I like the way you say, "Look up, look up, look up!"😁 It's a bit challenging for me sometimes whenever I strum and do the chords at the same time especially if the chord is new to me. 😂 Beginner's prob.
I'm back playing my uke after a year and a half layoff. I'm so glad to have you, Bernadette, guiding me through the beginner lessons. I feel like I'm getting the very best lessons and am confident of my playing . Now, if my fingertips would just callous up, I'd be a happy player!! Thanks Bernadette (73 and strumming)
You're so right! I don't think I've seen another video explaining clearly how to strum like you did in this fantastic video. You make learning so easy. Thank you!!!
Thanks for this. First two videos might have been confusing and I had no idea what what happening, but with this one its like all came together - thank you! I am still a bit struggling on how to get every strum sounding the same and consistent - since some strings I hit harder, some softer, some I still skip when trying to do a strum. I also see that I can catch myself being a bit impatient with it - if I hit two strums correctly, I would rush the third one. But this is my first time practically holding an instrument as a 30yo haha
OMG!!! I can upstrum! You broke my barrier- been playing/learning since February but could only do a downstrum without it sounding horrible... WONDERFUL teaching system...
I have very short finger nails(biting them as a child I couldn't get used to them being longer), so, to those who may be disheartened try putting a bandaid on the finger for a clearer sound on the down strum. And don't forget to breath, lol 😂. Brilliant, Bernadette, not too long and not to short 👍
I want to let you know that your videos have helped me a TON. Coming from zero to actually playing a full song within a week. Thank you for that! Youre an amazing teacher
Every time Bernadette says “Look up!” I find myself looking down. Hahaha. Been playing for over a year and now I finally know how to strum. I should have watched this video a long time ago. Thank you!
Hi Bernadette, I have joined your Community on my recovery from prostate cancer surgery. 57-year-old male from the UK living in Seattle for the last 31 years father of 2 & happily married. I am enjoying your lesson so much. It is rewarding. Your style is so pleasing. May God bless you for your gift of music. Btw 100% beginner not at all musical, but hopefully not too long. !
This helps me SO MUCH! Before I started this challenge, I strummed with my thumb right above the sound hole. This was hard, but so much fun when I got it right! Thank you so much ❤
Hi. I'm Brazilian living in Australia and I've never had contact with the Ukulele. So my son got one and I decided to try some online classes because I always wanted to learn an instrument, but I never gave it priority and now this spark lit up in me and I found your videos and I must say how good you are teaching and how good and didactic they are your classes. Yesterday I watched the 'Beginners Tutorial - Learn to Play Ukulele on a 1H' and literally learned to play on a 1H. I was impressed and fell in love. I continue watching your videos to learn more and more. Thank you for the incredible content!!!
64 years young🤔 from Staffordshire 🇬🇧 love your teaching style.. played very basic guitar when I was 12 at school and gave up after a short time.. Xmas 2020 my wife (who i met at 12 years old) bought me a Ukulele. I "played" 😂 it for a couple of days then put it in the corner of my bedroom were it stayed until 5 days ago.. Now I have the time and determination and with your help and fantastic teaching style make the Ukulele my new hobby.. I've also found a Ukulele group of like minded pensioners in my village.. My family don't know, so I'm hoping I can surprise them when we all go on holiday together in August🤞
Good morning Bernadette! This has been very helpful! I had been trying to use my index finger's nail when strumming up. No one else has shown the info with the same clarity that is in your video! Thanks!!
I have a uke instructor, who is a very nice person. But his instruction on strumming was pretty much: play around until you find what works for you. Nothing I did sounded right, but your steps through these videos have really helped me! Thank you!
Hi there I'm from New Zealand and we are currently in lockdown. I'm a preschool teacher and had just started a course to learn ukulele 2 weeks before lockdown. Thankyou so much for you easy to follow videos, I have learnt more from you than i did in my 2 classes. You are an amazing teacher
You’re right that other tutorials miss some of these details. I’ve been struggling with up strums and feeling like I was missing something. This advice has made a huge difference, thank you!
