In this section we will learn some new more interesting ways to strum the ukulele. We will then apply some of them to the songs we have already learned, and some new songs.
Basic finger strum
Instead of strumming with a downward motion with your thumb, you can use your first finger. Try strumming the strings using a downward motion with your first finger (with your fingernail towards the strings). As the fingernail brushes accross the strings you will see it has a different sound than the thumb strum did.
Try the basic finger strum;
C 2 3 4 F 2 G7 4
/ / / / / / / /
More Strums
These are more complex strums. Below we will be adding something to the basic 1, 2, 3, 4, counting we have been doing. We will add some counts in the between the numbers like this;
C 2 & 3 4 & G7 2 & 3 4 &
/ / ^ / / ^ / / ^ / / ^
You will count like this; 1, 2 and, 3, 4 and, 1, 2 and, 3, 4 and, etc...
On the numbers, ( 1 ), ( 2 ), ( 3 ), and ( 4 ) where you see this symbol ( / ); you will use the basic thumb downward strum, or the basic finger strum you have just learned. On the ( & ) counts where you see this symbol ( ^ ) you will use and UPWARD STROKE with your first finger. (brush the first finger upwards, accross the strings)
Try playing the new rhythm using the combination of downward and upward strums, as described above. As always; start very slow.
C 2 & 3 4 & G7 2 & 3 4 &
/ / ^ / / ^ / / ^ / / ^ Repeat
Now let's use the new strum to spice up a song you have already learned, like so;
Camptown Races
C 2 & 3 4 & 1 2 & 3 4&
/ / ^ / / ^ / / ^ / / ^
Camp- town La - dies sing this song
G7 2 & 3 4 & 1 2 & 3 4 &
/ / ^ / / ^ / / ^ / / ^
Doo - dah, doo - dah etc...
Go back and play Camptown Races using the new strum, as shown above.
Here are two new strums in 3/4 time.
C 2 & 3 F 2 & 3 G7 2 & 3
/ / ^ / / / ^ / / / ^ / Repeat
C 2 & 3 & F 2 & 3 & G7 2 & 3 &
/ / ^ / ^ / / ^ / ^ / / ^ / ^ Repeat
Now we can spice up another song
Down In The Valley
C 2 & 3 1 2 & 3
(Don't Play yet) / / ^ / / / ^ /
Down in the val - - ly.
1 2 & 3 G7 2 & 3 1 2 & 3
/ / ^ / / / ^ / / / ^ /
val - ly so low_________ etc...
Go back and play Down In The Valley, and Clementine using the two new strums in 3/4 time.
After you try that, play Skip To My Lou using the first new strum you used to play Camptown Races.
More fun with strums
Here are some more strums in 4/4 time
C 2 & 3 & 4 & G7 2 & 3 & 4 &
/ / ^ / ^ / ^ / / ^ / ^ / ^ Repeat
C & 2 & 3 & 4 &G7 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
/ ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ Repeat
Go back and try these on some of the songs you learned in 4/4 time.
Here is a new song you can play using the new strums you have learned.
Oh! Susanna
C 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
ICome from A - la - bam - a with a
1 2 3 4 G7 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
Ban - jo on my knee. I'm
C 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
goin' to Lou - ('si) an - a my_____
G7 2 3 4 C 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
True love for to see. It
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
rained all night the day I left. The
1 2 3 4 G7 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
wea - ther it was dry. The
C 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
sun so hot I froze to death. (Sus)
G7 2 3 4 C 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
an - a don't you cry.
F 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
Oh, Sus - an - na oh
C 2 3 4 G7 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
don't you cry for me. I've
C 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
come from Al - a - bam - a with a
G7 2 3 4 C 2 3 4
/ / / / / / / /
Ban - jo on my knee.
More to come! Please check back
The LEARN TO PLAY section is under construction
We will be adding lots of great information (a little at a time)
There will be LESSONS, CHORDS, SCALES, SONGS, and lots of other valuable information for all ukulele players beginners to advanced.
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