| Are you a guitarist who practices a lot, but is not able | | | | and. Strum down with the second and. |
| to make the proper sound from the strings? If this is | | | | Go for more complicated ones now. Break a beat into |
| the case then the problem might be that you are not | | | | 4-quarter beats and strum with them. After this start |
| strumming the strings properly. | | | | to break the beats in as much quarter beats as you |
| Strumming the strings properly is the most important | | | | can. Remember, the more you break, the more it will |
| part of playing a string instrument. There are lots of | | | | become tough for you to maintain the rhythm. |
| strumming patterns of guitars. Here are some of them: | | | | To maintain the rhythms of the strumming patterns of |
| Let us start with a basic 4 beat pattern. Tune your | | | | guitars, you can follow some rules. |
| guitar first and then settle down with a chord, say D | | | | Tap your foot while playing. Remember; tap your foot |
| Major chord. Hold this chord properly. Make sure that | | | | downwards when you are strumming down. Do just |
| every single string is sounding properly. Now, start | | | | the opposite while strumming up. |
| counting the 4 beat rhythm. You do not have to make | | | | You can even count 1 2 3 4 louder. Count 1 and, when |
| it complicated first. Just count 1, 2, 3, 4 and strum up | | | | you are playing the off beats. |
| and down. Strum down while counting 1. Then strum up | | | | Do not play fast at first. Start playing very slow. After |
| while counting 2. Continue this pattern with every beat. | | | | you feel comfortable with the pattern, then go for a |
| Your second step is to start playing off beats. To do | | | | faster speed. |
| this, start playing the 4 beat rhythm by counting 1 and 2 | | | | While trying different strumming patterns of guitars, |
| and 3 and 4 and. Here offbeat is referred as and. | | | | you should be aware of some basic rules. |
| Now while counting, start strumming the guitar in an up | | | | If you play an acoustic guitar, then make sure that you |
| and down pattern. That means while counting 1, strum | | | | are strumming over the sound hole. It will give you the |
| downward and while counting that offbeat, i.e. and, | | | | best sound. |
| strum upward. Practice it until you get a proper hold of | | | | Be very careful that both the up strumming and down |
| it. | | | | strumming are sounding same. Otherwise it will not |
| These are the easy strumming patterns of guitars. | | | | deliver the correct sound. |
| These are the basics and mainly for beginners. Once | | | | Do not strum too hard. It will make a rattle sound. Do |
| you feel comfortable with these patterns then try | | | | not even strum too soft. It will make a wimpy sound. |
| playing some difficult ones. | | | | When you are playing different strumming patterns of |
| Break the rhythm and strum with them. That means | | | | guitars, be careful about your forearm. While playing, |
| now count a 4 beat rhythm as 1 and and 2 and and | | | | your wrist will move, but not your forearm. |
| etc. These two ands means you are breaking 1half | | | | So, practice these strumming patterns of guitars, and |
| beat to two-quarter beat. Use the previous patter of | | | | you will be surprised to see that how brilliant you can |
| strumming here. That means strum up with the first | | | | play. |