12 October 2025
The often neglected and taken for granted subject of Rhythm. Music is Melody, Harmony and Rhythm. We are drawn, initially to music by melody at a very early age, with the instrument of our voice. With ukulele you typically learn chords - the harmony and never really dive into learning rhythm. Unless you're a drummer we take rhythm for granted.
Finally dive into actually understanding and learning rhythm.
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Rhythm (from Greek rhythmos, "any regular recurring motion, symmetry" (Liddell and Scott 1996)) generally means a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions" (Anon. 1971, 2537). This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time can apply to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or frequency of anything from microseconds to several seconds (as with the riff in a rock music song); to several minutes or hours, or, at the most extreme, even over many years. In the performance arts, rhythm is the timing of events on a human scale; of musical sounds and silences that occur over time, of the steps of a dance, or the meter of spoken language and poetry.
“I Don’t Have Rhythm”
Read this next line out loud:
1 2 3 4
You probably read this in tempo and evenly 1 2 3 4. Unless you read this like Christopher Walken you have rhythm and can play music in time.
Most ukulele plays first encounter their perception of “I don’t have rhythm”. When trying to execute a strumming pattern in tempo, in a style they are only passively familiar with.
“A strum is the execution of a rhythmic pattern — in a specific style and tempo.”
The often neglected and taken for granted subject of Rhythm. Music is Melody, Harmony and Rhythm. We are drawn, initially to music by melody at a very early age, with the instrument of our voice. With ukulele you typically learn chords - the harmony and never really dive into learning rhythm. Unless you're a drummer we take rhythm for granted.
Finally dive into actually understanding and learning rhythm.
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 .
Rhythm (from Greek rhythmos, "any regular recurring motion, symmetry" (Liddell and Scott 1996)) generally means a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions" (Anon. 1971, 2537). This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time can apply to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or frequency of anything from microseconds to several seconds (as with the riff in a rock music song); to several minutes or hours, or, at the most extreme, even over many years. In the performance arts, rhythm is the timing of events on a human scale; of musical sounds and silences that occur over time, of the steps of a dance, or the meter of spoken language and poetry.
“I Don’t Have Rhythm”
Read this next line out loud:
1 2 3 4
You probably read this in tempo and evenly 1 2 3 4. Unless you read this like Christopher Walken you have rhythm and can play music in time.
Most ukulele plays first encounter their perception of “I don’t have rhythm”. When trying to execute a strumming pattern in tempo, in a style they are only passively familiar with.
“A strum is the execution of a rhythmic pattern — in a specific style and tempo.”
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
Rhythm - Avoid at Your Own Peril.
Strums are Inseparably Linked to Rhythm. Any strum can be broken down to its Modular Phonetic rhythmic syllables. Modular Phonetic Rhythm, by Chuck Anderson is a system for learning rhythm. It teaches rhythm phonetically - just as language does. Remember 'Strums ARE rhythm'
"Modular Phonetic Rhythm" by Chuck Anderson 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. This approach is applicable to all ages and to all styles of music.
Rhythm - Avoid at Your Own Peril.
Rhythm - Avoid at Your Own Peril.
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.
Finally, learn the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard in C tuning .
Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Book: Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering
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. Book: Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think. Book: Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer
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. Book: Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele
Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
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
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 & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
Rhythm - Avoid at Your Own Peril.
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