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Strumming Patterns for Beginners

A strumming pattern is just the order of down strokes (D) and up strokes (U) you repeat over a chord. Learn the five below and you can play along with the large majority of popular songs. Practice each one on a single easy chord like Em until your hand moves on its own.

The one rule that matters: keep your strumming hand moving down and up like a pendulum, even when you do not hit the strings. Skipping a strum means your hand passes the strings without touching them. If your arm keeps swinging, you can never lose the beat.

Pattern 1: All downs (the metronome)

D   D   D   D1   2   3   4

Four even down strums per bar. Boring on purpose - this builds your timing. Count out loud.

Pattern 2: Down, down-up (the folk strum)

D   D U   D   D U1   2 &   3   4 &

The most useful pattern in folk and pop. The "&" is the half-beat between counts.

Pattern 3: The classic (down, down-up, up, down-up)

D   D U   U   D U1   2 &   &   4 &

This one fits hundreds of famous songs. It feels strange for a day or two, then suddenly clicks. Notice beat 3 is empty - your hand swings down through the strings without touching.

Pattern 4: The ballad (down, up, up, down, up)

D   U   U D   U1   &   3 &   &

Softer feel for slower songs. Only three strums land on the strings per bar.

Pattern 5: The driver (down, down, down, down-up with accent)

D   D   D   D U1   2   3   4 &  (strum beat 1 harder)

Rock and country energy. Accent (hit harder) on beat 1 of each bar.

How to match a pattern to a song

  1. Listen and tap your foot. Most songs are in 4 - you can count "1 2 3 4" along with them.
  2. Start with Pattern 1 (all downs) along with the song. If it fits the speed, try Pattern 2.
  3. If the song feels busy or upbeat, try Pattern 3 or 5. If it feels slow and gentle, try Pattern 4.
  4. There is no wrong answer: if it sounds good and stays on the beat, it works.

Practice plan

Spend two minutes per pattern on Em, then two minutes switching between G and C using Pattern 2. When the chord change stops breaking your rhythm, strumming is officially working.

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