I'm really struggling with strumming, the fingers of my right hand get stuck between the strings and I use way too much muscle on the upbeat. I really enjoy your method of teaching and the fact that you leave the student with something to work on between lessons. I'll continue to practice every day. Thanks.
honestly this is the most helpful ukulele tutorial ive ever seen. it acctualy taught me how to strum properly and with theese three videos ive learned alot. thanks!
Hi Bernadette, lot of time passed since you posted this video but as a beginner I thank you very much for this series, I struggled with strumming of course and two other tutorials didn't really help that much. But your way of teaching and attention pulling was awesome. keep up the great work!
At last, after watching many other videos I'm finally making progress with my strumming. You break it down into very manageable steps. Thank you, Bernadette! By the way, I'm from England
I'm watching from Yorkshire in the North of England. My 7 year old is learning at school so I'm watching your videos so I can help him practise. I've learned lots already, thank you 😊
I find this step by step super helpful. I have been a beginner for me than 5 years because I get frustrated and stop over and over from lack of understanding and progress
While this is probably a little late, and won't be noticed by Bernadette, thank you for posting videos like this. They are a massive help and I hope there are many more to come.
Bernadette - I just discovered your youtube channel and want to say thank you for what you do for others! I am loving each step of your teaching! Take care of yourself.
Thank you for your great tutorials ;) I'm 47 and love learning something new !!!! I'm a big music lover !!!! I've been trying to play a guitar type instrument since I'm 16 years old ;)
Oh wow, thank you so much for that comment. Sorry to hear in-person classes haven’t been the best, though. Hope to hear from you again as you progress!
I just discovered your videos! They are great. I do like how you're talking directly to me. "Look up!" 😉 Great advice throughout the videos. The counting, strumming tips -index finger/thumb. My biggest problem has always been strumming but I'm coming along with your videos. Thanks! Think you asked in another video, but I'm currently in S. Korea!
I decided to put a ribbon on my ukulele as you did in a demo video - it really helps because I'm no longer worried about it falling out of my hands - thanks so clever!
These videos are so helpful, I just got my ukulele today and have been just trying to strum properly and this series is helping a lot with that! Something that I've been following that is helping is I'm nodding my head up and down along with the count (not consciously :p ) so it kind of helps me to not count consciously haha!
When you direct us to look up, I can tell you are an elementary school teacher. Its helpful and your're right EVERY time! I am wondering why I cant upstrum with my thumb nail? I seem to go that route, as opposed to flesh of index finger.
Thank you for talking about how and why the up strum is different! I’ve been struggling with strumming because I’ve been trying to strum with my nail alone in both directions! That has just made everything 30 times easier! I’m so happy I stumbled across this!
Yay!! When I did the 30 day song challenge Sept 2020, I did some videos of myself and hated the way my strumming hand looked. I was all wrist. This video has helped so much already! strum from the elbow, don't strum DOWN way below the uke. So happy and I'm only on day 3!! much needed for me. Thanks Ms B!!
THANK YOU! I'm brand new to the ukulele and strumming was something I never got with the guitar. I've done 5 of your lessons so far and they're SO great! I might actually stick with this!!!😁 My biggest CHALLENGE with strumming is the upstroke...particularly the amount of pressure and just general coordination 🙄🤔🤦♀️😉
I’m loving this tutorial, the one thing I’m having trouble with is even pressure I guess- as some of the chords are loud and clunky and definitely don’t come across smooth and even. I think it just comes with muscle memory? But this is by far the best it has sounded with your guidance :)
Thank you so much for this video! I have actually been playing for a year but my up strum was a mess so i just would down strum everything, this has really helped me sound so much better!
It is really great to go back to basics and review. I know I ALWAYS pick up something new when I get beginner lessons. It's wise of you to take this strumming challenge ❤️
Hello, Bernadette! Thank you so much for making these videos, they hepled me a lot! And since you asked, this is what I'm struggling with: 1. I don't know exactly how to position my right arm, I always feel I'm doing something wrong. Could you maybe show us the strumming movement without the chunky sweater? (Thoug I love that sweater otherwise, it's so cute!) 2. Another problem I have is with my left arm. I know you should hold the ukulele at about 45 degree angle. But my arm gets tired after a while and I end up with about 30 degree angle for the most of my playing time 😅 Greetings from Slovakia!
