The secret to "THE FAN STROKE" | Ukulele Flamenco Strumming | The Flick
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- Опубліковано 1 січ 2025
- A FRESH AIR ukulele lesson in how to play the "Fan Stroke". Topics include good relaxed technique, rhythmic precision, & application of the strum to a basic flamenco song form.
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Stu Fuchs is a heart-centered, lifelong musician and teaching artist. “Classically trained, improvisationally freed", his ukulele and guitar workshops empower people of all backgrounds to connect with their inner musician. His music spans jazz, world & original styles with playing that is both meditative and exciting. Stu weaves virtuosity, humor, audience participation and soulful musicianship into his uplifting performances.
As a long time practitioner of Buddhist meditation (Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Tradition), Stu is passionate about sharing music as a daily practice for health & well being. His playful, inspiring, and holistic teaching method "Ukulele Zen” make his workshops a not-to-be missed experience. Stu’s workshops playfully encourage students to deepen the mind-body-spirit-instrument connection which allows for enhanced listening, increased creativity and greater ease in music making.
Over a 25 year career, Stu has performed gypsy jazz guitar with symphony orchestras, presented ukulele workshops at festivals worldwide, toured internationally and recorded with Snatam Kaur on her 2018 Grammy-nominated album “Beloved”. In 2014 he was awarded a prestigious grant from the National Endowment of the Arts for his work offering healing music at cancer hospitals for patients and their families.
Stu’s offers weekly ukulele lessons and inspiration on his popular UA-cam channel “Ukulele Zen” to Uke enthusiasts around the world. He holds his transformational Ukulele Zen retreat at holistic centers around the world.
www.stufuchs.com
#ukulelezen #ukulelelessons #stufuchs
Stu, a lot of people are good players but not such good teachers. You have the talent to be a great player AND a great teacher! I learned chunking from you and this lesson is superb! You're the best. Thank you!
Thank you Jackie! I'll keep making videos...feel free to share them, Happy Strumming! P.S. my mailing list at stufuchs.com has updates & some free tips in my emails.
I love the breaking down of the movements on something other than the strings. The one string two string three string step is always a good reminder of difficult things become simple when broken down into little steps
Thanks - I am glad you got something positive from the lesson!
Other tutorials are fast, over-edited, and seem rushed. Maybe some viewers really do just want to see a 2-minute video of someone running through a movement.
But I really love how you speak slowly, explain everything in depth, and take your time with teaching in all your videos.
Thanks for the help!
+Yonatan Besser Thank you for writing & sharing this Yonatan. I appreciate that you're getting where I'm coming from...in my experience, the quickest way to reach our goals is to go SLOWLY ;) "Dig a deep well & you'll collect more rain". Happy playing, Stu
@@UkuleleZen I take it as a quote on life from you.
its so difficult to learn this but i'm so determine because of how lovely you play it!
Right?!?!?
@@junhongskungfuclub2804 yeah
Thank you. This "process" is just what I've been looking for. I'm still not there yet, but I'm feeling good about how you've broken down the mechanics. I've taught middle school choral music for 33 years, I appreciate your warnings about the dangers of using "force." The "No pain No gain" philosophy does not apply to musicianship. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching David! I'm happy to hear that you resonate with the lighter way, the softer path towards absorbing musical material & the physical gestures that create them. In my experience the music can literally "play itself" when I imprint it with an effortless touch. Thirty-three years of choral teaching? Wow! I'm impressed! Hope you're having a great day on your end of the line. Be well, Stu
@@UkuleleZen great teacher...thank you.
namaste and dhanyavaad (thank you) from an indian in new york........for your teaching, humility and love of mother nature.
your emphasis on ergonomics, optimal range of motion for the particular muscles, gentle movements, and avoidance of force or pain, are some of the fundamental principles, even within the realms of indian classical music playing, yoga and pranayama (meditation).
keep up the stellar work that you are doing for society and the planet.
