09 - 5 Effective Strumming Patterns for Beginners
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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 easytofollow, stepbystep practice plan towards becoming a better strummer with deeper explanations, I highly recommend my Ukulele Strumming Tricks course . 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. by Brett McQueen Log In Sign Up Lessons ▾ Songs Tools ▾ Blog More ▾
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Transcript of 09 - 5 Effective Strumming Patterns for Beginners
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5effectivestrummingpatternsforbeginners/ 1/13
Inthislesson,Ishowyoufivestrummingpatternsyoucanusetoplaythousandsofdifferentsongsonukulele(Imnotexaggerating!).Thesearemygotostrummingpatterns.Iusethemallthetimeandhaveusedtheminalotofvideoperformancesonthesite(e.g.YouveGotaFriendInMe,IveBeenWorkingOntheRailroad).Thesepatternsareversatile,simpleandworkformostsongs.
Note:AfewofthesestrummingpatternsaretaughtintheUkuleleStrummingTricksvideolessoncourse.Forsakeofbrevity,inthislesson,IwontgointoasmuchdetailexplainingthesepatternsasIwouldinmycourse.Ifyouarelookingforaprogressiveeasytofollow,stepbysteppracticeplantowardsbecomingabetterstrummerwithdeeperexplanations,IhighlyrecommendmyUkuleleStrummingTrickscourse.
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Thefirstthingtorealizeaboutstrummingisthatitsnotabouthowfancyorcomplicatedyoumakeastrummingpattern.Sincestrummingisaformofrhythm,inordertobeeffective,itmustbeconsistentandsteady.Asteady,consistentstrummingrhythmisalwaysmorepleasingtolistentothanareallycomplicatedstrummingpatternplayedoutoftime.
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byBrettMcQueen
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
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Thefollowingstrummingpatterns,asdemonstratedinthevideo,areplayedin4/4timesignature.Thismeanseachpatternisplayedtoasteady,consistentcountoffour:1,2,3,4,repeat.Youcanusethesepatternsforanysongcountedinfour.Asyoupracticeeachofthesestrummingpatterns,countoutloud,andevenuseametronometokeepyourstrummingasrocksteadyaspossible.
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Beforelearninganyotherstrummingpattern,learnthisone.Thispatternisverysimple,asitisonlydownstrums,butitishighlyeffective.Forexample,inmyperformanceofLeonardCohensHallelujah,Iusealldownstrumsforthelasthalfofthesong.
Asyoupracticethis,setyourmetronome,countoutloud,andfocusonliningupyourdownstrumswitheachbeat.Trytomakeyourstrumsasevenintoneandinvolume.
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Whenyouhavethepreviouspatternmastered,addinupstrumsbetweeneachdownstrumtomakethepatternmoreinteresting.Youwouldcounttheseupstrumsinbetweenthemainbeatsbycountingthewordandlike:1and,2and,3and,4and,repeat.
Inaddition,practicechangingbetweenchordsonthefirstbeatofthestrummingpattern.Forexample,youmightswitchbetweenaC,Am,andFchord.Takeyourpracticefurtherbycomingupwithyourownchordprogressionstoo.
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5effectivestrummingpatternsforbeginners/ 3/13
Thisstrummingpatterncombinesthefirsttwopatterns.Forthispattern,insertanupstrumontheandofbeats2and4.
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Youcangetcreativebyrearrangingtheorderofyourdownstrumsandupstrumswithinthecountoffour.Thispatternislikepattern#3,butinthispattern,youinsertanupstrumontheandofbeats1and3.
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Thisstrummingpatternissometimesreferredtoasthecalypsostrum.Thispatternisthemostcomplicatedoutofallofthepatterns.Thisisbecausethedownstrumonbeat3isremovedandyouonlyplayanupstrumontheandofthethirdbeat.Youllwanttobesuretowatchthevideotogetasenseforhowthispatternsoundsandfeels.Onceyougetitdown,youllfindthatitsaneasypatterntoapplytoalotofdifferentsongs.
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IrecommendpracticingthesestrummingpatternswhileplayingjustaCchord.Strummingisallaboutpracticingapatterntothepointwhereitcomessecondnatureandyoudonthavetothinkaboutittoomuch.Dontforgettopracticethesestrummingpatternsataslowandfasttempo.
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5effectivestrummingpatternsforbeginners/ 4/13
Afterpracticingeachpatternforawhile,practicechangingbetweenchords.CheckoutmylessonKnowingWhentoChangeChordsWhileStrummingaSongforsomepracticeexamples.
Whenyoureready,tryapplyingthesestrummingpatternstoafewdifferentsongs:
IveBeenWorkingOntheRailroadJingleBellsYouveGotaFriendInMe
Howsthestrumminggoingforyou?Whatquestionsdoyouhave?Idlovetohearfromyou.
Postyourcommentbelow.
