In this lesson, I show you five strumming patterns you can use to play thousands of different songs on ukulele (I’m not exaggerating!). These are my “go to” strumming patterns. I use them all the time and have used them in a lot of video performances on the site (e.g. You’ve Got a Friend In Me, I’ve Been Working On the Railroad). These patterns are versatile, simple and work for most songs.
Note: A few of these strumming patterns are taught in the Ukulele Strumming Tricks video lesson course. For sake of brevity, in this lesson, I won’t go into as much detail explaining these patterns as I would in my course. If you are looking for a progressive easy-to-follow, step-by-step practice plan towards becoming a better strummer with deeper explanations, I highly recommend my Ukulele Strumming Tricks course.
Foundations of Strumming
The first thing to realize about strumming is that it’s not about how fancy or complicated you make a strumming pattern. Since strumming is a form of rhythm, in order to be effective, it must be consistent and steady. A steady, consistent strumming rhythm is always more pleasing to listen to than a really complicated strumming pattern played out of time.
The following strumming patterns, as demonstrated in the video, are played in 4/4 time signature. This means each pattern is played to a steady, consistent count of four: 1, 2, 3, 4, repeat. You can use these patterns for any song counted in four. As you practice each of these strumming patterns, count out loud, and even use a metronome to keep your strumming as rocksteady as possible.
Strumming Pattern #1
Before learning any other strumming pattern, learn this one. This pattern is very simple, as it is only down strums, but it is highly effective. For example, in my performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, I use all down strums for the last half of the song.
As you practice this, set your metronome, count out loud, and focus on lining up your down strums with each beat. Try to make your strums as even in tone and in volume.
Strumming Pattern #2
When you have the previous pattern mastered, add in up strums between each down strum to make the pattern more interesting. You would count these up strums in between the main beats by counting the word “and” like: 1 and, 2 and, 3 and, 4 and, repeat.
In addition, practice changing between chords on the first beat of the strumming pattern. For example, you might switch between a C, Am, and F chord. Take your practice further by coming up with your own chord progressions too.
Strumming Pattern #3
This strumming pattern combines the first two patterns. For this pattern, insert an up strum on the “and” of beats 2 and 4.
Strumming Pattern #4
You can get creative by rearranging the order of your down strums and up strums within the count of four. This pattern is like pattern #3, but in this pattern, you insert an up strum on the “and” of beats 1 and 3.
Strumming Pattern #5
This strumming pattern is sometimes referred to as the calypso strum. This pattern is the most complicated out of all of the patterns. This is because the down strum on beat 3 is removed and you only play an up strum on the “and” of the third beat. You’ll want to be sure to watch the video to get a sense for how this pattern sounds and feels. Once you get it down, you’ll find that it’s an easy pattern to apply to a lot of different songs.
Practicing Strumming Patterns
I recommend practicing these strumming patterns while playing just a C chord. Strumming is all about practicing a pattern to the point where it comes second nature and you don’t have to think about it too much. Don’t forget to practice these strumming patterns at a slow and fast tempo.
After practicing each pattern for awhile, practice changing between chords. Check out my lesson “Knowing When to Change Chords While Strumming a Song” for some practice examples.
When you’re ready, try applying these strumming patterns to a few different songs:
How’s the strumming going for you? What questions do you have? I’d love to hear from you.
Post your comment below.
What Strumming pattern do you suggest using for the Beatles “Let it Be”
Hi Bob, I’d recommend starting with just down strums as you strum the chords for ‘Let it Be’. Then, as you get more comfortable, add in up strums to create a little bit of variety. Whenever I’m learning a new song, I always like to start basic with my strumming to make sure I have sense of the chords and how the melody is sung over the chords. Then, once I’m ready, I add to it to make it a little more interesting.
i tho’t the five lessons were terrific. Easy to undersand and a big help to an old time uke player. Looking at your strumming tricks! thanks John f
Glad you enjoyed the lesson, John!
You’re great & love you lessons.
Easy to understand. I’m just beginning & appreciate help at this time. Thx a bunch Claire
I also liked your lesson on strumming. I’m a beginner with ukelele and I can say that this is a really big help. Thanks Brett!
big thanks Brett. Your strumming lessons inspire me!! I won’t give up.
Perfect strumming pattern is Down-Down-Up-Up-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Select-Start 🙂
Hahah, I love it!
I have been closely watching your fingers when strumming and can’t quite see whether you are using the thumb to both go down and up or down the with thumb and up with the index finger or down and up with the index finger.
Hi Brett,
A belated thanks for your free Ukulele Lesson Book , my son (6yrs) is slowly gaining more interest in playing. So much so that his older sister (12yrs) can now be heard learning to play his Ukulele.
I am going to pass on your booklet to her and see what magic might unfold .
Thanks again for all your efforts
Dave
Hey Dave, you are very welcome. It’s amazing how contagious the ukulele is! So glad to hear the family is joining in on all the fun. Definitely feel free to pass my booklet along.
Hi Bret,
I just bought the Makala Dolphin Uke, do I need to change the strings to a carbon for e better sound?
