Db Ukulele Chord
Db on ukulele is 1-1-1-4: barre the 1st fret across the g, C and E strings with your index finger and put your little finger on the 4th fret of the A string. It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. You will also see it written as C#, C sharp major.
- Notes: Db, F and Ab
- Frets: 1 1 1 4
- Tuning: g C E A
Db ukulele chord details
- Type
- Major triad
- Also known as
- C#, or Db major
- Formula
- 1 3 5
- Intervals
- Db (root), F (major 3rd), Ab (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- Db, F and Ab
- Frets
- 1 1 1 4
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Db chord
Here is the Db chord step by step:
- Lay your index finger flat across the g, C and E strings at the 1st fret, a small barre.
- Put your little finger on the 4th fret of the A string.
- 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.
Is there an easier way to play Db?
Not really. 1-1-1-4 is already the simplest playable shape for Db on a ukulele; every alternative either needs more fingers or sits higher up the neck. If it still feels awkward, the tips above are the fix.
What notes are in the Db chord?
The Db chord is built from three notes: Db, F and Ab (the root, major 3rd and perfect 5th). On the ukulele the Db 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 Db chord
The Db chord belongs to G♭ Major (the V), D♭ Major (the I), A♭ Major (the IV), E♭ Minor (the VII), B♭ Minor (the III) and F Minor (the VI). Each key page shows the rest of that family, the progressions that use it and songs to play.
Want to go further?
Once Db feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Db7, Dbmaj7, Dbm and Dbsus4. It works as a richer color alongside the basic chords you already know. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.