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Joinover50,000peopleandgetourfreeukulelelessonbookYourFirstUkuleleLessonandThenSome.Learnnewtrickslike:
Howtoproperlytune,hold,andstrumyourukuleleThemostessential"mustknow"ukulelechordsHowtoplay3extremelyversatilestrummingpatternsHowtoplay"I'veBeenWorkingOntheRailroad"
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5effectivestrummingpatternsforbeginners/ 5/13
BobWhatStrummingpatterndoyousuggestusingfortheBeatlesLetitBeReply
BrettMcQueenHiBob,IdrecommendstartingwithjustdownstrumsasyoustrumthechordsforLetitBe.Then,asyougetmorecomfortable,addinupstrumstocreatealittlebitofvariety.WheneverImlearninganewsong,IalwaysliketostartbasicwithmystrummingtomakesureIhavesenseofthechordsandhowthemelodyissungoverthechords.Then,onceImready,Iaddtoittomakeitalittlemoreinteresting.Reply
johnfagasithotthefivelessonswereterrific.Easytoundersandandabighelptoanoldtimeukeplayer.Lookingatyourstrummingtricks!thanksJohnfReply
BrettMcQueenGladyouenjoyedthelesson,John!Reply
ClaireDucharYouregreat&loveyoulessons.Easytounderstand.Imjustbeginning&appreciatehelpatthistime.ThxabunchClaireReply
KCDanielInventorIalsolikedyourlessononstrumming.ImabeginnerwithukeleleandIcansaythatthisisareallybighelp.ThanksBrett!Reply
MaleebigthanksBrett.Yourstrumminglessonsinspireme!!Iwontgiveup.Reply
AnonymousPerfectstrummingpatternisDownDownUpUpLeftRightLeftRightBASelectStartReply
BrettMcQueenHahah,Iloveit!Reply
BettyLarmanIhavebeencloselywatchingyourfingerswhenstrummingandcantquiteseewhetheryouareusingthethumbtobothgodownandupordownthewiththumbandupwiththeindexfingerordownandupwiththeindexfinger.Reply
DavidHarrisonHiBrett,AbelatedthanksforyourfreeUkuleleLessonBook,myson(6yrs)isslowlygainingmoreinterest
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5effectivestrummingpatternsforbeginners/ 6/13
inplaying.Somuchsothathisoldersister(12yrs)cannowbeheardlearningtoplayhisUkulele.Iamgoingtopassonyourbooklettoherandseewhatmagicmightunfold.ThanksagainforallyoureffortsDaveReply
BrettMcQueenHeyDave,youareverywelcome.Itsamazinghowcontagioustheukuleleis!Sogladtohearthefamilyisjoininginonallthefun.Definitelyfeelfreetopassmybookletalong.Reply
RenatoHiBret,IjustboughttheMakalaDolphinUke,doIneedtochangethestringstoacarbonforebettersound?Manythanks,RenatoReply
BrettMcQueenImafraidIdontunderstandyourquestion,Renato.Ifyouareaskingaboutchangingfromthedefaultstringsonyournewuke,IrecommendswappingoutandputtingsomenewfreshstringsonlikeAquilastrings.Sometimesnewukulelescomewithnotsogreatsoundingstrings.Reply
IraHowdoweknowwhatkindofstrummingpatternweneedforasong?Reply
JohnConnollyIneedtolearntheReggaeStrumtoplayRedRedWine.Icanclapitbutnotsurehowtostrumit.
Iwouldbesogratefulifyoucouldtellme,please.
ThanksReply
AmyQDidyouknowyousoundexactlylikeChristianSlater?IfIclosemyeyes,ChristianSlateristeachingusUkuleletricks.Reply
CristinaHi,IamabeginnerandIlovehonululubabysong.Whichstrummingpatternwouldyousuggest?Thanksalot.Loveyourvideos!!!Reply
BrettMcQueenCristina,Ialwaysrecommendstartingwithsimpledownstrumsatfirst,andthen,asyougetmorecomfortablewiththesongschordprogressionandhowthechordsfitwiththemelody,tryaddinginupstrums,muchlikethepatternsIveoutlinedabove.
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5effectivestrummingpatternsforbeginners/ 7/13
Reply
JackHifantasticwebsite,youvetaughtmealotalready!
SomethingIkeephavingproblemswiththoughismyfingersgettingcaughtinthestringsontheupstrum.Icantworkoutwhethertouseoneormultiplefingers.MynailsareshortbutsomehowtheupstrumisneverevenandIlosemyrhythmwhenItryit.Canyousuggestanytechniques?
