Strummed Rhythms

IT’S A STAPLE TECHNIQUE OF ALMOST EVERY GENRE, AND TODAY, WE’RE TEACHING YOU HOW TO GET IT DOWN LIKE A PRO.

“Strumming is fairly simple, right? Is there really that much to learn?”

Well, for the uninitiated, let’s explain what strumming is first. When you play the guitar, you pluck the strings with a pick, and you’ll either strike downwards or upwards. Strumming just means you’ll be using a mixture of downstrokes and upstrokes, striking several strings at once.

“So it’s pretty easy then…”

Generally, yes! If you’re just starting out on the guitar, practise strumming a chord using steady, regular downstrokes. If you’re playing an open E chord or a G then strum all six strings. If you’re playing a D chord strum only the top four strings (the thinnest, highest pitched ones). There’s a bit of a knack to targeting the right strings, so expect to make gradual progress.

“How do I take my technique to the next level?”

Once you’ve got the basics down, your next aim is to start to sync your pick strokes with the rhythm of the music. You’re probably doing this already, so let’s make sure you understand how and why it works so you’ll always play in time.

“Okay. How do I start practising?”

Have a swing at the exercises here and see how you go.

“Down, up, down, up – it’s easy, isn’t it?”

It’s not just about the pick strokes – the idea is that you’ll be synchronising with any music you’re playing over. So, as long as the music has a four count, you’ll be playing a downstroke on the numbered pulse and your upstrokes will fall in between. It’s not the only way to strum, but it’s used a lot in all styles of guitar music.

“I get it. It’s as much about the music as the strumming itself.”

That’s right! Take a look at the first example and you’ll see how the strumming ‘interlocks’ with the music. Alhough you don’t strum every down- or up-stroke, you can keep your picking motion going so that you stay in time.

“How do I tackle the second tab example?”

This one is at double speed, so you’ll play four pick strokes (down, up, down, up) for every musical pulse. It’s much more energetic, so make sure to practise slowly at first.