How to Strum the REAL Hawaiian Way Tutorial

[@Clarii-q7z]

4:10 I almost chocked on my sip of coffee that was impressive!!

[@JJMilare]

Oh! Be careful with the coffee! Thank you for those kind words! 🙂

[@chriskei76]

JJ: How you‘re doin? Me: tangled up in strings

[@JJMilare]

Oh no! Having some trouble with this strum?

[@RangiTapaki-ml3xn]

Your strumming is perfect I am amazed

[@JJMilare]

@@RangiTapaki-ml3xn much mahalo! Do you do this strum too?

[@SkipperKids]

JJ, you have such a calm way of explaining and teaching. Including the strokes and chords as well as an opportunity to practice along with you, you have done a phenomenal job. As a math teacher, I can really appreciate this as it means you truly have an understanding of how different folks learn.

[@JJMilare]

Oh wow! Much much mahalo for those kind words especially coming from a real trained teacher! I’m glad that I made you proud!

[@garyniblock8864]

Thank you for the brilliant insight into this strum and variation. I never heard or realized that it derived from the ipu which makes so much sense. Modern Hawaiian music evolved from chant (oli) and when you play this strum with strings muted and recite (not sing) the words of a Hawaiian song (Na Ka Pueo) for example, the rhythm and syntax just falls right into place. It really helps me understand the history of Hawaiian music which we love so much. Mahalo nui loa!

[@JJMilare]

Mahalo and thank you also for sharing your experience with Hawaiian music! Sometimes I use the ukulele as an ipu too! I'll hold it upright so that the body of the ukulele is the part that hits the floor :).

[@Marys-Channel]

Aloha! Thank you! Nice breakdown. Can't wait ! Fun!!!!

[@JJMilare]

Much mahalo! Hows the strumming going so far? :)

[@Marys-Channel]

@@JJMilare Thanks for asking 🙂. Slow but good 👍😎 FUN!

[@JJMilare]

@@Marys-Channel yes slow is good! progress is still progress no matter how fast or slow :)

[@nanettebaltazar3458]

You're a great teacher, JJ! Thank you!

[@JJMilare]

Mahalo! I do try my best at explaining! Much much mahalo!

[@jmoses580]

You are a blast to watch!!! You break it down so it all makes sense before I even try it! You need to make lots more videos please! Even if they're only short. That's ok. Very, very enjoyable!

[@JJMilare]

Aw much mahalo Jim for those kind words! Yes will continue to make videos! Just coming back right now cuz life has been busy but I am slowly catching up now :)

[@holistichawaiian4452]

I always wanted to learn this strum. Tanks ah! 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@JJMilare]

Yessaaaa! Smoov voice u get too my brada!

[@paularinaga1576]

Mahalo nui! I've been wanting to learn this strum and you break it down really nicely.

[@JJMilare]

Oh yeah! I'm glad this helped! Much mahalos!

[@johns4962]

Thank you very much for sharing this Hawaiian strum it is fascinating I recently bought a KoAloha KTM-10RP and I thought I'd try and learn some strumming just like this ! It really makes this uke come to life.... I'm so glad I found this channel keep up the good work I'm going to learn this very slowly.......how you can strum so fast is beyond me Thanks very much 👍🎶🎵😁

[@JJMilare]

Wow congrats on the purchase! I love koaloha! Yes This strum is really really fun and makes the song come a live! Here is a link to a video on strumming fast :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH62kJideL9_kK8

[@johns4962]

,🤙 JJ thank you for the link it is very helpful cheers John 👍

[@JJMilare]

@@johns4962 you’re welcome! 🤙🏽

[@tofuhound]

Finally, exactly what I've been looking for - Hawaiian strum pattern. I'll be back for more of your videos. Thanks!

[@JJMilare]

tofuhound I’m so glad this helped you! I didn’t see much on this strum so decided to put one up! A fun strum to learn! Let me kno if you have any questions!

[@daffyduckjunior8988]

Awesome tutorial!! Thank you sooooooo much!! All was perfectly explained. I know that I'm gonna be a much better ukulele player thanks to you my friend.

[@JJMilare]

Much mahalo!!!! And you’re welcome! I hope it was easy to learn after watching this video! How’s the strum going?

[@daffyduckjunior8988]

@@JJMilare Great!! Thank you JJ for your reply. Yes, it was easy to learn. The real hawaiian strumming is not easy, indeed. But I'm on the right track. I'm going to edit too ukulele tutorials very soon (maybe in French, that's my mother tongue or in English, I still don't know). Anyway, you're a real inspiration to me. Mahalo nui loa amigo!!

[@JJMilare]

@@daffyduckjunior8988 That's right..not too easy especially when singing along but you're on the right track! Wow you're gonna do some tutorials too! Wow so awesome! and a French one! That's so cool! Well let me know how I can help!

