In this post: Play tremolo with your finger nail One of the things I like about the uke is that you can play it without flat picks or finger picks. Some people do use picks, but you don’t have to. Those who like to play tremolo a lot can make some sort of case for the use of picks, but I’m going to try to make the case for playing tremolo without a pick.
You don’t hear tremolo that much on the uke, but you do hear it a lot on tenor banjo and mandolin. The idea behind tremolo is that many stringed instruments – uke, banjo, and mandolin in particular – don’t have a long sustain. That is, a note once played dies out quickly. Playing tremolo, which is a rapid down-up strumming of the same note, keeps the note alive for an extended period of time because you are striking the note repeatedly rather than just once.
I had seen a demonstration of using your finger nail in place of a pick for playing tremolo, but have had some difficulty in actually doing it. I’m happy to say that I finally have it working for me, at least in a preliminary sort of way, and can say that the method does work, but that it may take some time to get the hang of. Here’s how it works.
First, put your thumb and index finger together as though you were holding a pick (i.e., crossed). Do not squeeze or pinch. Just touch the two tips in crosswise fashion. (You don’t actually need the thumb, but it is nice to have as a steadying influence.)
Next stroke the string downward with your finger nail – start with the first string – very lightly. Do not move your finger very far. Move just enough the pick the string.
Now stroke upwards, just picking the string with you finger tip. Again, do this very lightly and move the finger just enough to do the job.
Your strumming motion should be with the wrist, never the arm. The finger/hand relationship should remain constant. Do not try to just flick the string with you finger without turning your wrist.
Start strumming slowly. I really mean slowly. Don’t even think of doing this rapidly until you are comfortable with the motion.
Don’t try to make a lot of noise. Just strum softly and easily. Do not tighten your finger, hand or wrist. Just do it easy. Keep the thumb in contact with the finger, but just barely.
If you’re like me, you will have to come back to this on numerous occasions before everything clicks. Once it does click, you will be all set to play notes rapidly on all strings and with a strong sound. You will also discover that this method of strumming can be used with different rhythms, taking it well beyond the basic tremolo.
Later,
-- Al





