If you try to barre by bending at the first knuckle, your fingers won’t be able to play the other notes. Then, arch and curve the other fingers as normal. Your finger will bend at the second knuckle. You need to straighten, actually even back-bend the first finger a little bit to apply a flat surface to the two strings. Here is the important hint: do not bend your first finger at the first knuckle. But, once you understand how to properly barre, you will be better able to play the chord. Most folks struggle with the barre part, and some try to add a pinky in there to use four fingers on the chord, or just try to ignore the first string. Then, your second finger frets the third string at the second fret, and your third finger the fourth string at the third fret. Your first finger has to press down on two strings at once – the first and second strings both at the first fret. The Bb employs what is known as a “barre” (pronounced “bar”). Let’s break it down and see why it is so difficult (because it is, you’re right), and the proper way to play this chord so that it will become as easy as the other chords. The Bb is the most dreaded beginning chord for the aspiring ukester.

Then you have to play a Bb and you decide to take a break. By Ted Parrish, ukulele extraordinaire and co-author of Ukulele for the Complete Ignoramus! and Ukulele Tunes, Tips & Jamming.īeginning ukulele students often have this common experience: You are rolling right along, strumming and singing, you got your C chord down, Am, F, even G.

B flat minor ukulele chord