Thank You for explaining where exactly to strum and break it down for us! It’s really helpful for dummies like me and other videos didn’t go into the details of the exact spots with markers which I really appreciate!
Ahh strumming is such a hassle for me because I’m left handed and I’m learning it the right handed regular way, I think the biggest challenge I’m having is starting out strumming great, then as I strum more and play more, my strumming becomes messed up and my fingers get caught in the strings
I have been practising 6 months. I progressed to doing the Island Strum. But, I need to go back to beginning to correct my technique on the upstrum. I keep flipping my finger back & forth to get the nail touch for down strum & flip to get the fleshy part of finger to touch on up- strums.
I am really thankful to have you as a teacher, u make learning an instrument so easy. It’s really amazing journey, learning uk with you. Thank you for putting so much effort, it’s making things easy for me to understand the Ukulele, loads of love from Germany :)
this challenge is so useful for me! I have been learning for a year now and was really stuck on strumming, so just trying to relearn, and this is so helpful, thank you. And you asked where people were watching from, I am in New Zealand :)
Ok, so I'm just having trouble with my finger. My nail is kind of short, but I think that this would hurt anyways because of how I strum. The top part of my finger, like my cuticle, hurts when I strum because I strum on it. Any tips?
I really love the way you teach, slowly & step by step. Thank you so much Bernadette. Just another question totally un-ukulele related, I love the jersey you are wearing. Did you make that yourself? I would love to know where to find that pattern. :)
I like the way you say, "Look up, look up, look up!"😁 It's a bit challenging for me sometimes whenever I strum and do the chords at the same time especially if the chord is new to me. 😂 Beginner's prob.
Its like she's aware I'm not looking lol
Yes I feel the same lol .
I love the look up comment. It makes me pay attention.
That's the opposite of me. I love the videos, except for the look up, lookup. That gets me annoyed everytime, lol.
"Leading with the knuckle" was a huge breakthrough in how my strumming sounded! That had been bothering me for years, thank you!
What IS leading with the knuckle??
Yeah i am confused too
I'm back playing my uke after a year and a half layoff. I'm so glad to have you, Bernadette, guiding me through the beginner lessons. I feel like I'm getting the very best lessons and am confident of my playing . Now, if my fingertips would just callous up, I'd be a happy player!! Thanks Bernadette (73 and strumming)
You're so right! I don't think I've seen another video explaining clearly how to strum like you did in this fantastic video. You make learning so easy. Thank you!!!
I am enjoying this so much. Very Easy the way you teach. thank you !
Thanks for this.
First two videos might have been confusing and I had no idea what what happening, but with this one its like all came together - thank you!
I am still a bit struggling on how to get every strum sounding the same and consistent - since some strings I hit harder, some softer, some I still skip when trying to do a strum.
I also see that I can catch myself being a bit impatient with it - if I hit two strums correctly, I would rush the third one.
But this is my first time practically holding an instrument as a 30yo haha
Oh thank you so so much!! I'm so glad to hear that it is all coming together. Keep me updated on your progress, Luka!
OMG!!! I can upstrum! You broke my barrier- been playing/learning since February but could only do a downstrum without it sounding horrible... WONDERFUL teaching system...
I have very short finger nails(biting them as a child I couldn't get used to them being longer), so, to those who may be disheartened try putting a bandaid on the finger for a clearer sound on the down strum. And don't forget to breath, lol 😂. Brilliant, Bernadette, not too long and not to short 👍
Destin,Fl where are playing from?
knuckle first is what makes sense for me.. watching from Florida
I want to let you know that your videos have helped me a TON. Coming from zero to actually playing a full song within a week. Thank you for that! Youre an amazing teacher
Every time Bernadette says “Look up!” I find myself looking down. Hahaha. Been playing for over a year and now I finally know how to strum. I should have watched this video a long time ago. Thank you!