Thanks smooch for picking up on the vibe I am trying to serve from. Mother Nature is THE teacher :) Namaste...wishing you many blessings, Stu
Ha ha auto correct..."Thanks SO MUCH" :) A little bit of divine play there!
You make these techniques so accessible...thank you.
Thanks Shirley and thanks for watching Ukulele Zen! Please subscribe for more vids...happy playing, Stu 🎶😊
Fantastic tutorial - thanks so much! It's really helpful because it doesn't try to teach the whole technique in one go but shows ways to build up from scratch and practice. Great job!
Thanks Elin - you picked up only intention loud & clear! :-) I was certainly hoping to empower folks like yourself to build their own relationship to the technique from the ground up! Be well, Stu
This is by far the best tutorial on this technique. Thank you, Stu! I think I can do it. Also, the tips on practicing in a non-straining way are much appreciated. May God bless you.
Thank you Sister Mary 🙏🏻 God Bless...All blessings to you! 🎶
Wow... you are so personable... and a great teacher!!... you have a gift of breaking down a skill and then rebuilding to help mastery. Will check out more of yours!
Wow, thank you! Hope you enjoy the other videos only channel...this was is an "oldie but goodie" ;-)
Fantastic job explaining the mechanics both of the technique and the body. It gives me something to work on. I've been a schmoosher so far. :) I'm glad you are getting recognized in the ukulele community as a teacher. I hope to meet you at a festival some day!
Great teacher, like Jackie B wrote 8 years ago. Thank you
Thanks so very much! 🤙🎶😊
No joke on take it easy. I practiced for less than 10 minutes and feel a little tight up the arm. Great advice and great video. I’ll be back at it later this weekend. 🙏🏼
what chords did you use?
this is the clearest explanation i've ever had of this. thank you
Glad you found it helpful :)
Amazing! Perfect explanation, beautiful playing. The tutorial help me a lot! Thank you Zen!
thanks for watching Ukulele Zen! Please subscribe for more vids...happy playing, Stu 🎶😊
Imaging at sunset in mother nature .... listen to you play classical guitar Spanish guitar
..of course Ukulele ... all the nice people are all together dance and be creative... little wind haha 😄 will be 🐜.... thank you 🥰
I can tell you are a lover of nature! Have fun jamming your uke 🙏🎶
You are the best ukulele player for sure
This has reinforced me that I need a teacher! Wow what an awesome technique, I love flamenco style! You rock man!
Thanks Dylan - glad you liked the video lesson. Just letting you know that I offer uke & guitar lessons long distance w video chat & personalized video lessons. Contact me anytime for more info...my website is www.stufuchs.com. Hope you're having a beautiful day, Stu
What a great help! I like how you show to practice it on a surface! Sounds so cool
Thanks for this great lesson
Awesome explanation!
Stu, I really like your stuff, your style, your apparent approach to life itself (no doubt the zen influence). And your place reminds me of my own home woodland. Thank you for your work and videos.
Nice...nature is the ultimate inspiration for me :) Be well & I'll keep making vids for you!
Oh you break it down so precisely! Thank you soo much
You're so welcome!! Glad you're enjoying your music & I'm happy to help out :-)
What an excellent lesson you give ♥ Bravo! And thank you so very much!
Broo I learned
this like in half an hour. Thanks for going into actual details.
Glad I could help! More vids every week - hope you'll subscribe, like & share...yadda yada...most importantly, GLAD you learned something for your music making. Be well.
Yupp I liked and subscribed . Thanks
Please let me know the chords you have used
Thank you for the tips I have been practicing for the last 5 days straight and your tips are really working arm wrist and fingers aching but starting to see small results
Glad you find my videos helpful - be sure to take breaks often...hard to stop & let go of playing your favorite axe when we're loving the progress, but little pauses will keep the aches from building up. All the best, Stu
Thanks Heinz! Glad you like it!
