UkuleleLessons

by Curt Sheller

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Most players struggle with learning the names of the notes of the ukulele
fingerboard. There doesn’t seem to a pattern and notes repeat. There is an easy way
and...

...it’s easier that you think!

Most players know the names of the open strings for their tuning. In “C” tuning the
open strings are named G C E A, no sharps or flats.

If you know the open strings (G C E A) you know fret (1) by sharping the open strings:
G# C# E# A#. You also know fret (12), which are the same G C E A. By flatting each
note you get fret (11) Gb Cb Eb Ab.

A sharp raises a note one half step or one fret. A flat lowers a note one half step or one
fret. A double sharp raises a note one whole step or two frets. A double flat lowers a
note one whole step or two frets.

Enharmonic Equivalents - A note can have alternate names. Anyone of the seven
letters in the musical alphabet (A B C D E F G ) can be sharped (#), flatted (b), double
sharped (x) or double flatted (bb).

E# is the same pitch as F

B# is the same pitch as C

Cb is the same pitch as B

Fb is the same pitch as E

Sharp, Flat and Natural Note Name Order

There are seven letters used in the musical alphabet, A B C D E F G and then
starting over with A again. This A to A’ is called one octave. These are the white keys
of a standard piano. There are twelve notes in one octave making up the chromatic
scale. The below chart shows the names of all the notes in the chromatic scale.

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

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Natural Notes A B C D E F G A

Sharps A# B# C# D# E# F# G#

Flats Bb Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab

Double Sharps* Ax Bx Cx Dx Ex Fx Gx

Double Flats* Bbb Cbb Dbb Ebb Fbb Gbb Abb Bbb

* Although theoretically correct for proper chord and melody notation, the double sharp and
double flat names are typically avoided in favor of a natural, flat or sharp equivalent. This is
an ease of reading issue vs. theoretically correct notation.

Reference Frets
Beyond the names of the open strings G C E A, there are two more frets that can
be memorized using the natural notes.
Here is fret (5) C F A D, no sharps or flats as well. So now you know twice a must
as most players. Throw in fret (10) D G B E and you are bordering on becoming an
expert ;-)

By sharping the all the notes of the open, fret (5) and fret (10), G# C# E# A#, C# F#
A# D# and D# G# B# E# you have six frets memorized.

Fret (12) contains the same names as the open string. So, by flatting fret (12), (10)
and (5) Gb Cb Eb Ab, Db Gb Bb Eb and Cb Fb Ab Db you now have 9 frets. Almost the
whole fingerboard.

Learning the names of the notes of the

fingerboard is easier than you think.

Finally learn the notes of the neck...

Beyond knowing the names of the open strings most ukulele players find it hard to learn the whole
fingerboard.

If your goal is to finally learn the names of the notes on the ukulele fingerboard for your favorite
tuning or all three common tunings, including the low tuning variations of each. Then “Learning
the Ukulele Fingerboard” is your answer. “Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard” has a step by step
approach to finally mastering the ukulele fingerboard.

Covers the three common ukulele tunings: “C”, “D” and “G” tuning.

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard


 UkuleleLessons
by Curt Sheller

Technique - Fretting Hand

Developing Single Note Ukulele Chops
The fretting hand, left hand for right hand players and right hand for left hand
players, is responsible for fretting single notes, intervals, triads and chords. Pretty
much anything other than the open strings.

“One day of practice is like one day of clean living. It doesn’t do you any
good.” - Abe Lemmons

Although I started life out left handed. I was converted to right handed in grade
school. For the lessons and articles on my site I’ll assume the most of the world plays
the ukulele right handed, fretting with the left hand and strumming with the right.

It is critical that you develop the finger strength and independence to explore your
full musical potential. By developing great left hand technique you will be able to
explore more challenging musical situations.

To develop this great left hand technique there is a series of graduated drills or finger
gymnastics that will allow you to play at higher and higher levels and increase your
the comfort zone of usable technique.

Gymnastics is the performance of a sequence of movements requiring

physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic awareness...

Finger Gymnastics
All exercises should be played SLOW with an even tone and volume. Speed comes
from practicing accurate, slow and under control.

All exercises can be played with the fingers, thumb, pick or any combination of each.

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Finger Names and Numbers

There are probably some fancy names for the fretting hand like there are for the
plucking hand used in classical guitar instruction - but I’ll go with this easy to
remember assignment of numbers to fingers that typically play notes.

