Ukulele fingerpicking can seem to be a difficult thing to pull off if you are a beginner. However, we’re here to help you master this technique with our tutorial.
Written by Jay Searle / Published October 17, 2022
Last updated: April 3, 2024
I know fingerpicking the ukulele may sound new, but I’m certain you have seen, or at least heard, it in action.
The difference between ukulele fingerpicking and strumming is in what we do with that strumming hand. When you fingerpick a ukulele, the focus moves from strumming the strings with your right hand to plucking the individual notes of chords with the fingers instead.
Fingerpicking tends to be seen in a lot of music that could be called “mellow”, like folk music and indie jams. Because fingerpicking (also called fingerstyle) allows you to play the melody of a song, it really lets you get that singer-songwriter vibe we are all striving for. Am I right?
While fingerpicking isn’t especially difficult, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure your fingerpicking journey goes smoothly.
So, let’s have a look at where to get started.
COURSES: Why not try a ukulele fingerpicking course via our courses page?
Getting Started With Ukulele Fingerpicking
Because we are going to be dealing with the individual fingers on your right hand (or left if you are a southpaw) we need a way to distinguish which finger needs to be playing what. Below you will find an index that will help you read all the fingerpicking exercises that we are going to work through.
P = Thumb
I = Index finger
M = Middle finger
A = Ring finger
Remember that. It will be important for the fingerpicking song tutorials later.
So What’s the Ukulele Fingerpicking Technique?
Like most things, there are several ways of doing things on the ukulele and fingerpicking is no exception. Firstly, you can use a single-finger technique. In this case, you would use just one finger to pluck the strings, such as plucking the bass note with your thumb.
In the two-finger technique, each finger controls two strings. That means that you would play the E and A strings with your index finger, while your thumb was in charge of all the work on the C and G strings.
Not surprisingly, there is also a three-finger technique. Here, your thumb keeps on doing what it has been doing, playing the C and G strings. But now the index finger plays the E string, and your middle finger covers the A string.
And lastly, you can use all four fingers. This should be self-explanatory, but each finger plays a separate string with this technique. Your thumb is used to play the G string, your index finger plays the C, your middle finger the E and your ring finger the A strings respectively.
Which technique you use will be up to you as a player. Experimenting and finding what works for you and the sound you want to achieve is more important.
Ukulele Fingerpicking Exercises
Okay, so we have covered the very basics of what fingerpicking is and what fingers to use. Let’s try to get started on some very basic plucking patterns. At this stage, we won’t even worry about fretting a chord. Just give all your focus and attention to that right hand and let the strings ring open.
While fingerpicking is not difficult to pick up, it does need you to be precise with that right hand as each note rings out on its own.
We will number the strings from the bottom to the top when holding a ukulele:
A-String = 1
E-String = 2
C-String = 3
G-String = 4
Great, so let’s get into those patterns.
Basic Ukulele Fingerpicking Pattern
4-2-3-1
This is a really great exercise to get your fingers and ears used to fingerpicking. It is used in loads of songs, and will get you ready for something a bit more complicated later.
Alternate Picking Pattern
4-1-3-2
Our guitarist friends will be familiar with this one. Usually, the thumb plays the bass note (or the top string if using re-entrant tuning). But as I mentioned before, the thumb will “alternate” with the index finger or any other combination of the other fingers depending on the fingerpicking technique you use.
Try This Harder Ukulele Fingerpicking Pattern
Right, so you have the basic patterns down. Time to make life a little harder and get a little better, right?
We will now move on to a pattern that is stretched across two bars or can be played as 8th notes. It can be a bit tricky for novice players, as our fingers will want to repeat the pattern in the second bar.
The best way to avoid this slip up is to slow things down a bit and play the pattern at what will feel like a snail’s pace. I assure you though, if you want to play it accurately fast, you need to be able to play it accurately really slowly.
Here is that pattern I promised:
1-4-2-1 | 4-2-3-2
Fingerpicked Ukulele Song Tutorials
Now that we have all fallen in love with fingerpicking, it is time to work on our chops.
Luckily, there are a number of really exciting tunes that lend themselves to the soulful beginner.
One of the most iconic fingerpicked ballads has to be Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Lara Markowits will give you a thorough lesson on how to fingerpick The King’s famous love song. Check it out below!
Everybody knows the sound of The Plain White T’s hit “Hey There Delilah”. Corey Teaches Music does a really great tutorial that will have you wondering what it’s like in New York City almost instantly. Take it nice and slowly at first, then slowly build up the speed. That’s the key to practising any new technique or song, regardless of what instrument you’re learning.
Tips on How to Get Better at Ukulele Fingerpicking
The basics of fingerpicking are not too complicated, as you can see.
The thing is, fingerpicking can be as complex or as simple as you want to make it. You are the musician. So if you want to dig a little deeper into fingerpicking, consider adding a metronome to your practice routine. Fingerpicking needs you to be good at staying in time for the melody to sound smooth. A metronome will get that click of the tone into your bones and really improve your playing.
Another great trick is to record yourself playing. Remember that when you are playing, you are engaging your brain and your body. There are a hundred small things happening in your body to make that sound happen. That means your concentration won’t necessarily catch where you are making small mistakes. Recording yourself will help you hear where you are falling a little short, but also when you are rocking it. That stuff needs to be recorded!
Check Out More Advanced Covers
As I said, things can get complicated in fingerpicking. Have a listen to this cover of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” in fingerstyle ukulele. Complex, rich and beautiful.
And for a change of pace, but no less beautiful, here is a fingerstyle rendition of the jazz standard “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Doris Day.
Conclusion
While fingerpicking for any string instrument may seem like an innate talent for many, learning it for those who are not may be a bit challenging at first. However, it is very doable with constant practice and remembering the tips we shared here. Once you finally get the hang of ukulele fingerpicking, you’ll definitely have a lot more fun playing your instrument!
Jay Searle
Website Founder & WriterJay is a self-professed music nerd and ukulele lover. When not working on the website you’ll find him strumming along to his favorite tunes, spending time with his family, or learning to play the piano.
