Learn to Play "Happy Birthday" with Just 3 Easy Chords
Hey there, future ukulele superstar! Are you ready to learn how to play the classic song "Happy Birthday" on your ukulele? This song is super easy and a perfect tune to play at birthday parties to make everyone smile! With just three beginner chords and step-by-step instructions, you’ll be playing this cheerful tune in no time. So grab your uke, warm up those fingers, and get ready to celebrate with music!
Let’s break it down step by step so you can start playing in no time!
What You’ll Need:
- A ukulele
- Your four fingers to press the strings (it’s easy with just four strings to work with!)
- A big smile!
The Chords You’ll Need:
To play Happy Birthday, we’ll only need three simple chords! These are all easy chords that you can learn quickly. Here are the chords:
- C major (C)
- G7
- F major (F))
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play them yet—I’ll show you how!
How to Play Each Chord:
C Major Chord (C)
- Place your third (ring) finger on the third fret of the A string (the bottom string).
- Let the other strings (G, C, and E) ring open (you don’t need to press anything on those).
It should look like this:
A|---3--- (press on the 3rd fret)
E|---0--- (open string, no finger)
C|---0--- (open string, no finger)
G|---0--- (open string, no finger)
F Major Chord (F)
- Place your index finger on the first fret of the E string (the second string from the bottom).
- Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string (the top string).
It should look like this:
A|---0--- (open string)
E|---1--- (press on the 1st fret)
C|---0--- (open string)
G|---2--- (press on the 2nd fret)
G7 Chord
- Place your index finger on the first fret of the E string (the second string from the bottom).
- Place your middle finger on the second fret of the C string (the second from the top string).
- Place your ring finger on the second fret of the A string (the bottom string from the bottom).
It should look like this:
A|---2--- (press on the 3rd fret)
E|---1--- (press on the 1st fret)
C|---2--- (press on the 2nd fret)
G|---0--- (open string)
How to Play the Song
Now that you know the chords, let’s put them together and play the song! Here are the chords you’ll use for each part of the song. The song repeats the same chords for each line.
The Song (With Chords):
C - C - C - G7 - G7
Happy birthday to you
G7 - G7 - G7 - G7 - C - C
Happy birthday to you
C - C - C - C - F(hold)
Happy birthday dear,____________
F - C - C - G - C
Happy birthday to you!
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Let’s go through the song, one line at a time:
Line 1: “Happy birthday to you,”
- Start singing “Happy” and begin the chord on “Birthday”
- Start with the C chord on “Birthday”: Play it 3 times.
- Switch to G7 chord: Play it 2 times.
Line 2: “Happy birthday to you,”
- Stay on the G7 chord, play it 4 times and end on the C chord playing it 2 times:
G7 → G7 → G7 → G7 → C → C
Line 3: “Happy birthday dear [Name],”
- Start with the C chord on “Happy” and play it 4 times “Happy Birth-day dear”
- Switch to F chord on the person’s name: Play it once and hold it.
Line 4: “Happy birthday to you!”
- Stay on the F chord: Play it once on “Happy”.
- Switch back to C chord: Play it twice on “Birth-day”.
- Switch to the G7 chord: Play it once on “to”.
- End with C chord: Play it once.
- F → C → C → G7 → C
Tips for Playing:
- Start Slow: If you’re new to ukulele, start by playing the chords slowly, making sure each note rings clearly. Once you’re comfortable, try playing faster!
- Practice Chord Changes: Practice switching between C, F, and G7 until it feels smooth. You’ll get faster with practice!
- Sing Along: Once you’re comfortable with the chords, try singing along while you play. It’s really fun to play “Happy Birthday” for friends and family!
Congratulations!
Now you know how to play "Happy Birthday" on the ukulele! Whether it’s for a party or just for fun, you’re ready to share this awesome song with everyone.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep practicing your chords and strumming, and soon you’ll be playing all sorts of songs on your ukulele. Have fun, and don’t forget to sing out loud when it’s someone’s birthday!