Guitar: The four quarters strumming patterns: An Open Learning Guide

You'll learn a handful of strumming patterns here in the Campfire Diploma. Play these exactly as they are written. Later in the folk diploma you will learn how to vary the rhythms a little. But first, a secure rhythm is the most important thing besides the chords.

The easiest strumming pattern is four downstrokes. Most of the songs you find in standard songbooks are written in 4/4 time. Therefore, “counting to 4” must become second nature through constant practice.

It is important to develop a feeling for where the beginning of a measure - i.e. the "1" - is. You can hit the "1" a little louder than the other beats, or you can count it a little louder. The "1" often goes hand in hand with the beginning of a sentence, but unfortunately not always. Listen to the music examples and try to hear the "1" in a bar. Maybe pay attention to the drums in the background. Even if you can't read music yet, the bar lines on a staff can be helpful. Chord changes usually occur on the "1".

Many things come together when learning rhythm. Counting - consciously paying attention to the beat of music - practically executing a beat pattern - using the bar lines as a guide to the notes - the beat pattern images - everything works together. All the elements help make your first steps easier so you get a feel for the rhythm.

Strumming is not just a matter of the head, but hearing and the movement of your body (here more specifically: the strumming pattern you perform) are part of it. It's best to practice the strumming patterns with songs that you listen to at the same time. If you have a Midi file, MP3 or video download for the piece, you can use some programs (VanBasco, VLC, BestPractice, Music Speed ​​Changer app, etc.) to slow down the tempo so that you no longer have any difficulties. to play along.

Although the arrows are drawn the other way around in some books, in this graphic "top" and "bottom" are not swapped! Like the chord diagrams, the strings are always shown from the player's perspective; the way the strings appear from above. You've already seen it with the chord pictures, and when you learn the tablature later, you'll see that "upside down" is the general standard.

For each number, strike with the fingernails of your right hand (2-3 fingers or - if you want to be a little quieter - just the index finger) from top to bottom. Your fingernails are parallel to the strings. It doesn't hurt if the fingernails protrude half a millimeter or a little more. You use the same natural motion as if you were trying to remove a few cake crumbs from your pant leg.

Your thumb and index finger can touch each other a little, but they should remain mobile (almost as if you had a ball of plasticine or something similar between your fingers).

Alternatively, you can use a soft pick to start with. However, I would only recommend it if you have problems with your fingernails. You can get a better feel for the instrument with your fingers. Use picks more for playing loudly. Later it's purely a matter of taste whether you play with or without a pick. However, you should be able to do both.

The blows are delivered evenly, like the ticking of a clock. This movement is completely independent of the melody you are currently singing. You don't start to walk faster or slower when you talk to someone on a walk and sometimes speak faster and sometimes slower.

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Text adapted from Guitar/The four quarters strumming patterns by Wikibooks contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. This adapted text is shared under the same licence. Contributor history.