When you first begin to learn guitar strumming, your rhythms won't likely sound very polished. However, once you understand the basics and get comfortable playing you'll quickly hear a vast improvement and it will simply feel right and flow.
The objective is to get a consistent down - up - down - up - down - up etc. strumming motion; however the down strum is strummed differently than the up strum.
When you realize the difference and settle into playing this way you'll be on your way to playing great rhythm patterns and sounding like a pro!
So here's how you get smooth guitar strumming patterns.
Strumming Down
When you are playing your downward strum will begin just above the thickest string (the 6th) and you will strum all of the 6 strings with your guitar pick momentarily touching the pick guard.
For the chords such as D, Dm, D7, C, B7 and F you should only play the 4-5 allowable strings.
Now when doing the down strum, don't flick your wrist outward. This will likely cause you to miss a couple of strings. Your motion should be straight down.
You want a nice, full sounding down strum playing all of the allowable strings.
The Up Strum
This is the key or as I like to refer to it as "the secret" to guitar strumming.
Now, it's easy. You just need to be aware of how the up strum is played.
When you strum down you play all of the allowable strings.
However, when most beginners play an up strum, they play all six strings on the way back up. Generally they realize it doesn't sound quite right but aren't sure how to fix it.
But the fix is easy!
When you do the up strum you just play the 1st and 2nd or maybe the 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings.
This will give you a light sounding strum.
The Motion is Like a Capital "D"
When you are doing your guitar strum patterns your down strum is straight down, playing all of the allowable strings.
When you strum up you will do a semi circle. You up-pick the first couple of strings and then move your hand out a bit to avoid playing the thicker strings and then back in just above the 6th string to start over again.
Just repeat this motion.
This will give you a full sounding down strum and a light sounding up strum.
Once you are comfortable with this motion you'll be on your way to sounding polished with awesome guitar strumming!
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