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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.

The Lumineers - Holdin’ Out Ukulele Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on the ukulele and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsG, Dm, C, Em, D
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

G
GSingingtomyself,Dmsingingfortheneighbours
CHoldin’onforwork,Choldin’ontopaper
GIwasontheleft,Dmyouwereonlyfading
CIwasonmyown,Cstaringattheceiling
GHoldin’,Choldin’Emout
GReaditonamap,DmneverhowIplannedit
CHoldin’onforwork,Ctakingitforgranted
GIwaslookingup,DmIwasbeingblinded
CHoldin’onforwork,ChopingthatI’dfindit
GCEmGCEm
GIwaslookingup,Dmholdingontopatience
CCountingupthedays,CdaysthatI’dbeenwaiting
GYoucantakeyourtime,DmI’llbeonthefrontporch
CKeepingonthelight,Cyoucanseeitifyoulookforit
GCEmGCEm
EmIwouldlieCawakeGintheDnight
DHopin’thatone CdayGI’dDrun
DIhadwaited CallGmyDlife
GCEmGCEm
EmYeah,IwasGholdin’(singingtomyself)
CHoldin’Emyou(holdin’ontowork)
EmYeah,Gholdin’(Iwasontheleft)
CWaitedforEmyou(Iwasonmyown)
EmWaitedfor…
GCEmGCEmG
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.
ArtistThe Lumineers
AlbumStorks Soundtrack
GenresAlternative, Children, Indie
Year2016
KeyG
DifficultyEasy

How to play Holdin' Out on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

The Lumineers - Holdin' Out on ukulele requires 5 chords and 7 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.

Holdin' Out uses these transitions most often: C → Em (11), G → C (11), and Em → G (10). 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 G - Dm chord transition.

1. G → Dm chord transition

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

To move from G to Dm:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 6 times.

G to Dm

2. Dm → C chord transition

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

Here's how to move from Dm to C:

  1. While playing Dm, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from C string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 6 times.

Dm to C

3. C → G chord transition

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

Switching from C to G:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 9 times.

C to G

4. C → Em chord transition

Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele Em chord diagram Fingering: 0-4-3-2Ukulele Em chord diagram

To move from C to Em:

  1. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on C string fret 4.
  2. Place index finger on A string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 11 times.

C to Em

5. Em → G chord transition

Switching from Em to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to A string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from C string fret 4 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 10 times.

6. G → D chord transition

Here's how to move from G to D:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 3 times.

7. D → C chord transition

Switching from D to C:

  1. While playing D, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 2 times.

Holdin' Out chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Holdin' Out.

  • Holdin' Out includes 60 chord transitions, 7 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Holdin' Out contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Holdin' Out connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → Em: 8%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → D: 24%
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.