You have so much beautiful talent! I'm stunned and amazed!!! I love it! Thank you for this video!
This is an inspiring video Stu. It will take me a while to learn what you so skillfully explain. Thanks for publishing this vid, it's great.
Aloha and thank you Stu! You never cease to amaze me. What an inspiration. I can resonate with playing lightly and not trying to overextend the fingers. I mistakenly tried to increase my fret reach and have been suffering from tennis elbow for about 2 months and I've never previously experienced it. Anyway, when the time is right, I intend to ease in gradually with less enthusiasm as I had during my first 6 months. Mahalo - Tom
Thanks Tom & I'm glad the video was helpful to you! I teach how to relax the process of music making because I myself had to overcome some receptive stress injuries when I was in music school...hoping others won't have to suffer as I did! Wishing you all the best & happy playing. Hope you'll subscribe for more videos like this one: ua-cam.com/users/ukulelezen
Awesome!
This is amazing!
Thanks! Happy playing....Hope you'll subscribe to the Ukulele Zen channel for more vids like this one 😊 All the best & happy jamming! 🎶
Thx Stu, appreciate the break down of the "flick"!!
I love your lessons, your explenations are clear and easy to follow. Thanks
+321Ronen Thanks! I 'm very happy to hear that you got something from this video - flicking is a great way to spice up your strums for sure :) For more vids, subscribe to my channel - I'm making ne wines all the time. Be well & happy playing!
Brilliant as ever, and now I shall make a start with Malagueña. Thank you.
Brilliant! I was playing an off the cuff version of the Malguena song form...there’s an “official” version somewhere I’m sure, but life is an improvisation, eh? 😉 Happy playing, Stu 🎶
Amazing ! I can't do this stuff but it is still a pleasure to listen to it. You encourage me practicing anyway. Thanks from France
Practice patiently...these things take time :-) I'm happy that you stop to watch by anyways! Merci Beaucoup!
Wow..at awe...much light to U from Spain La Rioja
Love & Light to you! Luz y Amor y Paz infinito...
Brilliant thanks so much
Thanks Terry!
This will be great for practicing and overcoming my biggest struggle..... finger independence
~There are ants eating my leggg!~
Haha, wonderful. Love your tutorials; they are some of the most helpful and enjoyable ukulele tutorials on UA-cam. I appreciate that you cover a wide range of topics and skill levels. Thank you!
Kayleigh Saum Thank you Kayleigh...I'm so glad you dig them :) More good stuff to come! Happy playing!
you are a perfect teacher
Thanks for watching Iris! Hope you'll subscribe for more videos check out some great NEW lesson content from Ukulele Zen! goo.gl/rMXsnw
This is such a great lesson. Thank you!
Love ❤ the way you sharing ❤ 💕 ♥
❤️ Thanks for watching & playing along! 😊🎶🤙 Plz click subscribe for more helpful ukulele videos like this one
Stu...you are the best!!!
I am trying to learn to do the "smoosh" so this is very very helpful. Starting with one string at first is brilliant. I was concerned I would do it incorrectly and damage my hand. Someday I would love to learn Flamenco style playing. There is SO much I want to learn! As always, thank you so very much!
Hi Susan - super cool! Glad you enjoyed the video and are getting something good from it!! (My mission is accomplished). Go slow & keep it light & you will not hurt your hand :) Ole! Play oN! Be well & hope you'll subscribe & join us on Patreon for more goodies. Thanks.
Awesome Stu very very helpful thank you 👍😊
Happy to share!
Rev is THE MAN! Have a great time...I hope to join in the fun sometime down the road :-)
great video as usual love that i learn something new every day thanks
Thanks David - more videos to come soon!
Amazing thank you so much!
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the other vids on my channel & that your music keeps on flowing 🎶🤙😎
Thank you
Thanks for watching and playing along John!
