Beginner Strumming Patterns

The basic principle with strumming is that the strumming hand never stops moving. Even though it might miss, the hand keeps moving. For these patterns, use any chord, open strings (the open chord), or a mute (lightly touch to create a clunk).

Basic Quarter Note Pattern

quarter note strumming

Master the motion of down strumming, then move onto 8th note strumming. Realize that you are missing on the way up (hitting only on the downs). When you miss the hand passes across the strings without hitting (or awkardly whipping the hand).

Basic 8th Note Strumming

basic 8th note strumming pattern

Once you master this (lock it into muscle memory), then learn to miss without altering your strumming motion (like changing speed on a miss, or whipping your hand awkardly to miss).

Pattern with 2 Misses (the and of 1 and 3)

8th pattern with miss on and of 1 and 3

Missing on the And of 1 and 2

pattern with miss on and of one and two

Missing on the And of One and Four

pattern with misses on and of one and four

World's Most Popular Strumming Pattern

pattern with misses on and of one, third downbeat

With this pattern, you are missing a downbeat (and the and of one). Get a feel for the rhythm by tapping on a table. As with all beginner strumming patterns, keep the hand moving. During a rest, you can let the chord ring, or cut it off [hush, choke].

2 Misses in a Row (and of 2 and the 3)

pattern with two misses in a row on and of two and downbeat of three

Keep the hand moving over both misses. You can let the chord ring through the and of two and the downbeat of three, or cut it off [hush].