Strumming patterns are the bread and butter of playing ukulele.

And they can also make or break you.

“If only I could figure out the strumming pattern to this song.”

What if I told you there isn’t a magic strumming pattern for a song? What if the best pattern is the one you come up with?

In order to come up with the right strumming pattern, you start by using what I consider my favorite strumming pattern of all time. As someone who’s played ukulele for over 25 years, this is still my go-to pattern whenever I’m first learning a new song. And I suggest you do the same!

But I’m warning you…

This pattern is super easy.

Because of that, a lot of people overlook it, but that would be a mistake.

I explore all this and more in the video.

I show you a medley of four popular easy ukulele songs you can apply this pattern to and give you the steps for implementing it in your own playing.

Be sure to watch to the end where I show you how to create variety in your strumming!

Best Ukulele Strumming Pattern

There’s a big misconception that the more complicated your strumming is, the more musical or interesting it will sound, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The truth is… you can play the most complex strumming pattern, but if it’s played out of time, you’ll sound terrible (sorry!). What actually makes you sound musical is how well you can keep time, not what pattern you’re strumming.

So when you’re learning a new song for the first time, the best strumming pattern to start with is the one that allows you to do two things:

1. Lock into the consistent beat of the song. Every song has a consistent count or beat most commonly counted in four or in three and it’s your job as a rhythmic instrument to find that beat and play steadily.
2. Make smooth chord changes. Any problematic chord changes will interrupt your consistent strumming rhythm so it’s important to pick a pattern that is easy enough to allow you to ensure each chord is dialed in!

This is why my favorite strumming pattern is the DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN strumming pattern played to a count of four (1, 2, 3, 4, and so on).

I warned you this is easy, but see how musical this can be by strumming this simple chord progression to play a popular song medley.

In the video, I use this chord progression to play Hey Soul Sister by Train, Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver, and With Or Without You by U2.

How to Create Variety in Your Rhythm

When you start with a simple pattern like this one, it becomes easy to begin to add variety.

For example, you might add in up strums between the down strums and count out loud 1 and, 2 and, 3 and, 4 and, and so on.

Surprisingly, there isn’t some magic, secret strumming pattern for a single song.

You actually have the ability to create the perfect pattern by finding the beat, playing to the beat, and then, adding variety to that pattern with your own creativity.

So when in doubt, start with down strums!

And if you want to be able to have the skills to be able to learn the chords and find the right strumming pattern for any song, then, join me in Strumming Tricks where I give you a step-by-step plan to go from complete beginner to proficient strummer on ukulele.

Learning to play an instrument as an adult shouldn’t be the same as when you were a kid.

If you learned music as a kid, there was probably a big focus on traditional music education. You know what I’m talking about… scales, classical music, rote memorization, theory, ticking metronomes, rulers smacking your knuckles if you mess up, and all that fun stuff!

And a big reason for the “traditional” approach is, when you’re a kid, time is on your side… you have time to follow through the “twelve grades of playing piano” over the next 12 years.

But as an adult, you don’t want to spend 12 years… you want to play music as soon as possible.

Of course I’d be lying to you if I told you that you don’t need to practice.

You need to practice.

But what you practice is SUPER important.

For most adults, the starting goal is to be able to take your favorite song, look up the chords, and play it!

Note: This is a very reasonable and attainable goal for new players who have just started playing the ukulele.

To do this, here are the most important skills you need to develop in your practice and nothing else.

1. It’s All About the Chords Starting Out

Take 5-10 minutes every day just practicing chords.

Build your vocabulary of the most common ukulele chords found in songs.

At first, your fingers won’t know where to go or what to do! It will feel awkward. The fingertips will feel sore. And it will require mental effort because your brain is doing something completely brand spankin’ new. Give yourself a high five for stepping outside your comfort zone!

Then, write out 3 to 4 of those chords you’ve learned and practice switching between those chords in a repeating sequence, like…

C -> Am -> F -> G7

And although it’s tempting to ignore the challenging chords, take a couple intentional minutes each practice session to focus on the more difficult chords like barre chords to build finger strength… it goes a long, long way!

What I would NOT focus on yet is memorization… that will come through repetition, much like how you can probably tie your shoes or chew gum and walk down the sidewalk without any conscious thought. It’s normal right now if you have to have the diagrams in front of you. Trust the process!

2. You Have to Build Your Strumming “Vocabulary” Too

Take another 5-10 minutes every day to just practice a single strumming pattern.

In the beginning, just learning a couple patterns will do the trick!

