Bright and happy | Full and warm |
| Difficulty | Easy, fewer strings | Harder, more strings |
Use the table to compare the instruments: if you want a bright, happy sound, and easy chords, play the ukulele, and if you want a full, warm sound, and versatile chords, play the guitar, and learn the theory, the root, the 3rd, and the 5th, so the chords are understood, on any instrument. When you can play the same chord on both, you have the theory, and the music is yours.
Frequently asked questions
How do ukulele and guitar chords compare?
Ukulele chords and guitar chords are the same theory, but different shapes: the ukulele has four strings, tuned G, C, E, A, re-entrant, and the guitar has six strings, tuned E, A, D, G, B, E. A C major chord is one finger on ukulele, and three fingers on guitar.
Can I use guitar chord shapes on a ukulele?
No, not directly, because the tunings are different, and the strings are different, and the shape is the shape, of the tuning, and a guitar shape on a ukulele will make a different chord, or no chord, and the shapes must be learned, for each instrument, separately.
Is the ukulele easier than the guitar?
Yes, for chords, because it has fewer strings, and the chords are simpler, with one or two fingers, and the sound is bright and happy, and the ukulele is the easiest instrument to learn chords on, and the guitar is harder, because it has more strings, and the chords are more complex.
Are the notes the same on ukulele and guitar?
Yes, for the same chord. A C major chord is C, E, and G, on any instrument, and the notes are the root, the major 3rd, and the perfect 5th, whether it is played on ukulele, or on guitar, or on piano, and the theory is the same, only the shapes are different.
Should I learn ukulele or guitar first?
Either, because the theory is the same, and the player who learns one can learn the other, and the ukulele is easier, and faster to learn, and the guitar is more versatile, and the choice is the sound you want, and the songs you want to play.