In this chapter, you will look at sitting position, instrument holding, and right-hand technique.
Holding the ʻUkulele
How you sit and hold the ʻukulele has a major influence on your playing. A good sitting position begins with proper posture:
Sit up straight on the front half of the seat with both feet on the floor.
Using your left hand, tilt the fingerboard 20 to 30 degrees above the horizontal.
Playing with a Strap | A strap allows better posture and ease of left and right hand movement.
A good sitting position is comfortable and allows full access to the ʻukulele. I recommend using a strap: it brings the ʻukulele off your legs and encourages an upright posture. The strap supports the ʻukulele, allowing you to dedicate your hands to playing. Finally, a benefit of strap use is that you can dance or play other instruments without putting down your ʻukulele!
Eleanor Rigby | Jake Shimabukuro | Use of a strap allows hands to move freely.
If you prefer to go strapless, the two-points of contact approach—right forearm and left hand—is explained by James Hill. It's more difficult than using a strap—both hands and arms are involved with holding and playing—but, once mastered, upright posture and free movement are possible.
Holding an ʻUkulele Without a Strap
Right-Hand Positions
The right-hand is used for picking and strumming on the ʻukulele. There are two basic right-hand positions:
Fingerstyle: hand placed on or near the soundhole for finger picking, i.e., playing with the thumb and fingers.
Thumb Tasto: thumb positioned over the end of the fingerboard for strums and melody playing.
Paukauila | Kalei switches between thumb tasto and fingerstyle techniques as he plays his original, Paukauila, on a Moore Bettah custom ʻukulele.
Fingerstyle
The fingers of the right-hand (P-I-M-A) may be used to pluck and strum the strings of the ʻukulele. Successful technique begins with a good hand position.
Place your right forearm on the lower bout and the right-hand fingers on the strings over the soundhole.
Form a fist and place it on the strings. Push out from the fingertips until the fingers are slightly curved.
Arch the wrist slightly and align it with the forearm. A line drawn through the knuckles should intersect the strings at a 30 to 45 degree angle.
Place the thumb on the fourth string. Position the thumb so it forms an “x” with the index finger.
Your View of the Right-Hand | Fingerstyle position on a tenor ʻukulele
Right-Hand Position | Fingerstyle position on a guitarlele: knuckles intersect strings at a 30 to 45 degree angle.
Plucking The String
Strings are traditionally plucked with a fingernail and fingertip combination. If you don’t have long enough fingernails, use the fingertip flesh. You can still enjoy a beautiful sound. Here's how to pluck an individual string:
Preparation: Place your finger so the left side of the nail and the fingertip touch the string simultaneously.
Completion: Pull the finger through the string—towards the palm—so it clears the adjacent string (bend the middle joints slightly).
The stroke movement comes mainly from the base of the finger. Do not pull outwards or move the wrist or arm while plucking.
Exercise 1 • M-I-M-I
Practice alternating between the middle and index fingers in this exercise. Don't forget, m = middle finger and i = index finger. Watch the video demonstration for increased clarity.
Pluck the first string four times.
Pluck the second string four times.
Pluck the third string four times.
Pluck the second string four times.
Repeat the above four steps.
Cross to an adjacent string by moving the right-hand and forearm slightly. Listen carefully and adjust the stroke until a good tone results. Practice slowly and evenly.
Below is the above exercise written in quasi-tablature. The upper line (1) represents the first or A string, the line below it, the second (2) or E string, etc.
Exercise 1 • M-I-M-I | Alternating between the middle and index fingers
Exercise 1 | Tutorial and play-along video
Thumb Strum
The technique of strumming—drawing the fingers across the strings—is used to play chords and is perhaps the most fundamental technique of ʻukulele playing. The most basic strum is called the thumb strum:
Place the thumb’s fleshy underside on the 4th string (G string).
Moving from the forearm, quickly push the thumb through the strings. Maintain even pressure and move perpendicular to the strings.
Thumb Strum | Beginning of the strum stroke
Thumb Strum | Follow through and finish of the strum stroke
Practice the thumb strum by strumming the open strings with a steady beat: count 1-2-3-4 and strum on beat 1. If one string is louder or softer than the others, adjust strum pressure so each string is heard clearly.
Exercise 2 | Thumb Strum
The further into the fingerboard you strum (to your left), the more sweet and mellow the tone. As you strum closer to the bridge, tone becomes brighter and more metallic. Mellow strum tones are usually preferred.
The strummed open strings of the ʻukulele produce a chord known as C6 or Amin7 (pronounced A minor seven).
Pick up your 'ukulele and give the thumb strum a try!
Exercise 2 Thumb Strum | Tutorial and play-along video
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Holding the ʻUkulele
Right-Hand Positions 
Fingerstyle
Plucking The String
Thumb Strum
