Pick Strum C Major Scale

My new piece “Pick Strum C Major Scale” lures you gently into the world of C major scale on the high G ukulele by first using just your right thumb to pick and strum before ending with the alternating index and middle fingers to play the entire scale.

Using only your right thumb, pick the individual notes (alternating bass) and strum the rest of the indicated chord.

Count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. Down strum on the numbered beats. Up strum on the “and” part of the beat, i.e. the eighth notes.

In the above extract, down strum on the 2nd and 4th counts of the first measure. In the second measure, down strum on count 2 and 4. Up strum on the “and” counts.

I promised those in my 6-week beginner ukulele course at the library that they’d get a copy of this piece if they have completed their homework (a Google Form). It’s a one page PDF intended to give practice to the many playing skills for ukulele.

Learning outcomes

The following list is not exhaustive.

• C major scale: practice reading notes, navigating the ukulele fretboard, familiarising
• right thumb to pick alternating bass and strum
• Calypso or Island strum
• alternating index and middle finger to “walk’ consecutive single notes
• tremolo
• chords: C, Fadd9, G, G7, and F

What follows this piece is “Pick Strum Chromatic Scale” on two pages.

Pick! Pluck! Play!

“Pick Strum C Major Scale” is at the first level of the book “Pick! Pluck! Play!” book. A departure from my previous harmonized scale exercises , it represents a new series of compositions which form a new book.

The last page “Ukulele Chords” of the new book contains a table of ukulele chord diagrams ordered alphabetically for the chords used in the book.

I’m thrilled about releasing these books as a precursors (prerequisite) to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Suite, which contains three skill levels.

I am recording all my new compositions in the 100 Days of Ukulele 2025 project. To me, this challenge means uploading a new video recording of a new piece each consecutive day from 1st March to 8th June 2025.

For other recent compositions and arrangements by Anne Ku, please visit the Daily Music Writing Project or scroll through the consecutive blog posts.