Finger 1 is your index finger or pointer finger

Finger 2 is your middle finger
Finger 3 is your ring finger
Finger 4 is your pinky finger

“I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true--hard work
pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.”
- A.J. English

One Note Finger Gymnastics

Taking each finger, one at time, play a single note on each string using the same fret
for each. You should be able to do this using any fret. Apply only enough pressure to
play the note cleanly. Anymore and it is a waste of energy.

Finger One Gymnastics

Examples are shown in standard “C” tuning, g C E A. However, tuning does not
matter and the exercises are tuning independent. They can even be played on an out
of tune ukulele.

The exercises can be done at any fret. Example shown starting at fret (5) with the
finger indicated above the note and TAB.

° œ
1 1 1
œ
1 1 1
œ
1

& œ œ œ œ

¢⁄
5
5 5
5 5
5 5

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S Things to Watch for...

• Keep your fingertips pointing to the strings.

Regardless of which finger is playing at the time - each finger should remain pointing
to the fingerboard and the strings at all times. Keep them hanging out over the
fingerboard ready to go.

• Don’t move fingers more than needed.

Fingers only have to come off the string just enough to not interfere other notes
sounding.

• Play right behind the fret.

For single notes play right behind the fret. This position requires the least amount
of physical effort to play a note. Any further from the fret requires more effort then
necessary.

• Thumbs Job?

The thumbs main job when playing the ukulele is to support the fingers. Not to hold
the neck of the ukulele up or hang your arm off the neck. Think of the process that
is used to squeeze something between your fingertips and thumb. The position that
offers the most support is right behind the dominant fingers 1 and 2 and behind of
the neck.

A lot of technique has nothing to do with music and is simply what is the most
biomechanically efficient way achieve the desired result.

Finger Two�����������
Gymnastics

° #œ
& #œ #œ
2 2 2 2 2 2 2

#œ #œ #œ #œ

¢⁄
6
6 6
6 6
6 6

Be sure to play all exercises ascending-descending and descending -ascending.

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Finger Three�����������
Gymnastics

° œ
3 3 3
œ œ3 3
œ
3
œ
3

& œ œ

¢⁄
7
7 7
7 7
7 7

Finger Four�����������
Gymnastics

° #œ
4 4
œ
4
œ4 œ
4 4
#œ
4

& #œ #œ

¢⁄
8
8 8
8 8
8 8

2, 3 and 4 Note Gymnastics

° œ bœ
1 2 1 2 1
œ bœ bœ œ bœ bœ œ
2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2

& œ b œ œ b œ œ

¢⁄
5 6
5 6 5 6
5 6 5 6
5 6 5 6

Two Note-Two Finger Model

“There is a right and a wrong way to do everything. If you practice eight

hours a day doing something the wrong way, you will become very good at
doing it the wrong way. ” - Michael Jordan

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S Things to Watch for...

The things to watch for with these 2, 3, and 4 notes gymnastics are the same as the
one finger gymnastics, plus...

• Don’t move fingers more than needed

If the next note is higher and on the same string keep the current finger down. An
example would be when doing the two note exercise: 1 2. Keep finger one down while
playing finger two. Move fingering one to the next string while playing finger two.

“I learned that the only way you are going to get anywhere in life is to work hard at it.
Whether you’re a musician, a writer, an athlete or a businessman, there is no getting
around it. If you do, you’ll win--if you don’t, you won’t.” - Bruce Jenner

All Possible Two Finger Combinations

There are twelve possible two finger combinations. These can be played using the
Two Note-Two Finger Model above starting on any fret.
1 2 (Above model) 2 3 2 1 3 2
1 3 2 4 3 1 42
1 4 3 4 4 1 43

All Possible Three Finger Combinations

There are 24 possible 3 finger combinations.

123 231 213 321

124 234 214 324
132 241 312 421

134 243 314 423

142 341 412 431

143 342 413 432

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Curt Sheller is the author of over 20 books on guitar, ukulele and music. A
jazz guitarist and educator with over 40 years playing experience and 20
years teaching. Curt's JazzGuitarResources.com and UkuleleResources.com
web sites are considered the top resource for jazz guitarists and ukulele
players. Get a FREE subscription to Curt's newsletter.

Curt Sheller is available for clinics, workshops and concerts. Visit

CurtSheller.com for details.