4/4 Strumming Patternsīy far the most common time signature around is 4/4 (“four four”). So a dead simple pattern would be all down strums: strum down when you count one, when you count two, when you count three and when you count four. Fit them so the down strums in the pattern match with the numbers you count. Step 3: Try a few strumming patterns: Try fitting a strumming pattern to the song. Step 2: Pretend you’re in The Ramones: If you were going to start the song by shouting one, two, three, four what would you do? Try counting through the song repeating that all the way (if counting to four doesn’t fit, try counting to three). Step 1: Clap along with the song: If the singer was to shout, “Hey everybody, clap along,” what would you do? (Assuming you’re less surly than me and would just fold your arms and look moody.)

Some Basicsīefore you start strumming, go through these steps:

Ones you can try out and see if they fit the song.įor more info on strumming, read the posts on strumming notation and strumming for dummies and the ebook I wrote How to Play Ukulele Strums. So in this post I’ve listed some of the most common strumming patterns around. It’s an important skill to be able to pick your own strumming patterns. You can use different strumming patterns and it will still work. It’s not like a chord progression where there’s a right chord and a wrong chord. The most awkward question I get asked is, “What’s the strumming pattern for this?” Because there’s no real answer to it.

Hellogoodbye here in your arms midi