Four strumming patterns that cover most songs
From plain down-strums to the offbeat skank: four patterns, with a player so you can hear and copy each one.
Strumming patterns look complicated written down, but they all come from one idea: your hand moves down on the beat and up in between, all the time. The pattern is just which of those moves hit the strings.
1 · Down on every beat
The first pattern everyone learns, and still used in plenty of rock and punk.
D = down-strum, U = up-strum, · = keep the hand moving but miss the strings.
2 · Straight 8ths
Down-up, all the way through. Great for driving songs. Keep the up-strums lighter.
D = down-strum, U = up-strum, · = keep the hand moving but miss the strings.
3 · The everyday pattern
Down, down-up, up-down-up. If you learn only one pattern, learn this one. It fits a huge number of pop and folk songs.
D = down-strum, U = up-strum, · = keep the hand moving but miss the strings.
4 · The offbeat
Only up-strums, on the “ands”. This is the skank at the heart of reggae and ska. Keep it short and snappy.
D = down-strum, U = up-strum, · = keep the hand moving but miss the strings.
How to practise them
- Mute the strings with your fretting hand and play the pattern for a minute. Pure rhythm, no chords.
- Say it out loud: “down, down-up, up-down-up”.
- Add one chord, then two.
- Play along with a backing track.
Learn this free in 10 minutes. Start free, no card needed.
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