How to Strum on Ukulele

A strumming pattern can define a song, change the musical style, and change the feel. It can build a song up to a dramatic climax, bring it to a peaceful end, or liven up a middle 8. But mastering strumming patterns can be a tricky task, especially if you haven't done it before. In this post, I'll teach you how to strum on ukulele the right way, and also give you an easy way to learn new patterns!

Finger or Thumb?

Some people strum solely with their thumb, whilst others insist the finger is the right way. I usually tell people that there is no right or wrong answer to many things on the ukulele, but here I must agree with the finger strummers with one caveat - it's not always right!

To explain, I'll tell you all about strong beats, emphasis and attack. No, I'm not talking about street fighting - this is all to do with strumming! But first, we need to look at the hand position for strumming.

Strumming Hand Position

The strumming position

You will need to be strumming with your index finger, so first of all make a loose fist. I say loose because you don't want tension, you don't want to squeeze your hand closed tightly. Once you've got this fist, rest your index finger lightly on the end of your thumb, almost like a hook shape as you can see in the photo. This is the position your hand should be in for strumming.

Let the movement come from the wrist, and again ensure there is no tension. Strum down by hitting all of the strings smoothly with your index finger nail. For an upstrum, bring your hand back up, hitting the strings with the soft pad of your finger. Remember. when strumming we need to make sure:

• there is no tension - this will hinder you, your strumming will be jerky, and it will hurt!

• you are hitting all of the strings

• the movement comes from the wrist

Some people describe the strumming movement as imagining you have a drop of water on the end of your index finger, and you're gently trying to flick it off. Maybe you can even practice doing just that in the kitchen sink.

Thumb Strums

Strumming with your thumb requires a similar position, but this time your thumb should be held almost in a loose hitch-hiker's position. I only do downstrums with the thumb, and I'll explain why a little later.

Again, make sure you are hitting all of the strings and all of the movement is coming from your wrist.

Emphasis on Beats

Diagram 1

Generally speaking, the down strum comes on the beat, as seen in diagram 1. These are the

strong beats (if you want to get even more technical, beats 2 and 4 are the strongest but that's a story for another day!). When strumming down with your finger, you're hitting the strings with your finger nail, giving a nice attack. This means the strong beats are emphasised exactly the way they should be.

Diagram 2

When you're strumming upwards, the soft pad of your finger creates a softer strum, and these

fit between the strong beats, like in diagram 2.

Finger vs Thumb

So why is it so important to use your finger instead of your thumb? Think about where the emphasised beats are - 1, 2, 3 and 4. When you thumb strum, the downstrum is with the soft part of the thumb, and the upstrum is with the nail. This means that your beat emphasis is reversed, and can sound quite weird!

Not only this, but I find that if I were to strum down and up with my thumb, my wrist has to rotate more, creating more fatigue in the muscles there and slowing me down.

Having said that, there is a good time to use the thumb strum.

Rule of Thumb

When you're strumming a slow, peaceful song, or maybe a ballad, playing downstrums with your thumb can be a great way to play - you don't want the attack of the fingernail if you're strumming Hallelujah. You can also strum downwards with the thumb slightly slower than normal, to really let the strings ring out and create a beautiful sustained chord.

So now that's settled, how do we learn a new strumming pattern?

Learning Strumming Patterns

There are all sorts of strumming patterns for songs, with some of the most common displayed below. Learning new strumming patterns can be a challenge. Remember in the school days where you had to clap a rhythm back to the teacher? That's no good here. Clapping, with both hands moving side-to-side, does not translate well to one hand strumming up and down. Here's a better way.

1. Put your fret hand about a foot above the knee on the same side (right handed players, this is your left hand over your left knee).

2. Put your fretting hand in the air in the middle.

3. Use your strumming hand to do a rhythm. For downstrums, slap your knee, and for upstrums slap your fret hand.

4. Now try the same rhythm with a ukulele in your hand!

Watch the video to the right to see what this looks like in action, with the strumming pattern of D, D, D, DU.

This is a method I have taught to so many people over the years, and it always works! You might look a bit silly, but not to worry - I do when I teach it too!

How to Strum on Ukulele

So there you have it! Let me know if you have any other tips on strumming and patterns in the comments.