In this chapter we look at sitting position, holding the instrument and right-hand technique. Practice the techniques and positions in this chapter front of a mirror. The frontal view will help you make corrections.
Holding the ʻUkulele
How you sit and hold the ʻukulele has a major influence on the quality of your playing. A good sitting position begins with good 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 instrument. We recommend using a strap because it allows an upright posture and brings the instrument off your legs. Your arms and hands are unfettered by support duty and can move freely. Basically, the strap holds the ʻukulele so you can focus your hands on playing. Finally, a side benefit of using a strap is you can dance and play other instruments on stage without putting down you ʻukulele! We normally play using a strap.
Eleanor Rigby | Jake Shimakuburo | 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 well 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 ukulele. 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 combination of the fingernail and fingertip. 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
We practice alternating between the middle and index fingers in this exercise. In case you forgot, m = middle finger and i = index finger. If confused, watch the video demonstration.
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
Exercise 1 Demonstration
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. Listen for balance between the strings. 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 Amin7 (pronounced A minor seven).
Pick up your 'ukulele and give the thumb strum a try!
•••
Holding the ʻUkulele
Right-Hand Positions 
Fingerstyle
Plucking The String
Thumb Strum
