How to Strum Your Ukulele

Your Strumming Hand

Hold your strumming hand in a loose fist. Extend your index finger out. Rest your thumb at the first knuckle of your index finger.

STRUMMING DOWN: Brush the strings with the nail of your index finger.

STRUMMING UP: Brush the strings with the pad of your index finger.

For the best sound, strum the strings just above the sound hole.

Strum Diagrams

Most strum patterns are simply different combinations of down-strums, up-strums, and rests (no strum). Your strum creates the rhythm of your music, and a strum diagram tells you how and when to play the strings. Here’s one example:

To play this pattern, you would strum down, then rest, then strum down, up, down, up, down, up. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Endeavor to play the strum pattern as evenly as possible, giving equal time to each down strum, up strum, and rest.