{"id":421,"date":"2018-10-30T11:35:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T11:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/?page_id=421"},"modified":"2018-10-30T13:20:41","modified_gmt":"2018-10-30T13:20:41","slug":"right-hand-strumming-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/?page_id=421","title":{"rendered":"Right Hand Strumming Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learning to strum the guitar<\/h3>\n
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Once we have a learnt a chord or two then it's time to learn to strum the guitar. It is our right hand playing the strings that generates the sound and rhythm of the guitar so it is important to work on the right hand as much as the left. Strumming the guitar is the moving of the right hand across the strings of the guitar.<\/p>\n

In basic terms, we have a down strum (or down stroke) which is when we strum from the low (bass) strings to the top (treble) strings (thick strings to thin strings) i.e: we are moving down towards the ground. We also have the up strum (or up stroke) which is moving the hand from top strings to the low strings i.e: from the ground towards our head.<\/p>\n

Typically, the up strums have less emphasis and are played lighter unless going for a specific sound (see patterns 11 and 12 below). Also strumming should be a relaxed movement involving the elbow joint and the wrist working together to get a smooth even strum.<\/p>\n

Have a listen to the various patterns on this page and have a go at playing along. I've played the patterns using an 'E Major' chord so you can use this to play in tune. The term BPM is beats per minute and is a count of how many beats occur in one minute (or 60 seconds). So 60 BPM would be 60 beats per minute (1 beat per second). The higher the BPM, the faster the song. The rhythms on this page have been grouped into measures of 4 beats that repeat, once you get to 4 - start again at 1.<\/p>\n

Note: it can be a bit confusing following the diagrams as a down strum is shown as an arrow pointing up the page. This is because the bass strings are shown at the bottom of the diagram so the arrow is pointing from low to high in pitch (thick to thin strings)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Key to the Strum Diagrams<\/h3>\n
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Basic Strum Pattern 01<\/h3>\n
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Tip<\/strong> - Play all four strums as evenly as possible<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 01 - 80 BPM<\/p>\n\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum01-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 01 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum01-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 02<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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Tip<\/strong> - Make the up strums shorter and lighter than the down strums<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 02 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum02-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 02 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum02-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 03<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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Tip<\/strong> - Don't forget to miss out the up strum after the first down strum<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 03 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum03-80-bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 03 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum03-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 04<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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Tip<\/strong> - Don't forget to miss out the up strum after beats 1 and 4<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 04 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum04-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 04 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum04-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 05<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
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Tip<\/strong> - Count the rhythm out aloud before playing it to get a feel for it<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 05 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum05-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 05 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum05-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 06<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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Tip<\/strong> - Be aware of the up strum after the 4th beat when changing chords<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 06 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum06-80-bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 06 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum06-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 07<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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Tip<\/strong> - Count the pattern out aloud before playing<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 07 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum07-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 07 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum07-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 08<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
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Tip<\/strong> - try just the down strums first, then add the up strums<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 08 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum08-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 08 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum08-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 09<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
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Tip<\/strong> - Try and keep the strums nice and keep relaxed<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 09 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum09-80-bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 09 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum09-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 10<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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Tip<\/strong> - Emphasise beats 2 and 4 by playing longer strums<\/p>\n

kesPlay along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 10 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum10-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 10 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum10-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 11<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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Tip<\/strong> - Keep counting aloud so you keep the emphasis off the beat<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 11 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum11-80bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 11 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum11-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Basic Strum Pattern 12<\/h3>\n
\n\t\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
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Tip<\/strong> - Watch out for the different emphasis on the down strums<\/p>\n

Play along:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strum Pattern 12 - 80 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum12-80-bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Strum Pattern 12 - 120 BPM<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Strum12-120bpm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learning to strum the guitar Once we have a learnt a chord or two then it’s time to learn to strum the guitar. It is our right hand playing the strings that generates the sound and rhythm of the guitar so it is important to work on the right hand as much as the left. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":51,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-421","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=421"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":511,"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/421\/revisions\/511"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagm.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}