This classic R&B track translates surprisingly well to ukulele, and it’s a great way to practice your barre chord technique. Let’s learn to play Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” on the ukulele.
What Are We Learning To Play?
Below is a video of what you will be able to play by the end of this post.
Ukulele Tabs
This riff opens with a C# minor barre chord on the 4th fret. To perform this, place your index finger across the bottom three strings and use your thumb for extra support on the back of the neck. This guide on how to play barre chords could be helpful here if you’re struggling with the technique.
Play that barre chord six times, then use your pinky on the 7th fret of the E string for the last two hits. After that, play the 4th fret barre chord four more times.
Next comes the first lick section. Start by playing the 4th fret with your index finger—this positioning naturally leaves your ring and pinky fingers free to hit the 6th and 7th frets when needed.
Now you’re moving to a G# minor chord. Use your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, middle finger on the 3rd fret of the C string, and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the E string. Play that chord six times.
The two notes at the end of this measure should be easy to hit by sliding all your fingers down one fret from the G# minor position. Play the G# minor chord again four times, then finish with those four notes further up the fretboard.
A|-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|-4-4-4-4-4-6-7--6--4-|
E|-4-4-4-4-4-4-7-7-|-4-4-4-4-------------|
C|-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|-4-4-4-4-------------|
G|-----------------|---------------------|
A|-2-2-2-2-2-2---1-|-2-2-2-2--------6----|
E|-4-4-4-4-4-4-2---|-4-4-4-4-----7-----6-|
C|-3-3-3-3-3-3-----|-3-3-3-3--6----------|
G|-----------------|---------------------|