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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.

Brian and Michael - Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs Ukulele Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on the ukulele and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsC, Am, A, A7, Dm, F, G, D, Em
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

HeCpaintedSalford’ssmokeytops
OnAmcardboardboxesfromtheshop
AndApartsofAncoatsA7whereIusedtoDmplay
I’mFsureheoncewalkeddownourstreet
ForheCpaintedkidswithnowtontheirfeet
TheGclothestheyworehadallseenbetterCdays.
Nowtheysaidhisworksofartweredull,
NoAmroomandallthewallswerefull,
ButALowrydidn’tA7caremuch Dmanyway,
TheyFsaidhejustpaintscatsanddogs
AndCmatchstalkmeninbootsandclogs
AndGLowrysaidthat’sjustthewaythey’llCstay.G
AndhepaintedCmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandFdogs,
HepaintedGkidsonthecornerofthestreetwhoweresparkingCclogs,G
NowheCtakeshisbrushandhewaits Foutsidethosefactorygates
TopainthisGmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandCdogs.
CNowcanvasandbrusheswerewearingthin
WhenAmLondonstartedcallinghim
ToAcomeondownandA7weartheoldflatDmcap,
TheysaidFtellusallaboutyourwaysandall CaboutthoseSalforddays
IsitGtrueyou’rejustanordinaryCchap?G
AndhepaintedCmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandFdogs,
HepaintedGkidsonthecornerofthestreetwhoweresparkingCclogs,G
NowheCtakeshisbrushandhewaits Foutsidethosefactorygates
TopainthisGmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandCdogs.
NowCLowryshangupontheAmwall Fbesidethegreatestofthemall
AndA7eventheMonaLisatakesaDmbow,
ThisFtiredoldmanwithhairlikesnowtoldCnorthernfolkit’stimetogo,
TheGfevercameandthegoodLordmoppedhisCbrow.G
AndhepaintedCmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandFdogs,
HepaintedGkidsonthecornerofthestreetwhoweresparkingCclogs,G
NowheCtakeshisbrushandhewaits Foutsidethosefactorygates
TopainthisGmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandCdogs.
DAndheleftusmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandEmdogs,
AndheleftusAkidsonthecornerofthestreetwhoweresparkingDclogs,A
NowheDtakeshisbrushandhewaits Emoutsidethosepearlygates
TopainthisAmatchstalkmenandmatchstalkcatsandDdogs.
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.
ArtistBrian and Michael
AlbumSingle
GenresPop
Year1978
KeyC
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Brian and Michael - Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs on ukulele requires 9 chords and 14 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.

Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs uses these transitions most often: G → C (16), C → G (10), and C → F (6). 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 - Am chord transition.

1. C → Am chord transition

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

To move from C to Am:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

C to Am

2. Am → A chord transition

Ukulele Am chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-0-0Ukulele Am chord diagram
Ukulele A chord diagram Fingering: 2-1-0-0Ukulele A chord diagram

Switching from Am to A:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 3 times.

Am to A

3. A → A7 chord transition

Ukulele A chord diagram Fingering: 2-1-0-0Ukulele A chord diagram
Ukulele A7 chord diagram Fingering: 0-1-0-0Ukulele A7 chord diagram

Switching from A to A7:

  1. While playing A, lift your middle finger from G string fret 2.
  2. Keep index finger on C string fret 1.

This transition appears in the section, played 3 times.

A to A7

4. A7 → Dm chord transition

Ukulele A7 chord diagram Fingering: 0-1-0-0Ukulele A7 chord diagram
Ukulele Dm chord diagram Fingering: 2-2-1-0Ukulele Dm chord diagram

To move from A7 to Dm:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

A7 to Dm

5. Dm → F chord transition

To move from Dm to F:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

6. F → C chord transition

Switching 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 section, played 4 times.

7. C → G chord transition

Here's how to move 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 10 times.

8. F → G chord transition

Here's how to move 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 chorus, played 6 times.

9. Am → F chord transition

To move 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 section.

10. F → A7 chord transition

To move from F to A7:

  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 C string fret 1.

This transition appears in the section.

11. C → D chord transition

Here's how to move from C to D:

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

This transition appears in the section.

12. D → Em chord transition

Here's how to move from D to Em:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 2 times.

13. Em → A chord transition

Here's how to move from Em to A:

  1. While playing Em, lift your ring finger from C string fret 4.
  2. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 2 times.

14. A → D chord transition

To move from A to D:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 3 times.

Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs.

  • Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs includes 71 chord transitions, 14 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs contains 7 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs 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 → F: 16%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
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.