Learn the Island Strum on Ukulele

Are you tired of your ukulele sounding stiff and robotic? If you only learn one strumming pattern your entire life, make it this one. The "Island Strum" is the magic key that unlocks thousands of popular songs and gives you that authentic, relaxed Hawaiian sound instantly.

Grab your ukulele and let's break it down. We're going to use a simple C chord so you can focus entirely on your rhythm hand. Here is the magic sequence you need to memorize: Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up.

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  The C Major Chord
  
  Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the bottom string (the A string). Keep the other three strings totally open. This bright, happy chord is perfect for locking in your new strumming groove!

Play the short video and try playing with me slowly: Down... Down... Up... Up... Down... Up. Depending on the song, you'll usually play through this full sequence twice before you switch to your next chord. It might feel tricky at first, but once your hand catches the groove, you'll play it without even thinking!

Watch the 45-second short above to lock in the rhythm. Ready to take it to the next level? Click the "Full Strum Tutorial" button above to dive into my complete beginner course!