Wonderful video . Have been practicing this . Determined to get it down . My fingers are short that may make it more challenging.
Many thanks! Come back & jam anytime :-) You can adjust your hand position to compensate for the uniqueness of your hand of course. Play on & be well, Stu
You're a really good teacher.
Thanks for watching David! Hope you'll subscribe for more video goodies :)
what are the picking patterns that you play from 9:37 ? i tried to figure by ear but you are so fast 😄
Thank you! I'll keep 'em coming. Schmooshing is a key effect in my book btw :-) 2013 has been a great year for "breaking out" you could say & I'm super grateful. I would LOVE to meet up sometime soon & play some tunes with you. Are you going to Rev's Uke fest in Milwaukee next month? I wont make it this year but hopefully next year. Be Well.
Thank you 🙏
You’re so welcome Ricky 😊 If you haven't already, please subscribe to the channel to keep in the loop of new videos that are posted ;-) Happy playing! 😊🎶
Exceptional video from a learned player. I really appreciate your knowledge. Why you don't have more views is beyond me. Please make more vids I subscribed!
I will...I promise! 2014 I do indeed to post many more videos at a regular rate. Thanks for your encouragement and for the kick in the butt!! :-)
Thank you so much
Thank you William - Plz subscribe for more vids from Ukulele Zen :)
Easy for you
Keep on repeating it & it’ll get easier :) go through the steps I carefully outline in this video they will help. Thanks, Stu
Brilliant
Thanks for watching & hope you'll subscribe & ring the notification bell for more vids!
Just love your tutorial awesome
Thanks for watching! Hope you'll subscribe for more video goodies :)
Hi Stu, I like this lesson so much. Is there a songsheet + tabs of the rif at Patreon for this? If not, it would be great If you could do a new lesson about this, I am very interested in learning the rasqueado with the extra things you play.
great, i kinda have the technique down now. and i absolutely love it. but where can i find music for the uke that uses it 🤔🤔🤔
Great to hear! I was improvising along the flamingo theme of "fandangos"...Thanks & I hope you'll subscribe to keep in the loop of when I post for more videos like this one :). ua-cam.com/users/ukulelezen
This actually super helpful
Glad I could be of some help to you! More vids every week - hope you'll subscribe, like & share...yadda yada...most importantly, GLAD you learned something for your music making. Be well.
I love how you still reply 7 years later what a legend
I would recommend the fluke--or the Flea. Very versatile and easy for the teacher on the go (being able to put the fluke down while managing a group is a PLUS!) The flukes are tenor & concert sized...check out flea market music.com and they will hook you up! :)
Fantastic! Thanks!
Can you do a video on travis picking? I've been meaning to play "Clay pigeons" and I can't seem to find a decent tutorial for it. Your way of explaining is so simple and easy to catch on.Thanks
Thanks for watching - I've made two videos on Travis Picking… Search "Travis picking ukulele zen" and you'll find it ;-) Happy playing!
Dude, very zen. Very helpful. Mahalo..
wonderful, man!
Hola, uke dood!! Love your stuff man.. much respect and much love! You shine your light and it is such a blessing to the world! Just wanted to share that before I go askin any questions! Anywho.... what kind of uke is that? My first ukulele was one very similar to the one you’re playing in this video.. I bought it in Kauai, HI.. I believe it was previously owned by the high school. Unfortunately someone stole it and I haven’t been able to find another like it.. it was super durable, perfect for my adventurous outdoorsy lifestyle!! It was louder than other ukes.. and well, of course it could stand up on its own! I loved it and dearly miss having one. Welp, thanks for your time my brother.. keep on uke’n on..
Shoots,
Alaska
Hey Joshua, thanks for watching! Wishing you all the best 🎶🤙😊 The outdoor uke I’m playing is a concert sized “Fluke” - thin wooden top, lightweight plastic back & sides…AWESOME for travel!
