Need help with a strumming pattern

S

Spud1$

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Messages
242
Reaction score
0
Location
Gulf Coast Fl
I'm new to the uke and from reading other posts I'm definitely a slow learner. I've joined a group and this month one of the songs is puff the magic dragon. When I was a kid my dad owned a radio station and every Saturday morning at 10 am the station played this song for me. So for sentimental reasons I would like like to do it justice. The leader gave us a strumming pattern, D DU UDU and then for the shorter parts 2 down strums ( autumn, mist, then autumn, mist, land, hona ) it seems so choppy this way. I know that it's probably my lack of talent and I think maybe its inappropriate to ask for strum pattern help from other posts I've read. Still I would appreciate any help or suggestions. Thank you.
 
Spud1$ said:
I'm new to the uke and from reading other posts I'm definitely a slow learner. I've joined a group and this month one of the songs is puff the magic dragon. When I was a kid my dad owned a radio station and every Saturday morning at 10 am the station played this song for me. So for sentimental reasons I would like like to do it justice. The leader gave us a strumming pattern, D DU UDU and then for the shorter parts 2 down strums ( autumn, mist, then autumn, mist, land, hona ) it seems so choppy this way. I know that it's probably my lack of talent and I think maybe its inappropriate to ask for strum pattern help from other posts I've read. Still I would appreciate any help or suggestions. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Yes you have the right pattern just play along with it and get the feel for it then it will click. With anything new just keep practising and try singing along. Dont be afraid to ask anything we have all been there before that is what a forum is for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFmTakkGC00
This should help you out.
 
Last edited:
That's a great song, thanks for refreshing it my mind Spud. If that song hits my on the wrong day, I could well up a wee bit when I hear it ;)
 
Be patient. Strumming a skill that improves with practice. Master strums slowly...speed comes naturally with correct practice
 
Thank you all for the thoughts. This is the first tune I've tried with a strum change and it sounds a little better already. :)
 
Tell your group leader to stop perpetuating the tragedy that is "ukulele strum patterns." Play the RHYTHM that sounds good to you, and leave the D's and U's out of it.

"Strum Patterns" fill me with the white hot rage of a thousand suns - for reasons that I have stated elsewhere.... besides, it is a group setting. If everyone plays the exact same rhythm, it will sound like hell.
 
Wicked said:
Tell your group leader to stop perpetuating the tragedy that is "ukulele strum patterns." Play the RHYTHM that sounds good to you, and leave the D's and U's out of it.

"Strum Patterns" fill me with the white hot rage of a thousand suns - for reasons that I have stated elsewhere.... besides, it is a group setting. If everyone plays the exact same rhythm, it will sound like hell.
Click to expand...
Oh dear I have misrepresented our leader. We all agreed to try a bunch of different patterns this month because we all agreed we get stuck in our own routines and need to branch out. No worries this is just an experiment and some different practice for all of us. We have lots of fun and she has stressed over and over to just play what feels right for each of us. We are just all trying to improve and something different to kick around.
 
One thing that I've found useful in mastering different patterns is to imagine what they sound like in your mind. Take a moment and just try to hear the sound of it in your head. Really try to listen and imagine what it would ideally sound like if the pattern was being played perfectly with a really relaxed and natural feel, and very accurately.

I find that being able to hear it internally before attempting to play it can really speed up the learning process. If you can't hear and imagine the rhythms then you probably won't be able to make them happen very well in the real world.

Seriously try it a few times before you play, this has worked for me with stuff I'm struggling with time and time again.

Also if choppiness is a problem, relaxation is the answer. It's very hard to be relaxed and play stiffly at the same time. Choppiness is a result of stiffness and muscle tension. When playing sounds smooth and natural, muscles and tendons are loose and flowing easily. Don't try to force a strum pattern, just try to understand it so well (by hearing it completely first) that it must become easy to play.

Kind of abstract but just another perspective!
 
Johnny GDS said:
One thing that I've found useful in mastering different patterns is to imagine what they sound like in your mind. Take a moment and just try to hear the sound of it in your head. Really try to listen and imagine what it would ideally sound like if the pattern was being played perfectly with a really relaxed and natural feel, and very accurately.

I find that being able to hear it internally before attempting to play it can really speed up the learning process. If you can't hear and imagine the rhythms then you probably won't be able to make them happen very well in the real world.

Seriously try it a few times before you play, this has worked for me with stuff I'm struggling with time and time again.

Also if choppiness is a problem, relaxation is the answer. It's very hard to be relaxed and play stiffly at the same time. Choppiness is a result of stiffness and muscle tension. When playing sounds smooth and natural, muscles and tendons are loose and flowing easily. Don't try to force a strum pattern, just try to understand it so well (by hearing it completely first) that it must become easy to play.

Kind of abstract but just another perspective!
Click to expand...
I think that's why my strum gets caught. I find I get tense and that's always when I seem to catch and when I concentrate on relaxing I do better. Just seems like concentrating to relax is kind of like an oxymoron.
 
I totally agree with wicked.

With a few exceptions, most popular music is not written for uke, and as such a pattern is only someone elses interpretation.

I see many beginners getting hung up on strumming patterns when they haven't perfected basic timing, rhythm and technique. Learn the song, then apply your own pattern!
 
Spud1$ said:
Oh dear I have misrepresented our leader. We all agreed to try a bunch of different patterns this month because we all agreed we get stuck in our own routines and need to branch out. No worries this is just an experiment and some different practice for all of us. We have lots of fun and she has stressed over and over to just play what feels right for each of us. We are just all trying to improve and something different to kick around.
Click to expand...

