A Ukulele Chord

A is the A major chord. It has three notes: A, C sharp and E. The open shape uses two fingers at the bottom of the neck: index on the C string at the 1st fret, middle on the G string at the 2nd, with the E and A strings open.

The open A: index on the C string at the 1st fret, middle on the G string at the 2nd, E and A strings open.

How to play A on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, C string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, G string
Leave the E and A strings open. Strum all four strings.

A sits one finger from two other chords: lift the index and it becomes Am, lift the middle instead and it becomes A7. Practising those two swaps covers changes that hundreds of songs use.

More ways to play A

There are 3 common A shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

A ukulele chord diagram, frets 4 to 6, played 6400 — Frets 4 to 6

A ukulele chord diagram, frets 6 to 9, played 6900 — Frets 6 to 9

If your A sounds muffled

The open E string is quiet: The index on the C string is leaning into it. Arch the index so only its tip touches, leaving the E string free to ring.
The C string buzzes: The index has drifted back from the 1st fret. Keep the fingertip snug behind the fret wire; at the 1st fret there is very little room for error.
The two notes land at different times: Place index and middle together as one pinch rather than one after the other. The chord should arrive as a unit.

What makes it an A

A · C♯ · E 1 3 5

A major is the root A, the major third C sharp and the fifth E. In the open shape the two fretted notes supply the root and third while the open E and A strings double the fifth and root, so two fingers deliver a complete, full sounding chord.

A is the I chord in the key of A, the IV chord in E and the V chord in D. The V of D job is the one ukulele players meet most, since D is a friendly songbook key and A is the chord that pulls everything home to it.

A vs Am

One note separates them: the C sharp in A drops to C in Am. Major becomes minor by that single half step.

On the ukulele the change is literally one finger: A is 2100 and Am is 2000. Lift the index off the C string and the bright chord turns wistful. No other pair of chords on the instrument makes the major minor difference this easy to hear.

A chord questions

Is A an easy ukulele chord?

Yes. Two fingers close together at the bottom of the neck, two open strings, and no stretch. It usually arrives in a player's first week.

What is the difference between A and Am?

The third: C sharp in A, C in Am. On the ukulele you just lift the index finger off the C string and A becomes Am.

What is the difference between A and A7?

A7 adds a G to the chord. On the ukulele keep the index where it is and lift the middle finger instead: 2100 becomes 0100, which is A7.

What songs use the A chord?

Songs in the keys of A, D and E lean on it constantly. In D, the most common of those for ukulele, A is the chord that sets up the return home.