Barre (closed) chords are a way of opening up your musical options and better understanding the ukulele. If this sounds like torture to you, don't go there.
The bottom line is the joy of the music. Many can find joy with three chords and a simple strum (I wish that I was that kind of person). Some people want more and love the challenge. Whichever type of musician you are, embrace it and enjoy it.
We began working with major chord 2 shapes - As you will remember, a major chord is made up of scale notes 1 (root) 3, and 5. In the below diagram, the R and numbers at the top identify these notes that make up the chord.
The bottom line is the joy of the music. Many can find joy with three chords and a simple strum (I wish that I was that kind of person). Some people want more and love the challenge. Whichever type of musician you are, embrace it and enjoy it.
We began working with major chord 2 shapes - As you will remember, a major chord is made up of scale notes 1 (root) 3, and 5. In the below diagram, the R and numbers at the top identify these notes that make up the chord.
If you choose to work on barre chords, practice these two shapes at home this week. Of course, these shapes can be used anywhere on the fretboard. What chord it becomes is determined by what the root is. So, as shown in the two diagrams above (on the 2nd fret) the chord shape on the left is a G chord and the one on the right is a B chord.
Some good songs in the daily Ukulele for practicing these chords are:
Folsom Prison Blues
Proud Mary
Chapel of Love
King of the Road …… and many more.
Just force yourself to practice one of these shapes at a time.
Some hints to learning these shapes. As always, work on teaching your fingers the shape, not building the chord one finger at a time. Make the shape putting your fingers lightly on the strings but don't press. Then press and strum all at once, then release. This will reduce the stress on your fingers and help your fingers learn the shape. Shake your handout and do it again.
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