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UPDATED
06 Nov 2021

The Island Strum

What the heck is an Island Strum?

Published: 28 Jun 2021 Updated: 06 Nov 2021 • Visits: 0 • Code: UL-ISLAND-STRUM

Category: Rhythm • Instrument: Ukulele • Subjects: Rhythm • Strums • Strum

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Related LessonAssets

The Island Strum

Just, what is the Island Strum?

Is it?

The verbal commands: down down up — up down up
Any strum performed on an island, such as Hawai'i. Which is an "Island", actual 137 islands.

A strum is the execution of a rhythmic pattern, in a particular style, at tempo.

The down down up etc. is the execution part. It's Rhythm, pure and simple. The Island Strum name is just a not so arbitrary, non-musical name given to this particular pattern. And the pattern is…

...with a tie between the first and second Rhythmic Syllables for:

The Island Strum is one of the Four Famous Core `Ukulele Strums - Pattern Four . It's probably the most famous of the four strums.

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for The Island Strum.

A Guide to Ukulele Strums

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Learn a variety of strums and rhythmic patterns in wide range of musical styles. A strum refers to an accompaniment technique suitable for the singer, singer - songwriter or someone who plays a support role for another instrument.

Building Your Core Strums for Ukulele

Updated: 31 Jul 2023

Rhythm are in-separately linked to strums. Using the Modular Phonetic Rhythm System developed by Chuck Anderson this series of lessons start with the core four strums all ukulele players use and throughly digs in to the many variations possible.

Ukulele Strums - Getting Started

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Strums are in-separately linked to rhythm. Using the Modular Phonetic Rhythm System developed by Chuck Anderson this series of lessons starts with the core four strums all ukulele players use, need to know and throughly digs into the many variations possible.

Related Songs

Related Songs for The Island Strum.

Any Song Will Do

Updated: 07 Dec 2015

This is not really a song, but simply saying that for the purposes of a lot of the lessons and lesson series on this site ANY song will do for exploring the lesson's material and concepts presented in the lesson.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for The Island Strum.

Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1

Updated: 08 Dec 2021

Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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