How to Play Bb7 on Ukulele

The ukulele is one of the main instruments played in Hawaiian music. It is traditionally accompanied by an acoustic guitar and an upright bass. However, it has also been played with electric guitars, electric basses and is also made in the electronic form. When playing a Hawaiian song on the ukulele, the Bb7 chord is most commonly used following the B flat chord when playing in the key of B.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ukulele

1. Hold the ukulele in the lap while sitting in a comfortable position. Straighten the back and try not to hunch over to keep proper posture. Place the right arm over the front of the ukulele. Hold it near the center on the side of the ukulele body with the right hand.

2. With the left hand, hold the neck near the string spacer between the left thumb and index finger only. Do not let the neck of the ukulele touch the left palm.

3. Move the left index finger to the first bar between the string spacer and the first fret. Hold down all four strings with the left index finger in between the string spacer and the first fret without touching them or any other strings.

4. Place the left middle finger between the first and second fret. Hold down the C string or string that is second from the top with the tip of the middle finger.

5. 
    

   Hold all of the assigned strings down without touching the frets or string spacer. Hold the left thumb tightly behind the neck of the ukulele. With the right hand, gently strum all of the strings near the center of the ukulele body. If the sound of the chord is interrupted or it does not produce a clear sound, check the fingering to make sure that all fingers are between the frets and not touching the string spacer.

Tips & Warnings

• Ukulele strings from top to bottom are assigned G, C, E, and A.
• The frets are strips made out of metal that are on the neck of the ukulele.
• Look at the left hand in the mirror to ensure that the fingers are on their assigned strings and not touching the frets.
• The Bb7 chord has the same fingering as the B7 chord but is one bar closer to the string spacer.