Hi James! 👋🏼
Your lighthearted personality and sense of humor shine ✨ in your comment! Thank you so much for the smile 😃
Hi Bernadette, I have joined your Community on my recovery from prostate cancer surgery. 57-year-old male from the UK living in Seattle for the last 31 years father of 2 & happily married. I am enjoying your lesson so much. It is rewarding. Your style is so pleasing. May God bless you for your gift of music. Btw 100% beginner not at all musical, but hopefully not too long. !
My first day of getting ukulele and i can now upstrum ❤❤❤❤ thank you so much
This helps me SO MUCH! Before I started this challenge, I strummed with my thumb right above the sound hole. This was hard, but so much fun when I got it right! Thank you so much ❤
Hi. I'm Brazilian living in Australia and I've never had contact with the Ukulele. So my son got one and I decided to try some online classes because I always wanted to learn an instrument, but I never gave it priority and now this spark lit up in me and I found your videos and I must say how good you are teaching and how good and didactic they are your classes. Yesterday I watched the 'Beginners Tutorial - Learn to Play Ukulele on a 1H' and literally learned to play on a 1H. I was impressed and fell in love. I continue watching your videos to learn more and more. Thank you for the incredible content!!!
64 years young🤔 from Staffordshire 🇬🇧 love your teaching style.. played very basic guitar when I was 12 at school and gave up after a short time.. Xmas 2020 my wife (who i met at 12 years old) bought me a Ukulele. I "played" 😂 it for a couple of days then put it in the corner of my bedroom were it stayed until 5 days ago.. Now I have the time and determination and with your help and fantastic teaching style make the Ukulele my new hobby.. I've also found a Ukulele group of like minded pensioners in my village.. My family don't know, so I'm hoping I can surprise them when we all go on holiday together in August🤞
Good morning Bernadette! This has been very helpful! I had been trying to use my index finger's nail when strumming up. No one else has shown the info with the same clarity that is in your video! Thanks!!
I recently started playing ukulele but i'm loving it so far i am having trouble on up strumming, these classes are helping so much though!
I have a uke instructor, who is a very nice person. But his instruction on strumming was pretty much: play around until you find what works for you. Nothing I did sounded right, but your steps through these videos have really helped me! Thank you!
Hi there I'm from New Zealand and we are currently in lockdown. I'm a preschool teacher and had just started a course to learn ukulele 2 weeks before lockdown. Thankyou so much for you easy to follow videos, I have learnt more from you than i did in my 2 classes. You are an amazing teacher
You’re right that other tutorials miss some of these details. I’ve been struggling with up strums and feeling like I was missing something. This advice has made a huge difference, thank you!
I'm really struggling with strumming, the fingers of my right hand get stuck between the strings and I use way too much muscle on the upbeat. I really enjoy your method of teaching and the fact that you leave the student with something to work on between lessons. I'll continue to practice every day. Thanks.
This is the first video that made the upstroke make sense! The “leading with the knuckles” was key! Thanks thanks thanks!
It's always a joy to watch your tutorials Ms. B. You are an exceptionally gifted instructor. Can't help but have fun while following along! 💕
honestly this is the most helpful ukulele tutorial ive ever seen. it acctualy taught me how to strum properly and with theese three videos ive learned alot. thanks!
Loving your videos. Has re-inspired me after buying a Uke last year
So simple but couldn't have done it without You
Such an amazing teacher! The attention to detail is invaluable. Thank you!
I just got my popuele 2 pro today. I'm a beginner I was suggested to come here by the popuele Facebook group. Thank you for your videos 👍🏻
Hi Bernadette, lot of time passed since you posted this video but as a beginner I thank you very much for this series, I struggled with strumming of course and two other tutorials didn't really help that much. But your way of teaching and attention pulling was awesome. keep up the great work!
Finally someone who actually teaches me
You’re the first TH-cam teacher that I actually learn from. Great job. I really appreciate your videos and content. Thank you!
