Strum Like IZ in Somewhere Over The Rainbow (updated and most accurate version) 

This was the exact strumming technique I have been searching for. Thank you Aaron for this invaluable video.

I love that I’m not the only one still obsessed with this strum. This is definitely the closest I’ve seen anyone get. For you beginners, you’re not going to find a better tutorial for this strum. Get down what Aaron teaches here, and then just keep playing. The nuance that IZ played with will only come with experience. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself lol! Great tutorial!

Dude, you are simply the best instructor IMO that explains how to strum. I like many, viewed many other YT videos and your way of explaining is so clear and concise. Thank You !

HUGE! Several videos say he's island strumming, and I was like nope nope nope. Thanks a ton!

The closest strumming to the original song, that I could find. Thank you!

very good, i am happy i found this lesson. i knew there was something missing in other tutorials. in my opinion, you managed to cover the technique of the hands. but you should also use your heart to sound really authentic. good luck.

I have been looking for this strumming for a very long time. Nobody has figured it out on you tube except yourself. Thank you so much for sharing. It makes a huge difference the way you play it. This gives it the real vibe. Great videos and tutorials.

Hi Aaron, Frustrated beginner here - long being unable to figure out Iz strummed my favorite Uke song... you just showed me how! Thanks so much!

Since 2014, I've been trying to find the strumming pattern for this song. Finally, I found it! Just need to practice a lot, but I'm getting it. Thank you! ❤️

This is the one. After all this time searching and trying different demos. you nailed it.

Love this strumming break down! This definitely sounds closer to what I hear on Iz's version. You camera view from the top was very helpful. Totally demonstrates the mute and hand position for the second half of the pattern.

Commenting for engagement 😀 Indeed closest to Iz‘s version to what I have found so far, and really well explained. Thanks a lot, you’re making a lot of people very happy!

For me, this is the best tutorial for Iz's sound. Well explained !

I've searched a lot of tutorials for this strumming pattern and in my opinion, I think this is the closest, most authentic to IZ's version. And a lot of people miss the G on the second go around, they still play the Em again. Well done!!

Thanks so much for this. I have been playing this song for many years not quite satisfied with the sound of my strumming pattern but not knowing why. Now off to become comfortable with this new pattern which I believe is what Iz plays. Thanks again.

Thank you! Picking the C string was this missing piece for me and this finally makes it sound right. (I still need a lot of practice, but now I know what to do.)

I saw your earlier video tutorial on this song, and I'm glad you posted this updated version with the strumming pattern. This has been very helpful.

OMIzzy! Been looking for a proper tutorial for this for YEARS!!! Thank you!!!! Glad to finally get this and finally discover your channel.

4 - 3 - DU - rest - UDU

Loved this tutorial! I just played around with it while playing 'A Pirate Looks at 40' and it was so sweet! Like a lullaby. Thank you so much!

Thanks, Supe! I had the thumb pluck and the strum worked out pretty well, but the 'thumb-1st finger' pluck combo really sounds closer to Iz's sound.

Wonderful! The BEST and most ACCURATE I have seen. There are a bunch who try, but YOU ARE SPOT ON. God bless you for sharing. I have to believe with all of my heart that IZ is smiling down at you.

Thank you for teaching this. I struggle with this strumming pattern.

Wow. this takes it to a new level... Absolutely love the sound!! and that top view to show the strumming was really, really helpful!!! Thanks what a gift!!! You're great.

Best IZ strumming pattern I've been able to play, sounds great! Thanks for the video!

omg genius! Haha I've been waiting for a long time to hear how he actually played this thank you!!

Finally, I got this thanks to you! Nice and easy explanation. The best 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' strum tutorial on RU-vid! Best wishes from Russia.)

thanks for digging deeper!! I knew most of the other tutorials on you tube were not quite right, and its so fun to play it with this tutorial.

You made the best tutorial...Thank you so much! God bless you!!!

I've got to be honest with you. This is spot on. Lovely. Thanks for posting. I can't wait to learn and play this for my spectacular Hawaiian daughter-in-law. Well done. You might have good days and bad days in your Ukulele career, but you were the best Uke instructor on the planet the day you shared this strum. This is a very graceful video.

Great job! I'm a teacher, too (not music), and you break it down just right. Thank you for being a great teacher!

