To play a C# major chord or Db major chord on baritone ukulele, go to the article on C major and move everything up one fret toward the bridge.

Note that C# major and Db major are the same chord. The correct name to use depends on the specific situation, mainly which key you’re playing in — a topic for another day.

Tip: When playing the basic C major shape, you have two open strings (the G string and the E string). You’ll need to convert this open shape to a moveable shape which you can then move up to the first fret to play a C# major (or Db flat major).

Use your index finger to bar the first fret, like this:

To learn how to find major chords across the neck, check out my article about the CAGED method. I spent weeks on those illustrations. Hope you find them helpful!

Appendix for Theory Nerds

This chart shows you where a C# major triad occurs, in terms of scale degree, in the six easiest keys for baritone ukulele.

I recommend focusing on the easiest keys for baritone uke, and using a capo if you absolutely must play in other keys.

Some ukulele and guitar teachers recommend focusing on just two keys, C major and G major. I think that’s a great idea, for starters. But for baritone ukulele, I also recommend working with the key of D, because D is the lowest note on your bari uke.

But, at the most, I would stick to the six easiest keys for baritone ukulele.

Getting back to our C# major triad chord, any particular major chord functions as a different scale degree in different keys. Like this: