A Guide to Ukulele Strums
A strum is the execution of a specific rhythmic pattern, in a particular style and tempo. This series explores strums.
Take a journey learning various strums then cycling back and creating variations and understanding just what makes up a strum.
Strumming patterns will include: Quarter Note, Sustain, Rock, Light Rock, 12/8, Shuffle, Power Shuffle, Double Time, Gallop, Flowing 3/4, Ska, Bass Note Patterns, 3/4, Reggae and Broken Patterns
“A strum is the execution of a specific rhythmic pattern, in a particular style and tempo.”
We'll explore the statement above and unlock just what is involved when creating a strumming pattern.
Note: Take as much time as needed to master each series of strums before proceeding to a new lesson.
Teaser Videos from 2009
Here is a series of videos I totally forgot I did a long time ago that goes over a few of the strums from my A Guide to Ukulele Strums book and we are going to really dive into in this new series of lessons and videos.
Intro from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
Rock Heavy from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
Rock Light from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
12/8 from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
Shuffle from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
Double Time from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
Gallup from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
Ska from Curt Sheller on Vimeo.
The Quarter Note Strum
Lessons to Further Explore
The Sustained Strums
There are the combination of Whole, Dotted Half, Half, and Quarter notes that was typicality Music 101 in elementary school music.
Lessons to Further Explore
Quarter Note Strum Variations
Taking the Quarter Note Strum we start to sub divide the beats, creating instant variations. Also, I introduce strums indicated using standard music notation - which has been around for hundreds of years.
Lessons to Further Explore
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