Strumming basics: down, up, and groove
Concept
Strum from the wrist, not the elbow. The simplest pattern is all down-strums on the beat. Add upstrokes on the 'and' of beats for groove.
Counting eighth notes
Each beat in 4/4 time can split in half: - Beats: 1, 2, 3, 4 - Eighths: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Down-strums fall on the numbers. Up-strums fall on the '&'. If you keep your hand moving in constant down-up motion (like a metronome), all you have to do is decide which strums actually hit the strings.
Three patterns that cover 80% of songs
Pattern 1 — Quarter notes (easiest): D D D D (one strum per beat)
Pattern 2 — Old standby: D - D U - U D U (count: 1 _ 2 & _ & 4 &)
Pattern 3 — Folk feel: D D U _ U D U (count: 1 2 & _ & 4 &)
Keep your hand moving down-up the whole time. The dashes are just upstrokes that miss the strings.
Wrist, not arm
Strumming with your elbow is exhausting and inflexible. Let your wrist rotate like you're turning a doorknob. The pick should glide across the strings, not punch them.
Key takeaways
- •Wrist does the work, not the arm.
- •Keep the hand moving in steady down-up motion.
- •Three or four strumming patterns cover most songs.
Glossary
- Downstroke
- Strumming from low strings toward high strings.
- Upstroke
- Strumming back up from high strings to low.
- Eighth note
- Half a beat. Falls on the '&' between numbered beats.