guitar strumming patterns

Guitar strumming patterns are of major importance for the learning guitarist. All too frequently this aspect of learning guitar gets neglected and this often results in feelings of frustration.

It’s true that some people are able to simply ‘use their ear’ as be able to accurately reproduce guitar strumming patterns heard on records but for the majority this is not so easy and a more detailed ‘how to’ approach is necessary.

Here are some important starting points to know about guitar strumming patterns. The first is that you don’t need to know a lot of different strums. Luckily there are universal strum patterns which will cover you for 100’s of songs.

Another consideration is the pick you use. Your aim should be to produce a smooth and even sound whenever you strum guitar and to this end a pick of .60mm is the ideal choice. It’s got enough resistance against the strings to produce volume without being harsh.

Thirdly the tension in your wrist is extremely important. I have had many students where the problems experienced in guitar strumming patterns were all to do with their wrist. Unfortunately they had a natural tendency to hold their wrist very rigid instead of loose and easy, this fact translated directly into a harsh and abrasive sound. It also felt harder to them to play guitar because of the resistance against the strings.

Guitar Strumming Patterns: Learning Online

Finally if you are looking to learning guitar online you may find that there is a lack of good quality lessons for learning how to strum guitar. My advice is not to commit to any method without being sure that it is going to devote enough attention to the subject of how to strum guitar properly. Guitar strumming patterns are something you should learn alongside your first chords, they should be natural and automatic so you don’t even have to think about them.

Get your guitar strumming patterns right and the rest will seem a whole lot easier!