Your Ukulele is a fun rhythm instrument. As you learn chords you will begin to learn the different styles of strumming. Each style can change the feel of the song. Your strumming styles and tempo (speed and frequency of each strum) will add life to your songs by changing the energy and emotion of the song.
So how do we start?
Ukulele strumming is a natural movement of your arm, wrist and hand moving up and down. In addition to those three levers of movement, your fingers also add to the dynamics of the song. Don’t worry about understanding all this as you get started. These mechanics will develop as you grow as a strummer.
Basic Strumming
First hold your Ukulele horizontally against your body and position your strumming hand so it will be able to move up down over the sound hole (guitars are strummed between the bridge and soundhole, ukuleles are usually strummed over the soundhole).
With your chord hand, mute your strings by holding them around the whole neck.
Position your strumming hand into a water gun.
This shape will let you strum the ukulele strings with the nail of your pointer finger as you strum downwards and the fingerprint side of your pointer finger when you strum upwards. Pull your pointer finger in towards your body just a bit and hold it there with your thumb.
Shift your elbow up and out so your arm and wrist can move your hand up and down across the strings.
Gently move your the fingernail nail of your pointer down over all the strings and pull the finger back up.
Continue these strums as you learn how to move your arm, wrist, hand and finger in sync. Your first goal is to hit all the strings on the down stroke and up stroke in beat
First Stroke
Count Slowly, “1, 2, 3, 4” and strum downwards to the beat.
Down, Down, Down, Down
Practice this as long as need to be able to consistently strum downwards on the beat.
Up and Down Stroke
Count Slowly “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and”.
Strum downwards on the count, strum upwards on the “and”
1 (down) and (up), 2 (down) and (up), 3 (down) and (up), 4 (down) and (up).
Adjust your arm, and Ukulele as necessary to strum in time.
In your first steps take the time to practice these strums so you can keep a steady beat. Muting your strings will let you hear each beat as you strum up and down).
You can now begin strumming a song.
Pick a simple song that you know well. Work on steady strumming and listen to the rhythm of the song. You can watch advanced players stop and listen to the song before they start strumming to pick up the tempo and plan out their strumming. Most people start by strumming the tempo of the song with muted strings, memorizing the feel of the rhythm and then bringing the chords in.
A side not about playing strumming your first songs with chords.
1. Practice songs slowly.
2. Let the strumming be consisten and let the chord shapes follow.
Beginners often stop strumming to create the chord and then start again. They will always be behind the song. Learn to strum consistently even if your chord shape isn’t fully formed. You can still add to the rhythm of a song with muted strums while you build your chord shaping skills. The chords will learn to catch up and you will be developing a strong and steady tempo.
Calypso / Island Strum
This is the most common Ukulele strum and your next goal after you have mastered Up and down Strumming.
The pattern is Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up
Take your time and slowly practice this pattern. As your arm memorize this you will be able to strum it faster and faster. It will feel unnatural at first because you are training yourself in a new rhythm. Stick with it. Mute the strings and just practice this pattern over and over. In less time than you think your arm and brain will have memorized this pattern and you will be able launch into it whenever it fits the song you are playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8Q0ZFtkb18
Musical Mama gives a nice simple tutorial in this video.
Other Strums
As you progress you will find a few other strums. Most are variations of your 4/4 strumming. You will also find some songs in 3/4 timing.
Start with the basic and you will pick up more as you ear get’s better trained and your arm memorizes the rhythms.
Practice, Play, Enjoy
While sitting in front of the tv, grab your uke, mute the strings with your chord hand and strum. Since your Uke is a rhythm instrument you can hear the beat you are making each time you strum it. Have fun practicing and learning. This strum training doesn’t take much brain work and can be down while watching tv, or even chatting with friends.