Consider the "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Te-Do". That's is also called the "Tonic Solfa" we learned in primary

school. The sound intervals never vary from 'Do' to 'the 8ua' "octave" Do' in whatever key we choose.

But as the bottom 'Do' ('key' or 'root' note), changes in the 12 notes available each major scale is unique.

Major Chords are made by combining the three notes in the triad of "Do - Mi - So". The lowest note 'Do'

is called the 'root' of the Key, and the other two notes are its 3rd ('Mi') and 5th ('So') notes. All other chords are

derived from the major. When you strum a Major you may strike 4 strings but only 3 distinct notes are heard since

two strings always play the same sound. Musically, Majors are unadorned, strong chords which evoke contentment.

TYPE 'A' - all chord shapes start at or near the NUT of the ukulele which is the key to chord

forming. The 'A' is played on strings 3&4. Strings 1&2 are 'open' and ring from their anchor at the Nut which may be

considered a 'bar'. These open sounds ring longer because we cannot control their vibrations easily at the Uke's nut.

If you now play the 'A' shape on frets 2/3 and use your pointer to 'bar' fret 1, you discover A#(or Bb) and so on

along the uke's neck, fret by fret, discovering new majors as you go. Note that B# we call C (& E# we call F).

TYPE 'C' - you have already discovered a 'C'maj amongst the 'A' Chord shapes above. But

ukuleles are tuned to allow us to find many ways to play a chord, so we can play a 'C' like this one at fret 3 on 1 &

as before, using your pointer along the fretboard and keeping the exact 'C' shape on 1 string three frets higher up, we

discover C#, D, D#(not shown) E and F. Many players prefer these shapes. But let us look for other options......

TYPE 'D' - Not the easiest shape to play if you have small fingers, but try to do it anyway..

When you play the Eb, the 4th string can be uncovered because the 'open' G sound on 4 is in the Eb chord.

But cover the 4 string if you play any other major derived from the 'D' shape. We're on a roll, let us leap forward !

TYPE 'F' - Playing this shape requires the 'BAR' over strings 1 to 3. It takes some practice.

See the 'F' looks a bit like an 'A'? But it's not cool to play an F for an A or vice versa. F is related to D minor

Playing Dm instead of F is never a serious mistake. You can strum the A#(Bb) without covering 4. That's cool too!

TIP: To play 'F': Put the long finger on the 2 string and the ring finger on the 4 string. Now place your

pointer over the length of the nut. You are now in position to advance your hand along the neck of the Uke

holding that position constant. You will now discover the above majors and still more higher up the neck. .

TIP: You should play Sentinel 'A' shapes this way too. Keep your pointer free & ready to control your 'bar'.

TYPE F# - This is a very under-used major chord shape. Play majors up to fret 7 or even higher.

Just strum strings 1 to 3 - NOT 4, and you're off up, up and away! And what about that Fmaj chord at fret 1 on S2 !!