Fingerpicking is a wonderful sound on the ukulele, and it is easy to do once you understand a few basic concepts. In this article, we will learn 3 easy ukulele fingerpicking songs and how to play them.
We will apply similar picking patterns to help establish a good technique and sense of rhythm by counting out loud as we play. And you’ll gain finger independence on the picking hand.
Each of these songs provides a good start for exploring fingerpicking, and the patterns can be applied to any song to add variety to your sound.
The Pattern
There are a few commonly used fingerpicking patterns found in popular songs. We will explore patterns that are useful over a 4/4 rhythm but can also be adapted for a 6/8 rhythm.
It is good to remember how we indicate picking-hand fingers before we begin –
Thumb = p
Index = i
Middle = m
Ring = a.
The first pattern we’ll play goes from the 4th string up to the first and then back down. Practice getting the feel of the pattern by counting out loud as you play – 1-2-3, 2-2-3 etc.
The string pattern is:
4-3-2 1-2-3
Corresponding fingers:
p-i-m a-m-i.
The Technique
To get a sense of how to apply your hand and fingers for fingerpicking, hold up your picking hand and let it relax.
Notice how your thumb rests outside of your fingers and your fingers sort of curl in. Drop this hand on top of the strings and assign a finger to each string – thumb rests on the 4th string, index on the 3rd, middle on the 2nd, and ring on the 1st.
Your fingertips should rest on top of the strings with the thumb pushed forward to allow the fingers to move in toward the palm without getting in the way. From resting on top of the string, push/slide the finger through the string to play. Do not pull up on the string or whack at it.
Can’t Help Falling in Love
This is a classic song that sounds great played fingerpicking style on the ukulele. You can apply this pattern while holding one chord or even change chords for each group of 3.
For our song example, we are going to stay on one chord as we go through the 6-count cycle. In Can’t Help Falling In Love, we have a count of 1-2-3, 2-2-3 for each measure.
The string pattern is:
4-3-2 1-2-3
The picking pattern is:
p-i-m a-m-i
To fit the count:
1-2-3, 2-2-3
Wonderful Tonight
Wonderful Tonight can be played with a similar picking pattern. However, it does have a slight difference. The beats are counted and grouped slightly differently.
Count each 4 strings as a 2-beat unit such as 1-2-3-4 = 1&2&, which means you have to repeat the pattern twice for a complete measure.
Strings 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4
= 1&2&3&4&
played by fingers p-i-m-a p-i-m-a
House of the Rising Sun
House of the Rising Sun is known for its rhythmic picking pattern. Much like our first song with the feeling of 3-beat groups, this rhythm has 6 beats per measure such as 1-2-3 2-2-3.
We play the string pattern:
4-3-2 1-2-3
With the corresponding fingers:
p-i-m a-m-i
Ukulele Fingerpicking Will Come in Handy As You Grow Your Repertoire
Fingerpicking is a wonderful sound and a common way to play songs on the ukulele. These 3 songs are easy ukulele fingerpicking songs to begin exploring the style.
Practice slowly, with a metronome, and count out loud to get a sense of the rhythm. Be sure to practice and review the technique until it feels comfortable. Once you have these 3 easy fingerpicking songs learned, apply the patterns to other songs you are learning. This will create a softer chord texture, and add variety to your playing.
Justin Martinez