Ukulele Strumming Techniques

The Chef's Kiss

Named the "Chef's Kiss" after the gesture typically used by French and Italian chefs as they kiss the tips of their fingers to signal a perfect dish!

You form this hand shape by grouping the tips of your thumb, index finger and middle finger. When strumming, the tips of all 3 fingers strike the strings at the same time.

This is a ukulele strumming technique that uses a grouped finger hand shape for better rhythm and control.

Use this hand shape for songs that have a steady down/up strumming rhythm. Remember to keep your finger grouping flexible, not stiff. The grouping will naturally open on impact with the strings.

Illustrated here in a clip from Wonderwall by Oasis

On beats 1 and 3 in the bar, you typically want to emphasise a bass string downstroke. You do this by moving your thumb out slightly so it catches the Low G on the way down. You may follow through on the stroke with all 3 fingers.