Welcome back!!! Your videos gave me my first lessons, and taught me so much, thank you! I've been playing for two years now, but I've been holding out on getting that low-g string... I guess it's time. I am looking forward to seeing more of you again in the future!

Единственный парень со всего ютуба, кто показал ПРАВИЛЬНЫЙ бой под эту замечательную песню! Спасибо/ Thanks!

Oh that is what was missing! I was trying to patchwork the different technics of several tutorials on youtube, but you show it all! Thank you :D

this is the one! the right Iz strum. saw many others but don't look further. Thanks

Low G string is on the way! Thanks i always wonder why it sounds different everytime, even i do the same chords.

It is great to see you back!

Great video! Could you possibly play the whole song strumming like this? Just so I can follow along!

This is great!!! So glad I found this. It would be helpful to me if you add info about how everything is accented. Again so appreciate this!!! I love this song and you have provided the most accurate strumming pattern I have found.

Really well done! Your instructions are immaculate! Best uke tutorial yet!

Nice confirmation! Just nailed on guitar yesterday and this confirms. 🙏

Sick man! I’ve trying to figure this out. It’s a little difficult but I’m gonna keep trying thanks for sharing - subbed

Hi SU, Great video,this is the fourth one of yours I've watched. As you can see this is a long winded request, but basically I got my first Uku yesterday...I know total, total beginner, but I've watched a lot of videos and specifically regarding strumming, i.e. pick don't pick, thumb, don't thumb, claw index finger primary/traditionally, etc. Now most of you guy's do seem to use the technique you've demonstrated (in your other strumming vid), but when I do it and yes, I am of course very new so no real experience or flexibility in my wrists, but if I try any technique except using my Thumb up and down I am only connecting with two or maybe three strings on the up strum. It probably doesn't help that I have postural tremors in both hands/arms, but I don't want to let that stop me or be an excuse. So I guess what I am asking, is should I just persevere with the index finger or will using my thumb be ok and not prevent me from doing other techniques at a later stage...Sorry really long winded I know. Take care, more Uku vids please.

Best version I've seen. Thank you!!!

Thank you for this! My friend loves this song and he recently passed away. I wanted to learn it for him. Really... Thank you 💚🌈

Wow, that's it! Good work!

Thank you so much for showing the IZ way!

Thank you for made this video! There a lot of motivated beginner here and we need datails datails datails:) You explain wery well.

Your videos are always so fantastic. You are a great teacher. :) This DOES sound so much like IZ! Thank-you. Thank-you!

At last! You've explained Israel's strum! Thank you so much! Easy to follow when played back at half speed and I could watch your strumming and fingering. BTW, the link to your newsletter failed when I tried to sign up for it. Cheers! Malcolm

Thank you very much Aaron. Your instruction video does sound so much more like the way IZ did his strumming. There are numerous instructions out there but, to be honest with you your version is the best that I have found,. Also a big plus for you to let everyone know the construction of your ukulele as to what it is made of and the fact that you have a low g string. I like the way it looks. Is that a Kamoa ukulele? Thanks ,,

You have it spot on... thanks for sharing !

Best I've found!! Thx for sharing!

Excellent video!!! (I like the view from above especially--very helpful!) I've been trying to figure this strumming pattern out for a long time, and this is the first time I've seen anyone get it right. After watching your video, I played IZ's video at half speed, and I'm pretty sure you nailed it. Thank you!! The only thing I'd add is that for me, muting the strings seems more natural (easier) using my left had fingers rather than my right hand (especially because of the speed of the strumming), but maybe that's just personal preference. P.S. Nice uke! (I have the same one...used to live down the street from the Kamoa shop in Poʻipū :)

Finally someone who got right! You are the man!!!!!!

Awesomeness!!! That's how Iz did it.

best lesson I've found!

Vielen Dank für dein Strumming!!! Super erklärt! Viele Grüße aus Germany 😁

Best video yet on this subject. BTW.. do you know if there are any videos of Brother IZ playing this song?

Thank you for this! Thanks to you I think I'll be able to play my favorite song!