No worries... I was just being a bit snarky - as I am apt to do more often than not.

For some reason ukulele players get really hung up on strum patterns. I get it... many come to the ukulele with no musical background, and it is easer to talk about up and down than to discuss beats vs half beats etc. BUT... the simplest way to drastically improve your ukulele playing is to understand rhythm - much more so than understanding scales and harmony.

I will get off my soap box now.

Have fun.
 
Wicked said:
No worries... I was just being a bit snarky - as I am apt to do more often than not.

For some reason ukulele players get really hung up on strum patterns. I get it... many come to the ukulele with no musical background, and it is easer to talk about up and down than to discuss beats vs half beats etc. BUT... the simplest way to drastically improve your ukulele playing is to understand rhythm - much more so than understanding scales and harmony.

I will get off my soap box now.

Have fun.
Click to expand...

I feel much the same way, when folks ask me, "what is your strum pattern".
In most cases I have no clue. I am not smart enough to be able to concentrate on lyrics, chords and U's & D's.
Listen to what you are playing and think drummer. When you are strumming you are the rhythm section.
In most cases if you play the chords without reading them from a sheet, it will help your rhythm.
 
Don't worry spud!$ I'm in the same boat as you with that song (puff). So I'll just play loud and they'll blame me . Really though I've concentrated so much on learning chord shapes and chord changes I've neglected my strumming . I was hoping it would just come naturally . But like anything else it just comes down to practice I guess . Hey we'll have fun no matter what . P.S , Think like a drummer , great advice !
 
Last edited:
SailingUke said:
I feel much the same way, when folks ask me, "what is your strum pattern".
In most cases I have no clue. I am not smart enough to be able to concentrate on lyrics, chords and U's & D's.
Listen to what you are playing and think drummer. When you are strumming you are the rhythm section.
In most cases if you play the chords without reading them from a sheet, it will help your rhythm.
Click to expand...
That makes sense to me too and some sort of strumming always seems to come in my mind along with the song. I think maybe I'm looking to hard for a pattern to follow. Thanks to all
 
Wicked said:
Tell your group leader to stop perpetuating the tragedy that is "ukulele strum patterns." Play the RHYTHM that sounds good to you, and leave the D's and U's out of it.

"Strum Patterns" fill me with the white hot rage of a thousand suns - for reasons that I have stated elsewhere.... besides, it is a group setting. If everyone plays the exact same rhythm, it will sound like hell.
Click to expand...

Yeah Wicked taught me that at a Uke Melee.Now my Uke strumming is 10 times better.
It works!!!
 
wolfmanchuck said:
Yeah Wicked taught me that at a Uke Melee.Now my Uke strumming is 10 times better.
It works!!!
Click to expand...

Good to know that somebody got something out of that... I was such a jet-lagged zombie that I barely remember what I even talked about.
 
Wicked said:
No worries... I was just being a bit snarky - as I am apt to do more often than not.

For some reason ukulele players get really hung up on strum patterns. I get it... many come to the ukulele with no musical background, and it is easer to talk about up and down than to discuss beats vs half beats etc. BUT... the simplest way to drastically improve your ukulele playing is to understand rhythm - much more so than understanding scales and harmony.

I will get off my soap box now.

Have fun.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. Feel the rhythm of the tune and the rhythm of the words and strum to fit that. After a time it comes naturally. I don't even strum in the same way throughout a song but vary it to fit the song.
 
bobO G said:
Don't worry spud!$ I'm in the same boat as you with that song (puff). So I'll just play loud and they'll blame me . Really though I've concentrated so much on learning chord shapes and chord changes I've neglected my strumming . I was hoping it would just come naturally . But like anything else it just comes down to practice I guess . Hey we'll have fun no matter what . P.S , Think like a drummer , great advice !
Click to expand...

The same for me. I've been looking for a book that's strictly for strumming. Strumming is mentioned in all the books, but if there's one strictly dedicated to strumming only, I haven't found it. I agree in part about playing "naturally" and/or "feeling", but rhythm patterns vary with the genre of music. Oh sure, I can count out 4/4, 3/4, 6/8 and get the correct beats per bar. However, I would like to have a library of stumming patterns in my head to call up for various songs. I don't think in terms of down ups either. I think that my mind converts the rhythm to "da da di da da di da da" --just as an example or in some cases to use arpeggios rather than strumming. I hear also, "Just keep at it and practice and it will come." Yeah, that's probably true, but things would come faster if I have something to refer to.....and a lot of time would be saved if more reference/learning stuff was consolidated. For now, I'm using the references in Ukulele For Dummies and their following Exercise books. After I gain some familiarity with them, I'll start my own experimentation with different genres such as salsa, swing, etc..
 
Hmmm, I am thinking that perhaps I should compile some genre-specific rhythm patterns to help everyone on their way. Let me see what I can do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Need help with the strumming patterns for this piece (fly me to the moon)
Replies
3
Views
837
UkeStuff
UkeStuff
P
Song Help Request Zachary Shimizu "New Slang" The Shins. Need Help figuring out the strumming
Replies
1
Views
659
Dan Gleibitz
D
U
Song Help Request i'll be your baby tonight need help figuring out the strumming pattern
Replies
2
Views
936
mikelz777
mikelz777
W
I need help on my strumming :(
Replies
3
Views
657
Newportlocal
Newportlocal
J
Song Help Request Tired of just strumming. Help need some solo riffs.
Replies
4
Views
1K
justincaseuke81
J
Top Bottom