Many thanks,
Renato
I’m afraid I don’t understand your question, Renato. If you are asking about changing from the default strings on your new uke, I recommend swapping out and putting some new fresh strings on like Aquila strings. Sometimes new ukuleles come with not so great sounding strings.
How do we know what kind of strumming pattern we need for a song ?
I need to learn the Reggae Strum to play “Red Red Wine.” I can clap it but not sure how to strum it.
I would be so grateful if you could tell me , please.
Thanks
Did you know you sound exactly like Christian Slater? If I close my eyes, Christian Slater is teaching us Ukulele tricks.
Hi, I am a beginner and I love “honululu baby” song. Which strumming pattern would you suggest?
Thanks a lot. Love your videos!!!
Cristina, I always recommend starting with simple down strums at first, and then, as you get more comfortable with the song’s chord progression and how the chords fit with the melody, try adding in up strums, much like the patterns I’ve outlined above.
Hi – fantastic website, you’ve taught me a lot already!
Something I keep having problems with though is my fingers getting caught in the strings on the ‘up’ strum. I can’t work out whether to use one or multiple fingers. My nails are short but somehow the ‘up’ strum is never even and I lose my rhythm when I try it. Can you suggest any techniques?
Thanks for any help!
Hi Jack, this a pretty common challenge for beginners, so I want to encourage you to keep working at it and practicing. You’ll be sure to notice improvement! At the same time, if you find your finger(s) getting stuck in between the strings on your up strums, chances are that you’re digging into the strings a little bit too much, or you’re not staying loose and relaxed enough. It might help to think that it just requires a little bit of contact from your fingers to strum the strings. Think about just grazing the top of strings. For now, focus on strumming lighter and more easy. Most of all, keep practicing at a slow tempo to get that strumming nice and even, and then from there, speed it up.
I really enjoyed learning the different strokes I live in New Zealand and the type of Ukelele im learning on is a Cook Island hand crafted Ukelele made from the coconut shell it hasa unique sound. Perhaps I would be better off getting a more main stream style too learn on what do you think.
Merci beaucoup, j’aime beaucoup tes cours, ils sont simples et efficaces. Une bonne inspiration pour faire partager le ukulélé en France.
ukutchuss
I’m new to all this but having fun. I notice in your videos that you strum the strings on the neck piece as opposed to over the opening. Does it matter? Also, I seem to feel most comfortable using my index finger to strum. Again, does it matter. Thanks,
Hi Pat, thanks for your comment and great question! Where you strum across the strings is dependent upon the tone you wish to produce from the ukulele (how bright or how dark the sound is). As you strum closer to the bridge of the ukulele, the sound gets brighter. I find the warmest tone on my ukulele comes if I strum across the strings around the 12th to 14th fret of the ukulele.
im just stock here and wonder..the chords name of guitar and ukulele are deffrent?
Hi Jo, the chord names on guitar and ukulele are the same chord in terms of pitch. The difference will be in the finger position.
Just wanted to tell you how much better you look
Almost clean shaven.
Hi Brett, I make guitars & Ukelele for a hobby & have played the guitar for some 40 years , but when I made a Ukelele for a change, I realized what a fun machine it was , I have followed your vidio’s and they are very helpfull to an old rocker like me, Very easy to follow. congratulations.
Hi Brett
As a 63 year old trying to play my 1st musical instrument your vids are brilliant, the pleasure i get from now being able to make my uke sound sweet and not like a strangled cat is great, many many thanks
Brett, I loved the strumming patterns and am faithfully practicing them. I want to move to the next step. I can’t find the link where you sign up for your classes and are they all like the one here, simple, step by step? That’s just what I need.
Shelly, register for the Strumming Tricks course here: http://www.ukuleletricks.com/strumming-tricks/
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Brett I just played and sang my first song ever! I have played Bass, I have played acoustic Guitar, I have played Electric Guitar, and I have sung in church before. BUT! I have never played an instrustment and sang before! Granted it was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. But this is Three days in…WOW! Thank you so much I am amazed at myself.
Great work, Elvid! It’s so much fun, isn’t it?
when do people clap when your strumming, the down or up beat?
In Western music, most times people clap on the “off-beat” which would be beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time signature where you’re counting: 1, 2, 3, 4.
What would be an ideal strumming pattern for Halleluiah? And NOT your good finger plucking cover, but just normal strumming? I mean i know DDDD works, but is there an ideal strumming pattern?
It’s your personal preference and how you wish to express yourself through the song. Take out the picking and I’m still a big fan of just down strums for this song.
I was looking at your strumming course and you used the term ‘a diving ukulele’.
Could you please explain that term to me.
Hey Shirley! The “diving ukulele” problem typically refers to the challenge of stabilizing the ukulele where when you change chords the neck of the ukulele wants to “drop” or “dive” as you change chords, which can make you pause or hesitate between chord changes.
Hi Brett,
I have tuned my ukulele yet when I strum the A string sounds a bit off, almost has a twang to the string. What am I doing wrong. Shirley