Ukulele Strumming Patterns (Helpful Handout)

D = strum down,  U = strum up,  R = rest, no strum

COUNT 1  &       2 & 3   &   4  &

STRUM D  U     D U D  U   D U

On-line resource: Uke Like the Pros

The BEST 7 Easy #Ukulele Strum Patterns For Beginners!

Strum #1: D D D D

Strum #2: D D D R

Strum #3: DU DU DU DU

Strum #4: D DU D R

Strum #5: D DU D DU

Strum #6: D DU DU DU

Strum #7: D DU RU DU

GENERAL STRUMMING ADVICE

Learning Requires Focus

Your attention needs to be on your strumming hand when you are learning strums. Don’t try to sing along and don’t change chords until you can easily play five repetitions of the pattern you are working on. You can either do nothing with your fretting hand, or fret one chord and don’t change.

It’s not necessary to play every string. Certain chords are difficult to play (like “E”) and playing only 2 of 3 strings may save your left hand from strain.

Remember:

Listen as you strum.

Strum evenly across all four strings on down Flick 2-3 strings on up.

Strum with the beat.

Slow and regular is better than fast and irregular.

The ukulele should be held firmly, avoid having it bounce around while you strum.

© Susan Griswold-Wolf 2024

Hey Good Looking Hank Williams

INTRO: D7 / G7 / D7 / G7 /

C Hey good / lookin’ / whatcha got / cookin’? /             

D7 How's about cooking / G7 somethin' up with  / C me? / G7 /

C Hey sweet / baby / don’t you think / maybe /   

D7 We could find a / G7 brand new reci-/C-pe? /

C7 . . I got a / F hot rod Ford and a / C two dollar bill, and /

F I know a spot right / C over the hill. /           

F There's soda pop and the / C dancing's free,

So if you / D7 wanna have fun come a-/G7-long with me. /

C Hey good / lookin’ / whatcha got / cookin’? /

D7 How's about cooking / G7 somethin' up with / C me? /

G7 . . . I’m / C free and / ready so / we can go / steady. /                            

D7 How's about saving / G7 all your time for / C me? / G7 /

C No more / lookin’ / I know I've been / tooken. /

D7 How's about keepin’ / G7 steady compa-/C-ny? /

C7 . . I’m gonna / F throw my  date book / C over the fence,

And / F buy me one for / C five or ten cents. /

F I'll keep it 'til it’s / C covered with age,

'Cause I’m / D7 writin' your name down on / G7 every page /

C Hey good lookin' / whatcha got cooking? /

D7 How's about cooking /  G7 somethin' up /

D7 How's about cooking / G7 somethin' up /

D7 How's about cooking / G7 somethin' up with / C me? /

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