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Ukulele Strumming Patterns PDF Download For Beginners

This document provides various strumming patterns for the ukulele organized by time signature. It introduces basic even strumming patterns like the shuffle and swing shuffles. Other patterns like the church lick, country strum, and calypso are described. Strumming patterns that emphasize the 2nd and 4th beats like the back beat and reggae styles are shown. Waltz and polka patterns for 3/4 and 2/4 time are also provided along with advice to listen to the music and not feel constrained by the patterns.

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650 views2 pages

Ukulele Strumming Patterns PDF Download For Beginners

This document provides various strumming patterns for the ukulele organized by time signature. It introduces basic even strumming patterns like the shuffle and swing shuffles. Other patterns like the church lick, country strum, and calypso are described. Strumming patterns that emphasize the 2nd and 4th beats like the back beat and reggae styles are shown. Waltz and polka patterns for 3/4 and 2/4 time are also provided along with advice to listen to the music and not feel constrained by the patterns.

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Tell9
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© © All Rights Reserved
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UKE STRUMMING PATTERNS

The grids below show ‘bars’ of music divided into 4 beats (crochetsq) for each
bar, where each beat is divided into 2 notes (quaverse), making 8 notes to the
bar. This is the most common timing for pop, rock and country songs. Count ‘1
and 2 and 3 and 4 and’ etc. where the number is a down stroke and the ‘and’ is
an up stroke. Start off slowly and gradually speed up as you learn each pattern.

Basic Shuffle 4/4 time Swing Shuffle 1 4/4 time


1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

d u d u d u d u D d u d u d u
The very basic uke strum - down, up etc. Miss out the first ‘and’ and accent the first
Each ‘note’ or strum is of the same length, beat (in other words the note is longer) -
this is known as ‘even time’. this gives a syncopated skipping feel.
Song: ‘Why Don’t You Love Me’

Swing Shuffle 2 4/4 time Skip Shuffle 4/4 time


1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA

d D d u d u d d d d u
Miss out the first 2 ‘and’s, and then on bars Miss out the first 3 ‘and’ s and then put a
3 & 4 say the word ‘chugga’. Accent the 2nd ‘chugga’ on bar 4.
beat. One of the most common strum Song: Sweet Caroline.
patterns, especially in folkie type songs.
Song: ‘Folsom Prison Blues’

Church Lick 01 4/4 time Church Lick 02 4/4 time


1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

d du d d u du d du d
Miss out the ‘and’s on bars 1 & 3. This is a variation on the Church Lick. The
Song: ‘You Are My Sunshine’ 2nd & 4th ‘ands’ are missed out.

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Country Strum 4/4 time Calypso 4/4 time
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

Clip Clip

d du d d u d du u d u
‘Clip’ the strings on the down stroke for bars 1 Combines the 2 Church Licks.
& 3, it’s not a full strum. Song: ‘Jamaica Farewell’
Song: ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’

Strums that have the emphasis on the 2nd and 4th beat.
Back Beat 4/4 time Reggae 4/4 time
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

d u Du d u Du d u Du d u Du
Put the emphasis on the 2nd and 4th beat Emphasise the 2nd and 4th beat. The dashed
Song: ‘Heroes’ lines mean the strings are muted to give a
percussive sound.
Song: ‘3 Little Birds’

Strums for songs in 3/4 time and 2/4 time


Basic Waltz 3/4 time Full Waltz 3/4 time Polka 2/4 time
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2

Thumb Clip

t d d d d u d u d D
Use your thumb to play the G A full down stroke on the first ‘Clip’ the 1st beat and
string on the first beat, followed beat, followed by down. up, then accent the 2nd.
by 2 down strokes. down, up. Song: ‘Its All Over Now’
Song: ‘Mull Of Kintyre’

All these strumming patterns are meant only as guides. Practice them by all means but you
don’t have to follow them slavishly. Don’t let them constrain your playing. It’s much better to
listen to the music and feel the rhythms that come naturally.

“First you master your instrument, then you master the music; then you forget about
all that and just play.” - Charlie Parker

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