GIVING NEW LIFE TO A BASIC UKE STRUM – by “UKULELE MIKE”

PLEASE NOTE:  My “UKULELE BASICS” DVD is currently  available for purchase. . . For more information email me at mike@ukulelemikelynch.com

GIVING A SIMPLE UKE STRUM NEW LIFE from “UKULELE MIKE”

We have all used the simple strum of DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN UP . . . right?
But listen to this. . . It’s boring and lifeless . . . It can’t be played in a heavy handed unmusical way if you want your playing to sound professional and compelling. So, how can we change that?  How can we give the most basic uke strum of all a new lease on life?

HERE IS THE ANSWER!!  First, try doing the strum in THIS fashion: down up DOWN up down up DOWN up Notice the DOWN strums in upper case?  Those are called the back beats and they need to be accented. . . given more force. Another element to add to this would be to play the top strings (4th and 3rd) on the down beat and the bottom two (2nd and 1st) on the back or accented beat. Doing this “ENHANCED” strum is guaranteed to give your playing a more professional and compelling feel.  It may take lots of daily practice to accomplish but I tell you it’s worth it. . . trust me. . . In future blogs I will talk about how we can combine strums in the same song.  Another great way to give your playing more interest and keep your audience listening.

“HAPPY STRUMMING”

Mike Lynch