Who says a ukulele badass can’t play pretty stuff.. at least once in a while?
Here are some different chord voicings, or inversions, plus some ideas to ‘pretty up’ the basic C F G chord progression, otherwise known as the I IV V (1 4 5) progression in the KEY of C. C is the I chord, F is the IV chord and G is the V chord.
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First some chords, then ideas. BTW, videos are at the bottom of the page.
CHORDS: These chords have a really nice continuity as they all have the C string open. I’ll throw in an Am voicing (VI chord) because it is very close to the F chord. They are played like triads with the open C as the glue between them. Pay close attention to the fret markers.
The left hand fingering for ALL the chords:
1st string – pinky
2nd string – index
3rd string – open
4th string – middle
Playing them this way makes it easier to switch between them.
Experiment and try them in various orders. Below I’ll mention a few songs I mess around with as well as an original I wrote using all these chords. But first…
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BONUS CHORDS: Here we ascend from the original C voicing and head for celestial realms. The Dm7 is the ii chord, the Em6 is the iii chord and here is another F. Again, pay attention to the fret markers.
Honestly, this pattern of triads can continue for as many frets you have.
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IDEAS: We all know there are thousands of songs in the key of C. Here are a few to play with using these voicings.
Romeo and Juliet – Dire Straits
Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Insert yours here…
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Here is the video tutorial so you can hear what it sounds like.
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And here is the original song I wrote a few years ago using these chord forms. The actual chords mentioned in this tutorial begin around the 48 second mark. Also note, if you follow this blog, I am using the Folksy Fingerstyle technique.
ukulelesecrets 
June 9th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Very Nice Thank You!
June 10th, 2011 at 10:19 am
Thanks for the latest ukulele secret!
June 10th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Just what I needed for the rainy weekend ahead!
June 14th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Thanks as always. Always great ideas.
July 18th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Thank you all for the feedback! It helps inspire more secret telling.
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:29 am
Thank you,
October 27th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
This is a lovely piece.Is it tabbed or will you consider doing so?
October 28th, 2013 at 11:48 am
Peter, thanks but I probably won’t tab the song. This tutorial combined with the Folksy Fingerstyle tutorial is about all you need to play something like this.
March 20th, 2016 at 4:57 am
Awesome – thanks so much from Dave here in Melbourne, Australia. Yes, we love ukes here as well !!
September 9th, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Please clarify your definition of the Gsus chord. As far as I can see you have the 3rd AND the 4th which makes it an Add11. How can you call it suspended if you’re leaving the 3rd in there?
September 10th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Good catch, Paul. What you said is absolutely correct. Thanks!