Do have any advice for me. The sloppy mosh is what I want to add to my playing. Sure I’d like the flamenco. But I’m trying to get to a certain point where I’m more satisfied with my playing and style. Then practice will be not as boring. I quess I’m asking if there is a practice shortcut. Cause I see this is going to take a while. Probably not
Go for the sound of a decorated strum...don;t sweat the "perfect" trriplet for now...it will come with practice!
Super helpful. Thanks.
Yes, I'll be there and I figured after meeting Lil Rev you'd get to Milwaukee!
thanks you sir
Help if I learn this I know me. I will be over using it like starting All my strums with this cause it sounds so good. How do u keep from over using. Or am I paranoid
Just go slow and keep it light...you'll avoid injury this way :)
Hi Stu, I love this piece so much, see my question below. Would this be possible? 🙏🙏🙏
Once upon a time, long, long ago I spent three years learning Flamenco dancing then a few years later tried to learn the flamenco guitar. You have just awakened all the passion this music brings and I'm so determined to learn this piece - do you have a chord chart....? Thank you for sharing this. Cheers from France x
Wonderful to hear! Unfortunately I do not have a court charge for this… But I do list the chords: A, B-flat… The other part is D minor, C, B flat and then A7. Play on and with that passion! Be well & please subscribe & ring the notification bell to keep in the loop of my upcoming videos :)
8:33 what's the name of this song?
pls be my father
:) I will happily share some uke lessons with you!
Lol
Awesome tutorial. Can someone tell me where I could get the chords to this. I know some are broken down but I would loooooove to learn the whole thing 😍🙏🏻
Came back after a year! Thanks a lot! It’s no longer difficult 😭😭😭❤️ yea my fan stroke can be better but it’s not impossible anymore 🙏🏻
Welcome back! Glad it helped! "Progress, not perfection..." PLAY ON! 😎🎶
Would someone tell me the chord sequence he is using toward the end. I using a Baritone and missed what those first few chords he was using to practice. Thank you in advance.
D minor, C, Bb, A7...that's the flamenco walk down progression. :-)
Hi Stu! I just discovered your channel. I'm a beginning uke player (I lead worship at my church with guitar). I'm also an elementary music teacher. Would you recommend the fluke for an elementary classroom? I'm looking for something durable that also sounds great! Thanks.
Hello ukulele zen! I've been trying to be as gentle and flick my fingers in the air like you said, but it doesn't seem to make as much sound so I use force. How do you flick your fingers with ease while also making it sound loud?
You're on the right track if yours paying such close attention :) There's a balance between effort & non- effort...the idea is to not use too much pressure so your hands & wrists don't get strained. Keep on hanging with it & you'll find the place where you're making a clear sound w good volume & not straining to do so. Thanks for watching!
Could you tell me what the chords you played were at 1:03? thanks!
C, Cdim7, Dm7, G7. I have a oayist at the channel called "Swing Ukulele"....check it out to learn more of this style :-)
@@UkuleleZen Thank you! I'll definitely check it out!
Thank Stu for the tips! You teach very well. What tune are you playing out of curiosity? Seems a nice simple tune for practicing & fun.
Thank you! At the end of the video I'm playing a little variation on a classic flamenco song form called "Fandangos". Flamenco guitarists improvise over these types of forms.
Thanks! The tune I'm playing is a bit of "Fandangos"...a typical flamenco style...
😊I’ve developed a strum from practicing this wrong. It’s where all the fingertips hit strings separately but your not opening your fingers independently enough. Is this a different technique or just bad this technique. Im a 62 year old beginner so I look at instructor and practice different from young guys
All good -- PLEASE: modify any lesson from me or anyone else to fit your needs and cirumstance :-)
oops, I joined your patreon group, signed up hoping the membership would give access the sheet music and better understanding of your lessons. The page has so so so so so so so so much information to sift through and when I seek the tabs for this lesson, I can't find anything that leads me to its whereabouts. Can you shed light, please! There seems no menu for tabs/sheet music.
