Are Guitar and Ukulele Chords the Same?

Are guitar and ukulele chords the same? This is a question that has been asked by many people, both beginners and experienced players alike. Having played both for many years now, I am happy to explain in detail if the guitar and Ukulele chords are the same.

Are guitar and ukulele chords the same?

The shapes of the guitar and ukulele chords are identical but the names and pitches of the notes are different. The ukulele is tuned to a higher pitch than the guitar so the shapes produce different chords. Ukulele has 4 strings, less than the 6 that guitars have and you’ll have to use a capo on the 5th fret to get the same chords as the guitar.

The video below explains very well how similar the guitar and Ukulele chords are. Understanding that you can get Ukulele chords on a guitar by placing a capo on the 5th fret will help you understand quickly how to change from one to another.

Different types of guitars have different chord shapes and fingering techniques. For example, a classical guitar has different chords than an electric guitar. And a bass guitar has different chords than a standard six-string guitar.

Even though the shapes of the chords may be different, the theory behind them is the same. The only difference is the fingering.

Here are some examples of different types of guitars and their chord shapes:

• Classical guitar –The classical guitar has a wide, flat neck and 6 nylon strings. The strings are plucked with the fingers instead of strummed with a pick. The fingering is different for each chord shape.
• Electric guitar – The electric guitar has a narrower neck than the classical guitar and 6 steel strings. The strings are strummed with a pick. The fingering is different for each chord shape.
• Bass guitar – The bass guitar has a wider neck than the electric guitar and 4 strings. The strings are plucked with the fingers instead of strummed with a pick. The fingering is different for each chord shape.
• Ukulele – The Ukulele has 4 nylon strings and a small, rounded body. The strings are strummed with the fingers or a pick. The fingering is different for each chord shape.

As you can see, even though the shapes of the chords may be different, the theory behind them is the same. The only difference is the fingering.

Knowing this, you can easily transfer your knowledge of guitar chords to Ukulele chords (or vice versa). All you need to do is learn the different fingering techniques for each type of guitar.

Are bass guitar and ukulele chords the same?

Both Ukulele and bass guitars have 4 strings but the tuning is different giving varying names and pitches of the notes. You can play songs you want on either device but you’ll need different finger placements. For example, soprano ukuleles are tuned GCEA while bass guitars are tuned EADG.

Number of strings; Guitar vs Ukulele

• Classical, and electric guitars have 6 strings while Ukulele has 4 strings. However, bass guitar also has 4 strings.

Below is an image showing the guitar’s six strings made of different gauges or thicknesses. The thicker the string, the lower the pitch it produces.

Below is an image of a Ukulele showing the 4 strings;

As you can see, the shapes of the A, D and E chords are exactly the same.

As you can see from the guitar image above, the lowest string (E) is the thickest and produces the lowest note while the highest string (e) is the thinnest and produces the highest note. In standard tuning, the notes produced by the strings are E-A-D-G-B-e from low to high.

Chord Tuning: Guitar chords vs Ukulele;

The ukulele is tuned to G-C-E-A from low to high. As you can see, the notes are all a fourth (5 frets) apart except for the first and second strings which are a third (4 frets) apart. This is called reentrant tuning and is specific to the ukulele.

The standard tuning of a guitar is E,A,D,G,B,E from the lowest to the highest string. The standard tuning of a Ukulele is G,C,E,A from the lowest to the highest string. You can remember guitar tuning using the phrase, “Eat at Denny’s get big eggs”.

By putting the finger down on the fifth fret or by using the capo, you can use the guitar chords and still obtain the Ukulele tuning of G,C,E,A.

A ‘C’ on Ukulele would be a ‘G; on the guitar with the capo on but the concert pitch would still be a ‘C’. When changing keys or transpositions, remember that the shapes don’t change, only the pitches of the notes.

The difference in tuning means that some shapes that are open chords on guitar will be barre chords on Ukulele and vice versa. For example, the F chord is a barre chord on guitar, but it’s an open chord on Ukulele. This can be a bit tricky to get used to at first, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to switch between the two effortlessly.

Chord shapes; Guitar chords vs Ukulele

The shapes of the guitar and ukulele chords are exactly the same. This is because the intervals between the notes are the same. The only difference is that the ukulele is tuned to a higher pitch than the guitar so the shapes produce different chords.