If you need some ideas on beginner-friendly strums, then, I recommend starting with this lesson on 5 Effective Strumming Patterns For Beginners I made awhile ago.

A super important strum pattern to practice

The big goal here is to intentionally practice various strum patterns with different note lengths and to count out loud.

The reason you count out loud is because it BUILDS UP your internal tempo clock.

A lot of people wonder how people just “feel” the rhythm and this is how… by practicing patterns and building your Strumming Vocabulary!

Building the muscle memory for strumming is extremely important, where you don’t have to think much about what you’re doing, and the only way to get to that point is by repeatedly focusing on practicing on one pattern, then two, then three, and so on.

What I would NOT focus on here is being as complex or “fancy” as possible. That will come. Instead, focus in your practice on being as steady as possible.

3. I Wish More Beginners Would Focus On This Underrated Part of Practice

So here’s a fun one that has nothing to do with playing your instrument but will improve your ukulele playing ten fold!

If you’re just starting out playing ukulele, I want you to take 5-10 minutes a day and listen to one of your favorite songs.

And really listen to it… this isn’t time for listening while you do something else like chores around the house! Sit, listen, and do nothing else.

I want you to listen to the song 3 times, and each time through focus on one of the following:

• First time, tap or clap along consistently to the beat (bonus points if you can count along to the beat in four, three, or six)
• Second time, snap your fingers whenever you hear a chord change
• Third and final time, write out the feeling for the song, like happy vs. sad (there’s no right answer on this one)

“But I don’t have a musical ear, Brett! I can’t do this!”

I know, I know, but how do you get a musical ear? By practicing your listening!

You might listen to a song 3x through and not be able to detect any of these things yet and that is ok! I still want you to set a time to just listen to the music and do nothing else.

The big reason I’m including this tip is because so many songs we want to play on our ukuleles are played by looking up a lyric chord chart (like typing in “[song name] chords” on Google), and unfortunately, lyric chord charts don’t have specific information about the strumming pattern you should use, which means you have to rely on the Strumming Vocabulary you’ve developed in the last step to deduce and figure out the best strumming pattern for a song.

How These Things Come Together to Play Songs

The goal in practicing the above is to build the critical skills to successfully strum actual songs.

In order to strum a song, first, you have to know the chords of that song.

Then, you have to identify a strum pattern that will work with that song based on that song’s count you’ve identified in your listening.

And third, you have to be able to change the chords of that song while keeping the strumming going.

Only when you’ve done the above can you start to even think about singing out as you play. Singing and playing at the same time is quite literally like playing two instruments at once, so if it doesn’t come easy at first, don’t beat yourself up! The way you improve that is by focusing on the above. If your chords and strumming fall apart when you start singing, then, that means you have to go back a step and continue to practice.

A good example of how this works in practice is how I introduce the play-along for Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” on ukulele using beginner chords and a beginner strumming pattern to eventually sing the song.

Learning to play a musical instrument isn’t without its challenges but focusing on these things will help you the most when you’re first starting out!

And if you want to be able to have the skills to be able to learn the chords and find the right strumming pattern for any song, then, join me in the Strumming Tricks online video lesson course where I give you a step-by-step plan to go from complete beginner to proficient strummer on ukulele.

Being able to make music is a fulfilling and enriching endeavor regardless of age.

But if you’re thinking about learning an instrument later in life, it’s important to know that engaging in this creative pursuit isn’t just about checking “Make Music” off from your bucket list, but rather, it’s something that can offer remarkable health benefits.

From cognition to emotional well-being, let’s explore five ways backed by research in which learning ukulele can enhance your health and overall quality of life!

1. Boost Your Brain Power

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to keep our minds sharp and engaged. Learning an instrument like the ukulele is a powerful way to achieve just that.

One scientific study published in the journal Neuropsychology found that older adults who engaged in musical training had better cognitive performance compared to those who did not.^[1]

The adults who learned an instrument had:

• Better working memory
• Increased attention
• Faster processing speed
• Improved problem-solving abilities

Playing an instrument helps to maintain cognitive function and may even contribute to a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline. A study published in BMC Neurology found that playing a musical instrument was “significantly associated with a decreased risk of dementia.”^[2]

The act of reading musical notation and translating it into motor movements, like figuring out a chord and how to strum it, creates new neural connections, strengthening the brain’s capacity to process information more effectively!

2. Playing Music Each Day Keeps the Stress Away

Life can be stressful, but picking up a musical instrument can be an incredible stress-relieving activity.

