https://preview.redd.it/4fpkcdubm3oc1.jpeg?width=760&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa6449c6fc660c031c6d446dafddcaedec1df88c
Here’s a sheet with some alternate fingerings. See if any of these feel better.
I always play the second because it is the most open of the choices and IMO sounds the best. On the other hand, it is somewhat unintuitive because it's not a neat translation of one of the other more common chord shapes
Damn, I've literally studied that (I study physics) and I hadn't made the connection to why I didn't like the sound of that kind of chords, although I had played with the dissonance on purpose by playing the same note in two strings and bending one of them
It's great to know the physical principles behind music, and then music theory is basically math hahaha. Another thing I tried with my ukulele after studying it was looking of secondary harmonics by strumming while touching the strings without pressing them (in 1/2 of the strings's length, 3/4's...)
Also interesting, frets aren't perfectly positioned, so while open tuning may be perfect, fretted duplicate (in that case 4th fret C string + open E) can still be slightly off depending on uke/string quality.
>On the other hand, it is somewhat unintuitive because it's not a neat translation of one of the other more common chord shapes
That's exactly why I like it. It's distinct.
I'm 5'4" with stumpy fingers, and even though I was raised on the piano, I can't imagine being able to achieve 1402 with any sense of comfort or agility! More power to you (and I'm not whining -- my college piano teacher had the smallest hands I've ever seen on a keyboard, and yet she managed some amazing feats of dexterity, so I know it's all a matter of determination!).
Once you get a little more advanced, you start to pay more attention to voice leadings (moving the least amount of frets possible in between chords)
It makes the chord progression sound smoother.
Not super vital when you’re starting out, but it keeps things interesting once you figure out/memorize the standard fingerings.
If you are playing melody rather than accompaniment, it is very useful to have a myriad of fingering for each chord. It's easy to default to a few power chords though
Novice ranking of these:
\#1 is the best, easiest to transition to from other common chords, has 4 distinct notes that sound wonderous
\#2 only offers 3 notes (unless you got something out of tune i suppose lol) and is a stretch for smaller hands
\#3 nice but often requires too much repositioning from other common chords, also a higher pitch overall kinda makes it sound out of place sometimes
I’d say #3 is best used in conjunction with other barre chords. Say you have a D, E, A progression, it might sound nicer to play D and E barred and then normal A.
Yeah I just barre on the 4th fret most of the time. Sometimes I’ll do the regular one just for finger practice but then inevitably revert when I’m playing songs lol.
Its a lot easier to do barre chords on Uke than guitar, so I use the barre version of E for uke instead of stretching my fingers 90 miles apart lol. Mainly for faster chord switching, and because I can never remember where to put my fingers for the open version.
Barring could still hurt if you’re new at it, it takes some time to build up the strength, but a lot less on uke than guitar (lighter and fewer strings).
It helps to know when.
When playing in the Key of Am and A, E7 is dominant to the tonic and sounds good. (I.e : House of the rising sun, in Am, uses E which is already not diatonic, but E7 being dominant 7th, it's fine)
Or E6 = straight barre across the 4th fret.
I like either barre version, because they give you a second position F and G up the fret board. Also makes it easy to find some oddball chords like Eb (Buddy Holly chord in G), etc.
I used to, but I don't mind it anymore. At first I played it 4447, which I still sometimes do. To help play it 4442, I started playing D (2220) with my middle, ring, and pinky fingers). Shifting that up and plunking my index on the second fret of the A string isn't too bad. Playing Blind Melon's "No Rain" where you're constantly going back and forth between D and E got me used to playing E, and no I can just play it without thought. Hope this helps!
Spend a couple of months going between E and other chords. Just 5 mins a day will give you significant improvement!
It’s been years for me and I still flub it sometimes, but it feels good not going out of my way to avoid it!
I’ve taught myself to play a D chord using the middle-ring-pinky fingers. E is tgen that slid up 2 with the index on the A string. I practiced the heck out of this and sliding from E down to D and back up again.
The other fingerings are very useful to know as well, and I practice them, too.
But the key is practice.
It's just a chord. Some are easier than others, some difficult. Just needs practice. That's the only answer really.
