I tried learning guitar when I was younger and found I was allergic to metal. dishydritic eczema. I was so mad and sad. then someone told me ukes don't have metal strings. and I was like ya but ukes are a dumb little joke toy guitar thing. and I started looking up videos and found this james guy. and i watched all his videos and then I bought one 2 days later and fell in love with it so hard lol. its only a cheap little $13 dollar one because I am way poor. but I'm learning all the things. I love this guy. and how he teaches. so laid back. and gently shares his brains. instead of jamming knowledge down your throat. even one on one he probably wouldn't give me anxiety. and I have gad.
Definitely buy a more expensive uke when you can! I learned way better once I had a nice ukulele rather than the cheap one i started on as well. It's not necessary but it helps imo!
Just as a note, ukuleles typically use metal frets. Also beware that some low G strings for the ukulele are metal, some strings even have a metal C string. They look different from the plastic strings though so you should be able to avoid them.
As a fellow music educator, I have to say this is the best explanation on the technique of strumming, and I am so thankful that we have you to be able to break down the pedagogy behind strumming so clearly. Kudos.
Hi James Hill Because of your teaching......I play like a pro! You are my invisible teacher and I go everywhere I told my supporter you are my teacher!
Wow, I needed this a year ago, but better late than never!!!! This is the clearest, best, understandable, most useful strumming tutorial I've seen! Thank you! I will share this with my clubs and anyone I will tutor. Genius!
Oh my goodness I’m a new ukulele player and I’ve been looking so long for a good video to teach me how to strum and this made it so clear and easy to understand
James. Thank you for this and all of your other videos. After 25 years on the keys, I needed a change. I picked up my first uke 2 months ago and have been working at it for about three hours a day (pat on the back, nod of the hat). My fingers bled for the first week, but they are now all good and calloused up. Hope to see you at the Montreal Jazz Fest in the future. Cheers brother.
This is so cool. I also joined your website. I'm satisfied having a free membership as of now. It's so educational and totally ad-free. It's so legit and hands down, awesome. Also because you didn't require us to enter a paypal whatever....it's just nice. Thank you very much. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU. Salutations from the Philippines! Uke on. 😆🤘🏻
Thanks James - I'm always so excited to see your videos. For me most of the things you have been covering is something I learned / picked up way behind - but your videos give me such a great opportunity to rethink the technique and take a few steps forward. I also just enjoy watching you play in simple explained context. I would be super interested in a video like this on the 'drum strum' also known as 'Billie Jean strum'. As far as I can see, you use that in Voodoo child and Kashmir also.
Thanks so much, James! You are my uke hero and the reason I switched from guitar to uke indefinitely (along with backaches haha). My strumming immediately improved after watching this video.
Thanks for the advice Mr. Hill, Im starting a ukulele club this new year and this will help using the 4 P's with all and I do like to say I do so much admire your play and the love of this fine little instrument we call ukulele, Happy New Year!
MY MAIN MAN. I was using the doorknob all along and always thought my aim was shit when I missed notes all the time. Turns out I was just using an inferior path! Your advice "flicking off pain" did wonders for my accuracy! Thank you so much.
WOW, thank you so much for this tutorial.!!! Have been to lots of sites and James is by far the most complete and understandable when it comes to how to strum. . You rock James Hill😎
What a great lesson. James you reveal the secrets to mastery here. The concepts apply to any instrument too. Apply these ideas to the snare drum?... Yup it works! thank you.
I fret with my three middle fingers and have to strum with my pinky. playing one handed has posed a lot of challenges most players do not have to deal with. I still love how informational your videos are though!
I’ve been looking everywhere to find how to strum because my fingers keep getting caught on the strings... You showed me how to strum properly and the method is brilliant!!!!!!!!! Thank you soooooooo much!!!
What do you think about felt picks? I find that my kids have a much easier time getting to having fun playing when I give them a felt pick. Not the ones you buy, but I make my own to match the one my mom had with her uke she handed down to me. Similar to what bass guitarists sometimes use, 1/4" thick and flexible but firm. Really makes it easy to strum and strum fast. Very forgiving - can do no wrong and sounds good.
