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14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?We analyzed 14,015 chord transitions and ranked the 100 most repeated ones. Even the first 10 will transform your practice routine. The top transition appears in 23% of all songs.

Katy Perry - California Gurls Ukulele Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on the ukulele and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsC, F, G, Am
Strumming↓↑-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

CIFknowaGplaceAmwheretheCgrassisreallyFgreener
CWarm,FwetandGwildAmtheremustbeCsomethingintheFwater
CSippingFginandGjuiceAmlayingCunderneaththeFpalmGtreesAm
TheCboysFbreaktheirGnecksAmtryingtoCcreepaFlittlesneakGpeekAm
GYoucouldtraveltheAmworld,butFnothingcomesclosetothegoldencoast
GOnceyoupartywithAmus,you’llbeFfallinginloveohOhohohohoh
CCaliforniaFgirls,Gwe’reAmunforgettable
CDaisyDukes, Gbikinis Amontop
CSun-kissedskin,so Ghotwillmelt Amyourpopsicle
COhohohohoh,
CCaliforniaFgirls,Gwe’reAmundeniable
CFine, Ffresh,fierce,we Ggot Amitonlock
CWestcoastFrepresent,nowGput Amyourhandsup
COhohohohoh,oh GOhohohohoh
CSexFonaGbeachAmwegetCsandinourFstilettos
WeCfreakFinmyjeepGSnoopAmDoggyCDoggontheFstereo
GYoucouldtraveltheAmworld,butFnothingcomesclosetothegoldencoast
GOnceyoupartywithAmus,you’llbeFfallinginloveohOhohohohoh
CCaliforniaFgirls,Gwe’reAmunforgettable
CDaisyDukes, Gbikinis Amontop
CSun-kissedskin,so Ghotwillmelt Amyourpopsicle
COhohohohoh,
Toned,tan,fitandready,turn
itupcauseitsgettin’heavy
Wildwildwestcoast,thesearethegirlsIlovethemost
Imeantheones,Imeanlikeshe’sthe
one,kissher,touchher,squeezeherbuns
Thegirlsafreak,shedrivesajeepthemenonthebeach,
I’mokay,Iwon’tplay,IlovethebayJustlikeIloveLA
VeniceBeachandPalmSpringssummertimeiseverything
Comeonboys,hangingoutallthatasshangingout
Bikinis,tankinis,martinis,no
weeniesjusttogetinbetweeny
Katymylady(yeah)youlookingherebaby(uhhuh)
I’malluponyoucauseyourepresentingCalifornia
CCaliforniaFgirls,Gwe’reAmunforgettable
CDaisyDukes, Gbikinis Amontop
CSun-kissedskin,so Ghotwillmelt Amyourpopsicle
COhohohohoh,
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on the ukulele.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master ukulele today with the 100 most repeated chord transitions from 14,015 analyzed.
ArtistKaty Perry
AlbumTeenage Dream
GenresPop, Pop Rock, Rock
Year2010
KeyAm
DifficultyEasy

How to play California Gurls on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Katy Perry - California Gurls on ukulele requires 4 chords and 5 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓↑-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

California Gurls uses these transitions most often: G → Am (32), F → G (30), and C → F (28). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - F chord transition.

1. C → F chord transition

Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele F chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-1-0Ukulele F chord diagram

To move from C to F:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 28 times.

C to F

2. F → G chord transition

Ukulele F chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-1-0Ukulele F chord diagram
Ukulele G chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-3-2Ukulele G chord diagram

Switching from F to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 30 times.

F to G

3. G → Am chord transition

Ukulele G chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-3-2Ukulele G chord diagram
Ukulele Am chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-0-0Ukulele Am chord diagram

Here's how to move from G to Am:

  1. While playing G, first lift your index finger and ring finger.
  2. Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 32 times.

G to Am

4. Am → C chord transition

Ukulele Am chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-0-0Ukulele Am chord diagram
Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram

Switching from Am to C:

  1. While playing Am, lift your middle finger from G string fret 2.
  2. Place ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 25 times.

Am to C

5. Am → F chord transition

Switching from Am to F:

  1. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
  2. Place index finger on E string fret 1.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 4 times.

California Gurls chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in California Gurls.

  • California Gurls includes 123 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • California Gurls contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how California Gurls connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After F, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → C: 40%
    • F → G: 21%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → Am: 13%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains extracted from real songs. See which songs use each chain, learn the finger transitions, and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.