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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → basic strumming pattern
I know that strumming pattern can vary from song to song, but as a beginner I find it hard to figure out exactly how to strum certain songs. Nothing sounds right to me. Are there any comonly used patterns that anyone has. I am really interested in the 12 bar blues progression, what is a normal strumming pattern for this? I feel as if I could get a strumming pattern down then I could work from there to "make it my own". Any help would be appreciated.
A 12 bar blues is a chord progression, and can be strummed (and picked) any number of ways. Whatever key you are in, you'll play the root, then the IV, then the root again, then the V, then the IV, and back to root.
For example, in E, you would play
E A E B A E in 12 bars.
One of the easiest ways to play that would be simple quarter notes. Simple strum straight down for times in rhythm, and that's one bar.
E
V V V V V V V V
A
V V V V V V V V
E
V V V V V V V V
B
V V V V
A
V V V V
E
V V V V V V V V
Once you are comfortable with that, you can mix it up a little.
Two ways to get a good strum sound.
1) By ear. Some songs have an obvious beat, such as the Beach Boys 'I Can Hear Music' big 12 string right up in the mix. Not hard to emulate.
2) By emphasis. If we say a 4/4 song goes 1&2&3&4& we can put a big strum on any of those beats. Obviously a strong upstroke is harder (sounds calypso/reggae though) to do so try an emphatic 1 and miss the upstroke so it becomes ONE! 2&3&4&. There are obviously numerous variations. Find a straightforward song without too many changes to practise on. 'Knocking On Heaven's Door' is a good'un.
Go to this website it's the best strumming lesson going. And it's free. Good luck.
<a href="http://www.heartwoodguitar.com" target="_blank">http://www.heartwoodguitar.com</a>
thanks for the replies.....just needed something to try and work off of...
<a href="http://www.scenicnewengland.net/guitar/acoustic/info/strumming.htm" target="_blank"> http://www.scenicnewengland.net/guitar/ … fo/strummi ng.htm</a> That got me going when I felt the same way you did. Don't worry, after a while it will just kind of come to you. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → basic strumming pattern