+Greg Collins Good question. I've never used one much. The great Lyle Ritz uses one from time-to-time which, of course, sounds sweet. But he'd sound good strumming with a wet noodle. At the end of the day, it's what works for you and your students; I've just never taken to the felt pick myself.
Thank you so much James this was really helpful I strum a little different to you and the way I do it I really like. I strum with my middle finger nail down and my thumb nail up. Also I play the ukulele left handed and have a slight deformity in my thumb that makes my thumb unable to bend properly at the knuckle. It isn't serious at all and I can still function normally. Just wanted to share that with you. Keep up the awesome work!
Playing behind the sound hole, or closer to it, can be very useful if you want to play softer and keep a balanced tone quality. As we play softer the tone gets more mellow, By playing a little farther back it will make up for this and balance the tone. I find that if you play higher notes on the ukulele it will also balance the sound if you move your right hand back a little as you go higher with the left hand.
I learned this trick from Grassuke's tutorial :) you cross your index finger and thumb to make something called a korean heart (?) so when you strum down you use your index nail and when you strum up you use your thumb nail :) works for meeee
I've just started playing uke but have played guitar for 17 years and if it translates similarly, your finger should be on a slight downward angle on the upstroke so that it barely scrapes along the strings. The more perpendicular your finger is to the strings, the more it will catch. The whip motion at the end of your downstroke should leave your hand in the right position for the upstroke.
You are my most favorite player! I want you to make a tutorial of sounds like drum. Just like when you play Billy Jean. And I hope you'll come to Japan!! pleease!
+Suzy Q Thanks, Suzy Q! The uke is by Mike DaSilva, one of the finest uke builders in the world (www.ukemaker.com). This one has been my go-to uke for a few years now.
i've alwaysstruggle with this problem that my strums always sound kinda muddy or not as even and i've been looking up and down for ways to fix it when i stumbled on your videos and it helped me a lot! thanks!
Thank you for these helpful videos. Can you do a tutorial of the bluesy tune you're playing here? It sounds great and I'd love to play some blues on my uke. I think you never get up to the turn in this video?
Do you keep the same left hand posture when playing multi-string tremolo strum style, up and down, 32 notes? I seem to get a better, or at least easier, result if I release the index finger from my thumb and let the rest of my fingers hang out, playing the strings very quickly, and gently with more of the tip of my index finger. I am not sure if i am doing it ideally. Please consider doing a video on various 32nd note tremelo, multi-string strumming patterns.
Hi james, I watch your all tutorials, you are awesome. I play guitar and some delta blues so what steps should i take to start blues in ukulele? Please suggest me.
you are so talented. I don't know if I'm here for the strumming or to watch you play.
Wait I know who you are
When my two teachers meet it feels weird hahahaha
My teacher ❤
reverse SIMP
this is like meeting my teacher outside of school
"What you lose in pressure you gain in speed." That is a life quote, my friend. 11:13
Also, that's what she said.
Becky Fields nice way to make it dirty
@@shnrbl always lol
@@OvarySmackaa cringe
I tried learning guitar when I was younger and found I was allergic to metal. dishydritic eczema.
I was so mad and sad.
then someone told me ukes don't have metal strings.
and I was like ya but ukes are a dumb little joke toy guitar thing.
and I started looking up videos and found this james guy.
and i watched all his videos and then I bought one 2 days later and fell in love with it so hard lol.
its only a cheap little $13 dollar one because I am way poor. but I'm learning all the things.
I love this guy. and how he teaches. so laid back. and gently shares his brains. instead of jamming knowledge down your throat. even one on one he probably wouldn't give me anxiety. and I have gad.
he's the Bob Ross of ukulele
Definitely buy a more expensive uke when you can! I learned way better once I had a nice ukulele rather than the cheap one i started on as well. It's not necessary but it helps imo!
Just as a note, ukuleles typically use metal frets. Also beware that some low G strings for the ukulele are metal, some strings even have a metal C string. They look different from the plastic strings though so you should be able to avoid them.
I Have the same issue as you, but with the time I got used to it and eczema became less frequent the more I played.
You can also get a classical guitar with nylon strings if you prefer...
Your teaching style is so clear. Wish I had seen this at the point of first picking up my ukulele.
