Guitar Strumming Patterns

Acoustic Guitar Lesson: Guitar Strumming Patterns

Strumming, for a guitarist, generally is used specifically to refer to when a guitarist loosely plays a series of basic guitar chords with the same rhythmic set of up and down strokes. One common mistake among beginner guitarists is to use guitar strumming patterns in place of proper rhythmic control or to try to regulate any guitar into a strumming pattern. This is usually only used for more background rhythm parts, and shouldn’t be confused with acoustic guitar lessons on techniques that are intentionally more precise.

Strumming is usually a very style of guitar playing, but that isn’t the same as playing sloppy. The actual rhythm should still be precise, with the loose falling in the slight ability to hit or miss a couple of extra strings with each stroke. If the bottom three strings are targeted in a stroke, it is fine for only the bottom two sound, but if the stroke completely misses, then that should be taken as an indication that the playing is too sloppy.


Basic Strumming Pattern

The most basic strumming pattern used is the alteration of down and up strokes for eighth notes. From this basic pattern, a few different patterns can be made simply by leaving out some attacks in the guitar strumming pattern. Here are some examples:

The patterns shown in this acoustic guitar lesson can be played using any of the basic guitar chords. The focus should be on developing an even rhythm and consistent flow of guitar strokes.

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