Ukulele Scale Chart
Interactive fretboard diagram for ukulele. Choose any root note and scale type to see exactly where to play every note on the GCEA neck.
Fretboard - GCEA Tuning
Quick Presets
How to Read a Ukulele Scale Diagram
Strings and Frets
Horizontal lines represent the 4 strings (A at top, G at bottom in the diagram). Vertical lines are frets numbered 0 (open) to 12.
Dot Colors
Bright violet dots are the root note. Lighter violet dots are other notes in the scale. Empty frets are notes not in the scale.
GCEA Tuning
Standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A from string 4 to string 1. The G string is reentrant (higher than C), giving ukulele its bright sound.
GCEA Standard Tuning Reference
| String | Note | Octave | Hz (A4=440) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| String 1 (A) | A | 4th octave | 440 Hz | Melody, high end |
| String 2 (E) | E | 4th octave | 329.6 Hz | Inner voice, harmony |
| String 3 (C) | C | 4th octave | 261.6 Hz | Root, low end |
| String 4 (G) - Reentrant | G | 4th octave (high G) | 392 Hz | Reentrant, jangly character |
Note: Standard soprano/concert/tenor ukulele uses reentrant tuning where G is higher than C, creating the distinctive ukulele sound. Low-G tuning replaces the G with a lower G3 (196 Hz) for a fuller range.
Scales by Genre
| Genre | Best Scales | Why It Works | Common Keys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian / Polynesian | Major, Pentatonic Major | Bright, open-string resonance on GCEA tuning | C, G, F, D |
| Folk / Indie | Major, Natural Minor, Mixolydian | Chord-friendly shapes that work with open chords | C, G, A, D |
| Pop | Major, Pentatonic Major, Natural Minor | I-V-vi-IV progressions use these scales naturally | C, G, Am, F |
| Blues / Jazz | Blues, Dorian, Pentatonic Minor | The b3 and b7 create the blues feeling | Am, Dm, Em, G |
| Classical / Film | Major, Harmonic Minor, Phrygian | Harmonic minor creates dramatic tension | Am, Dm, Cm, Em |
| Children's / Simple | Pentatonic Major, Major | 5 notes, no wrong notes, easy to improvise | C, G, F |
Famous Ukulele Songs and Their Scales
Ukulele vs Guitar Scale Diagrams
| Feature | Ukulele (GCEA) | Guitar (EADGBE) |
|---|---|---|
| Strings | 4 strings | 6 strings |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A (reentrant G) | E-A-D-G-B-e (standard) |
| Range | About 2 octaves (frets 0-12) | Over 3 octaves (frets 0-24) |
| Reentrant string | Yes - G is higher than C | No - low to high throughout |
| Scale positions | Simpler patterns, fewer positions | Complex patterns, 5 CAGED positions |
| Typical role | Chords, melody, folk/pop | Chords, lead, all genres |
| Fret spacing | Shorter scale length, closer frets | Longer scale, wider frets |
BeatKey Production Workflow
Use all BeatKey tools together for a complete ukulele production workflow:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scale for a beginner ukulele player?
Start with C major pentatonic (C, D, E, G, A). It has 5 notes, no avoid notes, and works over most chord progressions in C, G, and F major. Once comfortable, expand to the full C major scale, then try A minor pentatonic for a different feel.
What is GCEA tuning and why is the G reentrant?
GCEA is standard soprano, concert, and tenor ukulele tuning. The G string (string 4) is tuned to G4 (392 Hz), which is higher than the C string (C4, 262 Hz). This is called reentrant tuning. It creates ukulele's distinctive bright, jangly sound and means scale patterns are different from guitar.
Can I use guitar scale patterns on ukulele?
Not directly. Guitar is EADGBE (6 strings, linear tuning). Ukulele is GCEA (4 strings, reentrant G). The patterns look different because the string order and intervals are different. Use this dedicated ukulele fretboard diagram for correct scale positions.
What scales work for Hawaiian ukulele music?
Hawaiian music primarily uses major pentatonic and full major scales. C major and G major are the most common keys because they sit well on the GCEA open tuning. For a more exotic Hawaiian sound, try adding the major 2nd run (1-2-3-5-6) from pentatonic up to the full major scale.