Strumming
-the act of playing a guitar or similar instrument by sweeping
the thumb or a plectrum up or down across the strings.
Below are the strumming patterns written in a guitar musical sheet to give you base knowledge on
strumming. I also included some strumming exercises for you to apply together with the basic open
string chords. Do these exercises frequently to help you switch chords faster, make your fingers
stronger and enhance their coordination.
Downstroke Upstroke
Double Bar - End of musical piece.
Downstroke Strum
Double Dot- Repeat sign
4
4
Try:
1 2 3 4 1. Apply one strumming pattern
2. Use Chords: G, Em, C, D
Variation 1 3. Each chord receives 4 counts or four
Miss
beats.
44 4. Switch to another chord after 4
44 counts/beats.
5. Follow the metronome faithfully.
1 (&) 2 & 3 & 4 &
Also Try:
Variation 2 1. Apply one strumming pattern
Miss Miss 2. Use Chords: D, A, C, G
3. Each chord receives 4 counts/beats.
4
4 4. Switch to another chord after 4
counts/beats.
5. Follow the metronome faithfully.
1 (&) 2 & (3) & 4 &
Remember:
Variation 3
Miss Miss Miss Listen carefully to the tick of the
metronome and play by its beats.
4
4
Start with slow tempo while making sure
you are doing the right chords as you
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & switch from one to another.
All strings involved should sound clearly.