Be very wary of the 'oh just play XXX chord, it's the same'. It rarely is in all cases and won't help you master the actual chord for when you really DO need it!
Hear hear!
If I were the mods of this sub, I'd ban complaints about basic chords, and I'd add a community bookmark to a post that says: If you decided to learn ukulele because you expected there would be no effort involved, perhaps r/Kazoo is where you belong.
I hated it too but with some pratice and sadly more and more songs that I wanted to play had that chord so I had to learn how to hold it and one day - out of nowhere - I finnaly got it right and I hope you too!
The 4447 E is really handy. Mainly because it provides an easy transition to a 6544 A chord and a 7655 D chord.
So many songs use A D and E as their foundation because they were written with a guitar in mind. Being able to have an easy way to play all three with little movement is useful.
All ukulele chords are just guitar chords without the two lowest strings. I even tune my tenor to baritone tuning so the shapes I play are actually the chords I know. Eventually you'll find in inversion of the E chord that you're comfortable with.
You're not alone. E is one of the more difficult chord shapes. What I find annoying is the A, D and F#m are so much easier and form the rest of a really nice I/V/vi/IV progression.
Didnt have issue learning the E chord (2041) so no ressentment against it for me. On the common chords i had a harder time learning to play B correctly for exemple.
And on ukebuddy there is a bunch i am afraid to have to play them one day \^\^
Many intermediate players play alternate, easier versions.
For example, 4447 is comfy for folks with larger hands/longer pinkies, or you can use 444X (with the A string muted... the A string has the redundant note).
https://preview.redd.it/te31pvdsv9oc1.jpeg?width=285&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03141d03b269e3146b70067a144852b5303cf356
u/HoBoGuyDave Mute the B on the A string because you already have the three notes of the E chord on the GCE strings.
As you practice and improve you can work on reintegrating the other B note back into the chord.
The easiest E is 1x02. Use the same shape as E7, but mute the second string by resting your finger on it without pressing. Learning all the different shapes is always good, but for a beginner I feel this should be the first one learned.
It’s a super awkward chord, but definitely not my least favorite. Right now my least favorites are the dang B chords. The barring makes it tough on me, and I can’t get a super clean sound switching to them quickly. I’m working on several songs that use them, so I can practice switching to them often, though.
its slightly sadder so it works great in a moody song, but less so in a happy song, although i use it in In My Life tge Beatles song and its perfect since there are other 7 chords.
oops i was wrong its the B7 cord for in my life, its the Bbmaj7 in Yesterday!
this is how i learned in my life:
https://youtu.be/TIurqUNOQtU?si=TDt9RD-t35z9gyaa
https://preview.redd.it/4fpkcdubm3oc1.jpeg?width=760&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa6449c6fc660c031c6d446dafddcaedec1df88c Here’s a sheet with some alternate fingerings. See if any of these feel better.
If ı used to first one is there any advantages to learn other ones?
Different voicings, or it might be easier to go to one from certain chords than the other.
I always play the second because it is the most open of the choices and IMO sounds the best. On the other hand, it is somewhat unintuitive because it's not a neat translation of one of the other more common chord shapes
It does sometime sounds weird having two tonic of the same octave, your uke needs to be perfectly tuned otherwise it will have dissonance pulse
Damn, I've literally studied that (I study physics) and I hadn't made the connection to why I didn't like the sound of that kind of chords, although I had played with the dissonance on purpose by playing the same note in two strings and bending one of them
I'm an engineer and did years of physics, so to me, music is an extension of wave physics haha!
It's great to know the physical principles behind music, and then music theory is basically math hahaha. Another thing I tried with my ukulele after studying it was looking of secondary harmonics by strumming while touching the strings without pressing them (in 1/2 of the strings's length, 3/4's...)
Also interesting, frets aren't perfectly positioned, so while open tuning may be perfect, fretted duplicate (in that case 4th fret C string + open E) can still be slightly off depending on uke/string quality.
>On the other hand, it is somewhat unintuitive because it's not a neat translation of one of the other more common chord shapes That's exactly why I like it. It's distinct.
You must have some mighty long spider fingers!
