How to Move from Ukulele to Guitar

The ukulele looks like a fun-sized guitar, so moving from the guitar to ukulele should be easy, right? It's the same thing, just smaller.

There are a few differences, but the good news is that you can apply what you're already learned on the guitar to the ukulele. With a few minor adjustments, you'll be jamming on the ukulele in no time.

So What's the difference?

Put a capo on the fifth fret of your guitar and remove the lowest two strings. You now have a ukulele. The open notes are now exactly the same: A-E-C-G. The only difference is that the 4th string on the ukulele is tuned one octave higher than the 4th string on the guitar.

Same Chord Shapes, New Sounds

The relationship between the strings on a ukulele are the same as the relationship between the first four strings on a guitar. This means that all the chord shapes you learned on the guitar are usable on the uke. The thing you have to remember is this: the same chord shape doesn't produce the same chord sound.

When a guitar chord shape is played on the ukulele, it produces a chord sound that is a fourth higher. So when a D chord shape from the guitar is played on the ukulele, it creates a G chord sound. An E chord shape produces an A chord sound.

Moving from guitar to ukulele is pretty straightforward. All it takes is a little mental gymnastics to get there, but with a little practice you can move between the two with ease.

To learn more about your ukulele, click here for a full list of songs and lessons. And if you're not a member of Fender Play yet, click here for a free trial.