Playing an instrument allows for an outlet of self-expression as well as an escape from the daily routine, promoting relaxation and overall well-being.

One study published in the Medical Science Monitor had participants make music on a piano keyboard for one hour guided by an instructor where the participants performed the following:

1. Warm up exercise
2. Rhythmic “drum circle” played on an electronic keyboard using percussion sound effects (that sounds fun!)
3. Improvisation using a simple 5-note pentatonic scale
4. One musical concept
5. Song of the day
6. Warm down exercise (repeating the first exercise)
7. Group reflection on personal progress
8. Farewell song

And no, these participants weren’t natural-born musical geniuses!

What was interesting about this experiment was that they did it with adults ranging in age from 18 to 76 who did “not consider themselves musical.” And what they found was that these one-hour music-making sessions had a statistically significant impact on reducing stress amongst the individuals.^[3]

Playing an instrument later in life is a great way to relieve stress even if you’ve never done it before in your life!

3. Decrease Pain & Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

Learning and practicing ukulele requires precise finger movements, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills.

For adults in their later years, maintaining and improving physical function is crucial, and playing an instrument can contribute significantly to that goal.

A study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience examined the effects of piano training on fine motor skills in older adults. The results demonstrated that those who learned to play the piano showed significant improvement in fine motor skills and even increased cognitive and neural development into older age. The motor skills developed while playing an instrument allowed the adults to do other motor tasks “with higher acuity” or sharpness.^[4]

And what about arthritis?

Can learning an instrument help reduce arthritic pain?

Yes! One researcher reported decreased arthritic pain in the hands and fingers of older students who practiced 30 minutes four days per week.^[5]

The finger movements involved in playing an instrument like the ukulele provide a form of exercise for the hands and fingers that enhances finger dexterity, strengthens hand muscles, and promotes better coordination and flexibility!

4. Increase Emotional Well-Being & Feel Better

Music has a profound impact on our emotions, and learning to play an instrument can have a positive effect on our emotional well-being, particularly as we age.

Engaging in music taps into our creative side and provides a sense of accomplishment and self-expression. It boosts self-confidence and self-esteem, allowing us to discover hidden talents and unleash our inner artist. Music has the power to uplift moods, alleviate feelings of loneliness or depression, and promote overall emotional resilience, contributing to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of London, UK highlighted the emotional impacts of music making in old age:

Active music-making has been found to provide a source of enhanced social cohesion, enjoyment, personal development, and empowerment, and to contribute to recovery from depression and maintenance of personal well-being throughout these latter stages of adult life.^[6]

As a ukulele teacher, I’ve heard from countless students who’ve discovered the ukulele during a difficult time. Some have found ukulele after losing a spouse. Others have found it going through a difficult time in the hospital. And some experiencing depression.

Playing an instrument provides an outlet for self-expression and can serve as a form of therapy, helping us cope with emotional challenges and improve our overall outlook on life.

For me, I don’t know what I’d do without music in my life!

5. Find New Friends & Community

Not only can playing a musical instrument help us internally but playing a musical instrument can be a social activity, offering opportunities for interaction and connection with others.

Later in life, there can be significant life changes like kids leaving the house or retirement.

Playing music with others is a way to create social connections and forge new friendships in a time where there is a lot of change.

A ukulele student of mine Lynda at her local ukulele group

Whether joining a band, orchestra, or simply playing with friends and family, music brings people together. Maintaining social engagement is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Participating in music-related activities fosters social connections, reduces feelings of isolation, and provides a platform for collaboration and camaraderie.

Sharing the joy of music with others creates a sense of belonging and enhances overall quality of life!

A Life of Music Awaits

Learning a musical instrument later in life opens up a world of possibilities and health benefits.

The cognitive stimulation, stress reduction, fine motor skills development, emotional well-being, and social engagement that result from playing an instrument can profoundly impact the health and overall quality of life for older adults.

So, why not embark on this exciting journey and discover the amazing rewards that await?

The ukulele is a perfect instrument to learn because it’s cost-friendly to get started, portable, easier on the fingers, and just plain fun! (Get my beginner ukulele recommendations.)

Remember, it’s never too late to learn, and the benefits of playing a musical instrument will resonate far beyond the notes you play.

If you want to learn how to strum and play your first 20 songs on ukulele in 7 distinct styles, then join me in Strumming Tricks where I give you a step-by-step plan to go from complete beginner to proficient strummer on ukulele in a non-intimidating, friendly style.

