• Registered: 2012-06-03
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Appropriate Strumming

Hi there!  I just need some guidance on how to strum better. At the moment I'm trying different strumming techniques from set rythms on the web - along with what I feel are suitable for the song. The problem is that after learning a strumming technique which I thought sounded ok playing basic chords (Elton John - can you feel the love tonight - Lion king theme song), it turned out that there was a much better way of strumming to it, as my music teacher demonstrated (All my music lessons are in Chinese as I'm living in China so communication can be a little tricky). The strumming pattern also changed with verse and chorus. So, I just need to your help on what I can do to improve my strumming. Do I need to strum according to the words? When is it appropriate to strum up and down?

Any help would be much appreciated.

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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Re: Appropriate Strumming

Get and use a metronome.  Practice with it.  Go sloooooowly when learning a new strumming pattern, and increase the speed a little at a time.  Play the pattern PERFECTLY before increasing speed.  Eventually, when you get it up to full speed, it will be almost impossible for you to make a mistake with it. 

It is not unusual for verse and chorus to be one strum pattern and the bridge to be a different one. 

Also, be sure that you recognize that just because there may be a "better" strum pattern than the one you are using, that there is no "perfect" strum pattern, AND that as a student the "better" one may be beyond your grasp at the moment.  You don't shingle the roof before laying the foundation.   

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
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  • Registered: 2012-06-03
  • Posts: 2

Re: Appropriate Strumming

''It is not unusual for verse and chorus to be one strum pattern and the bridge to be a different one.''

Thanks Zurf

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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Re: Appropriate Strumming

If you are listening to a song and the verse and chorus both have a similar sound, and then there's a bit that has a different sound, different chords maybe or often times a different rhythm or pace, that bit is the bridge.   Not every song has one, but many do.  Once you know what to listen for, they're pretty easy to pick out with some practice. 

I don't know your preferred style of music, so I'll give you a couple examples I know well. 

If you're listening to "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay", the bridge is "Looks like nothing's gonna change..." through to "so I guess I'll remain the same...". 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd3rA89VhtA

Or if you're listening to Moonshadow, then the bridge is the part that starts "Did it take long to find me..." and ends with "are you gonna stay the night?" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGNxKnLmOH4

I hope that helps.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • beamer
  • beamer
  • THE METALIZER. Naughty Rocker Boy.
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  • From: WASHINGTON ST
  • Registered: 2006-07-29
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Re: Appropriate Strumming

Hey Z thanks for the  Moonshadow link,, been a long time since I heard this.

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

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  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: Appropriate Strumming

Just found this.  Hope it helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5MxIANv … ure=g-vrec

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
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  • zguitar
  • Don't call me Sir
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  • From: Mentone, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
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Re: Appropriate Strumming

Welcome to the forums Cueball.

I have a hard time with strumming also. I'm getting better at being able to listen and pick out what's going on. To me strumming is as important as the chords are. Your strum should happen between the chords that are shown on your song sheet.

G                     C       G                   D
Hey, where did  we go days when the rains came

So for this song (Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison) you would play DDUUDU for the G then switch to the C DDUUDU switch to G and so on. So you don't really strum TO the words. What can be helpful is to remember the word that the chord change hits on. In this example they are we, days, and rain. If you're fairly new to guitar or are just having trouble then I would try to find a video of a version you like and emulate that one. That's what I do.

I agree with Zurf. There is no ONE way to do it. Look up any song on youtube and you'll see variations.

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!
  • zguitar
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Re: Appropriate Strumming

Good find Pete!!! He has the same guitar I do. Love the A&L.

I find his notation a little confusing tho. But if you listen to him play them it works out.

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!