Learning

the
Ukulele
Fingerboardby
Curt
Sheller

Curt Sheller Publications

2050 Orlando Rd., Suite 101
Pottstown, PA 19464-2348

www.curtsheller.com

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Copyright 2004 by Curt Sheller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher. For information, contact Curt Sheller
Publications.
Curt Sheller Publications

2050 Orlando Rd., Suite 101

Pottstown, PA 19464-2348

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

ISBN 10: 1-60321-013-X

ISBN 13: 978-1-60321-013-3

Printed and bound in the United States of America

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Introduction
Memorizing the notes of the ukulele fingerboard is not as
hard as one would think. Although there doesn't seem to
be any pattern and the same letter can be found on every
string. There is a systematic approach that can be used to
help remember the notes for each of the tunings.
There are four different sized ukuleles in common use
today using any one of three different tunings.

Soprano Concert

Tenor

Baritone

These ukulele tunings are tuned to the same relative

intervals. Meaning each string is the same distance or
interval from each other string. This makes the three
ukulele tunings presented in this book the same relative
tunings but in different keys and a little easier to
remember.

The concept of this book is based on the theory behind Unlocking

the Guitar : Notes of the Neck. This book is available on my web site
at www.CurtSheller.com. It is also available at
www.ChuckAndersonJazzGuitar.com.

Introduction

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Introduction

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Contents
Introduction ..............................................3
Common Tunings .....................................7
C Tuning - G C E A ................................. 7
D Tuning - A D F# B ................................ 8
G Tuning - D G B E .................................. 8

C Tuning ..............................................11
Learning the Frets .................................... 11
Transposing to D Tuning ....................... 14
Transposing to G Tuning ...................... 14

D Tuning ...............................................15
Learning the Frets .................................... 15
Transposing to C Tuning....................... 18
Transposing to G Tuning ...................... 18

G Tuning ..............................................19
Learning the Frets .................................... 19
Transposing to C Tuning....................... 22
Transposing to D Tuning ....................... 22

Enharmonic Equivalents ........................23

Sharps to Flats .......................................... 23
Flats to Sharps .......................................... 23

Fingerboard Charts ................................25

C Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes ... 26
C Tuning Flats and Natural Notes....... 27
D Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes ... 28
D Tuning Flats and Natural Notes ....... 29
G Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes .. 30
G Tuning Flats and Natural Notes ...... 31

Fingerboard Word Search.....................32

Table of Contents

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Table of Contents

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Common Tunings
There are three common tunings used on the various
sizes of ukuleles. For the Soprano, Concert and Tenor
ukuleles the "C" and "D" tunings are common as well as a
low "G" variation of the "C" tuning and a low "A variation
of the "D" tuning. These variations do not affect the
names of the notes, just the pitch of string four.
The Tenor ukulele can also be tuned using the G tuning
with a high or low D string four.
The Baritone ukulele always uses a "G" tuning with a
low "D". This tuning is the same as the high four strings
of a standard tuned guitar.
Here are the common tunings* for the ukulele:

C Tuning - G C E A

Common Tunings

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Common Tunings
D Tuning - A D F# B

F#

G Tuning - D G B E

All the above tunings are the same, containing the same
relative intervals. G to C for the C tuning is the same
distance or interval as A to F# for the D tuning and D to
G for the G tuning.
* G Tuning, Low D Variation is shown one octave
higher than sounded.

Common Tunings

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Common Tunings

Common Tunings

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

10

Common Tunings

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

C Tuning - G C E A and g C E A
This tuning is common for the Soprano, Concert and
Tenor ukulele. When string four is tuned to a low G, it
is referred to as a Low G tuning.

Learning the Frets

In addition to the open strings (and fret twelve) which
most ukulele players seem to remember there are two
other frets that are easy to remember that have no sharps
or flats.
open

For a ukulele using the "C" tuning, the open strings and
frets (5) and (7) have no sharp or flat notes.
fret (5)

fret (7)

C Tuning

11

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

C Tuning - G C E A and g C E A
Frets (1), (4), (6) and (8) can be referenced relative to the
open strings, fret (5) and fret (7) by flatting or sharping
all the notes of those frets.
open

fret (1)

G#*

C#

E#

A#

fret (4)

Cb

Fb*

Ab

Db

fret (5)

fret (6)

C#

F#

A#

D#

fret (6)

Db

Gb

Bb

Eb

fret (7)

fret (8)

D#

G#

B#

E#

* See page 23 for enharmonic equivalent note spellings.