[@daffyduckjunior8988]

You are so kind JJ!! Thank you soooooooo much!! I let you know!! Take care my friend!! Much mahalo!!!

[@JJMilare]

@@daffyduckjunior8988 no worries! You too my friend take care!!

[@kelalamusic9258]

Awesome tutorial. You're a great teacher!!

[@JJMilare]

Much mahalo! Have you been playing long?

[@kelalamusic9258]

@@JJMilare actually not long. I played guitar for many years and played in bands in my younger, but the ukulele is new to me as far as playing. I injured my hand a few years back and made it very difficult playing, especially bar chords. Playing the ukulele is a little less painful, but a whole lot of fun. But, I will slowly pluck a long. With all those years of playing guitar, I'm having to re-tune my brain to learn different strumming techniques. I keep referring back to my pick, which I find a lot easier. Thanks for asking.

[@JJMilare]

@@kelalamusic9258 you're welcome! You sound like you experience in music. I am sure you will do well with ukulele! And a lot of guitar things will cross over to ukulele things so you're already ahead of the game!

[@kelalamusic9258]

@@JJMilare mahalo. To be honest, I'm not having much of a problem with the transition, except for my thumb. I play for a minute or two and I'm in pain. I think I will reach out to the doctor and try cortisone therapy. Hopefully that will help. I wish you continued success with your channel.

[@JJMilare]

@@kelalamusic9258 Oh yea, the doctor hopefully will help with your thumb. Is it the right or left hand?

[@annemarielucas5561]

Great tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤

[@JJMilare]

Much Mahalo! 😀🤙🤙🤙

[@bel.epoque]

This was perfect, thank you so much. Keep making lessons please!!🌹

[@JJMilare]

Elisabet Bilek hi! You’re very welcome! Thank you so much for your support! Yes I will continue to make lessons. Thank you for following! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@wongmusicmakers]

JJ! I love this material. I am a music teacher and vocal coach in Hawaii and I enjoyed learning from you! Truly love it. Keep up work to sharing the love and wisdom for the uke. Have you heard of Honoka & Azita? They are a duo from Hawaii, two gals who are amazing. I worked with them awhile back…. Love this… thank you for sharing 🙏

[@JJMilare]

Much much mahalo! Yes I have heard of them. They are very very good! I enjoy watching their videos. Oh wow you worked with them before! That’s so awesome!

[@nicheapparelcoach]

This is awesome. Can’t wait to try.

[@JJMilare]

yeah! How was it when you tried?

[@pacificpearl2]

Great tutorial! Thanks so much!

[@JJMilare]

Much mahalo! I hope this helps?

[@kristoffaninkama3883]

Thank you. Just bought an ukele and came across your brilliant educational site. Just subscribed. ❤❤

[@JJMilare]

Alright! Much mahalo! What kind did you buy?

[@squashdevicer]

Short and sweet. Thanks

[@JJMilare]

Leonard Lye mahalo! Did you find this pretty informative and well explained?

[@squashdevicer]

JJ Milare Very well explained. Keep up the great work. Your ukulele sounds great. What brand is it? Price range?

[@JJMilare]

@@squashdevicer Mahalo Leonard! My ukulele is a Pono tenor cutaway. I have a low G on it. I got it maybe 10+ years ago and it was about $350. It sounds beautiful I love it! What brand do you play?

[@squashdevicer]

JJ Milare Sure sounds beautiful. I have a Kala Soprano, a Lohanu concert, and Lohanu Tenor with low G. I just started 1.5 years ago but I am looking to upgrade. So many choices. I like the sound of the tenor but I have short fingers. So I might have to stick to the concert size.

[@JJMilare]

Leonard Lye concert sounds nice too. I like concerts they sound nice. Small enough to travel but big enough for a good sound. :)

[@dillenledee8551]

Mahalo, been trying to figure this out for a while.

[@JJMilare]

You're welcome! Do you play alot? Do you live here in Hawaii too?

[@dillenledee8551]

JJ Milare yeah I live on Oahu. Just picked up the uke August, I try to play as often as possible.

[@JJMilare]

Yessaa awesome! Lmk if u got questions!

[@sonofrat]

I found the Hawaiian strum video. This is challenging but I will work on it. I know the island strum. Do you have a song with this strum?

[@JJMilare]

I don’t have a tutorial of any song with this strum yet. But you can search Waikoloa by Darrell lupenui it has how the strum sounds like :)

[@micehawk]

I agree. So many "strums you must learn" videos, but so few give examples of songs that go with that strum.

[@INUNOUVELLECALEDONIE]

Wonderfull thank s à lot from kanaky New Calédonie 😁

[@JJMilare]

You're welcome! Hows this strumming going for you? Any questions? :)

[@lv2rdhonu783]

Aloha 🌺🌴👏🏻This is so beautiful!

