Bb Ukulele Chord
Looking for the Bb chord on your ukulele? It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. Your fingers go on the g, C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A three-finger shape. Here is how to play Bb, step by step.
- Notes: Bb, D and F
- Frets: 3 2 1 1
- Tuning: g C E A
Bb ukulele chord details
- Type
- Major triad
- Also known as
- A#, or Bb major
- Formula
- 1 3 5
- Intervals
- Bb (root), D (major 3rd), F (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- Bb, D and F
- Frets
- 3 2 1 1
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Bb chord
Here is the Bb chord step by step:
- Put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the g string.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Lay your index finger flat across the E and A strings at the 1st fret, a small barre.
- Strum all four strings.
Roll your index finger slightly onto its bony side so it presses every string evenly. Read how to play bar chords if it keeps buzzing. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the Bb chord?
The Bb chord is built from three notes: Bb, D and F (the root, major 3rd and perfect 5th). On the ukulele the Bb is doubled, so you get a nice full sound. Major chords are the bright, happy ones, which is why so many singalong songs are built on them. Curious which chords sit together in a song? See which chords share a key.
Ukulele songs that use the Bb chord
- The NeighbourhoodSweater Weather
- The FoundationsBuild Me Up Buttercup
- ColdplayThe Scientist
- Louis ArmstrongWhat A Wonderful World
- Alessia CaraHow Far I’ll Go
- Death Cab for CutieI Will Follow You Into The Dark
- Bruno MarsWhen I Was Your Man
- Ryan Gosling & Emma StoneCity Of Stars
- Christina PerriA Thousand Years
- AdeleMake You Feel My Love
Want to go further?
Once Bb feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Bb7, Bbmaj7, Bbm and Bbsus4. Bb pairs most often with F, Eb and Gm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.