12

C Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

C Tuning - G C E A and g C E A
Frets (2) and (10) have one sharp each.
fret (2)

F#

fret (10)

A#

Frets (1), (3), (9) and (11) can be referenced relative to fret
(2) and fret (10) by flatting or sharping all the notes of the
those frets.
fret (1)

Ab

Db

Bb

fret (2)

F#

fret (3)

A#

D#

B#

fret (9)

Fb

Db

Gb

fret (10)

A#

fret (11)

F#

D#

G#

That is ALL the notes of the ukulele fingerboard

in C tuning, low or high G.

C Tuning

13

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

C Tuning - G C E A and g C E A
Transposing to D Tuning
To determine what fret the same notes appear at in
D tuning subtract 2* from the C tuning fret number.
In C tuning
fret (5)

In D tuning
fret (3)

Transposing to G Tuning
To determine what fret the same notes appear at in
G tuning add 5* to the C tuning fret number.
In C tuning
fret (5)

In G tuning
fret (10)

* If the starting or ending fret is 12 or greater, then

subtract 12. Example: Fret 15 are the same names
as fret 3 but one octave lower.

14

C Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

D Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B
This tuning is common for the Soprano, Concert and
Tenor ukulele. When string four is tuned to a low A, it
is referred to as a Low A tuning.

F#

Learning the Frets

In addition to the open strings (and fret twelve) which
most ukulele players seem to remember, there are three
other frets that are easy to remember that have no sharps
or flats.
open

F#

For a ukulele using the "D" tuning, frets (3), (5) and (10)
have no sharp or flat notes.
fret (3)

fret (5)

D Tuning

15

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

D Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B
fret 10

Frets (1), (2), (4), (6), (9) and (11) can be referenced
relative to the open strings and fret (3), fret (5) and fret
(10) by flatting or sharping all the notes off those frets.
open

F#

fret (1)

A#*

D#

B#

fret (2)

Cb*

Fb

Ab

Db

fret (3)

fret (4)

C#

F#

A#

D#

fret (4)

Db

Gb

Bb

Eb

fret (5)

fret (6)

D#

G#

B#

E#

fret (9)

Gb

Cb

Eb

Ab

fret (10)

fret (11)

G#

C#

E#

A#

* See page 23 for enharmonic equivalent note spellings.

16

D Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

D Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B
In addition to the open strings which has one sharp, fret
(8) has one sharp as well.
fret (8)

A#

From fret (8) we can get fret (7) and fret (9).
fret (7)

Fb

Db

Gb

fret (8)

A#

fret (9)

F#

D#

G#

That is ALL the notes of the ukulele fingerboard

in D tuning, low or high A.

D Tuning

17

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

D Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B
Transposing to C Tuning
To determine what fret the same notes appear at in
C tuning add 2* to the D tuning fret number.
In D tuning
fret (3)

In C tuning
fret (5)

Transposing to G Tuning
To determine what fret the same notes appear at in
G tuning add 7* from the D tuning fret number.
In D tuning
fret (3)

In G tuning
fret (10)

* If the starting or ending fret is 12 or greater, then

subtract 12. Example: Fret 15 are the same names
as fret 3 but one octave lower.

18

D Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

G Tuning - D G B E and d G B E
This tuning is common for the Tenor and Baritone
ukulele. When string four is tuned to a low D, it is
referred to as a Low D tuning and is the same tuning as
the high four strings of a standard tuned guitar.

Learning the Frets

In addition to the open strings (and fret twelve) which
most ukulele players seem to remember there are several
other frets that are easy to remember. These easy to
remember frets have no sharps or flats.
open

For a ukulele using the "G" tuning, the open strings and
frets (5) and (10) have no sharp or flat notes.
fret (5)

fret (10)

* G Tuning, Low D Variation is shown one octave

higher than sounded.

G Tuning

19

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

G Tuning - D G B E and d G B E
Frets (1), (4), (6), (9) and (11) can be referenced relative
to the open strings, fret (5) and fret (10) by flatting or
sharping all the notes of those fret.
open

fret (1)

D#*

G#

B#

E#

fret (4)

Gb

Cb

Eb

Ab

fret (5)

fret (6)

G#

C#

E#

A#

fret (9)

Cb

Fb

Ab

Db

fret (10)

fret (11)

C#

F#

A#

D#

* See page 23 for enharmonic equivalent note spellings.

