Basic Ukulele Strumming Techniques with Jake Shimabukuro | Reverb Learn to Play

Ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro dropped by to teach us how to play the uke. Today, he's working with us on some strumming techniques meant to set your playing apart and make your patterns fun, interesting, and rhythmic.

[BirdWhisperer]

I ordered my Ukulele about 2 weeks ago, never played anything before and I am 74. So just been strumming my belly to try and get the muscle memory. My Uke came Saturday, I can tune it, I know how to hold it and now, I know my first 4 chords, and the journey begins. I was worried I would never click with it, but by 2:02 I knew my life had changed. I can't thank you enough, old age is bad enough without boredom. :o)

[dr]

You can tell he's a great teacher. He also seems very cool and humble!

[wylancslass]

For someone who is such an experienced player .. remembering how he began all those years ago and teaching beginners like me .. Wow! So humble! What a lovely man! Thank you!

[frankortega]

I love Ukelele because of Jake.
He inspires with his talent and warm, easy going style. Jake has a warm and kind manner.

[EnoshimaUke]

Jake! I met you at Kugenuma Beach about 12 years ago while you were recording video for a local TV show and I was walking my dog. You inspired me to get the ukulele(bought on a trip to Hawaii, but never used) out of the closet, and to learn how to play. Now, I play almost every single day! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy Strumming!

[cheyennealexander]

Jake is an extremely sincere, engaging and kind personality in this video. He makes the student really feel relaxed and attentive. It's a high energy video even though it's going over the basics. Thank you very much I learned a lot.

[kennethsikora]

I just started learning the ukulele and it is my first foray into music (I'm almost 50). I saw Jakes rendition of When My Guitar Gently Weeps and it blew me away. I was struggling with getting a clear sound with my strumming. This tutorial explained alot for me. I look forward to your other videos. You are one of my inspirations for sure! Thanks for the tips.

[BruceXuHasADream]

That song you wrote is so harmonically pleasing! Jazzy and brilliant! Humble guy, ridiculous sound, such a concise explainer when he teaches; just a true warm human being. He deserves the world

[JeffLarkin]

It hadn't occurred to me to practice switching between soft and hard in such a seamless way. I've played both ways, but never switching so suddenly between them. Beautiful. Something I need to work on for sure.

[dirkiedenh]

Great. At last a strumming tutorial that pays attention to the upstrokes

[blkPhillip]

This is an exceptional lesson. It not only covers the basics of strumming but demonstrates the possibilities for shifting the tone, projection, and mood of a song. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us newbie players!🙏

[caziko]

Just beautiful to listen too Jake. You are so relaxed and a joy to listen to. 😀

[Jurrockin]

What a cool dude. Thanks for the tutorial!

[Pindolene]

Jake Shimabukuro - the King of ukulele. Thank you for sharing your advice!

[alizasaad]

Hats off to this man!! His way of teaching really helped me. 👍🏻

[singingmaiden]

Fantastic tutorial! Very easy to follow and fun to watch.

[MomwithGrandPiano]

Hands and fingers, fast as lightning ... you are awesome!

[kemayamars]

I recognized the song after the first few chords 😍 Jake is the best!!

[YotamPiano]

I love this dude!!! and his singing is not too shabby actually... his playing though... divine

[LizaRecipeCookingTIPSandLife]

thank you for sharing your skills, your teaching is a great tool to make the world come true