Strumming!

[JOEinSD]

A few questions for everyone on here if you have the time for them. =)

1) How long does it takes you (from listening to the original song) to figure out a strum pattern for a certain song?

2) How long did strumming become "easy" for you?

3) How long does it (usually) take you to learn a new pattern?

4) How do you figure out a strum pattern when someone only tells (but does not show) you how. IE: D DUX UD

5) Any tips for a "beginner"? I just have a tiny bit of trouble learning new strums, unfortunately. I've been trying and trying to get Jack Johnson's strum down for a few days now, and just can't do it (with chord changes, that is..). It's DUX UUUDU. Simple, right? LOL.

Thank in advance!
-Joe

[specialmike]

1. The long you play, the less time it will take for you to pick out an appropriate strumming pattern.

2. It's all about practice. Strumming was easy after about a day or two, but advanced strum would take a few more hours of practice to get used to.

3. Maybe an hour of consistent strumming, maybe. Not even, it really depends on the strumming pattern.

4. D DuX UD, down down, up chunk, up down.... a minute.

5. Concentrate on one hand, and just practice. They's no shortcut.

[mrplatypus70]

Strumming and timing either come naturally or take a long time for me, depends on the song. It is much easier for me to learn the chord changes then the rhythm of a given song. If I think about it too much it gets worse! My only advice is to listen to the song a lot and think of the song in your head while playing and not think too much about the timing or strum pattern, it should come naturally after a while. Listening to music and playing along or playing with other musicians or recordings of yourself is a good way to learn rhythm.

[mrplatypus70]

Oh yea, one more thing. If you are trying to learn a more complex strum pattern try it with out the chords. Just mute the stings and play the rhythm over and over until you can do it without thinking. Watch a 1/2-hour show on the TV and play the rhythm with no chords the whole time!! Once the rhythm is automatic adding the chords is no problem. Same for finger picking; practice the picking pattern over and over, then do the chord changes. Hope this helps.

[JOEinSD]

@Mike - Thanks for answering, and the advice. I guess what I meant for #4 was, how do you figure out the breaks and such in a patter when given to you? I got that strum down in a few minutes, but I do: Down [pause] Down Up Chunk Up Down.

@mrplatypus - Thank you for your advice as well. I'll have to try that TV thing. I just messed my back up today bodyboarding, so that means more practice time with the uke! =] Also, when I'm learning new strums I do mute the strings as you said I should. Then I'll just add chords in one at a time, usually strumming the pattern on one chord longer than it has to be strummed in the song. Then, I'll figure out when the chord changes come.

[HoldinCoffee]

How 'bout a lateral shift in your approach. Rather than mimic a DUUXUUDX..., listen to the song. Learn it as a rhythm. Without the song playing, try to hum it and tap the rhythm on your knee, or desk, or the head of a close friend. Then take out your 'uku and start strumming that rhythm. Just feel-out what fits and forget the "pattern"

[Ukulele JJ]

How 'bout a lateral shift in your approach. Rather than mimic a DUUXUUDX..., listen to the song. Learn it as a rhythm. Without the song playing, try to hum it and tap the rhythm on your knee, or desk, or the head of a close friend. Then take out your 'uku and start strumming that rhythm. Just feel-out what fits and forget the "pattern"

This is absolutely the way to go. If you get bogged down in the strict mechanics of it... "let's see, my arm moves up, then it moves down..." then you're asking for trouble.

Think of it as a rhythm first. Feel how the pattern "fits" with the steady beat of the song. If you can't tap it out on the back of your uke, you shouldn't attempt to strum it on the front.

JJ

[buddhuu]

How 'bout a lateral shift in your approach. Rather than mimic a DUUXUUDX..., listen to the song. Learn it as a rhythm. Without the song playing, try to hum it and tap the rhythm on your knee, or desk, or the head of a close friend. Then take out your 'uku and start strumming that rhythm. Just feel-out what fits and forget the "pattern"

Yup, he nailed it. Another vote in favour of this excellent bit of advice.

[Sonseeker30]

All good advice here especially the one on the lateral shift. If you have a metronome trying using that. Learning the beats/rhythm and listening to the song over and over will help and then the strumming will come. However, the main KEY and I am sure you have heard this many a times but practice, practice, practice and be patient with yourself. I know you'll get it! Keep up the good work.