Perfect for beginners. Become proficient in strumming, rhythm and chord changes on the ukulele, improving your skills while learning actual songs.

Learn More

Citations

1. Hanna-Pladdy, B., & MacKay, A. (2011). The relation between instrumental musical activity and cognitive aging. Neuropsychology, 25(3), 378–386. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021895

2. Arafa, A., Teramoto, M., Maeda, S. et al. Playing a musical instrument and the risk of dementia among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. BMC Neurol 22, 395 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02902-z

3. Bittman, B., Berk, L., Shannon, M., Sharaf, M., Westengard, J., Guegler, K. J., & Ruff, D. W. (2005). Recreational music-making modulates the human stress response: a preliminary individualized gene expression strategy. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 11(2), BR31–BR40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15668624/

4. Worschech, F., James, C. E., Jünemann, K., Sinke, C., Krüger, T. H. C., Scholz, D. S., et al (2023). Fine motor control improves in older adults after one year of piano lessons: Analysis of individual development and its coupling with cognition and brain structure. European Journal of Neuroscience, 000– 000. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.16031

5. Colleen M. Zelazny, MME, MT-BC, Therapeutic Instrumental Music Playing in Hand Rehabilitation for Older Adults with Osteoarthritis: Four Case Studies, Journal of Music Therapy, Volume 38, Issue 2, Summer 2001, Pages 97–113, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/38.2.97

6. Creech, A., Hallam, S., McQueen, H., & Varvarigou, M. (2013). The power of music in the lives of older adults. Research Studies in Music Education, 35(1), 87–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X13478862

How do you “feel” the rhythm?

Finding the groove when strumming your ukulele can be difficult but there is a way to improve.

It starts with building what I like to call a “Strumming Vocabulary” where you practice simple strumming rhythm exercises – trust me, any level ukulele player can learn these with a little effort and improve their rhythm!

With that vocab, you acquire the muscle memory to be able to just “feel” the beat.

It all starts with playing some fun strumming pattern exercises.

In this video lesson, I teach you three exercises to play on your ukulele that will help you:

• Get the feeling for common note lengths
• Figure out how to feel the offbeat
• Know how to feel the beat without strumming the beat

I break everything down in the following video lesson!

To save these 3 exercises and use them in your own practice, grab the 1-page PDF worksheet.

I recommend practicing these exercises for 5-10 minutes a day to level up your rhythm on ukulele!

Bonus Challenge: Write out a chord progression of 2-3 chords to practice chord changes while playing any of these rhythms.

And for the most complete and comprehensive way to build your Strumming Vocabulary, join me in the full Strumming Tricks course where I teach you how to apply rhythms like these to playing actual songs.

Join Strumming Tricks Today

Making the decision to learn a musical instrument like the ukulele is exciting, however as a beginner, you might be wondering:

“How often should I practice?”

How you answer this question lays the foundation for your ability to make the music you love!

Let’s look at the optimal practice frequency for ukulele players at different skill levels – beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

How Often Beginner Ukulele Players Should Practice

When you first start playing, consistency is the most important thing.

A beginner ukulele player should practice daily for at least 15 minutes.

Avoid long multi-hour “Weekend Warrior” marathon sessions that will tire your hands and fingers out, and instead, prioritize short regular sessions. Challenges like sore fingertips are not uncommon for beginners so you’ll want to take it easy at first and find a pace that works for you!

In the early stages, your primary goal should be building a solid foundation of the most fundamental techniques and establishing your ukulele habit. By doing so, you’ll develop muscle memory and gradually increase your playing stamina.

As a beginner, you’ll want to focus on:

• The most important ukulele chords
• The most effective strumming patterns
• Getting your first songs under your belt

This stage is all about embracing the joy of learning. Consistency, coupled with curiosity and perseverance, will set you on the right path… for a lifetime!

For Intermediate Ukulele Players: Quality Over Quantity

The quality of your practice sessions becomes increasingly important as you progress beyond the beginner stage.

At the intermediate level, aim for 30-60 minutes of focused ukulele practice daily, allowing yourself ample time to warm up, work on current technical challenges, and practice specific songs.

During your sessions, identify specific goals and tailor your practice routine accordingly. Dial in and focus on areas that need improvement, like mastering a tricky passage or refining your dynamics.

This is the time in your journey where using practice techniques such as slow practice, deliberate repetition, and mindful listening is very beneficial. Focus on approaching each note and phrase with intention and precision.

Remember, at the intermediate stage, it’s the quality of your practice that counts, not just the number of hours spent!