Thanksforanyhelp!Reply
BrettMcQueenHiJack,thisaprettycommonchallengeforbeginners,soIwanttoencourageyoutokeepworkingatitandpracticing.Youllbesuretonoticeimprovement!Atthesametime,ifyoufindyourfinger(s)gettingstuckinbetweenthestringsonyourupstrums,chancesarethatyourediggingintothestringsalittlebittoomuch,oryourenotstayinglooseandrelaxedenough.Itmighthelptothinkthatitjustrequiresalittlebitofcontactfromyourfingerstostrumthestrings.Thinkaboutjustgrazingthetopofstrings.Fornow,focusonstrumminglighterandmoreeasy.Mostofall,keeppracticingataslowtempotogetthatstrummingniceandeven,andthenfromthere,speeditup.Reply
LorenaIreallyenjoyedlearningthedifferentstrokesIliveinNewZealandandthetypeofUkeleleimlearningonisaCookIslandhandcraftedUkelelemadefromthecoconutshellithasauniquesound.PerhapsIwouldbebetteroffgettingamoremainstreamstyletoolearnonwhatdoyouthink.Reply
tabukuleleMercibeaucoup,jaimebeaucouptescours,ilssontsimplesetefficaces.UnebonneinspirationpourfairepartagerleukullenFrance.
ukutchussReply
PatImnewtoallthisbuthavingfun.Inoticeinyourvideosthatyoustrumthestringsontheneckpieceasopposedtoovertheopening.Doesitmatter?Also,Iseemtofeelmostcomfortableusingmyindexfingertostrum.Again,doesitmatter.Thanks,Reply
BrettMcQueenHiPat,thanksforyourcommentandgreatquestion!Whereyoustrumacrossthestringsisdependentuponthetoneyouwishtoproducefromtheukulele(howbrightorhowdarkthesoundis).Asyoustrumclosertothebridgeoftheukulele,thesoundgetsbrighter.IfindthewarmesttoneonmyukulelecomesifIstrumacrossthestringsaroundthe12thto14thfretoftheukulele.Reply
joburdeosimjuststockhereandwonder..thechordsnameofguitarandukulelearedeffrent?
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5effectivestrummingpatternsforbeginners/ 8/13
Reply
BrettMcQueenHiJo,thechordnamesonguitarandukulelearethesamechordintermsofpitch.Thedifferencewillbeinthefingerposition.Reply
NormaQuineJustwantedtotellyouhowmuchbetteryoulookAlmostcleanshaven.Reply
KennyDHiBrett,Imakeguitars&Ukeleleforahobby&haveplayedtheguitarforsome40years,butwhenImadeaUkeleleforachange,Irealizedwhatafunmachineitwas,Ihavefollowedyourvidiosandtheyareveryhelpfulltoanoldrockerlikeme,Veryeasytofollow.congratulations.Reply
tonyHiBrettAsa63yearoldtryingtoplaymy1stmusicalinstrumentyourvidsarebrilliant,thepleasureigetfromnowbeingabletomakemyukesoundsweetandnotlikeastrangledcatisgreat,manymanythanksReply
shelleyclarinoBrett,Ilovedthestrummingpatternsandamfaithfullypracticingthem.Iwanttomovetothenextstep.Icantfindthelinkwhereyousignupforyourclassesandaretheyallliketheonehere,simple,stepbystep?ThatsjustwhatIneed.Reply
BrettMcQueenShelly,registerfortheStrummingTrickscoursehere:http://www.ukuleletricks.com/strummingtricks/Reply
ElvidLeWonderful,wonderful,wonderful!BrettIjustplayedandsangmyfirstsongever!IhaveplayedBass,IhaveplayedacousticGuitar,IhaveplayedElectricGuitar,andIhavesunginchurchbefore.BUT!Ihaveneverplayedaninstrustmentandsangbefore!GranteditwasTwinkleTwinkleLittleStar.ButthisisThreedaysinWOW!ThankyousomuchIamamazedatmyself.Reply
BrettMcQueenGreatwork,Elvid!Itssomuchfun,isntit?Reply
mikewhendopeopleclapwhenyourstrumming,thedownorupbeat?Reply
BrettMcQueen
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
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InWesternmusic,mosttimespeopleclapontheoffbeatwhichwouldbebeats2and4in4/4timesignaturewhereyourecounting:1,2,3,4.Reply
NicoleSchmidtWhatwouldbeanidealstrummingpatternforHalleluiah?AndNOTyourgoodfingerpluckingcover,butjustnormalstrumming?ImeaniknowDDDDworks,butisthereanidealstrummingpattern?Reply
BrettMcQueenItsyourpersonalpreferenceandhowyouwishtoexpressyourselfthroughthesong.TakeoutthepickingandImstillabigfanofjustdownstrumsforthissong.Reply
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25/06/2015 5EffectiveStrummingPatternsforBeginners
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Perfectforbeginners.Becomeproficientinstrumming,rhythmand
chordchangesontheukulele,improvingyourskillswhilelearningactualsongs.
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Forplayersbeyondthebasics.Takeyourfingerpickingskillstothenextlevelontheukulele,learningfingerpicking
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BrettMcQueenisthefounderofUkuleleTricksandauthoroftheinternationallypublishedbookUkuleleExercisesForDummies.Heteachesthousandsofpeoplefromaroundtheworldtoplayukuleleinanonintimidating,easytofollowstyle.Readmore.
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