Basic Ukulele Notes: How to Navigate a Ukulele Fretboard

A fretboard is a solid strip of wood attached to the neck of a fretted string instrument. Running across the fretboard are thin strips of metal known as frets. Pressing a string against one of these frets and then plucking the string produces a specific note.

The number of frets on a ukulele depends on the size of the instrument. There are four popular types of ukuleles: concert ukuleles (which are in the alto range), soprano ukuleles, tenor ukuleles, and baritone ukuleles. Bass ukuleles also exist but are less common. The number of frets depends on the type of ukulele and varies between models.

• Soprano ukulele: 12 to 15 frets
• Concert ukulele: 15 to 20 frets
• Tenor ukulele: 15 to 22 frets
• Baritone ukulele: 19 to 22 frets

In general, all ukulele models are constructed so that the twelfth fret is easily accessible. A ukulele fretboard note sounded on the twelfth fret will sound one octave above an open string. Having that full octave accessible on each string makes most ukulele songs manageable on any of these instruments.

The standard tuning for a ukulele (from the bottom string to the top string) is G-C-E-A. This means that each open string produces the associate note, from the bottom G string to the C string, E string, and A string. On a concert ukulele, these notes are specifically G4-C4-E4-A4. Strumming these open strings produces a C6 chord with a G as the lowest note.

Depressing an open string at the first fret moves the note one half step (or semitone) up the twelve-tone chromatic scale. For example, on the low G string, depressing each fret in order and plucking the string produces the following chromatic scale:

• Open string: G
• First fret: G♯/A♭
• Second fret: A
• Third fret: A♯/B♭
• Fourth fret: B
• Fifth fret: C
• Sixth fret: C♯/D♭
• Seventh fret: D
• Eight fret: D♯/E♭
• Ninth fret: E
• Tenth fret: F
• Eleventh fret: F♯/G♭

The twelfth fret returns to G, one octave higher than the open string. For ukuleles with more than twelve frets, the chromatic scale proceeds again from there. The other three ukulele strings—the C string, E string, and A string—also move up the chromatic scale as you depress each fret in sequence.

Ukulele tabs show you which strings to depress at which frets, but ukulele sheet music simply includes note pitches and durations. If you’re playing a song from sheet music, it is your responsibility as a ukulele player to know which pitches correspond to specific strings and frets.

Grab a MasterClass Annual Membership, stretch out those fingers, and get your strum on with a little help from the Jimi Hendrix of ‘ukulele, Jake Shimabukuro. With some pointers from this Billboard chart topper, you’ll be an expert on chords, tremolo, vibrato, and more in no time.