Right, sunshine — grab your uke and let’s make something that sounds like summer. The island strum is the ukulele’s secret handshake, the rhythm that instantly transports you to a beach bar with sticky tables and a sunset you can’t quite believe. If you’ve ever listened to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, I’m Yours, or anything with a whiff of salt air and good vibes, you’ve heard it.
At its heart, it’s just this: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up.
That’s it. Six little flicks of your wrist. Say it out loud as you play — “Down, down-up, up-down-up.” Yes, it sounds daft, but trust me, it works. The rhythm gets into your bones quicker than any YouTube tutorial ever could.
The magic lives in the feel, not the precision. Keep your wrist loose — like you’re shaking off water, not fighting a spider. Strum from your forearm, not your elbow. Let a few hits miss the strings; that’s not a mistake, that’s groove.
Try it with a C chord to start. Once it feels natural, switch between C–Am–F–G — the classic island progression. Suddenly you’re playing along with half the songs written since 1950, from Hawaiian standards to reggae, to Ed Sheeran trying to sound like he’s on holiday.
Want to sound even smoother? Emphasise the first Down and the last Up. That creates the lilting, bouncy pulse that makes the uke sound like it’s swaying in a hammock. You can even mute the strings slightly with the heel of your hand to get that percussive “chick” sound.
And here’s the thing — once you’ve got it, you can take it anywhere. Slow it down for a lullaby, speed it up for a party. Add a few chuck strums for sass. Whatever you do, keep it relaxed and smiling. The island strum isn’t about perfection — it’s about feeling good while you play.
So go on — Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up.
Boom. You’re on the beach.
