One of the hardest things to figure out as a new ukulele player is the strumming pattern for a song.

Nowadays it’s fairly easy to look up the chords online and you’ll get a chord chart where chord letters are written above the lyrics.

So you’ll practice those chords, figure out where to put your fingers, and now it’s time to strum.

But then there’s all these questions:

• How many strums do you give each chord?
• When do you know how to change the chords?
• Do you strum down? Do you strum up?
• Are you suppose to just feel it out?

If it feels overwhelming to figure out, then, just know you’re not alone, but there’s actually a big trick you need to know which I cover in today’s video lesson.

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These four strumming patterns can be used to play any song on ukulele!

All About That Count

99% of any song you’ll play on ukulele will be counted in four or three.

This means if you can strum a pattern played to a consistent steady count, known as the beat, then, you’re off to the races.

Strumming Pattern #1: Down, Down, Down, Down

Before you try to play fancy, let’s build a strong foundation.

You must know how to play an all down-strum pattern played to a count of four.

You can use this pattern to strum the chord progression to “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad” (note: look up the chords using the Ukulele Tricks Chord Library).

Tip: Many times chord changes happen on the first count of the measure. Change chords every time you count the first beat when repeating the above strumming pattern.

This is what that looks like in full rhythm notation.

Strumming Pattern #2: Down-Up, Down-Up, Down-Up, Down-Up

Admittedly, just strumming down strums is kind of boring.

But with that foundation, we can add in up strums between our down strums!

After practicing that, try using it to play “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad” above.

Strumming Pattern #3: Down, Down, Down

You are prepared to strum songs played to a count of four.

But what about songs played to a count of three?

Let’s take out that fourth beat to strum all down strums to a count of three.

One classic ukulele song played to a count of three is “Oh My Darling, Clementine” which I teach in my full online strumming course Strumming Tricks.

You can use Strumming Pattern #3 to strum the chords of this song.

Tip: Chords don’t always change every measure. Keep repeating the strumming pattern for a chord while humming or singing until you arrive to the next chord. Anticipate the following chord will change on the first beat of the measure.

Here’s how many measures each chord would be strummed in “Oh My Darling, Clementine”:

Strumming Pattern #4: Down-Up, Down-Up, Down-Up

I think you know where this last strum pattern is headed!

Let’s add in up strums between the down strums played to a count of three.

And now use that pattern to play the chord progression for “Oh My Darling, Clementine”!

How to Make Your Own Strumming Patterns

After completing this lesson, you’ve built the foundation of creating your own strumming patterns on ukulele.

To take it to the next level, join me in the Strumming Tricks online video lesson course where you learn to strum your first 20 songs in 7 distinct styles using over 34 different strumming patterns!

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