Alternating Thumb Style, Additional Practice Material

Thumb variations, strng variations, naming patters, etc...

Published: 20 Oct 2013 Updated: 18 Aug 2018Visits: 0Code: ULFP117a-extra

Category: FingerpickingInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Beginner • Intermediate • Advanced • Fingerpicking • Practice • Foundation • Alternating • Thumb

Share Alternating Thumb Style, Additional Practice Material on: Bluesky facebook twitter (X)

Related LessonAssets

Alternating Thumb Style, Additional Practice Material


Additional Practice Material

Additional practice material for developing and exploring the possibilities of the alternating thumb on ukulele no found in the book.

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.

Login or SignUp to View Content

Alternating Thumb Variations

In my book and the corresponding online lessons, the basic alternating thumb pattern is a quarter note rhythmic pattern with the thumb alternating between strings four and three. The fingering patterns can start on string four or string three.

String Variations

As the basic alternating thumb pattern is a two string pattern, any two strings can be used with the most common being strings four and three.

The two adjacent strings combinations of string four and three as, well as the adjacent strings combinations of string three and two seem to be the most viable with the alternating thumb style. For the non-adjacent string pairs, I would stick with the thumb handling string four and three. The index finger for string two and the middle finger for string one.

See the Possible Ukulele String Combinations lesson for all possible 1, 2, 3 and 4 string combinations.

Rhythm Variations

Any combination of quarter notes (one beat), half notes (two beats), dotted half notes (one and one-half beats) and whole notes (four beats) that all add to the number of beats required for the measure/bar can be used to create the fingerpicking pattern.

Naming Patterns

The name of some patterns such as the forward or backward roll can help in remembering and reproducing those particular patterns.

You'll probably find - as I did - the level IV pattern of t i t m on strings 4 2 3 1 alternating thumb pattern to feel somewhat natural and easy to play. When you try and perform the patterns starting on string three vs. four using 3 2 4 1, especially when switching to a new chord your fingerpicking hand might want to fall into the foundation 4 2 3 1 string pattern. I had students struggle with the same issue and found giving it a name helped. This allows you to send verbal commands the the fingers with specific directions to reproduce the sound you're looking for. Then when executed properly and getting the sound you want the ear takes over and all is golden until the next chord switch and you might need to send the commands again.

Inside/Outside

I found using the Inside/Outside name, referring the inside strings 3 2 and outside 4 1 relationship to help myself and my students. The opposite Outside/Inside refers to the outside strings 4 1 and inside 3 2 relationship to help as well. This basically sends a verbal-mental command to the fingers to reproduce the sound the inner ear is looking for.

This then lead to trying to come up with names for the other two level IV combinations, letters t i t m when starting with the thumb on either string four or three. As always it's best to start with trying to find a traditional music principle that is being used. For ukulele whether you’re using a high or low string four throws in a bit of musical monkey wrench in the works, as contrary motion will work for a situation when using a low string four but not be the same when using a high string four.

This is where using standard music notation really helps.

Low G, C Tuning

Again, in a high G tuning these names, other then the inside / outside names that refer solely to string designation and musical direction, will not be the same.

High G, C Tuning

Graphically they both look the same. Physically the will fell pretty much the same with the only difference being the fell of string four - the low G it is it is not the same material as the other strings. Musically they sound different and are using different musically principles.

I have song arrangements that I can play on either a low or high string four tuning and they actually are different.

Final Thoughts

I'm a firm believer that your fingers – on purpose, will never do anything they haven't been trained to do. They might, at times do what they have done before but at the wrong time. So explore all the string and rhythmic possibilities and variations. This will provide you with a broad palette of possibilities for musical expression on ukulele.

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 Books & Charts

Related Books for Alternating Thumb Style, Additional Practice Material.

UKEFP01v2

Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style, 2nd Edition

Updated: 08 Feb 2024

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

MPRS-FW1

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

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.

Site Access Plans for LearningUkulele.com

Forever Access - With Forever Premium Access, you get ALL the benefits of a Premium Access Subscription such as Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources, related assets, and ALL books by Curt as FREE downloads. Pretty much everything on the site, and NEVER worry about a subscription or surprise payment again. And jump the queue for responding to any questions.

If you're anything like me (Curt) and getting Subscription overloaded with everything and everybody on-line wanting money from you once a month — I'm with you. For like-minded individuals, this forever plan is a pay once, and you're done.

The price for Unlimited Forever access is right around the cost of a few months of private lessons. I can guarantee there is more than enough material on-line to keep you busy for a long, long time. And, you get all of my books for FREE. That alone is more than the cost of this plan.

Premium Access - This premium gives you Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources and related assets. As well as ALL books by Curt Sheller as FREE downloads.

Basic Access - A limited selection of basic lessons — ( currently over 140 ) and 100+ songs for ukulele as well as basic general music reference material — Completely FREE — Simply Register/Signup. HOWEVER - I've been doing ukulele and LearningUkulele.com since 2003 and probably have given too much away already - as reflected in my income from the site in relationship to the time spent on the site. So help support this site and its continued development by signing up for one of the below Premium Access Plans or buy a few of my books. - Thanks, Curt

NOTE: Each higher access level includes ALL the benefits of the lower levels. Private Lessons include all the benefits of a Premium Access Plans as long as you remain a student on the schedule.

Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books!Peter Rhee

Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the bestGlen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys

Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books — I have four of them and they are excellent.fatveg — Portland

Want to drop LearningUkulele.com & Learning Ukulele with Curt a nice comment . We always like to know how we are and you are doing. We'll post any comment, quotes throughout the site and you can help spread the word .

Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!

curtieAnim.gif rw.vg.gif

Original Curtie Animation from 1987 for my first web site on a Macintosh II, 37 years ago. Man, does time fly.

“Built for myself (Curt), and sharing with the `Ukulele community!”

LearningUkulele.com has one of the largest collections of lessons, songs, and TABS, Luthiers, ukulele builders, ukulele festival and club information, and, ukulele links on the web. Curt has been on the ®Internet since the early 1990's and This site just never stops growing!!!

Content is added and updated daily — so check back often. I really do need to get out more ;-)

Love LearningUkulele.com? • Show your support!
Support development via a monthly membership or a one-time forever membership!