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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.

Melanie Safka - The Nickel Song Ukulele Chords

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

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

FBbFCF
CWell,youFknowthatI’mnotagambler
ButI’mBbbeinggambledon
TheyputinaFnickelandICsingalittleFsong
FDaddadaddadaddadada
DadnBbdadaddadada
TheyputinaFnickelandICsingalittleFsong
FWellIdon’tmindthatthey’relucky,butitBbseemsliketheyalwayswin
Andgamblingis FillegalintheCstateofmindI’mFin
FAndifIhadanickelforeachBbtimethatI’vebeenputon
IwouldbetheFnickelmanandI’dCsinganickelFsong
Youknow,hey’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel
AndtheyCwantadollarFsong
Oh,they’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel
AndtheyCwantadollarFsong
FWell,youknowIknowIdon’tknowsomanythings
ButIBbknowwhat’sbeengoingon
We’reonlyputtinginaFlittletogetCridofalotthat’sFwrong
AndifwehadanickelforeachBbtimethatwe’vebeenputon
We’dallbetheFnickelmanandwe’dCsinganickelFsong,youknow
They’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel
AndtheyCwantadollarFsong
Oh,they’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel
AndtheyCwantadollarFsong
FWell,youknowthatI’mnotagambler
ButI’mBbbeinggambledon
TheyputinaFnickelandICsingalittleFsong
FDaddadaddadaddadada
DadnBbdadaddadada
DaddadaddaFdada,DadaCdaddadaFda
DadadaBbdadadnFdadada
CDadadadaFdaddadada
BbDadadadaFdaddadada
CDadadadaFdaddadada
They’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickelandtheyCwantadollarFsong
We’reonlyputtinginaFlittletogetCridofalot.
They’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickelandtheyCwantadollarFsong
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.
ArtistMelanie Safka
AlbumThe Good Book
GenresFolk, Folk Rock, Rock
Year1971
KeyF
DifficultyEasy

How to play The Nickel Song on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Melanie Safka - The Nickel Song on ukulele requires 3 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.

The Nickel Song uses these transitions most often: F → C (19), C → F (18), and Bb → F (17). 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

Ukulele F chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-1-0Ukulele F chord diagram
Ukulele A# | B♭ chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Ukulele A# | B♭ chord diagram

Switching 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 chorus, played 16 times.

F to Bb

2. F → C chord transition

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

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 chorus, played 19 times.

F to C

3. C → Bb chord transition

Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele A# | B♭ chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Ukulele A# | B♭ chord diagram

Switching from C to Bb:

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

This transition appears in the section.

C to Bb

The Nickel Song chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in The Nickel Song.

  • The Nickel Song includes 71 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • The Nickel Song contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how The Nickel Song 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 C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → F: 16%
    • C → Bb: 2%
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.