Ukulele Strumming Patterns: Count Down and Up Strokes

A strumming pattern tells you when your hand touches the strings. Start with one comfortable chord, such as C, and a slow pulse. Add chord changes only after the right-hand movement feels manageable.

Count the spaces between beats

In 4/4, count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. For these exercises, your hand moves down on each numbered beat and up on each “&”. The hand can keep moving even when it does not touch the strings.

In the table, D means a sounding downstroke, U a sounding upstroke, and – a hand movement that misses the strings. These examples divide each beat into two equal parts.

Pattern	1	&	2	&	3	&	4	&
Four downstrokes	D	–	D	–	D	–	D	–
Continuous down-up	D	U	D	U	D	U	D	U
DDUUDU	D	–	D	U	–	U	D	U

For the last pattern, beat 3 still has a downward hand movement; it simply does not sound. If you stop the hand entirely, the next upstroke can arrive late.

A two-minute practice

Mute the strings lightly with your fretting hand and count aloud for four bars. Try four-down strumming for four more bars. Next, hold C and play the same pattern. Choose a tempo at which you can keep counting without rushing; 50–60 quarter-note beats per minute is a useful starting experiment, not a target everyone must meet.

When ready, try continuous down-up strokes. Leave DDUUDU until you can track all eight positions. Reduce force if the sound is harsh, and make the upstroke light.

When you lose the pattern

Return to muted strings, say the count, and rebuild one bar. Do not change chords, add a new pattern and raise the tempo at the same time.

Next: practise smooth chord changes or follow a 10-minute routine.

Want the movement shown while you practise? Get Uku for iPhone and iPad. Its advanced practice features follow the app’s trial and unlock terms.