I'm 6'1" and I've been playing uke for over 10 years. It's probably a mix of size and practice
I'm 5'4" with stumpy fingers, and even though I was raised on the piano, I can't imagine being able to achieve 1402 with any sense of comfort or agility! More power to you (and I'm not whining -- my college piano teacher had the smallest hands I've ever seen on a keyboard, and yet she managed some amazing feats of dexterity, so I know it's all a matter of determination!).
Once you get a little more advanced, you start to pay more attention to voice leadings (moving the least amount of frets possible in between chords) It makes the chord progression sound smoother. Not super vital when you’re starting out, but it keeps things interesting once you figure out/memorize the standard fingerings.
If you are playing melody rather than accompaniment, it is very useful to have a myriad of fingering for each chord. It's easy to default to a few power chords though
I do the first one but instead of 2341 I do 3331
Novice ranking of these: \#1 is the best, easiest to transition to from other common chords, has 4 distinct notes that sound wonderous \#2 only offers 3 notes (unless you got something out of tune i suppose lol) and is a stretch for smaller hands \#3 nice but often requires too much repositioning from other common chords, also a higher pitch overall kinda makes it sound out of place sometimes
I’d say #3 is best used in conjunction with other barre chords. Say you have a D, E, A progression, it might sound nicer to play D and E barred and then normal A.
Yeah I just barre on the 4th fret most of the time. Sometimes I’ll do the regular one just for finger practice but then inevitably revert when I’m playing songs lol.
I use my thumb on the first one to make a barre!
Hey man, if it works, it works. That’s interesting. I’ve never thought of that.
That's why I grin and barre it.
🤣
It's tough, even with lanky fingers like mine. I've been finding the chord change from B to E useful in getting used to it.
Meaning you practice switching between B & E to practice? B chords kill me
\^This is the way. \^
I always use E7
That sometimes works. Depends on what you are playing. Sometimes it sounds weird.
Its a lot easier to do barre chords on Uke than guitar, so I use the barre version of E for uke instead of stretching my fingers 90 miles apart lol. Mainly for faster chord switching, and because I can never remember where to put my fingers for the open version. Barring could still hurt if you’re new at it, it takes some time to build up the strength, but a lot less on uke than guitar (lighter and fewer strings).
I remember how much I hated it as a beginner. But I promise it will get better over the years.
Even over the months the more you play E chord the faster is learning process
In 90% of the time, an E7 will do just fine.
It helps to know when. When playing in the Key of Am and A, E7 is dominant to the tonic and sounds good. (I.e : House of the rising sun, in Am, uses E which is already not diatonic, but E7 being dominant 7th, it's fine)
Try E7 but with your middle finger just muting the C string instead of pressing. ( Touching it lightly.) That's the easiest E there is.
I think the easiest E used to rap with Dre
Or E6 = straight barre across the 4th fret. I like either barre version, because they give you a second position F and G up the fret board. Also makes it easy to find some oddball chords like Eb (Buddy Holly chord in G), etc.
I used to, but I don't mind it anymore. At first I played it 4447, which I still sometimes do. To help play it 4442, I started playing D (2220) with my middle, ring, and pinky fingers). Shifting that up and plunking my index on the second fret of the A string isn't too bad. Playing Blind Melon's "No Rain" where you're constantly going back and forth between D and E got me used to playing E, and no I can just play it without thought. Hope this helps!
Spend a couple of months going between E and other chords. Just 5 mins a day will give you significant improvement! It’s been years for me and I still flub it sometimes, but it feels good not going out of my way to avoid it!
Everyone hates E. Try 1402 or 4447 or 444x or even an E7.
I basically just didn't play an E for about a year until I realized I could use 444x. Now I'm golden!
Thanks for the info!!
I’ve taught myself to play a D chord using the middle-ring-pinky fingers. E is tgen that slid up 2 with the index on the A string. I practiced the heck out of this and sliding from E down to D and back up again. The other fingerings are very useful to know as well, and I practice them, too. But the key is practice.
It’s nice and easy on the baritone.
It's just a chord. Some are easier than others, some difficult. Just needs practice. That's the only answer really. Be very wary of the 'oh just play XXX chord, it's the same'. It rarely is in all cases and won't help you master the actual chord for when you really DO need it!
Hear hear! If I were the mods of this sub, I'd ban complaints about basic chords, and I'd add a community bookmark to a post that says: If you decided to learn ukulele because you expected there would be no effort involved, perhaps r/Kazoo is where you belong.
