How to Play a Basic Blues Shuffle Strum on Ukulele
Shuffle strummming really is this easy!
Lesson 3 - The Basic Blues Shuffle Strum
Welcome back, ukulele friends! 🎶
If your strumming hand has been itching to do something a little more interesting, today is its lucky day. In this lesson, we’re learning how to play the Shuffle Strum - a rhythm that instantly adds bounce, groove, and personality to your blues playing.
This is one of those strums that makes people tap their feet and nod their heads without even realizing it.
We’ll be covering:
1. What is the Shuffle Strum?
2. The Shuffle Strum Pattern
3. Try it with a song!
4. Songs That Love the Shuffle Strum
Let’s get going!
1. What is the Shuffle Strum?
The Shuffle Strum is all about feel. Instead of evenly spaced beats, we create a long–short pattern that swings gently forward. Think of it as a relaxed, jaunty walk rather than a stiff march.
You’ll hear this rhythm everywhere the blues is played.
If a song feels like it has a little wiggle to it - chances are, there’s a shuffle involved.
The Basic Count
Before we strum, let’s count it out.
Instead of counting:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
We’re thinking:
1 (uh) 2 (uh) 3 (uh) 4 (uh)
That ‘uh’ is quick and sneaky - it’s what gives the shuffle its swing.
Say it out loud a few times.
2. The Shuffle Strum Pattern
Here’s the standard Shuffle Strum pattern:
Down -Up Down -Up Down -Up
Because it has a sense of swing/blues rhythm: it’s not rigid, straight time - there’s that sway, shuffle, feel that we’ve been practising.
Try it slowly at first. Speed is not the goal - groove is.
Ukuleles Unanimous Challenge:
Throw in a bit of palm muting or chucking to liven it up a bit!
Strum along to this video to help you get the feel:
TOP TIPS:
This strum works best when your strumming hand is loose and floppy (technical term 😉).
Keep your wrist relaxed
Don’t grip the ukulele like it’s trying to escape
Imagine your hand brushing crumbs off a table
If it feels stiff, slow it down. The shuffle will come to you when it’s ready.
3. Try it With a Song!
Now let’s put it to work.
Guess what? ‘Rock Around the Clock’ uses all the chords and strum patterns from the video above.
Ready to give it a go?
‘Rock Around The Clock’ by Bill Haley and the Comets
Verse 1
Put your [A]glad rags on, join me, hon
We’ll have some fun when the [A7]clock strikes one
We’re gonna [D7]rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna [A]rock, rock, rock ‘till broad daylight
We’re gonna [E7]rock, gonna rock, a-[D7]round the clock to-[A]night.
Verse 2
When the [A]clock strikes two, three and four
If the band stops now, we’ll [A7]yell for more
We’re gonna [D7]rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna [A]rock, rock, rock ‘till broad daylight
We’re gonna [E7]rock, gonna rock, a-[D7]round the clock to-[A]night.
Instrumental A A7 D7 A E7 D7 A
Listen for the lilt. That little rhythmic smile means you’re doing it right.
This is a great place to start, but there are so many songs that sound great with a bluesy strum!
4. Songs that Love the Shuffle Strum
Nothing locks in a shuffle like playing real songs 🎶
These shuffle-friendly songs all work beautifully with a Down -Up Down -Up Down -Up swing feel.
Start slow, let the groove settle in, and don’t rush the ‘short’ part of the strum.
EASY STARTERS
‘You Are My Sunshine’ - Bing Crosby
Gentle swing, familiar melody, and very forgiving.
This is a great starter song (all you need are C and F chords). Try it with your punchy shuffle to help build confidence and energy - it almost plays itself once you feel the bounce!
FEEL-GOOD FAVORITES
These shine when the shuffle swing adds warmth and motion:
‘I’m Yours’ – Jason Mraz
A light shuffle feel works wonderfully, even at slower tempos.
‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ – John Denver
Try a subtle shuffle to give it a rolling, road-trip feel.
Up for a Challenge? 🎤
Once the shuffle starts feeling natural, try these:
‘Ho Hey’ – The Lumineers
Add a gentle bit of shuffle strumming to give it movement without overpowering the song.
’Brown Eyed Girl’ – Van Morrison
Lean into the groove and let the rhythm do the work.
Keep the shuffle light and relaxed - think sway, not stomp.
Your Practice Mission:
This week:
Practice the Shuffle Strum for 5 minutes a day
Count out loud at least once per session
Master ‘Rock Around The Clock’
Try it with different songs - even ones you already know
You’ll be amazed how quickly it transforms your sound.
✨Before We Go…
The Shuffle Strum isn’t about perfection - it’s about feel.
When it clicks, your ukulele starts to dance instead of just talk.
So relax, have fun with it, and remember:
If it makes you smile, you’re doing it right 💙
Today you played The Shuffle Strum
Together we have learned:
✅ To master that bluesy sound!
✅ How to play The Shuffle Strum
✅ Some songs you can play with a blues swing!
✅ How to count out loud and transform your playing
🚀 What’s Next?
IN LESSON 4: Singing The Blues
What You’ll Learn:
➡️ It’s All In The Story
➡️ Call And Response
➡️ Let’s Try One Together
➡️ Feeling The Groove
➡️ The Secret Ingredient
Happy Strumming 😊