[@JJMilare]

Much mahalo! How are you doing with this strum pattern?

[@lv2rdhonu783]

@@JJMilare I’m doing pretty good 👍🏼🌺

[@JJMilare]

Lv2Rd Honu yay!!!! This is a hard strum and I am glad my video was able to break it down a little for you!!! Do you have a favorite hawaiian song?

[@lv2rdhonu783]

@@JJMilare I'm working on "Polani" by Daniel Ho. I can play "Alona Waltz" and am working on "E Ku'u Morning Dew" But I like the Hawaiian strum for everything I play :-)

[@JJMilare]

Lv2Rd Honu yeah! Kuu morning dew is my dads favorite! You live in Hawaii?

[@judyhoomalamalama]

Big Mahalo. Da best for dis strum

[@JJMilare]

Yessssssaaaa! Hope this help small kine! 😁🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@AkelloStone]

Aloha! Wow. I’m so behind. I can’t wait to sit down and really go through your videos from the beginner sessions. You are an excellent teacher !

[@JJMilare]

Hey bro! No worries if you're behind! There's plenty time! You can come back to these videos whenever you want! Thank you so much man again! You encouraged me!

[@Peter-ombakbesar]

Thanks for taking the time to make your video. It would be really helpful if you played at least a part of a couple songs using your strum patterns so we can hear how it sounds.

[@JJMilare]

Ah yes! Sorry about that! Here is an example of a song kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH6tmZqXbNuffrM

[@coastalphriends4913]

Nice! Mahalo Braddah!

[@JJMilare]

Much mahalo brada! Where you from?

[@silverspiker]

Mahalo JJ 🤙🏽

[@JJMilare]

Yeah!!! How are you doing with this strum? This is probably one of the most hardest strum I had to learn haha.

[@willardbarretto-maxwell8302]

Howzit JJ ... I'm a totally a BEGINNER....I have a 6 string kamaka ukulele that was given to me around 40+ years ago. ....can I use the same cords you use on your four string ukelele?... sorry if it's dumb question I don't understand music and of course don't understand ukulele whatsoever ..my whole life revolved around tennis since I can't play tennis anymore I decided to make use of my ukelele as a new hobby. By the way I'm from Waialua Oahu transplanted to California.

[@JJMilare]

Aloha Willard. My dad play tennis too and I never learned until I was older so I can play with him. But a 40 year old kamaka! Wow! Collectors item! But yes on a 6 string you can make the same chords as a four string. You have two sets of “doubled” strings…each doubled string you can imagine it as one string. So when you make your C chord, you would press on both the bottom strings. Let me know if this helps! 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@joey7899]

Thanks 🙏 so much for these videos I’m really enjoying trying to learn this awesome strum. I was wondering if you could recommend a particular song to practice with maybe one out of the he Mele aloha book thanks again JJ your super cool 😎

[@JJMilare]

Much mahalo! No I am not super cool, maybe just regular cool? haha jk. Anyways yes this strum is awesome! In that book, page 43 "Hanohano Olinda" you can use the strum for that song :).

[@joey7899]

JJ Milare 🙏🤙🎶🎵🎶

[@joey7899]

JJ Milare thanks for the song recommendation it’s a good one I hope my neighbors like it because they are gonna be hearing a lot of it😊. I had another question. Do you ever switch between the 2 versions of the strum during a song? or do you usually pick one and stick with it?

[@JJMilare]

@@joey7899 I'm sure your neighbors will love it! Sometimes I do switch unintentionally between the two while I am singing, I try not to switch just so it is consistent, but I think when I do, no one really notices unless they are familiar with musical patterns.

[@wongposanronicawongposanro3120]

Could you please give me some advice of playing the Barre chords？I find it difficult to press the strings.

[@JJMilare]

Yes sometimes it will take practice but use your thumb in the back to help give your fingers pressure on the strings. Also instead of barring you can find a way to use all four fingers (if possible of course)

[@wongposanronicawongposanro3120]

Thank you so much for your advice. Have a great day.

[@JJMilare]

@@wongposanronicawongposanro3120 of course! You’re welcome!

[@wongposanronicawongposanro3120]

@@JJMilare Thank you very much for your advice. Have a good day.

[@JJMilare]

@@wongposanronicawongposanro3120 you’re very welcome!

[@Falsetto2002]

cha lang a lang style. LOL. I've been playing that strum for 45 years.

[@JJMilare]

Yessa! 🤙🏽. You are Gary?

[@Falsetto2002]

@@JJMilare Yes I am he.

[@JJMilare]

@@Falsetto2002 I thought so! I remember you came to sing and play with us on Maui when I was still playing with Keoni’s halau. Mahalo for reminding me the changalang style 🙂 🤙🏽

[@donjanine2114]

Thank you 😊🌴

[@JJMilare]

Don and Janine you’re very welcome! Much mahalo for stopping by and saying hi! Stop by anytime!

