C Major Circle (C)
I - vi - ii - V7 progression in C major with open ukulele chords
For C major press fret 3 of string 1 with finger 3. Moving to A minor lift finger 3 and drop finger 2 onto fret 2 of string 4. For D minor keep finger 2 anchored on string 4 while adding finger 3 to string 3 and finger 1 to string 2. Moving to G7 finger 1 serves as an anchor on string 2 while fingers 2 and 3 drop onto strings 3 and 1. Returning to C slides finger 3 cleanly back to fret 3.
How the chords connect in C major
The progression
C, Am, Dm and G7 make up the C major circle, as degrees I, vi, ii and V7. At 96 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 2.5 seconds and the whole round about 10.
The notes of each chord
C holds C, E and G. In Am you hear A, C and E. Dm holds D, F and A. In G7 you hear G, B, D and F.
From one chord to the next
C and Am share C and E, though the hand changes shape. From Am to Dm, A stays, and one hand position stays put. Dm and G7 keep D and F in common. Also, two hand positions stay put.
Back to the start
Going back from G7 to C, B rises a semitone to C and F falls a semitone to E. The two chords share G.
The hand
C presses one position and leaves three strings open. Am rings with three strings open and one fretted position. Dm presses three positions and leaves string 1 open. G7 rings with string 4 open and three fretted positions. The highest fret in the circle is fret 3, in C. None of the four chords uses a barre.
Key map: C
- Key signature
- no sharps or flats
- Scale notes
- C – D – E – F – G – A – B
The 7 chords of the key
- IC
- iiDm
- iiiEm
- IVF
- VG
- viAm
- vii°Bdim
- Relative key
- Am
C Major Circle (C) circle for ukulele
C 0003 · Am 2000 · Dm 2210 · G7 0212
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How should you position your fingers for the C circle on ukulele?
The circle moves through C major, A minor, D minor, and G7. All chords sit within the first three frets using fingers 1, 2, and 3 with steady string anchors.
Which strumming pattern works best for practicing the C circle on ukulele?
Start with a standard strum at 96 BPM keeping steady quarter notes, or practice 4-string fingerpicking to build finger independence across thumb, index, middle, and ring.
Why do D minor and G7 transition so smoothly on ukulele?
Your first finger stays anchored on fret 1 of string 2 throughout the change, providing a solid reference point for the other fingers.