Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, learning the proper ukulele strumming patterns can make your playing more rhythmic, musical, and fun. Today, we’re diving into five essential strumming patterns every ukulele player should know.
Written by John Allnutt / Published December 13, 2024
Last updated: N/A
What Are Strumming Patterns?
Strumming patterns are sequences of downstrokes and upstrokes that are used to create the beat and feel of a song. In simple terms, strumming patterns are how we keep rhythmic time on the ukulele. Think of them as the backbone of your ukulele sound.
Here’s a sneak peek:
- They can be as simple as a steady beat: down, down, down, down.
- Or more complex and dynamic, like the famous Island Strum.
The Top 5 Ukulele Strumming Patterns
1. Ukulele Strumming Pattern #1: Down, Down, Down, Down
This is considered the most important strumming pattern and is the perfect starting point for absolute beginners.
- How to Play:
- Use the fleshy part of your thumb for a soft sound.
- Try your pointer finger or a combination of fingers or nails for a brighter tone.
- Experiment with a thumb-pointer finger cross for a pick-like effect. This gives it a little bit extra weight.
Pro Tip: For an even softer sound, use a felt pick. These picks come in different densities and are great for fast techniques like tremolo picking.
2. Ukulele Strumming Pattern #2: Down-Up, Down-Up
This pattern is a step up in complexity, giving your strumming a fuller, rhythmic feel.
- How to Play:
- Alternate between down and up strokes: down-up, down-up.
- You can use your thumb, pointer finger, or a combination of the two.
- Count it out: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. The numbers (down) make contact with the pointer fingernail. The ands (up) make contact with the flesh of the finger.
Practice Tip: Listen for the difference between the down (louder) and up (softer) strokes if using your pointer finger.
3. Ukulele Strumming Pattern #3: Down, Down-Up, Down, Down-Up
This variation introduces rests, adding a dynamic “bounce” to your strumming. It is going to be a slight modification of number 2, and it’s like taking out the very second (up) strum. Over the course of the bar, think of it as 2 sets of the pattern down, down-up, one starting on beat 1, the other on beat 3.
- How to Play:
- Start with down, down-up, down, down-up.
- Count it out: 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4
The strum isn’t too hard after you get comfortable with the patterns that we did above. Try this sequence with chords like F major, D minor, and C major to get comfortable switching while keeping the rhythm.
4. Ukulele Strumming Pattern #4: Swung Rhythm (Down-Up with a Twist)
There’s a rhythmic pattern that’s called swing, or playing your rhythm with a swing feel. With this pattern, there’s no change in the order of the downs and the ups. However, the change will be in how they are played.
In this, instead of playing everything evenly, you need to wait to play the up strum just a little bit later. This jazz-inspired pattern gives your strumming a groovy, laid-back feel.
- What Is a Swung Rhythm?
- Instead of even beats (1 and 2 and), the upstrokes are delayed slightly, creating a “swing.”
- How to Play:
- Stick with down, down-up, but delay the upstroke slightly: DA-da-DA-da.
- Imagine the jazzy vibe of the Pink Panther theme as you play!
Do the same series of chords in the previous pattern, starting from the F chord, D minor chord, and then C. Then, you’re going to do two C’s at the end.
5. Ukulele Strumming Pattern #5: The Island Strum
The ultimate ukulele pattern. A popular rhythm that’s iconic in Hawaiian music and is the most syncopated of our strums so far. Syncopated just means that it has a lot of offbeats. It changes the rhythm a little bit.
This is one to grow on. So, if you definitely don’t get this one, don’t worry. It usually takes people a while to figure this one out.
- How to Play:
- Pattern: down, down-up, up, down-up.
- Count it: 1, 2 and, (rest), and 4 and.
- Key Sequence:
- Two measures of C
- Two measures of A minor
- One measure each of F and G7
- End with two measures of C
Can you guess which notes are missing? It’s a combination of our previous strumming patterns. If you thought that it included pattern three, you’d be correct. We’re also kind of taking out the next down beat. So, it’s missing beat three.
In short, we’re doing pattern three, but we’re also taking out beat three in this one. So, if I was counting 1 and 2 and 3 and 4, and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and, our first rest is on the up. It’s the first up that we have. And then, when we get to our third down, that one misses.
Extra Challenge: Sing along while strumming! Start slow and work your way up to speed. Find an easy song to start with.
Ukulele Strumming Patterns – Quick Tips for Success
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t worry if it feels tricky—keep at it!
- Start Slow: Nail the rhythm before speeding up.
- Experiment: Try each pattern with different songs and chords.
Ready to Strum Like a Pro?
I hope you had fun with these top five strumming patterns. If it doesn’t come to you today, just keep at it. You’ll be really successful if you’re always trying to be a better student and just taking that time to practice and practice and practice. The more you do this, the more fun it gets.
While learning these strumming patterns takes time, the payoff is huge. You’ll unlock a world of rhythmic possibilities and make your ukulele playing shine.
John Allnutt
Writer & Ukulele TeacherJohn has been teaching music since 2008 and resides in Richmond, Kentucky with his wife Laura and dog Sam. In his spare time he enjoys growing and cooking food, roasting coffee, playing board games, and spreading joy through playing and teaching music.
