• Registered: 2013-10-10
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Newbie on rhythm

I had a sorta epiphany on strumming, keeping rhythm,  being able to really play a song reasonably well. I have done all the online lessons. And the most often asked question is about strum patterns. Wrong question and usually wrong answer. Say 4/4 ddu upu 6 strums or 7 or 5 or whatever. No lesson goes into how to maintain 4/4 when using any odd strum pattern. I didn't really realize it until I tried a few songs in 3/4 and found out I really didn't grasp timing/rhythm (dumbster). Just a word to other new (to guitar) folk. Strum pattern ddu upside down doesn't matter Make sure you  start off getting the right number of strums or absence of a strum to get the beat of the song (music) in the correct time.You may add whatever you wish between the beat but you are essentially doing close to what a drummer is doing, keeping time. smile

  • zguitar
  • Don't call me Sir
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  • From: Mentone, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
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Re: Newbie on rhythm

Glad to hear that you are progressing Jim!!! Makes you feel good when you get something. You should have come across some mention of counting in the vids you watched. Typically your down is counted as a "number" and the up is counted as an "and".

Here's a great little vid that shows it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q7rspb0MpI

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!
  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Newbie on rhythm

My first guitar teacher (Dad) suggested I mute the strings, and strum the guitar like a washboard when learning the rhythm of a song. I've always found his suggestion useful, and will still do that to this day. Had to do it to pick up the strum pattern for "Afternoons & Coffeespoons" (Crash Test Dummies) as it's quite fast.

Sounds like you're having a lot of fun figuring things out, which is one of the many blessings of music.

  • NELA
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  • From: West Monroe, La. 71292
  • Registered: 2007-11-28
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Re: Newbie on rhythm

Jimstone. welcome to Chordie. Back in the day when I was a working man, disabled and retired now, I would spend a lotta time driving. I would keep several picks handy and as I was driving and listening to the radio I would strum across my chest to the songs. This is good practice as you are constantly listening to different songs. If you will use a light to medium guage pick you will get a kinda muted sound and I have found that this will do wonders for your timing. If you decide to try this, be careful. If the po-lease see you driving down the road with your struming hand moving up and down to a fast song you could be stopped and charged with "distracted driving".

nela

NELA's Website

  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
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Re: Newbie on rhythm

I wanna see that chest. Not gay, but I wanna see how scarred up you are! Just kidding of course smile, but I just tried it myself, and found I needed my chording hand, so it's a good thing I don't drive anymore!  Interesting timing exercise, though and good advice, NELA!

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • dino48
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Re: Newbie on rhythm

just keep down and upstroking and not touch until needed it is known as ghost stroking.

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Newbie on rhythm

dino48 wrote:

just keep down and upstroking and not touch until needed it is known as ghost stroking.

We still talking about rhythm guitar, [d]dino[/b]? wink smile smile

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • dino48
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Re: Newbie on rhythm

Strummerboy Bill wrote:
dino48 wrote:

just keep down and upstroking and not touch until needed it is known as ghost stroking.

We still talking about rhythm guitar, [d]dino[/b]? wink smile smile

Bill

Correct!

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • NELA
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  • From: West Monroe, La. 71292
  • Registered: 2007-11-28
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Re: Newbie on rhythm

Jimstone, one of the most important things you can do to keep your timing while struming is to never stop the motion of your struming hand. So what if you happen to strum the strings before you completly form the next chord - you are still keeping the rythem of the song going. As you progress you will get better at switching between chords.

nela

NELA's Website

  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: Newbie on rhythm

Dave Mathews is a master of this technique