Learning Ukulele with Curt
Basic Ukulele Strums
“A strum is the execution of a specific rhythmic pattern, in a particular style and tempo.”
26 November 2025
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.
The Sustained Strums
There are the combination of Whole, Dotted Half, Half, and Quarter notes that was typicality Music 101 in elementary school music.
More Strum Lessons to 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.
More Strum Lessons to Explore
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