Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal Ukulele Chords
Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
How to play Smooth Criminal on Ukulele (Step-by-step)
Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal on ukulele requires 4 chords and 4 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.
Smooth Criminal uses these transitions most often: G → F (8), F → G (6), and Am → G (4). 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 - G chord transition.
1. F → G chord transition
To move from F to G:
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on E string fret 3.
This transition appears in the section, played 6 times.
2. F → E7 chord transition
Switching from F to E7:
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to C string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on A string fret 2.
This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.
3. E7 → Am chord transition
Switching from E7 to Am:
- While playing E7, first lift your index finger and ring finger.
- Lift your middle finger from C string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
This transition appears in the section, played 2 times.
4. Am → G chord transition
Switching from Am to G:
- Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Place index finger on C string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on E string fret 3.
This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.
Smooth Criminal chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Smooth Criminal.
- Smooth Criminal includes 27 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
- Smooth Criminal contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
- These transition patterns show how Smooth Criminal 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 → G: 21%
- F → E7: 1%
After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).- G → Am: 13%
- G → F: 9%