At last, after watching many other videos I'm finally making progress with my strumming. You break it down into very manageable steps. Thank you, Bernadette! By the way, I'm from England
The new teaching process of your new course representing the modern pedagogical trends of skill-based education! Good luck for u!
I'm watching from Yorkshire in the North of England. My 7 year old is learning at school so I'm watching your videos so I can help him practise. I've learned lots already, thank you 😊
Thanks for covering this again! Stopped playing for awhile but got back into it recently. Starting over but easier this time!
I find this step by step super helpful. I have been a beginner for me than 5 years because I get frustrated and stop over and over from lack of understanding and progress
Thank you for this sets of lessons on strumming. This was a struggle for me, so I used a pick. But this is so much better with a more even sound.
Fabulous teacher…loving these lessons down here in Oz
While this is probably a little late, and won't be noticed by Bernadette, thank you for posting videos like this. They are a massive help and I hope there are many more to come.
Bernadette - I just discovered your youtube channel and want to say thank you for what you do for others! I am loving each step of your teaching! Take care of yourself.
Thank you for your great tutorials ;) I'm 47 and love learning something new !!!! I'm a big music lover !!!! I've been trying to play a guitar type instrument since I'm 16 years old ;)
The hand curling tip really helped as I was getting my other fingers involved sometimes unintentionally when I didn't meant to. Thanks!
Very nice... Learning my first ukelele instrument ever... Watching from Philippines..
I love your style of teaching! I have dared more in 1/2 hour on your youtube page than 8 weeks of in person classes.
Oh wow, thank you so much for that comment. Sorry to hear in-person classes haven’t been the best, though.
Hope to hear from you again as you progress!
I just discovered your videos! They are great. I do like how you're talking directly to me. "Look up!" 😉 Great advice throughout the videos. The counting, strumming tips -index finger/thumb. My biggest problem has always been strumming but I'm coming along with your videos. Thanks! Think you asked in another video, but I'm currently in S. Korea!
Watching you from Canada
First time I could do the up strum successfully. Thanks.
🥳🥳🥳
I decided to put a ribbon on my ukulele as you did in a demo video - it really helps because I'm no longer worried about it falling out of my hands - thanks so clever!
These videos are so helpful, I just got my ukulele today and have been just trying to strum properly and this series is helping a lot with that!
Something that I've been following that is helping is I'm nodding my head up and down along with the count (not consciously :p ) so it kind of helps me to not count consciously haha!
When you direct us to look up, I can tell you are an elementary school teacher. Its helpful and your're right EVERY time! I am wondering why I cant upstrum with my thumb nail? I seem to go that route, as opposed to flesh of index finger.
Brilliant. I live in Northern Ireland. Near gaints causeway
Thank you, Philip!!! ❤️
Thank you for talking about how and why the up strum is different! I’ve been struggling with strumming because I’ve been trying to strum with my nail alone in both directions! That has just made everything 30 times easier! I’m so happy I stumbled across this!
watching from Northern Ireland UK
Can't wait - working my way through today!
You make this so easy. Only Day 3 and I feel 100% better about my strumming!
Thank you Ms Bernadette 😇 I have been learning through your tutorials . Slowly but surely made some progress . Appreciate it . Have a great day .
Yay!! When I did the 30 day song challenge Sept 2020, I did some videos of myself and hated the way my strumming hand looked. I was all wrist. This video has helped so much already! strum from the elbow, don't strum DOWN way below the uke. So happy and I'm only on day 3!! much needed for me. Thanks Ms B!!
thank god for this challenge. I stopped trying to learn because I was failing at strumming so badly. Also I knit and this sweater is pure fire!!!
THANK YOU! I'm brand new to the ukulele and strumming was something I never got with the guitar. I've done 5 of your lessons so far and they're SO great! I might actually stick with this!!!😁
My biggest CHALLENGE with strumming is the upstroke...particularly the amount of pressure and just general coordination 🙄🤔🤦♀️😉
Great turorials, just got my Uke and this made all the difference
I’m loving this tutorial, the one thing I’m having trouble with is even pressure I guess- as some of the chords are loud and clunky and definitely don’t come across smooth and even. I think it just comes with muscle memory? But this is by far the best it has sounded with your guidance :)
Thank you so much for this video! I have actually been playing for a year but my up strum was a mess so i just would down strum everything, this has really helped me sound so much better!