The Casting On Couch ikrrrrr
SAMMME TBH
Very useful. As a 62 yo, first-time ukulele player, I am enjoying finding my own "sweet spot" and style, aided by the suggestions provided here.
HAHAHAHA FFS
la lala wtf is wrong with you?
Keep playing Bill Cody. Ignore the questions about your age and life span.
@@demanso1 dont be rude geez
by far the most calm and laid back instructor ive ever seen.Most of them are all smiles (most of which being fake),so i respect how real you are.
As a fellow music educator, I have to say this is the best explanation on the technique of strumming, and I am so thankful that we have you to be able to break down the pedagogy behind strumming so clearly. Kudos.
+Ryan Clarin Thanks for the kind words, Ryan!
Hi James Hill
Because of your teaching......I play like a pro! You are my invisible teacher and I go everywhere I told my supporter you are my teacher!
No one has managed to explain it to me so clearly, your tutorials are amazing and I thank you for that.
Wow, I needed this a year ago, but better late than never!!!! This is the clearest, best, understandable, most useful strumming tutorial I've seen! Thank you! I will share this with my clubs and anyone I will tutor. Genius!
Thanks, Betsy... uke on!
R.I.P
Fingers
Christian Mukhang aso same
Francesca A rmulnnmkkk
Trotzdem jetzt auch ttnicht trotz vc
wot
eeooo jtjtjj lslll kkdj mhjjj uwu ef 7w7
😂😂😂Same
I have had my uke since Christmas and it is by far the best instrument I have learned. this video helps out a lot. thank you so much.
+bailey pfistner You're welcome... Uke on, Bailey!
This is so helpful. Thank You!
Learned a ton here so thank you. And I’m totally in love with your blues changes. Cool, elegant, all right
You explain things so very well. I haven't heard anyone yet explain it like this.
Fabulous teaching! I will save this to send to my students. James is a superb teacher.
+Flip Breskin Thanks, Flip! Long time no see. Hope you're fabulous!
Hi James Hill
Your teaching is fantastic! Clean ...clear....and easy to understand! You are a super technical musician expert!
+Spanish Jo Thank you! I appreciate the kind words... uke on!
Oh my goodness I’m a new ukulele player and I’ve been looking so long for a good video to teach me how to strum and this made it so clear and easy to understand
James. Thank you for this and all of your other videos. After 25 years on the keys, I needed a change. I picked up my first uke 2 months ago and have been working at it for about three hours a day (pat on the back, nod of the hat). My fingers bled for the first week, but they are now all good and calloused up. Hope to see you at the Montreal Jazz Fest in the future. Cheers brother.
So comprehensive. So correct. So simple. So free. You are a really great and generous guy. Subscribed!
Hi James
You are my best teacher!
I don't even have a ukulele.
I have school tomorrow.
What the heck am I doing here
Daydreaming of playing. Same as me.
Giving yourself the sense of learning? Delaying homework? Self sabotage? 😂
😂 😂 😂 🤣 🤣 🤣 Get one
I don't even have a ukulele.
I have exams tomorrow.
I haven't studied yet.
Learning lmao
This is so cool. I also joined your website. I'm satisfied having a free membership as of now. It's so educational and totally ad-free. It's so legit and hands down, awesome. Also because you didn't require us to enter a paypal whatever....it's just nice. Thank you very much. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
Salutations from the Philippines! Uke on. 😆🤘🏻
Thanks James - I'm always so excited to see your videos. For me most of the things you have been covering is something I learned / picked up way behind - but your videos give me such a great opportunity to rethink the technique and take a few steps forward. I also just enjoy watching you play in simple explained context. I would be super interested in a video like this on the 'drum strum' also known as 'Billie Jean strum'. As far as I can see, you use that in Voodoo child and Kashmir also.
+joka2966 Thanks for the request! Glad you're enjoying the lessons.
I am hooked with your teaching style. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Thanks so much, James! You are my uke hero and the reason I switched from guitar to uke indefinitely (along with backaches haha). My strumming immediately improved after watching this video.
Wow. This was such a helpful video! Thanks!!!!!!
