George Formby Style Banjo Uke: Fan Stroke Tutorial

The fan stroke is often admired for it's visual effect and the apparent skill of the player. This tutorial shows you how to learn the Fan Stroke, first by learning the motion and fingering and then all importantly a technique for getting the timing right. Make sure you know how to do the "Split Stroke" first, if you don't know this see my Split Stroke tutorial first.

This isn't the only way to do the fan, there are lots of variations especially with fingering and where you can slot the fan into a rhythm, for example see Stephen Sprought (You Tube user ukelounge). User 4276357 has also just put up some videos of Jack Jones (an amazing uke player) showing how to do the Fan Stroke, so try those also.

When you have mastered this, to add a further dimension, try to match the fan to the split stroke sound (not just the timing). In this case the first stroke is with the thumb instead of the little finger, and the index finger upstroke and little finger downstroke are on just 2 strings not four.

If you wish to hear GF style played properly or to receive tuition from an official tutor, my channel isn't quite the place! The best advice is to try one of the George Formby Society Conventions (details available from their website).

The Banjo-Uke used in this tutorial is a Cartwright Super Delux (an Abbott Monarch copy) in ADF#B tuning.

Thanks for watching and Good Luck! Cheers, John.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fan
• Stroke
• George
• Formby
• Banjolele
• Banjo
• Uke
• Ukulele
• Kitchen
• Wittgreffe

[MrSnorbitz1]

Hi could you tell me what type of Uke you are playing and how much do they cost.

Carl

[wittgrjp]

@MrSnorbitz1 Hi in this video it's a Cartwright Super Delux- it was made specially by Phil Cartwright, he makes good ukes, mine is v. good and has improved also with age. In other videos I use a vintage Ludwig. A new Cartwright would set you back £500-£1000 depending on model, a Ludwig £1200+.

[tontoski1]

hi there,what type of banjolele would you recommend for a beginner like myself john,great video,regards neil

[wittgrjp]

@tontoski1 Hi as a beginner I would simply try a normal wooden uke, one in about the £30-40 price range would suit, not one of the cheap toy ones. Try playing over the neck just where the neck meets the body- not over the hole like guitar! This will enable you to try out formby techniques and see if you take to them. If you do, then consider a banjo-uke and/or tenor uke, a banjo-uke needs to be set up for formby, there's info on this on the web if you google. Cheers John

[nicole22rox]

holy cow thats amazing, I just got my banjolele today :)

[PolycarpusT]

Hello, I found your video last night (Thursday) Absolutely great, I am away to get myself a Tanglewood uke on Saturday and thereafter, I will be giving your videos some real hammer.

Looking forward to having some fun along the way.

Kind regards

Anthony.

ps In the age of my second childhood!

[tontoski1]

Hi John,managed to get a John grey uke-banjo for £150,well pleased,need to work hard now,what chords do you use in this video,keep up the tutorials,many thanks neil

[blueprint4]

Thank you soooooo much, what a great clear video. I'll do it I'm sure! Liz

[kayfing]

I have watched this video many times, and it is helpful to a point however, Please tell us what chords you are playing and also how to move between the different strokes.

[MsPerfectsquare]

Thank you!! I have learned so much from watching this! Very generous of you to share your knowledge!