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Eric Clapton - Promises Ukulele Chords

ChordsG, C, D, A#, Bm, Am
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to G,F keys to play this song with easier chords.

GIdon’tcareifyounevercomehome,
CIdon’tmindifyoujustkeeponGrollingawayonadistantsea,
CauseIDdon’tloveyouandyoudon’tA#loveGme
GYoucauseacommotionwhenyoucometotown,
Cyougive’emasmileandtheymelt
HavingGloversandfriendsisallgoodandfine,
butIDdon’tlikeyoursandyoudon’tA#likeGmine.
LaClaBmlalalalaDlalaClala,BmlalaDlaA#G
GIdo’tcarewhatyoudoatnight.
Oh,andCIdon’tcarehowyougetyourdelights.
I’mgonnaGleaveyoualone,I’lljustletitbe,
andIDdon’tloveyouandyoudon’tA#loveGme.
CI’vegotaproblem,Gcanyoure‐late.
AmI’vegotawomanGcallinglovehate.
CWemadeavow,Gwe’dalwaysbefriends.
AmHowcouldweknowthatpromisesGend
LaClaBmlalalalaDlalaClala,BmlalaDlaA#G
GItriedtoloveyouforyearsuponyears,
Cyourefusedtotakemeforreal
GIt’stimeyousawwhatIwantyoutosee,
AndI’dDstillloveyouifyoujustA#loveGme.
CI’vegotaproblem,Gcanyourelate.
AmI’vegotawomancallingloveGhate.
CWemadeavow,Gwe’dalwaysbefriends.
AmHowcouldweknowthatpromisesGend
LaClaBmlalalalaDlalaClala,BmlalaDlaA#G
AlbumBackless
Year1978
KeyC
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Promises on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Eric Clapton - Promises on ukulele requires 6 chords and 8 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.

Promises uses these transitions most often: G → C (11), C → G (8), and A# → G (7). 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 - C chord transition.

1. G → C chord transition

Here's how to move from G to C:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 11 times.

G to C

2. G → D chord transition

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 4 times.

G to D

3. D → A# chord transition

Switching from D to A#:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

D to A#

4. A# → G chord transition

Switching from A# 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 C string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

A# to G

5. C → Bm chord transition

To move from C to Bm:

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

This transition appears in the chorus, played 6 times.

6. Bm → D chord transition

Switching from Bm to D:

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

This transition appears in the chorus, played 6 times.

7. D → C chord transition

Here's how to move 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 chorus, played 3 times.

8. G → Am chord transition

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 chorus, played 4 times.

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

  • Promises includes 60 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Promises contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Promises connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → D: 24%
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → Bm: 1%