Beginner Strumming Patterns

Beginner strumming patterns provide the impetus and interest in playing songs. It is important to learn an arsenal of patterns to create interest and rhythmic phrasing (learn to miss). For basic strumming motion, check out this lesson.

If the engine of harmonic rhythms is the strumming hand, then the fretting hand could be likened to the steering wheel.

Although the strumming hand is the engine, it sometimes doesn't ultimately create the final rhythm. The fretting hand (using mutes and presses) can add to the overall rhythmic feel.

The basic principle with strumming is that the strumming hand never stops moving. Even though it might miss, the hand keeps moving. For these exercises, use any chord, open strings (the open chord), or a mute (lightly touch to create a clunk).

Basic Quarter Note Pattern

Master the motion of down strumming, then move onto 8th note strumming. Realize, you are missing on the way up (hitting only on the downs). When you miss the hand passes across the strings without hitting (or awkardly whipping the hand).

Basic 8th Note Strumming

Once you master this (lock it into muscle memory), then learn to miss without altering your strumming motion (like changing speed on a miss, or whipping your hand awkardly to miss).

Pattern with Two Misses (the and of One and Three)

Missing on the And of One and Two

Missing on the And of One and Four

The World's Most Popular Strumming Pattern

With this pattern, you are missing a downbeat (and the and of one). Get a feel for the rhythm by tapping on a table. As with all beginner strumming patterns, keep the hand moving. During a rest, you can let the chord ring, or cut it off (choke - mute).

Two Misses in a Row (and of Two and the Third Downbeat)

Keep the hand moving over both misses. You can let the chord ring through the and of two and the downbeat of three, or cut it off.