6 Strums That Work For Any Song

These patterns have been carefully curated based on real data from approximately 350 song tutorials on my YouTube channel. So, get your guitar ready, and let’s dive into these essential strumming techniques!

Mastering Dynamics with Four Downstrokes (Pattern 1)

Let’s start with a deceptively simple but incredibly useful strumming pattern – four consecutive downstrokes. While it may seem basic, this pattern is an excellent exercise in dynamics. By varying the strength and target strings, you can add emotion and feeling to your strumming.

Tip: Emphasize beats one and three for a driving rhythm or beats two and four for a backbeat feel. Experiment with different songs to find which dynamic pattern fits best.

The Most USEFUL Pattern (Pattern 2)

Demo Songs:

“Come and Get Your Love” (Em A D Bm)
“High and Dry” (F#m A E)

The Most COMMON Pattern (Pattern 3)

Demo Songs:

“Leaving on a Jet Plane” (G C D)
“Otherside” (Am F C G)

Capturing the backbeat (Pattern 4)

Demo Songs:

“Satisfaction” (A, D, E)
“Ooh La La” (D Em)

6/8 & Compound Time Signatures (Pattern 5)

Demo Songs:

“Everybody Hurts” (D, G)
“House of the Rising Sun” (Am, C, D, E, F)

Mastering 3/4 Time (Pattern 6)

Demo Songs:

“Tennessee Whiskey” (G, Am)

Another 3/4 Strumming Pattern (Bonus)

Demo Songs:

“Where Did You Sleep Last Night” (A, E, G, B7)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve learned six (actually 7) versatile strumming patterns that cover a wide range of songs. By practicing these patterns and mastering dynamics, you’ll be well-prepared for the majority of tunes you encounter.

Stay tuned for the sequel to this lesson, where I’ll reveal how to take these patterns to the next level, making them work for nearly every song you come across. Make sure to subscribe to my channel for more exciting lessons, and if you’re eager to supercharge your guitar skills, check out the freebies and resources linked in the sidebar.

Happy strumming, and have a blast exploring new songs on your guitar!