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Paul Simon - Sounds of Silence Ukulele Chords

ChordsAm, G, C, F
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

AmHellodarkness,myoldGfriend,I`vecometotalktoyou Amagain,
BecauseaCvisionsoftlyFis Ccreeping,
LeftitsseedswhileIFwas Csleeping,
AndtheFvisionthatwasplantedinmyCbrain,still Amremains,
WithintheGsoundofAmsilence.
AmInrestlessdreamsIwalked Galone,
Barrowstreetsof Amcobblestone.
BeneaththeChaloofFastreetClamp,
IturnedmycollartotheFcoldandCdamp,
WhenmyFeyeswerestabbedbytheflashofaneonClight,
ThatsplittheAmnightandtouchedtheGsoundofAmsilence.
AmAndinthenakedlightIGsaw,tenthousandpeople,maybeAmmore,
PeopleCtalking Fwithout Cspeaking,
Peoplehearing FwithoutClistening,
PeoplewritingFsongsthatvoicesneverCshare,
AndnooneAmdaredisturbtheGsoundsofAmsilence.
AmFools,saidI,youdonotGknow,silencelikeacancerAmgrows,
HearmyCwords,thatIFmightteachCyou,
TakemyarmsthatIFmightreachCyou,
ButmyFwordslikesilentraindropsCfellAm
AndechoedintheGwellsofAmsilence.
AmAndthepeoplebowedandGprayedtotheneongodthey`dAmmade.
AndtheCsignflashedoutFits Cwarning,
InthewordsthatitFwas Cforming.
Andthesignsaid,theFwordsoftheprophetsarewritten
InthesubwayCwalls,andtenementAmhalls,
AndwhisperedintheGsoundsofAmsilence.
AlbumThe Paul Simon Songbook
Year1965
KeyAm
DifficultyEasy

How to play Sounds of Silence on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Paul Simon - Sounds of Silence 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.

Sounds of Silence uses these transitions most often: C → F (15), F → C (15), and Am → G (10). 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 Am - G chord transition.

1. Am → G chord transition

To move from Am to G:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 10 times.

Am to G

2. Am → C chord transition

Here's how to move from Am to C:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

Am to C

3. C → F chord transition

Switching from C to F:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 15 times.

C to F

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

  • Sounds of Silence includes 60 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Sounds of Silence contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Sounds of Silence connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After Am, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are F (26%), G (21%), and C (16%).
    • Am → G: 21%
    • Am → C: 16%
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → F: 16%
    • C → Am: 10%