strumming patterns

When I first started learning I looked for and used some strumming patterns. I did that mainly just to help develop rhythm and to have a set pattern to practice chord changes to. After I learned a few songs and was comfortable with playing it just clicked and I've never really looked for patterns anymore. I find that if you play a song with just the guitar it's best to just trust in yourself to set the rhythm. Often times just playing what they play sounds empty and you need to fill in a little for the song to sound right. Most songs have multiple guitars going so you need to improvise to get the sound you want...

I think it's good to learn allot of diffrent patterns ,as it gives you more strumming options, as a beginner but they should never be followed religously. Good music is all about heart and you need to put a bit of your own into it to enjoy it. Just my thoughts... Peace! -Pix

All the questions about strumming patterns kind of stump me.  When I listen to a song, I can instantly identify the strumming pattern that the artist used; being able to do it myself might be another matter.  I've been playing enough lately that unless the pattern is something like a fast bluegrass alternating bass line, I can get it with a little effort.

I guess it's just me; I never realized that other folks can't tell a down stroke from an upstroke just by listening.  I will admit that it's taken nearly a year of three hours a day practice to be able to play what I hear though.

One of the 1st song books I bought had 12 to 15 struming patterns and picking patterns located in the front. As you turned through the songbook you was told which pattern fit the song. This helped but did get kinda confusing. After awhile I noticed that if I listened closely to the song and paid attention to the bass or drums in the song I could hear the "beat" of the song. By tapping my toe on the floor or tapping my finger on the table I was keeping time with the music. Then it became second nature for me to pick up the strum pattern as I counted to the "beat". Another helpful (to me, anyway's) thing  do is I carry a pick on the console of my truck and as I listen to a song I count to myself and "strum" across my shirt as I drive. I play mostly older country music with some gospel songs thrown in and only play the rythem parts. I guess by doing what I've done I've trained my ear to pick up the "beat" of a song and transfer that into a struming pattern. Hope this make since to ya'll but it do work for me.

Nela

Yep, Zurf, sometimes it's the little thangs that help make the difficult thangs simple.

Went the other day and listened to a feller play music who said he learned to play a mandolin while driving in NYC. Said he had plently of time to learn while sitting still and didn't have to roll the window down. I guess there's always a way to practice.

Nela