Bottom of the bottom 99 tel %<| sep |> A few thingsRegarding strumming Maybe you ' re attacking the strings too hard ? Keep your wrist and fingers loose and just glance them against the strings . You don ' t have to make a solid pluck against each string . Technique here is really personal . Some people use multiple fingers , some just one . Whatever works for you . Changing chords Practice . Going between different chords is as much of a skill to learn as the fingering for the chords in the first place . Dropping the uke Maybe reconsider how you ' re holding the uke ? I mostly play sitting down and I hold it against my body with my strumming arm . Relatively little weight on my fretting hand . There are various solutions out there for ukulele straps , also , some of which don ' t require any permanent modifications . I don ' t personally use one . Finally You might benefit from some help from someone in person , whether a professional teacher or a friend .