Learn to Play the C Major Chord on Ukulele

In this lesson we’ll teach you how to play the C Major chord on ukulele. We’ll walk through different versions from a simple beginner chord to other C chords across the fingerboard.

Chords on ukulele

When you first start on ukulele, especially if you’re just want to strum along with your favorite songs, it’s important to learn a few key chords. Go here if you want to learn 4 easy beginner chords to learn your first progression.

But in this lesson we’ll focus on just one chord, the C chord, so you can find it wherever you’re playing across the fingerboard.

Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele in open or first position

C Major Chord

This is one of the easiest chords on ukulele and forms the basis for so many wonderful songs. Here’s how you play it.

This easy C Major chord only requires one finger. Place your third finger on the third fret of the first string. Remember the first string is the one closest to the ground. Strum through all four strings with the flesh of your thumb.

Notes of the Easy C Major chord on ukulele

Typically a major chord has only three notes, which is why we also call these chords “triads.” The C Major chord has the notes C-E-G. But if we play those notes out of order (like G-E-C) on the ukulele, they still make up a C Major chord. So our easy C chord on ukulele has the notes (from lowest to highest string): G-C-E-C.

Other C Major Chords on Ukulele

And the great thing about the ukulele is that it has three notes from the C chord (G-C-E) on open strings. That manes we can actually play C chords all over the neck utilizing open strings. Below we start with our easy C chord in open or first position, and then add a couple of C chords in third position using open strings:

Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele in open or first position
Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the third fret with two open strings
Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the third fret and no barre

Let’s try some other positions now

Next we can add a few C chords on ukulele in 5th and 7th positions, some with open strings and others without:

Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the third fret with one open string
Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the fifth fret with no open strings
Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the seventh fret with two open strings

We can expand our C chords with a barre

Another way to create easy moveable shapes all over the fretboard is to use what are known as barre, or bar chords. Here are just a few C barre chords.

Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the third fret with barre and open fourth string
Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the third fret with barre
Chord chart of a C chord on ukulele at the seventh fret with barre

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We hope this introduction to the C chord on ukulele has helped you get more familiar with this essential ukulele chord. But this is just the tip of the iceberg! Go here to learn easy three-finger chords you can move all over the fingerboard.