How to strum a ukulele? This is a question that plagues many aspiring musicians.
If you have ever wanted to learn how, but are never quite sure how to start, this article will come in handy.
We’ll discuss how different parts of the ukulele work and how they are used when playing songs.
After reading, you should know how to hold your instrument and how to use it properly!
The Basics of How to Strum Your Ukulele
Strumming is how you use your hand to play music on the ukulele, and it’s one of the first things that new players learn how to do. Don’t worry – learning how to strum isn’t as difficult as people think!
Ukuleles are great instruments for beginners because they’re simple enough for anyone to learn how to play, but they’re also beautiful instruments that are capable of creating soothing melodies. Here’s how you can start strumming your uke right away!
– Strums are how you actually play music on the ukulele, so it’s important for beginners to know how this works.
– Ukuleles are actually very simple instruments, which means it’s easy for beginners to pick them up.
– It is possible to begin strumming the ukulele right away!
Quick Tips for How to Strum Ukulele
How Should I Position My Hand to Strum?
Strumming with your right hand is no different than how you would strum a guitar.
All that needs to be done is hold the ukulele in the standard playing position, so it lies diagonally across your body’s centerline, near the waistline.
– Make sure your elbow is not locked, and that your hand is in a comfortable position to strum from.
– Hold the ukulele so that the soundhole is pointing up, and the headstock is facing away from you.
– The index finger should be positioned behind the fretboard (on the neck), while the other fingers are curled around the bottom of the ukulele body.
Where to Strum on the Ukulele?
There are a few places you can strum on the ukulele. In the following video, Ukulele Mike shows us how to strum in the key of C.
The most common place to strum is on the strings closest to your body, as shown in the video. You can also strum on the A string (the one closest to your head), as well as the D and G strings.
What Is a Correct Strumming Technique?
There are a few different techniques that people use when strumming a ukulele. Some people use a down-up motion, while others use an up-down motion.
The important thing is to make sure that you are using the correct technique for the song you are playing. If you are not sure how to strum a certain song, you can use YouTube to find how it is played.
A correct strumming technique will vary depending upon the type of ukulele that you are playing.
For example, a soprano ukulele has very distinctive sound and tone differences than other types such as concert or tenor size instruments.
What Is a Swing / Shuffle Strum?
A swing/shuffle strum is a very common rhythm used by many guitar players, especially those playing folk and blues. In this section, we’ll look at how to play a simple ukulele version of the swing strum that you can use as your main pattern for songs.
Simple Strumming Patterns
Now that you know how to hold a ukulele and how to tune it, let’s learn some basic strumming patterns. There are many different strumming patterns out there, but we’ll start with three simple ones.
First Pattern: Downstrokes
The first pattern is the simplest of all – just use downstrokes only. This will give your strumming a nice, consistent rhythm.
Strum down on each note for the whole time you are holding it, but make sure to start this pattern by playing the third string (the one tuned to G) with an upstroke – that’s how we get started off right!
If you’re not familiar with how ukuleles are tuned, make sure to check out the how-to guide we have on our website.
Second Pattern: Variation of the First One
The next strumming pattern is a variation of the first one. In this pattern, you’ll still use downstrokes for each note, but you’ll also add in an upstroke every now and then. This will help to keep the rhythm from getting too monotonous.
Using this pattern is a great way to add some subtle variety to your strumming without having to use any complicated rhythms, and once you’ve got it down, try experimenting with how much variation you add in!
Try starting the upstrokes on different beats or adding in an extra one here and there.
Notice how we’ve written some numbers above the tab staff to help you count how many beats each note gets.
These are called “beats” – think of them as invisible clocks that help us keep track of time when we’re playing music (we’ll talk more about these later). When you strum down on a string, one beat will pass.
When you strum up, one beat will pass (that’s how we get that first downstroke). If there is no number above the tab staff for a string, it means to keep playing that string until it changes.
Third Pattern: Alternating Bass
Now let’s move on to our final simple strumming pattern: just use an alternating bass! This means that you’ll be playing one downstroke followed by one upstroke, over and over again.
This is a great pattern to use when you want to add some extra groove or swing to your music – give it a try!
Once you’ve got these three patterns under your belt, start experimenting with combining them together in different ways.
Conclusion – How to Strum a Ukulele
Now you understand how to strum a ukulele! Practice strumming your ukulele and you will be able to play songs in no time at all.
Now let move to the FAQs of how to strum a Ukulele.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: What is the best strumming pattern for the ukulele?
A: There are many strumming patterns that can be used. Try out a few to see how they sound and which you like best!
Q: How do you strum a ukulele for dummies?
A: The best way to strum a ukulele for dummies is to follow the pattern that you feel comfortable with.
Q: How do you strum a ukulele like an expert?
A: When learning how to strum a ukulele like an expert, start by practicing the basic patterns. Once you have them down, experiment with other rhythms and strumming techniques.
That’s’ all for the how to strum a ukulele guide! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
You can also check out Ukulele vs Guitar: Differences & Which Is Better for You? and 5 Best Baritone Ukulele Chords You Must Know Quickly.