[@donjanine2114]

You are most certainly welcome😊 i’m going to subscribe to your channel👍 I really enjoy the way you teach and the style that you have playing ukulele. I am a beginner but I find your lessons very easy and smooth to listen to and to learn from so thank you very much for all the effort you put into your channel🌴😇

[@JJMilare]

Don and Janine aw I really do appreciate that very much! I do try my hardest to make it easy to explain and learn so I really do thank you and appreciate that! Let me know if you have any questions. You can also add me on Instagram and direct message me for any questions too! :)

[@Actionfiguresarefun]

JJ in your video I believe you say “ma kaukau”, what is the meaning?

[@JJMilare]

I’m not fluent but it’s used as ready. :). Ready?

[@JJMilare]

I’m not fluent but it is used to mean ready. :). Not sure of the spelling but I believe it is ma kaukau

[@denniscarpio7473]

Hey JJ, cool video. Question: What are the 2-3 chords that you play at (0:25) to close out the song? Sounds like a good ending you can attach to many different songs.

[@JJMilare]

Aloha! Mahalo for the question Dennis! The last three chords can be played for a lot of different song yes! I play open (0000), 0101, then G or G6(0202). Let me know if that helps and made sense. :)

[@ernesteiland775]

do you know the chords for Iam Tongi " i will be seeing you" from tonight win at American Idol???

[@JJMilare]

I not sure of the exact chords he is using but I tried listening and the verse sounds like the progression could be verse: F, Gm, Bb. Prechorus Gm, Dm. Chorus: F, Gm, Bb

[@ernesteiland775]

@@JJMilare i ask u because "eazy" way from past videos. you substitute chords that made it easy

[@JJMilare]

@@ernesteiland775 Gm and Bb are interchangeable in this key, you can try that one, but it also sounds better I think when it’s differentiated since one comes after the other. 😀

[@leprevostelisabeth5623]

Hi! I can't find anymore your tuto about a Christmas song !!! Can you tell me it stills on your KZbin chanel Thanks a lot Elisabeth

[@JJMilare]

Hi! Here is one of the tutorials that I did. White Christmas. Is this the song you were looking for? kzbin.info/www/bejne/npWlYqGAp8uoeJo

[@akokaluna7645]

Aloha! What were the first chords you were playing with the strum?

[@JJMilare]

Aloha brada. Is it the chords at 0:21 time stamp? It's the A7, D7, and G. Or is it at another time stamp you are asking about? Lmk!

[@crazyukulelegirlpercy]

What kind of ukelele are you playing? And do you have a low G?

[@JJMilare]

I have a pono ukulele made by Koolau guitar company in Oahu. I love it! And it does have a low G too. Sounds beautiful!

[@tropicalbreeze7508]

Mahalo nui loa from Colorado

[@JJMilare]

You’re welcome! Hope you like this strum :). How is this strum going for you?

[@tropicalbreeze7508]

@@JJMilare it’s very different but I’ll keep moving ahead steady as it goes. Aloha and keep up the great lessons,I appreciate you sir.

[@JJMilare]

@@tropicalbreeze7508 yes keep at it! It’s a nice strum to master. Slowly but surely 🙌🏾

[@scahall100]

mahalo

[@JJMilare]

Any time!

[@ssophiesticated]

You lost me at 2:29.

[@JJMilare]

At 2:29 I did it fast so you would be able to hear how it sounds in real time. But I would still start very slow because it can be a difficult strum. So don’t worry about 2:29 yet until you can do it more consistently while playing it slower. 🙂

[@paularinaga1576]

Mahalo nui! I've been wanting to learn this strum and you break it down really nicely.

[@JJMilare]

yeahhhhh! Much mahalo. How's the strum going? U play a lot of hawaiian music?

[@paularinaga1576]

@@JJMilare Sorry for late reply...so much work! Have to work hard to make a living on the rock. I want to play more Hawaiian music and someday would be cool to be in a group. But hardly time to play uke or guitar :(

[@JJMilare]

Paul Arinaga sorry for the late reply! I have been busy too! Work work work! Ha. For me, I was forced to learn more hawaiian music when I joined one halau cuz I agree, it’s hard to play when we’re busy.

[@paularinaga1576]

@@JJMilare Hi JJ, yeah the trick is to put yourself in the situation where you're sort of forced to practice. Like I used to talk classes and if I didn't practice it would be embarrassing. But though we played some nice tunes it was not really Hawaiian-style strumming. By the way, explaining the history as it relates to the ipu was cool and kind of makes it all make more sense :)

[@JJMilare]

@@paularinaga1576 Yea I agree, gotta force yourself or make yourself accountable like being in a class. The ipu story, somebody told me before, one kumu, I forget which one created the strum cuz of the ipu. :)