20

G Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

G Tuning - D G B E and d G B E
Frets (3) and (7) have one sharp each.
fret (3)

A#

fret (7)

F#

Frets (2), (4), (6) and (8) can be referenced relative to fret
(3) and fret (7) by flatting or sharping all the notes of
those frets.
fret (2)

Fb

Db

Gb

fret (3)

A#

fret (4)

F#

D#

G#

fret (6)

Ab

Db

Bb

fret (7)

F#

fret (8)

A#

D#

B#

That is ALL the notes of the ukulele fingerboard

in G tuning, low or high D.

G Tuning

21

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

G Tuning - D G B E and d G B E
Transposing to C Tuning
To determine what fret the same notes appear at in
C tuning subtract 5* from the G tuning fret number.
In G tuning
fret (10)

In C tuning
fret (5)

Transposing to D Tuning
To determine what fret the same notes appear at in
D tuning subtract 7* from the G tuning fret number.
In G tuning
fret (10)

In D tuning
fret (3)

* If the starting or ending fret is 12 or greater, then subtract

12. Example: Fret 15 are the same names as fret 3 but
one octave lower.

22

G Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Enharmonic Equivalents
Enharmonic equivalents are where the same pitch can
have multiple names.

Sharps to Flats
A# is the same pitch as Bb
B#

is the same pitch as

C#

is the same pitch as

Db

D#

is the same pitch as

Eb

E#
F#

is the same pitch as

is the same pitch as

G#

Gb

is the same pitch as

Ab

Flats to Sharps
Ab is the same pitch as G#
Bb
Cb

is the same pitch as

A#

is the same pitch as

Db

is the same pitch as

C#

Eb

is the same pitch as

D#

Fb

is the same pitch as

Gb

is the same pitch as

F#

Enharmonic Equivalents

23

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

24

Enharmonic Equivalents

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Fingerboard Charts
"C Tuning
D Tuning
G Tuning

Fingerboard Charts

25

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

C Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes

open

Gs

Cs

As

Fs

As

Ds

Gs

Cs

Cs

Fs

As

Ds

Ds

Gs

Cs

Fs

10

As

11

Fs

Ds

Gs

Frets

STRING

12
26

same assame
open as
strings
onestrings
octave higher
open

Fingerboard Charts - C Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

C Tuning Flats and Natural Notes

open

Af

Df

Bf

Gf

Bf

Ef

Af

Df

Df

Gf

Bf

Ef

Ef

Af

Df

Gf

10

Bf

11

Gf

Ef

Af

Frets

STRING

12

same assame
open strings
onestrings
octave higher
as open

C Tuning - Fingerboard Charts

27

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

D Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes

open

Fs

As

Ds

Gs

Cs

Cs

Fs

As

Ds

Ds

Gs

Cs

Fs

As

Fs

Ds

Gs

10

11

Gs

Cs

As

Frets

STRING

12
28

same as open strings one octave higher

Fingerboard Charts - D Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

D Tuning Flats and Natural Notes

open

Gf

Bf

Ef

Af

Df

Df

Gf

Bf

Ef

Ef

Af

Df

Gf

Bf

Gf

Ef

Af

10

11

Af

Df

Bf

Frets

STRING

12

same as open strings one octave higher

D Tuning - Fingerboard Charts

29

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

G Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes

open

Ds

Gs

Cs

Fs

As

Fs

Ds

Gs

Gs

Cs

As

Fs

As

Ds

Gs

Cs

10

11

Cs

Fs

As

Ds

Frets

STRING

12
30

same as open strings one octave higher

Fingerboard Charts - G Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

STRING

open

Frets

G Tuning Flats and Natural Notes

Ef

Af

Df

Gf

Bf

Gf

Ef

Af

Af

Df

Bf

Gf

Bf

Ef

Af

Df

10

11

Df

Gf

Bf

Ef

12

same as open strings one octave higher

G Tuning - Fingerboard Charts

31

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Fingerboard Word Search

Turns out there are a few words throughout the ukulele
fingerboard that can aide in remembering the frets.
Here are the fingerboard charts, without the frets.
Sharps & Natural Notes
G
C
E
Gs
Cs
F
A
D
Fs
As
Ds
G
B
E
Gs
C
F
A
Cs
Fs
As
D
G
B
Ds
Gs
C
E
A
Cs
F
As
D
Fs
B
Ds
Flats & Natural Notes
G
C
E
Af
Df
F
A
D
Gf
Bf
Ef
G
B
E
Af
C
F
A
Df
Gf
Bf
D
G
B
Ef
Af
C
E
A
Df
F
Bf
D
Gf
B
Ef

32

Fingerboard Charts

A
As
B
C
Cs
D
Ds
E
F
Fs
G
Gs
A
Gf
B
C
Df
D
Ef
E
F
Gf
G
Af
20050627.1.2