Music Tutorials: Strumming

Strumming

1. Strum directly over the sound hole on an acoustic guitar.
On electric guitar, strum over the body (different locations will give you         different sounds), not over the neck. 
2. Make sure all strings are ringing clearly and the volume of your downstrums  and upstrums are equal. 
3. Do not strum too hard, as this often causes strings to rattle, and produces  an undesirable sound. On the other hand, strumming too softly produces a  "wimpy" sound.
4. Your pick should be striking the strings with a firm and even stroke. 
5. Think of your elbow as being the top of a pendulum with your arm swinging  up and down from it in a steady motion and never pausing at any time. 
6. The picking motion should come only from a rotation of the wrist, rather  than from the forearm. Be sure not to keep your wrist stiff when playing.

Apply 1-6 and try them to this chord structure:

G-Em-C-D

Basic Strumming Patterns

a) 2 beat strum pattern:
    Down __down, down, up
    There is a pause after the 1st downstroke.

b) 4 beat strum pattern: 
    Down__down, down, up, down __down, down, up.
    This is a basic 4 beat pattern and it is actually a 2 beat pattern, played 2       times over.

c) More advanced 4 beat strum pattern:
    Down __down, down, up, up, down __down, up, down, up.
    This 4 beat pattern requires intense practice because it is comparatively       more difficult than a) or b).

                   

1 2 N N 4 N The strumming pattern above is for 4 beats or counts.

Strumming pattern

Happy Birthday - strum and sing

                                       When The Saints Go Marching In 

- strum and sing