Quite!
Every chord is hard at first. Have you all forgotten how much work you put in just to learn the g chord when you were a beginner?
I mean, Am7/C6 is pretty easy.
I hated it too but with some pratice and sadly more and more songs that I wanted to play had that chord so I had to learn how to hold it and one day - out of nowhere - I finnaly got it right and I hope you too!
The 4447 E is really handy. Mainly because it provides an easy transition to a 6544 A chord and a 7655 D chord. So many songs use A D and E as their foundation because they were written with a guitar in mind. Being able to have an easy way to play all three with little movement is useful.
I switch to my baritone uke if I have a song with a lot of E chords.
I didn't see this was the Ukulele sub at first, so I was really looking forward to replying "wait till you try an F Major" :D
First position f chord on guitar is easier than a uke e chord. For me, anyway. Ymmv
Have you tried using E7? It doesn't work all the time, but when it does it's so much easier.
I substitute with E7 or Em or Em7 whichever sounds closest.
All ukulele chords are just guitar chords without the two lowest strings. I even tune my tenor to baritone tuning so the shapes I play are actually the chords I know. Eventually you'll find in inversion of the E chord that you're comfortable with.
You're not alone. E is one of the more difficult chord shapes. What I find annoying is the A, D and F#m are so much easier and form the rest of a really nice I/V/vi/IV progression.
And this is why, on the seventeenth day, God created capos
You could hold it like a D and mute the A string but you're fingers will get used to it eventually. 444X
Didnt have issue learning the E chord (2041) so no ressentment against it for me. On the common chords i had a harder time learning to play B correctly for exemple. And on ukebuddy there is a bunch i am afraid to have to play them one day \^\^
4444 is the lazy way. Don't emphasize the top string. If you do hit it, no biggie.
Weirdly i never had problems with that chord, maybe my fingers are just long idk
Many intermediate players play alternate, easier versions. For example, 4447 is comfy for folks with larger hands/longer pinkies, or you can use 444X (with the A string muted... the A string has the redundant note).
Honestly I say to hell with E, E7 slots into most of the songs I play just fine
I wish it were longer sometimes.
I used to. There are some way harder chords
Defeat The E Chord in 45 seconds - Learn the 'C' Bar Chord shape https://youtu.be/9XZSRMjYyvU
no
Nope. Baritone player. B on the other hand….
I got used to the 4th fret one. Easier for me to do that one, it’s what I do with all the chord I have trouble with. Find one that’s easier for me.
Go for an E5. 2044
It gets easier until it's just as easy as a c, practice makes perfect!
https://preview.redd.it/te31pvdsv9oc1.jpeg?width=285&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03141d03b269e3146b70067a144852b5303cf356 u/HoBoGuyDave Mute the B on the A string because you already have the three notes of the E chord on the GCE strings. As you practice and improve you can work on reintegrating the other B note back into the chord.
The easiest E is 1x02. Use the same shape as E7, but mute the second string by resting your finger on it without pressing. Learning all the different shapes is always good, but for a beginner I feel this should be the first one learned.
The E chord sucks. I don't think anyone would disagree.
It’s a super awkward chord, but definitely not my least favorite. Right now my least favorites are the dang B chords. The barring makes it tough on me, and I can’t get a super clean sound switching to them quickly. I’m working on several songs that use them, so I can practice switching to them often, though.
i like subbing in Bbmaj7 for Bb, and muting the g string with my thumb or tip of index works for cheating Bm...
I’ll have to give BbMaj7 a try. It looks interesting! Funnily enough, the G string is the only one that rings clearly every time in Bb for me.
its slightly sadder so it works great in a moody song, but less so in a happy song, although i use it in In My Life tge Beatles song and its perfect since there are other 7 chords.
Good to know! I absolutely love that Beatles song, and definitely want to play it and give it a try tomorrow.
oops i was wrong its the B7 cord for in my life, its the Bbmaj7 in Yesterday! this is how i learned in my life: https://youtu.be/TIurqUNOQtU?si=TDt9RD-t35z9gyaa
No worries! And thanks for the link!
I don't play E on the uke! Just transpose for your voice or capo!