Thanks for the advice Mr. Hill, Im starting a ukulele club this new year and this will help using the 4 P's with all and I do like to say I do so much admire your play and the love of this fine little instrument we call ukulele, Happy New Year!
Really interesting tutorial thanks from Italy👍
MY MAIN MAN. I was using the doorknob all along and always thought my aim was shit when I missed notes all the time. Turns out I was just using an inferior path! Your advice "flicking off pain" did wonders for my accuracy! Thank you so much.
Thank you so much. You explain everything so well.
WOW, thank you so much for this tutorial.!!! Have been to lots of sites and James is by far the most complete and understandable when it comes to how to strum. . You rock James Hill😎
You showed me so many new techniques，That‘s awesome！Thanks so much！
Thanks so much James! You're a great teacher!
Makes my day when I see these videos, thanks again James!
SUPER helpful! Thank you! I'm learning lots.
What a great lesson. James you reveal the secrets to mastery here. The concepts apply to any instrument too. Apply these ideas to the snare drum?... Yup it works! thank you.
Great. A very clear and well-reasoned tutorial video!
Great tutorial but you failed to mention what part of your index finger hits the strings. Is it the nail, the pad or the end? Can you describe? Thanks
Nail on the downstroke, pad of the finger on the upstroke. Good question.
James Hill
Hannah Jaffe
thanks so much was wondering that throughout the whole video 😅❤
I'm so bad with my upward stroke. ;.; I get this scraping sound when I use my nail for the downstroke too. any suggestions?
took all of the first 11 seconds to get me to subscribe.
LOL... thanks!
no, thank you sir! For sharing your wonderful teaching!
lol me too on a previous vid of Mr Hills
nahh
I think the best way to learn ukulele is at LearnUkuleleFast5.blogspot.com
Hope this will help..
That intro was the most amazing 11 seconds of my life, thank you!
I didn’t know what a great teacher you are!
Amazing video very clear, I’ve seen other videos and this is the most detailed.
I was stuck with the good ol' pointer finger thumb combo until I saw this video. This helped me a ton, thank you!
Your such a good uke player and your lessons are very helpfull
Just picked up a ukulele, super helpful video thanks for sharing!
Excellent videos! Thanks for sharing.
After a week, I've mastered this skill
I fret with my three middle fingers and have to strum with my pinky. playing one handed has posed a lot of challenges most players do not have to deal with. I still love how informational your videos are though!
This helped sooooo much! I can already tell a better difference when trying this technique.
I’ve been looking everywhere to find how to strum because my fingers keep getting caught on the strings... You showed me how to strum properly and the method is brilliant!!!!!!!!! Thank you soooooooo much!!!
What do you think about felt picks? I find that my kids have a much easier time getting to having fun playing when I give them a felt pick. Not the ones you buy, but I make my own to match the one my mom had with her uke she handed down to me. Similar to what bass guitarists sometimes use, 1/4" thick and flexible but firm. Really makes it easy to strum and strum fast. Very forgiving - can do no wrong and sounds good.
+Greg Collins Good question. I've never used one much. The great Lyle Ritz uses one from time-to-time which, of course, sounds sweet. But he'd sound good strumming with a wet noodle. At the end of the day, it's what works for you and your students; I've just never taken to the felt pick myself.
Thank you so much James this was really helpful
I strum a little different to you and the way I do it I really like. I strum with my middle finger nail down and my thumb nail up. Also I play the ukulele left handed and have a slight deformity in my thumb that makes my thumb unable to bend properly at the knuckle. It isn't serious at all and I can still function normally. Just wanted to share that with you. Keep up the awesome work!
Best video I’ve found on strumming. Thank you!
Fabulous lesson. I learned so much. Thank you!
Thanks dude moved up a bit with the location i was strumming and it fixed a few small catches i was getting, helped heaps have liked and subscribed
Playing behind the sound hole, or closer to it, can be very useful if you want to play softer and keep a balanced tone quality. As we play softer the tone gets more mellow, By playing a little farther back it will make up for this and balance the tone. I find that if you play higher notes on the ukulele it will also balance the sound if you move your right hand back a little as you go higher with the left hand.
THIS HELPED ME SO MUCH THANK YOU
you helped so much!! thank you!!!👍😃
Thank you so much! I’m just learning to play the Ukulele, and you have helped so much!!!