Thanks for joining Viola! Check your Patreon inbox in a few minutes- the welcome letter with info about access to a searchable index of lesson posts 😊🎶
this is so helpful. and the music you play is anazing. also can you please do a cover of spanish caravan by the doors. ive been dieing to hear somone playbthis song
+Thaddaeus Dankert I will try - Spanish Caravan is such a "guitar" piece of music...but I will give it a go sometime in the not so distant future ;) Really glad you found my video helpful...enjoy your music journey & I hope you'll subscribe to this channel"ukulele zen" for more goodies. Be well, Stu
+Ukulele Zen (Stuart Fuchs) im already subscribed! and thank you so much
+Thaddaeus Dankert Thanks :)
Stu, I'm also from WNY. Go Bills.
Thank you my guru
Wow stew thanks your like Yoda of Uke's
Wow - thanks! Appreciate you watching I do! 😉
Is there a circle of 5ths for uke? I play guitar, so is it the same chord theory?
Yes. Not as imprint as just knowing how tis pell scales & chords. Do those first, THEN ;earn circle of fifths. I'll offer some music theory lessons… There is some at my patron page… Click the post tab and you'll see tags on the left-hand side one of them is music theory and you can check out the lessons there. Thanks & I hope you'll subscribe for more videos from Ukulele Zen ;-) goo.gl/rMXsnw
Name of song 1:45?
I'm improvising a little Flamenco music - based on the Flamenco form "Malegeña".
Another quick question. Is it alright to flick your fingers in the opposite order? Starting with the first as opposed to the pinky. For some reason it is far easier for me to maintain rhythm. Thanks Wes
P. S. I look forward to seeing you at the Brown County Ukulele Festival in January. At 66 it will be my first Ukulele get together. 👍🏻😊👍🏻
Nice - I'll see you in Indiana! (sounds like the title of a song...) Flick anyway you like. I recommend what I showed, but it's always a good idea to customize things so they FEEL NATURAL. Why force it? If the other way works better for you, go for it. Hope you'll subscribe for more videos...Thanks for watching & happy playing, Stu
I’m very new to playing ukulele and I’m trying to learn the chords that you talk about at the end of this video. What do you mean after B flat, B-flat open? I tried searching the inter-webs forit with no luck yet.
That's Bbmaj to Bbmaj7 ... It's playing the Bb chord with the 1st string open. 3210
Ah I C, thanks! My flicks are still kinda sounding mushy but I get it sounding right every 3/10 times, just gotta work on consistency now. One last question if I may, whats the song name that's being worked up to and more towards the end called? its so cool and I wanna look more of it up. I looked in comments /vid description I couldn't find it, maybe I'm blind thoough.
Keep it up! You can use the “flick” on any song :) I was just jamming at the end on a few chords… Just some improvisation at the end of the video. Be well & play on! -Stu
Lovely, what cool uke is that?
How long does it take to get this technique mastered?
Depends on you... But if you apply yourself every day for a week or two you will really start to get it. Do you make sure to go slowly and practice exactly as I outlined in this video… Going quickly will only slow you down. Going slow (and accurately) is the quickest way to arrive at your goal. Of course, smile & enjoy the journey... And, if it takes a long time to learn something you're enjoying yourself all along the way ;-)
hey bro, howz it? what strings to use when playing flamenco should it be in high G or low G?
I’m a big fan of “ if it sounds good it IS!” Now for sure, somethings need to be corrected sometimes… But in the case of high G vs low G I feel it’s entirely up to you to choose. I’ve heard great flamenco ukulele played on both tunings. Go forth & play on!
Thanks well thats a good way to put it...you have enlighten me me.. like a Jedi Master Yoda..hehe
😊u failed to mention the finger dexterity benefits this technique teaches
Yes it sure does! I eleive I mentioned it, but thanks for the doubling down Glenn!