For Advanced Ukulele Players: Dive Deep and Diversify

As an advanced ukulele player, your commitment to practice takes on a new dimension.

By this stage, your musical journey has taught you valuable lessons about discipline, dedication, and perseverance. To continue growing as a musician, it’s essential to expand your horizons and push your boundaries.

In other words, you must find new challenges!

Advanced ukulele players should devote a minimum of 1-2 hours each day to focused practice.

Use this time to refine technical proficiency, explore challenging material, and cultivate your artistic interpretation. You’ll want to experiment with different musical styles and genres to really push yourself, even collaborating with fellow musicians who play different instruments to broaden your musical perspective. This helps you become a more well-rounded and adaptable musician.

Additionally, prioritize performance opportunities to provide a new challenge as well as honing your stage presence and connecting with audiences.

To go even further, seek out masterclasses, workshops, and mentorships with world-class musicians and artists to push your skills even further.

Lastly, to solidify the musical perspective you’ve formed over the years, teach your instrument to others who are at an earlier stage in their journey. By teaching, you make an impact on the lives of other musicians while better understanding how you see, approach, and experience playing your instrument!

The Right Amount of Practice

Regardless of your current skill level, the answer to the question, “How often should I practice my instrument?” lies in the commitment to consistent, purposeful practice.

Making this practice fun and enjoyable is all about finding the right approach and embracing a mindset of curiosity.

For beginners, 15 minutes per day is sufficient enough to form good habits and build a strong foundation. Intermediate ukulele players need at least 30-60 minutes to focus on quality practice that address their current challenges. Advanced musicians will spend a minimum of 1-2 hours daily to dive deep into their craft, embracing versatility and seeking new challenges.

Remember…

The reason we practice ukulele is to play the music we love in the way we want to play it.

Find a pace you can sustain and you will see improvement learning to play ukulele!

Will this be the year you finally learn ukulele?

It can be… by focusing on the right things!

No, you don’t need to memorize hundreds of ukulele chords to start playing actual music. It’s better to take a different approach.

In this video, I cover the four things you need to do this year to learn how to play your ukulele proficiently and teach you to play an easy song.

Tap Here to Get the 1-Page Printout

Don’t let another year go by without learning ukulele!

Here’s the four things you need to do to learn ukulele in 2024.

#1: It’s All About the Strumming

Forget about memorizing a gazillion chords.

Focus on your strumming rhythm.

Because ukulele is a rhythm instrument, the biggest barrier between not knowing how to play and playing proficiently is being able to strum a rock-steady pattern.

The hard truth is if you can’t keep a consistent strumming rhythm then you won’t be able to sing along to your playing and no one else will be able to either.

It all starts by focusing on the count or the beat.

A simple 1-2-3 strum is all you need to play your first song but how you practice it is even more important…

You need to count out loud.

By counting out loud as you practice, as I demonstrate in the video, you develop your internal music sense of rhythm in music and with that, a world of music opens up to you on your ukulele.

#2: Make Smooth Chord Changes

If keeping a rock-steady strumming pattern is key, then the thing that stops beginners from doing that successfully is pausing, hesitating, or stopping between chord changes.

When you learn a new song, practice each chord change in the song before attempting to play it.

As you do so, apply the Hover Technique where you prepare fingers for the next chord while playing the current one. Watch the video to learn to apply the technique to change from a C to G to F chord.

By practicing each chord change in a song, you keep that consistent strumming rhythm going without stopping.

#3: Learn to Play an Actual Song

The best thing to do is to jump in and start learning songs!

Believe it or not, if you can keep a steady strum pattern and change between a couple chords, you are ready to play your first song.

In the video, I guide you through the process of playing “Happy Birthday” by breaking down the chord changes and using a simple strum pattern.

Watch that and play along with me!

Happy Birthday Ukulele Chords

#4: Keep Yourself Accountable

Do you struggle with finding motivation to practice ukulele?

Then, make a commitment now to play Happy Birthday for your closest friend or family member’s upcoming birthday this year. There’s nothing more motivating than to know you are going to play a song for someone else!

Make a calendar reminder now for your upcoming performance.

You can do this!

Do You Need Help Becoming a Better Ukulele Player?

I’m here to help you improve your skills on ukulele.

The best way for me to help you is to join me in the Strumming Tricks course where over 10,000 students have learned with me to make the music they love on ukulele.

I designed the course to be the most complete step-by-step method for complete beginners.

With my help, you know exactly what to practice to become a better ukulele player every time you sit down.

Join Strumming Tricks Today