Other differences;

The most obvious difference is the size of the instrument. A guitar typically has six strings while a ukulele only has four. This means that the chords on a ukulele are usually simpler than those on a guitar.

A full-size guitar is about 38 inches long while a ukulele is only about 21 inches long. This difference in size also affects the pitch of the notes produced by the strings. The shorter the length of the string, the higher the pitch it produces.

However, it is also worth noting that there are different types of guitars, such as acoustic and electric, and each type has its own set of chords. The same is true for ukuleles – there are different types, such as soprano and baritone, and each type has its own set of chords.

Similarities;

So, while the guitar and ukulele chords are not the same, there are some similarities. For example, both instruments use a major chord progression of I-IV-V. In other words, the chords are built on the first, fourth, and fifth notes of the major scale.

Another similarity is that both instruments use the same fingering for some of their chords. For example, the A major chord is played with the first finger on the second string, the second finger on the third string, and the third finger on the fourth string.

So, while there are some similarities between guitar and ukulele chords, there are also some important differences. It is important to know these differences so that you can choose the right instrument for your needs.

How Strings and Tuning affect the Chord of Guitar and Ukulele

Now that we know how the guitar and ukulele differ in terms of their strings and tuning, let’s take a look at how this affects their chords.

Guitar chords are typically played with the first, second, and third fingers. The fourth finger is rarely used except for some specific chords such as D7 and E7. Below is a diagram of how to play an A major chord on the guitar.

As you can see, the first finger is placed on the second string (B), the second finger is placed on the third string (G), and the third finger is placed on the fourth string (D). The fourth string (E) is not played.

Now let’s take a look at how to play an A major chord on the ukulele.

As you can see, the first finger is placed on the second string (G), the second finger is placed on the third string (C), and the third finger is placed on the fourth string (E). The fourth string (A) is not played.

As you can see, the fingering for an A major chord is different on the guitar and ukulele. The main difference is that the third finger is placed on the fourth string on the guitar while it is placed on the third string on the ukulele. This is because the ukulele only has four strings while the guitar has 6.

All the shapes would work but you’ll need new names for those chords. Ukulele is just guitar with a capo on the fifth fret. If you put the capo on the fifth fret and play the top 4 strings, it’s the same as Ukulele with a low G string.

In conclusion, the shapes of the chords are the same, but the names and pitches of the notes are different. With a little practice, you’ll be able to switch between guitar and Ukulele chords effortlessly.

FAQs

Q: What’s the difference between a guitar and a ukulele?

A:The main difference is the size of the instrument. A guitar typically has six strings while a ukulele only has four. This means that the chords on a ukulele are usually simpler than those on a guitar.

Q: Can I use a guitar chord chart for ukulele?

A:Yes, the shapes of the chords are the same. However, the names and pitches of the notes will be different.

Q: Do I need to learn new chords if I want to play ukulele?

A:No, you can use the same chords you use on guitar. However, the fingering will be different.

Q: Can I use a ukulele chord chart for guitar?

A:No, the shapes of the chords are the same but the names and pitches of the notes are different.

Q: What’s the difference between a soprano ukulele and a concert ukulele?

A:The main difference is size. A soprano ukulele is typically 21 inches long while a concert ukulele is 23 inches long. This means that the concert ukulele has a lower pitch than the soprano ukulele.

Q: Can you play a ukulele like a bass guitar?

A:Yes, you can play a ukulele like a bass guitar. However, the fingering will be different.

Q: What’s the difference between a tenor ukulele and a baritone ukulele?

A:The main difference is size. A tenor ukulele is typically 26 inches long while a baritone ukulele is 30 inches long. This means that the baritone ukulele has a lower pitch than the tenor ukulele.

Q: Are chords on ukulele same as guitar?

A: Chords on ukulele are similar to those on guitar. However, the fingering is different. Additionally, the ukulele only has four strings while the guitar has six. This means that some chords may be simpler on ukulele.

Q: What is the difference between guitar, Ukulele and banjo chords?

A: The main difference is the number of strings. A guitar typically has six strings while a ukulele only has four. A banjo typically has five strings. The fingering for chords on a banjo is similar to that of a guitar, but the sound is different. It is simpler to play a Ukulele compared to a guitar. Read my full comparison of a guitar and banjo here.