How to Play Cdim on Ukulele

Many of the chords played on the ukulele can also be played on the guitar. The Cdim chord is more commonly played on the guitar but is also used on the ukulele in music genres such as Hawaiian, Country and Contemporary. This chord is usually used when playing in the key of C. In Hawaiian music, the Cdim chord is frequently heard in some of the more traditional songs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ukulele

1. Hold the body of the ukulele in the right hand while sitting or standing in a comfortable position. With the back in an upright posture, place the right arm over the front of the ukulele where the strings are located. Move the right arm over the center of the ukulele body and place the right hand underneath. Pull the back of the ukulele close to the abdomen area.

2. Let the neck of the ukulele rest in the left hand. Keep the left index finger and the left thumb near the string spacer. Relax the left arm and elbow and let it rest close to the body.

3. Move the left index finger to the second bar between the first and second fret. Place the tip of the left index finger on the "G" or top string. Hold the remaining strings C, E and A also with the left index finger between the first and second fret.

4. Place the left middle finger on the third bar between the second and third fret. With the tip of the left middle finger, hold down the "C" string without touching the frets or any other strings.

5. 
    

   Put the left ring finger on the "A" or bottom string in the third bar between the second and third fret directly under the left middle finger. Hold all of the assigned fingers in place without touching any frets. With the right hand, strum over all of the strings gently near the center of the ukulele body to hear the Cdim chord. The strum should produce a clear sound. If the sound is interrupted, check the fingering to make sure that the frets and other strings are not being touched.

Tips & Warnings

• The Ukulele strings from top to bottom are G, C, E and A.
• "Frets" are the metal strips that are located on the neck of the ukulele.
• Keeping the fingers between the frets will produce a clear uninterrupted sound of the chord.
• A "Bar" is the area located between the frets.
• The "string spacer" is located near the top of the neck and is used to separate the strings from the tuning keys down the neck.
• The Cdim chord has the same fingering as the Ddim chord but is located one bar closer to the string spacer.