The intonation on that ukulele may be the best I've ever heard...really nice instrument.
Thanks so much for this video.
Brilliant lesson, man. Thanks
Supersonic strumming sir!
Great explanation! Thank you!
How do I do upstrokes??? My fingers keep getting caught on the strings.
Same, probably one of the hardest parts of Strumming
i use my thumb
eva t strum near the fret board. I strum on the 12th fret but, whatever works for you! :)
I learned this trick from Grassuke's tutorial :) you cross your index finger and thumb to make something called a korean heart (?) so when you strum down you use your index nail and when you strum up you use your thumb nail :) works for meeee
😣😣😣😣😣 same
There's no such thing as 'How to strum fast'. It honestly naturally comes to you as you keep practicing.
Omg!! I definitely learned some techniques I’m going to practice tomorrow!! Thank you!! Followed!!
Anyone else have the problem with their finger getting caught when strumming up?
Macy Taylor yes. I'm getting better at it with practice but it can get frustrating.
Macy Taylor just strum near the fretboard
I've just started playing uke but have played guitar for 17 years and if it translates similarly, your finger should be on a slight downward angle on the upstroke so that it barely scrapes along the strings. The more perpendicular your finger is to the strings, the more it will catch. The whip motion at the end of your downstroke should leave your hand in the right position for the upstroke.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge
You are my most favorite player! I want you to make a tutorial of sounds like drum. Just like when you play Billy Jean. And I hope you'll come to Japan!! pleease!
That helped this beginner so much. Thank you!
I am just learning. I really thought strumming was with the thumb...glad you made a vid to clear that up!
Playing drums before ukelele really helped with this, its a similar wrist motion to drumming
Good Advice, thanks!
I’m learning how to play the ukulele fingerstyle! Thanks for this!
great lesson
I like the front of your uke. What sort is it?
Also, thanks for this information. It helps. And I like your ukuleleway website. Thanks again.
+Suzy Q Thanks, Suzy Q! The uke is by Mike DaSilva, one of the finest uke builders in the world (www.ukemaker.com). This one has been my go-to uke for a few years now.
great tutorial thanks
OML you make those strings sing.
i've alwaysstruggle with this problem that my strums always sound kinda muddy or not as even and i've been looking up and down for ways to fix it when i stumbled on your videos and it helped me a lot! thanks!
Can you show to chords of this little exercise you did beginning from 8:00? PLS TY :)
I've been strumming with 4 fingers for a year. I'm so happy I watched this video
I have a 5th P for this lesson. Perfect. Thanks James. Hope you and the fam are super well.
+Christopher Wiggins Thanks :)
how to strum a ukulele really fast: BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF IT 😂
I think this guy is a magician i couldnt strum like i couldnt combine Up an down and now i can
thank you for the big Help!
Great lesson, very helpful. Btw, you look like Stefan Lessard from Dave Matthews Band ;)
Hi James, your lesson is great , and for the how not to hold your ukulele , will you still post? Cause I already wait for long time, thx very much
+Karen Chan Yes, that one will probably be next!
This helped very much for a beginner like me
Thank you so much
Thank you for these helpful videos. Can you do a tutorial of the bluesy tune you're playing here? It sounds great and I'd love to play some blues on my uke. I think you never get up to the turn in this video?
Extremely clear explanation.
Thank you 🎸
Wow you are sooooo good! So very talented!
Awesome tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing. :-)
Thanks for this awesome tutorial. :-)
Do you keep the same left hand posture when playing multi-string tremolo strum style, up and down, 32 notes? I seem to get a better, or at least easier, result if I release the index finger from my thumb and let the rest of my fingers hang out, playing the strings very quickly, and gently with more of the tip of my index finger. I am not sure if i am doing it ideally. Please consider doing a video on various 32nd note tremelo, multi-string strumming patterns.
Been playing for 5 months I use my thumb. Is there any reason I should be using my index finger vs thumb?
Great job!
Hi james,
I watch your all tutorials, you are awesome. I play guitar and some delta blues so what steps should i take to start blues in ukulele?
Please suggest me.
Very nice explanation.