How to Strum a Ukulele
The Ukulele is the only stringed instrument native to Hawaii. The natives of the island were enamored with the Portuguese cavaquinho, which was introduced to the islands in the late 1880s by sailors. The cavaquinho was a little over-complicated to the Hawaiian people’s mindset, who made their own version with only four strings using more affordable local materials. The name translates roughly as “jumping flea”. Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, claimed the name really meant “the gift that came here”, though what that meant she never did explain. The Ukulele became popular amongst the mainland United States in the late 1910s as it was a cheap and easily transported instrument. It was often seen used in experimental jazz bands of the time. Nowadays it is mostly relegated to being used in traditional Polynesian style music, though it’s still a fun instrument to play. Here is a guide on how to strum a Ukulele.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Strumming A Ukulele With A Pick
-
1
Place your thumb on the top of the pick, your thumbnail should point in the same directions as the pick does. Hold the pick fast with the side edge of your index finger.
-
2
Hold your wrist just above the bottom arch on the Ukulele, your pick should be above the strings over the sounding hole.
-
-
3
Bring your entire arm straight down in one smooth motion. Your pick should ring through the four strings in a straight line, make sure to strike with the flat of the pick and not the edges or sides.
-
4
Reverse the motion and bring your arm back up to stroke back up. Repeat these movements to strum as many times as you wish.
Strumming A Ukulele By Hand
-
5
Hold the Ukulele neck in your left hand. The tips of your fingers should be placed on whichever strings you wish to modify to create a chord.
-
6
Press the pads of your thumb, index finger, and middle finger together as if you were pinching an invisible pick between them.
-
7
Stroke down through the strings over the sound hole of the Ukulele swinging your hand at the wrist. The fingernails of your index finger and middle finger should strike all four strings as they pass.
-
8
Stroke back up through the strings reversing the motion of your wrist. Your thumbnail should strike the strings as your hand passes. Repeat this action to continue strumming as many times as you wish.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
This guide is for a right handed musician. If you are left handed, then you will have to reverse the indicated placement of the hands. Clip the fingernails of your left hand short so they won't catch on the strings or accidentally pluck them.
Resources
- Photo Credit ditisstefan.nl
Comments
-
wow