It is really great to go back to basics and review. I know I ALWAYS pick up something new when I get beginner lessons. It's wise of you to take this strumming challenge ❤️
I'm in Niles, Ohio. Love your lessons!!! Thank you so much 🥰
Thank you for watching! Sending hugs from California ❤️
I neeeed that sweater! 🌼🤍🌼🩷🌼🤍🌼🩷🌼🤍
You are thee best teacher!
Hugs from Poland 🤗
Hello, Bernadette! Thank you so much for making these videos, they hepled me a lot! And since you asked, this is what I'm struggling with:
1. I don't know exactly how to position my right arm, I always feel I'm doing something wrong. Could you maybe show us the strumming movement without the chunky sweater? (Thoug I love that sweater otherwise, it's so cute!)
2. Another problem I have is with my left arm. I know you should hold the ukulele at about 45 degree angle. But my arm gets tired after a while and I end up with about 30 degree angle for the most of my playing time 😅
Greetings from Slovakia!
Thank You for explaining where exactly to strum and break it down for us! It’s really helpful for dummies like me and other videos didn’t go into the details of the exact spots with markers which I really appreciate!
Ahh strumming is such a hassle for me because I’m left handed and I’m learning it the right handed regular way, I think the biggest challenge I’m having is starting out strumming great, then as I strum more and play more, my strumming becomes messed up and my fingers get caught in the strings
I love your teaching style!
Hi from Dublin in Ireland. Thank you for your tutorials😀
Fabulous! I’m starting out learning the ukulele ,and after just the first two lessons, my strumming is already smoother! Thank you!
the way u teach is awesome
Thank you, what a beautiful sound when we strum up.
I have been practising 6 months.
I progressed to doing the Island Strum.
But, I need to go back to beginning
to correct my technique on the upstrum. I keep flipping my finger
back & forth to get the nail touch for
down strum & flip to get the fleshy part of finger to touch on up- strums.
Thank you so much! My first time playing I feel so smart !! Lol 😂 you have been helping me can’t wait to progress
Watching from Seattle, Washington!
thank you !!!!< strumming up was so hard but now how it works !!
Hi, strumming from New Zealand! Im a beginner.
I am really thankful to have you as a teacher, u make learning an instrument so easy. It’s really amazing journey, learning uk with you. Thank you for putting so much effort, it’s making things easy for me to understand the Ukulele, loads of love from Germany :)
This couldn't have come at a better time because strumming is one of the things I've been working on lately. Thank you!
Nice job on this lesson...I'm getting it ;-) Thank You
Making progress yippee 👏🏻
Thanks for being so encouraging!
This is explained sooooo clearly …..
Hey Plazi....this lesson is Great and UKE are fantastic!! 😀
Thank you. Did not know how to strum
Thank you for making these videos! They have been so helpful already!
You are amazing. Thanks.
You are an excellent teacher!!!! Thank you!
this challenge is so useful for me! I have been learning for a year now and was really stuck on strumming, so just trying to relearn, and this is so helpful, thank you. And you asked where people were watching from, I am in New Zealand :)
Ok, so I'm just having trouble with my finger. My nail is kind of short, but I think that this would hurt anyways because of how I strum. The top part of my finger, like my cuticle, hurts when I strum because I strum on it. Any tips?
Thanks, this lesson really helped.
I just love the way you play ukulele 😍🥰
Thank you for these videos, starting us in the baby steps to help us in playing the ukulele!
i am learning so much from you. thanks❤️
I am new with a baritone, living in South Carolina
I really love the way you teach, slowly & step by step. Thank you so much Bernadette. Just another question totally un-ukulele related, I love the jersey you are wearing. Did you make that yourself? I would love to know where to find that pattern. :)
Thank you so much ✨ Your videos are really helpful for me, Thanks✨