The POWER of the THUMB – A great way to get into strumming

By far the easiest, least complicated way to get into strumming is to simply use the thumb. No intricate fingering needed here. Below are 2 examples of thumb stroke patterns. One in 4/4 time and another in 3/4 time. Both of these patterns are also referenced to the FJH Music Company publication: EVERYBODY’S UKULELE METHOD BOOK 1 written by myself and Philip Groeber.

THUMB STROKE PATTERN IN 4/4 TIME

THUMB STROKE PATTERN IN 3/4 TIME

EVERYBODY’S UKULELE METHOD BOOK 1 from FJH Music Company
by Ukulele Mike & Philip Groeber
Available through your local music retailer or online . . .

SOME GENERAL TIPS REGARDING STRUMMING:
1.When strumming be sure to now allow the strum to stop while changing chords. When practicing a song and you find you make great big pauses between chord changes then slow down. . .practice sections slowly first.

2.Be careful not to strum the rhythm of the song’s melody. The strum should be consistent throughout.

3.Choose strums that seem to fit the character of the song. Any song can be played with a variety of strums. It’s important to build a large “vocabulary” of strums.