An Introduction to Strumming

When I first started to learn the Uke I really just wanted to play-along to CD's and music videos but I soon found that even though I knew many of the chords it just didn't sound right. The reason for this was I didn't have a good enough knowledge of strumming, timing and rhythm.

Strumming is not so much about how fast or how complicated you can strum. Strumming is a form of rhythm, and the most essential aspect of rhythm is consistency and good timing. If you don’t have these things, your strumming pattern is useless. 

Aldrine Guerrero, from Ukulele Underground, gives a good introduction to strumming, including the fact that it's your wrist that needs to move and NOT your entire forearm from the elbow. I like the fact that he gives you a few ideas about how to create your own strums so do take a look to see for yourself.

Good 'ol Ukulele Mike though introduces some names to the most common strums that you'll come across in many of the songs that can be found on this site. These four strum patterns are:

THE SHUFFLE

THE SWING SHUFFLE

THE CHURCH LICK

THE CALYPSO

Practice them, practice changing between then but don't get caught only playing the one. Do mix it up and your playing will sound even more fantastic.