Skip to song content

Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes Ukulele Chords

ChordsF, Bb, C7, C
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

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

FLittleboxesontheFhillside,
littleBbboxesmadeofFtickytacky
LittleFboxesontheC7hillside,
littleFboxesalltheC7same,.
TheresaFgreenone,aFpinkone
andaBbblueone,aFyellowone
AndtheyareFallmadeoutofC7tickytacky
andtheyFalllookC7justtheFsame.
AndtheFpeopleintheFhousesallBbwenttothe Funiversity
andtheyFallgetputinC7boxes,littleFboxes,alltheC7same.
Andthere’sFdoctors,there’sFlawyersandBbbusiness Fexecutives
AndtheyareFallmadeoutofC7tickytacky,
andtheyFalllookC7justtheFsame.
AndtheyFallplayontheFgolfcourse,andBbdrinktheir Fmartinisdry
AndtheyFallhaveprettyC7childrenandtheFchildrengotoC7school,
AndtheFchildrengotoFsummercampandBbthentothe Funiversity
WheretheyFallgetputinC7boxes
andtheyFcomeoutalltheFsame.
AndtheFboysgointoFbusinessandBbmarry,raiseaFfamily
AndtheyFallgetputinC7boxes,littleFboxes,alltheC7same,
TheresaFpinkone,aFgreenoneandaBbblueone,aFyellowone
AndtheyareFallmadeoutofC7tickytacky
andtheyFalllookCjusttheFsame.
AlbumSingle
GenresBlues, Folk
Year1962
KeyF
DifficultyEasy

How to play Little Boxes on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes on ukulele requires 4 chords and 3 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.

Little Boxes uses these transitions most often: C7 → F (14), F → C7 (14), and Bb → F (8). 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 F - Bb chord transition.

1. F → Bb chord transition

Here's how to move from F to Bb:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 8 times.

F to Bb

2. F → C7 chord transition

Here's how to move from F to C7:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 14 times.

F to C7

3. F → C chord transition

Here's how to move from F to C:

  1. While playing F, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Place ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus.

F to C

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Little Boxes.

  • Little Boxes includes 46 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Little Boxes contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Little Boxes 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 → Bb: 5%
    After C7, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are F (62%), C (4%), and Gm (4%).
    • C7 → F: 62%