Guitar Strumming Basics

Guitar Strumming Basics:

= Down Strum   = Up Strum

1.  Rhythms on the beat will always be a DOWN strum.

• Try strumming quarter notes using an E minor chord.  Everything should be DOWN strums.

Rec

2.  Rhythms on the “and” or off beat, will always be an UP strum.

• Now try strumming 8th notes.  All the “ands” of each beat will be  UP strums.  All of the #’s will still be down strums.

rec

3. Try this mixed rhythm pattern.

• Keep your hand moving consistently!  If you pause at any moment you will lose your pattern and be strumming UP’s instead of DOWN’S or vice versa.

rec

Tips:

• Always keep your hand moving up and down.  If you stop you will fall behind.
• Strumming comes more from rotating or twisting the forearm rather than swinging the forearm up and down from the elbow.
• Say either the pattern or the  numbers out loud as you do it.  This helps a lot!
• GO SLOW and use a metronome!!!  Is that starting to sound familiar???

Previous Lesson: 8th Notes and 8th Note Rests

Next Lesson:  The Most Common Strum Pattern

videos coming soon!!!

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