Learning Ukulele with Curt
Basics the Beyond with Curt Sheller Your "TMI", "Total Music Information" Site…
Learning Ukulele with Curt
Fingerstyle on `Ukulele - Single and Multi String Exploration
Single and multi-string exercises for exploring fingerstyle on `Ukulele.

Category: Chords Instrument: Ukulele Subjects(s): Intermediate • Fingerpicking • Technique

Related LessonAssets

Lessons Books & Charts
LESSONSeries : Exploring Fingerpicking Technique on Ukulele
Series
Fingerstyle on `Ukulele - Single and Multi String Exploration

Exploring fingerstyle on ukulele. This lesson covers the common terms used for identifing the fingers used. And, presents a series of single and multi-string exercises for exploring and developing the techniques needed for this style.

Additional Content
Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only

Sorry, can't give it ALL away!

This content requires a Premium / Gold Access Plan or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.

To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register or Upgrade to a Premium Site Access Plan.

Common Names for Those Musical Digits

cartoon_hand_LH_with_numbers

Here are the common fingering notations I've encounter over the course of my studying ukulele and guitar.

Fingering for chords and single notes for the fretting hand are typically expressed using Arabic numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and T for Thumb.

cartoon_hand_LH_with_numbers

For the plucking hand, in fingerstyle, the Spanish, traditional classical names and what are commonly used, with English names shown below or you native language names:

  • Thumb ( t ), not really a finger but a digit. In classical guitar notation this is Pulgar, Pollex (p)
  • Index ( i ) finger. In classical guitar notation Indice, Index (i)
  • Middle ( m ) finger. In classical guitar notation Medio, Medius (m)
  • Ring ( r ) finger. In classical guitar notation Anular, Aanularius (a)
  • Pinky ( p ) finger. In classical guitar notation Mignolo (c, x or e)

Spanish: p i m a, English: t i m r

If you're studying traditional classical guitar repertoire and technique, the classical terms for the right hand are more common. For all else I recommend simply using the English terms or the terms in your native language and eliminate any translation.

Modern Classical Guitar , the repertoire and technique dates back to the mid nineteenth century ( 1800s ). And offers a wealth of information that can be adapted to the ukulele. Which is essentially a small classical guitar in it's construction and technique when played without picks.

timr_string_assignment_ukuleleWhen playing all four strings, each finger can handle their own string. On ukulele it's a simple finger to string assignment, your thumb handles string , your index finger handles string , your middle finger handles string and your ring finger handles string . A simple one finger to one string assignment. For guitar, there are fifteen possible four string/four finger combinations, not all are practical but should all be explored.

When playing any of the three, possible three string sets . You can use the thumb, index and middle fingers.

For the two string pairs any combination of t i m r is possible depending on the musical context.

The final decision as to what fingering combination to use will be a musical one. But it is definitely worth exploring all possible combinations.

The Fingerpicking Series explores these fingering possibilities.

cartoon_car So, one day I decided to finally get a handle on fingerstyle using my thumb and three fingers. I had developed my "travis" style fingerpicking, where you use your thumb, index and middle fingers. But not "legit" a.k.a. classical fingerstyle.

So, it was during a one hour drive home in a thunderstorm — more like a hurricane, that I practiced, t i m r on the open strings of my Fluke ukulele, which was lying on the passenger seat. No chords, only did t i m r for one hour plus. I focused on getting a clean sound, even volume and tone. Starting S L O W and only after many reps did I increase the tempo. I only did t i m r for the whole hour, no other combinations. I then practiced accenting one of the strings in the sequence. t i m r, t i m r, t i m r, t i m r

Multi String Combinations

UL112_thumb_multi

Two finger, multi string example starting on the thumb (t), C tuning with a high G string four.

Two Finger, Multi String Combinations

The two finger combinations can be done using any two fingers: t i, t m and t r. Al are possible for adjacent or non-adjacent strings.

There are only 12 possible two finger, multi string combinations. These are the same as the two finger, single string combinations. The difference here is to play the two strings together, harmonically.

When playing harmonically t i produces the same sound as i t.

There are six (6) multi-string combinations using two fingers when playing both notes together.

UL112_two_str_combos

Three Finger, Multi String Combinations

There where 24 possible three finger, single string combinations.

There are four (4) multi-string combinations using three fingers. Explore using different fingering combinations.

UL112_three_str_combos

The Only Four Finger, Multi String Combination

There where 24 possible four finger, single string combinations.

There is only one (1) four string-multi string combination and only one way of playing the four string if not using your pinky: t i m r UL112_four_str_combo

Sign-IN — it's FREE — to view, un-blur any additional content for this lesson.

End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

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

Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Fingerstyle on `Ukulele - Single and Multi String Exploration.
UL112
Fingerstyle Basics for `Ukulele - t i m r, ( p i m a )

This lesson covers the common terms used for identifying the fingers used. And, presents a series of single string exercises for exploring and developing the techniques needed for this style.

ULFP117
Fingerpicking on `Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style

There are two common styles of fingerpicking on ukulele. This series of lessons explores the Alternating Thumb Style. A future series will explore the Thumb and three finger style, the traditional p i m a classical guitar style that we’ll adapt to ukulele.

Related Books & Charts
Related Books for Fingerstyle on `Ukulele - Single and Multi String Exploration.
UKEFP01
Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style

Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style, 2nd Edition is a new expanded edition that focuses on the alternating thumb fingerpicking style through a series of graduated lessons-chapters incorporating your index and middle fingers with the alternating thumb.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
These are books & reference charts that apply to a majority of all lessons on LearningUkulele.com / Learning Ukulele with Curt.
Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

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

Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

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 additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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

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

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.

🚀 🚧 End of Site Content 🚧 🌍
NOTE: PICS ARE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. FAIR USE NOTICE:: This site contains images of which have not been pre-authorized. This material is made available for the purpose of analysis, teaching, comment and critique. The 'fair use' of such material is provided for under U.S. Copyright Law. In accordance with U.S. Code Title 17, Section 107, material on this site (along with credit and attributions to original sources) is viewable for educational and intellectual purposes - (frwebgate.access.gpo.gov). If you are interested in using any copyrighted material from this site for any reason that goes beyond 'fair use,' you must first obtain permission from the copyright owner.
On the web since 1992 and a Mac since 1987 (Mac II) • Serving up Ukulele content since 2003 ( 22 years ago ) • Lets Kanikapila!!! v12.13.0 (8.2.23) • And, since Sept 2020, happily on Pop!_OS Linux and a System76 Thelio. Half the cost of the iMac and a real treat to use. I use it for ALL development work. Only wish the Affinity Suite of apps by serif where available on Linux (and I do know you can run them in Wine with a few hacks).
This sit has ben profesionaly red. awl tpyos aree free and no aditonal chrge • I'm blaming it on “jazz” fingers. “Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Site developed, coded, and maintained by Curt Sheller, Curt Sheller Publications and hosted on DigitalOcean, eCommerce using stripe, managed using Laravel Forge, and analytics (which we DO NOT share) by Plausible.
Made with by Curt Sheller for LearningUkulele.com / Learning Ukulele with Curt and the ukulele community • © 1992 - 2026 Curt Sheller