Strumming pattern · Next steps · 4/4
The chuck strum (D X U – U X U)
Replace the downstrums on beats 2 and 4 with a “chuck” — slap the strings with the side of your palm to mute them — and the strum turns into a groove with a built-in snare drum. A ukulele favorite that works just as well on guitar.
1↓
&
2✕
&↑
3
&↑
4✕
&↑
D – X U – U X U · down, miss, chuck (muted), up, miss, up, chuck (muted), up
ChordG
Chords (guitar)
Change chord every
How to play it
- To chuck, strum down but let the heel of your hand land on the strings as you do, killing the sound.
- Practice the chuck on its own first: down-chuck, down-chuck, until it sounds like a drum hit.
- The chucks fall on 2 and 4 — the backbeat, where a drummer would hit the snare.
- Start slowly — around 60 BPM — and only speed up once the pattern feels automatic. Use the chord loop to practice changing chords without breaking the rhythm.