I have listened to dozens of RU-vid videos that all claimed to teach how IZ strummed "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and none of them got it exactly right, actually, none of them were close enough to call it how IZ strums. Yours, however, is by far the closest to Israel's strum that I have heard. So close that I will deem yours as the first to imitate it. I do tend to think that IZ is not necessarily only plucking the 3rd string on the second strum, but doing an up strum and not hitting all of the strings. He is definitely using a stecatto after the fourth and eighth beat, although his is not quite as muted, and he may be doing his with a left-hand pinky tap rather than the strum hand, but I am not positive on that. It's just what it sounds like to me. Either way, kudos to you for turning out the closest I have heard yet - and I have heard a lot of them.

Yeah! You're back!

Thanks a lot; you are a great teacher! My daughter wants me to play this at her wedding!!

Thanks man, like everyone says.....you nailed it!!! Even your ukulele sounds like his. What strings are you using? They have the Izzy " jangle" I've been looking for!

Hey I love your strumming

Great tutorial. Thanks.

I am gonna practice and show this to my ukelele teacher :D thanks ! I knew something was missing

Fantastic. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Hey You are a great teacher ! As a total beginner (with my own uk though) please tell me where should I start. Merci from Paris !

Свежий взгляд на классику! Большое спасибо)

I have pored over many videos to find the correct strumming for this song and you have done it. I am learning to play this to honor my father when we spread his ashes in the near future. I inherited his old ukulele. I know it is at least 40 years old if not older. I have just recently changed out the tuning pegs and am waiting on the new low g strings to come in. My only word of advice is to get some sort of boom mic or a lapel mic to get better audio quality. Although, you can be heard fairly well, it does sound like you are in a hall which can take away from what you are trying to teach. Other than that, great content!

spot on. thanks.

It does sound better than tho other tutorials!

This is great. Thanks so much. I'm trying to find the right pacing and rhythm. How many strum patterns to you tend to play between the chords changes? Israel seems to play quite a few, and quickly if you listen to the number of mutes before each chord change...

This is so helpful for me thank you man!

immensely helpful. thanks!

Great tutorial! Finally I found the exact sound that IZ is playing :) But one thing worries me. When I play G string then I get different sound than yours... Did you change your strings?

Great tutorial!

How will changing my top string to low G sound for other songs? What’s an option for that low G if I don’t want to change the string?

So I need to only change the G string to low? Can the other strings be the same and also tuned the same as they are?

Great stuff better than whatever it was I was doing and feel I could get the hang of this 😌

perfect.....that is the strum

Thank you!

You are the best man.

Yes it is definitely more authentic the way you're playing it now.

Very good!!!!!

I can't really hear him plucking the third string as you're doing here, but yes I definitely hear the fourth string plucked as the downbeat note, followed by the strumming pattern you've indicated. Regardless of what I actually may hear, however, I "hear" you on the benefit of digging deeper and sometimes making things more difficult for ourselves, deliberately! There's a lot of interest in this song, obviously, but at least for those of my mindset, less interest in playing/singing it to sound exactly like Iz (which is probably not possible anyway). There is something to be said for mimicking a well-established artist or performer, for sure. It's a good exercise. But that's not necessarily art, so much as craft. I think the art lies in making one's own interpretation. I'll get to that point later, but I really appreciate you sharing your own evolution on this path. I want to get it "right" and then venture off on my own. :)

Very very nice

Would it be a reasonable alternative to substitute a left-hand finger mute instead of the right-hand palm mute? To my ear it sounds about the same, and I want an excuse to practice left-hand muting.

Excelente video bro'! Yo pude entender al fin! Gracias!

Thanks for sharing. Is is possible to put the strumming timing in musical notation?

This is the closest to Iz as anyone has ever played

Thanks. I was not isolating the 2nd ( 'up') strum to the 3rd string. Low-G tenor, Who was the luthier?

Thanks SOOOO Much!!!!

sounds amazing i play very similar style. but do not pluck the c string.i like it will have a little go don't stay away so long next time. peace .

Is there any way to play this with a high G string? I hate to restring my ukulele differently just for this 1 song…. But I’m tempted!

The brand name of your ukulele?

Awesome Tut. Anybody have a good link to the rest of the song sheet music?

Very good, but is there a place to get the whole song with those chords, because mine in key of C doesn't have the same chords.

Is there another way if I don't want to change the 4th string to low G?