Guitar Strumming Patterns
A strumming pattern is the rhythm your picking hand plays. Start with the first pattern and work down the list.
Four DownsD – D – D – D –The simplest strum: one down stroke on every beat. A steady base for your very first songs.Down-Up EighthsD U D U D U D UDown and up strokes without a break. It trains the constant arm motion that every other pattern is built on.Classic StrumD – D U – U D UA skipped up-stroke gives this pattern its bounce. It fits an enormous number of folk, pop and rock songs.Ballad StrumD – – U – U D USpace between the strums leaves room for the melody. A calm pattern for slower songs.Offbeat Strum– U – U – U – UOnly up strokes, played between the beats. This gives the light, bouncing feel of reggae and ska.Waltz Strum (3/4)D – D U D UA pattern for three beats per bar: a strong down on one, then lighter down-ups.Driving EighthsD D D D D D D DEight down strokes per bar. Fast, powerful and tiring, a staple for rock and punk rhythm guitar.Muted StrumD x U x D x U xMuted strokes (x) add percussion between the chord hits. It sounds rhythmic and funky.