PowerOut

Guitar & strumming patterns

Posted on 04/19/09, 06:52 pm

Help.. I'm stuck on the same old strumming pattern (at least while singing) I can't use the actual strumming pattern of a song, I'm stuck on

Down, down, up, down up down

My friend says to just strike chords once and sing along to keep an idea or rhythm but I don't understand how it's helping me. I get the feeling I may need to go for lessons somewhere

• Reply #1 04/20/09  12:09pm
  
  BazLazarus
  First thing, try putting some swing on your current strum pattern, mix it up.
  If you Are strumming in A 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2, try cutting in the next chord a little early.
  ska is good training, gets you used to off-beat strumming.
  Try And use triplets when strumming,
  If the beat is a 1-2-3-4 try strumming A 1&2&3&4 down on the beat, up off the beat.
  Im not really sure if im waffling or helping, let me know :P
• Reply #2 04/24/09  6:47pm
  
  PowerOut
  are you putting the A as a capital for a reason? do you mean A chord or just 'a patten'
  
  i don't entirely follow. I can change my strumming when I'm not singing but soon as I start singing it starts going back to what I described. erg!
• Reply #3 05/11/09  11:03am
  
  BazLazarus
  just a pattern, I get 'shift' happy :D
  Its all about practice and getting your hands to operate in a different rythmn to the one in your head.
  Do you ever palm mute? That can help loosen up the strumming hand
• Reply #4 05/16/09  1:27pm
  
  PowerOut
  er I've had a go at that on some neil young songs
• Reply #5 11/02/09  1:49pm
  
  MarkusO
  Sing your songs until you are so used to the words that you can sing without thinking about it and you can pay more attention to your strumming and licks. It's all about practise! By the time you hit the stage you should be sick of the song! Music is more work then you would think!
  I've played for 35 years and my stage work is totally boring! Just the way it is!
  Mark

Aimed really at grouping together musicians of any kind suffering from health problems, confidence issues or people struggling to meet and play with others, covering:: How to get started on various instruments. Basic songwriting discussions. Singing/vocals Tips on confidence or sharing with others Tips for recordings yourself or writing down your songs + more ! : )