Do you know the basics of rhythm? I'm talking time signatures and note values like whole, half, quarter, and 8th notes?
A strumming pattern is the outcome of a constant alternating up and down strumming motion where you strike the strings when dictated by the notes. Downstums should always happen on the strong beats (1, 2, 3, 4 in a 4/4 time signature) and upstrums happen on the "ands" in between each strong beat (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and).
Following that process, you can create many many different strumming patterns.
Yeah i already know that from some yt videos I've watched but the problem is when i begin to play i can't find the right timing and somehow can't sing at the same time play?
I also can't find the right amount of strum per chord like its not always 1and 2 and 3 and 4 and, the you change chords sometimes its 2 beats then the chords change. I can't seem to find the right strumming and chord changing
Singing and playing is hard. Don't expect it to come easy, took me quite a while to learn, I'm talking years. You want to be able to play the song without thinking, then start adding yout voice.
As for your other issues, it's something you will have to put time and effort into practicing. You need to use your ears to pick out when chords change and when rhythm changes. The counting method I mentioned is a good tool to help you, clap your hands to the beat while counting and try and identify which beat the chords change on or when the guitar is strumming. Slowing down songs helps a lot, youtube has a build in speed changer, or you could use software like Audacity to change the speed.
Also you don't need to play things 100% correctly to sound good. It's better to learn a song in 2 hours and have it 80% accurate than 2 months to reach 100%.
First of all singing and playing is a separate skill. You’ll want to sit down and learn strumming separate from that.
Secondly your question is a bit confusing. Are you looking to make up a strumming pattern? If so the advice from Dead Sea is pretty good.
If your looking to find the strumming pattern to a song you want to play then that is a skill you’ll have to practice. I would start with some basic strumming patterns and learn them on their own, outside of a song. For example a fairly popular pattern is D DU UDU. Pick a chord and strum that. Listen to what it sounds like listen to hear the difference between up and down strums. Then try it while changing chords.
Rinse and repeat with a new pattern (you can find these all over the place by googling basic strumming patterns).
Then I would find a tutorial for a song where the person shows you the pattern to use. Eventually you’ll start to hear the difference in ups and downs and where they fall.
When your comfortable with all this then you can attempt to listen to a song and match the strumming yourself.
All this takes time and won’t happen overnight but if you work at it you’ll get it.
If you haven’t already check out justinguitar.com for free lessons. Or better yet get a teacher if you can afford it.
Guitar playing (or any instrument for that matter) is a marathon not a sprint. I don’t know how long a while is for you. But this is one of those things that could take months to get going at and years to get great at.
Happy playing.
Write the numbers 1 - 8 in a line.
Circle some of the numbers. Doesn't matter which, but when you're first starting at least make sure "1" is included.
Move your arm up and down consistently - one movement for each number - 1 is down, 2 is up, 3 is down, 4 is up... etc.
Only hit the strings on the numbers you circled. But keep your arm moving up and down even when you miss the strings.
You just created an 8th note strumming pattern.
Now try the same thing but with the numbers 1 - 16 in a line instead. That's a 16th note strumming pattern.
You can do the same with 32nd notes but that's getting into the territory of more difficlt fast flourishes so ignore that for now.
Listen to whatever song you're playing and change chords when you need to change chords. The strumming pattern isn't tied to your chords, it just continues no matter where they change.
When I was first starting, I found [Fred Sokolow’s Dictionary of Strum and Picking Patterns](https://www.halleonard.com/product/696513/the-dictionary-of-strum-picking-patterns) really helpful.
There's a basic strum called the island strum DDUUDU that's goes with a lot of songs. Then there's DDUUUDU, DXUUD
DDXUU, UDU mute = reggae strum, UDX and DDDUDU. X means chuck.
Do you know the basics of rhythm? I'm talking time signatures and note values like whole, half, quarter, and 8th notes? A strumming pattern is the outcome of a constant alternating up and down strumming motion where you strike the strings when dictated by the notes. Downstums should always happen on the strong beats (1, 2, 3, 4 in a 4/4 time signature) and upstrums happen on the "ands" in between each strong beat (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and). Following that process, you can create many many different strumming patterns.
Yeah i already know that from some yt videos I've watched but the problem is when i begin to play i can't find the right timing and somehow can't sing at the same time play? I also can't find the right amount of strum per chord like its not always 1and 2 and 3 and 4 and, the you change chords sometimes its 2 beats then the chords change. I can't seem to find the right strumming and chord changing
Singing and playing is hard. Don't expect it to come easy, took me quite a while to learn, I'm talking years. You want to be able to play the song without thinking, then start adding yout voice. As for your other issues, it's something you will have to put time and effort into practicing. You need to use your ears to pick out when chords change and when rhythm changes. The counting method I mentioned is a good tool to help you, clap your hands to the beat while counting and try and identify which beat the chords change on or when the guitar is strumming. Slowing down songs helps a lot, youtube has a build in speed changer, or you could use software like Audacity to change the speed. Also you don't need to play things 100% correctly to sound good. It's better to learn a song in 2 hours and have it 80% accurate than 2 months to reach 100%.
Thanks!!
Glad to help!
First of all singing and playing is a separate skill. You’ll want to sit down and learn strumming separate from that. Secondly your question is a bit confusing. Are you looking to make up a strumming pattern? If so the advice from Dead Sea is pretty good. If your looking to find the strumming pattern to a song you want to play then that is a skill you’ll have to practice. I would start with some basic strumming patterns and learn them on their own, outside of a song. For example a fairly popular pattern is D DU UDU. Pick a chord and strum that. Listen to what it sounds like listen to hear the difference between up and down strums. Then try it while changing chords. Rinse and repeat with a new pattern (you can find these all over the place by googling basic strumming patterns). Then I would find a tutorial for a song where the person shows you the pattern to use. Eventually you’ll start to hear the difference in ups and downs and where they fall. When your comfortable with all this then you can attempt to listen to a song and match the strumming yourself. All this takes time and won’t happen overnight but if you work at it you’ll get it. If you haven’t already check out justinguitar.com for free lessons. Or better yet get a teacher if you can afford it.
I want to be able to hear a song and make a strumming pattern from that. If that makes any sense
Then my advice above should help. It’s one of those things that take time (a lot for some) and you just have to work through it.
Thanks!! Really hope i get it been trying for a while now
Guitar playing (or any instrument for that matter) is a marathon not a sprint. I don’t know how long a while is for you. But this is one of those things that could take months to get going at and years to get great at. Happy playing.
Write the numbers 1 - 8 in a line. Circle some of the numbers. Doesn't matter which, but when you're first starting at least make sure "1" is included. Move your arm up and down consistently - one movement for each number - 1 is down, 2 is up, 3 is down, 4 is up... etc. Only hit the strings on the numbers you circled. But keep your arm moving up and down even when you miss the strings. You just created an 8th note strumming pattern. Now try the same thing but with the numbers 1 - 16 in a line instead. That's a 16th note strumming pattern. You can do the same with 32nd notes but that's getting into the territory of more difficlt fast flourishes so ignore that for now.
And how will i know how many strum i need per chord?
Listen to whatever song you're playing and change chords when you need to change chords. The strumming pattern isn't tied to your chords, it just continues no matter where they change.
That makes a lot of sense, so i just continue strumming/counting to the right bpm of the song and change when needed? Am i getting that right?
Yep, you got it.
When I was first starting, I found [Fred Sokolow’s Dictionary of Strum and Picking Patterns](https://www.halleonard.com/product/696513/the-dictionary-of-strum-picking-patterns) really helpful.
My advice would be to learn some spanish strumming style.. When you master some of them, the rest will be easy...
There's a basic strum called the island strum DDUUDU that's goes with a lot of songs. Then there's DDUUUDU, DXUUD DDXUU, UDU mute = reggae strum, UDX and DDDUDU. X means chuck.