How to strum a guitar correctly?

Question

I really want to learn how to play the guitar but i am having a real hard time finding out what the correct patterns are from strumming a guitar. I want to start practicing some songs but how do you know what strumming pattern you are to use?

Answer 1

Strumming patterns? If you mean chords, the easiest way is to search for them online. You could also try to figure them out for yourself but that'll come in time.

In the other sense, there are basically just the down and the upstroke. The only way to know how a particular song is strummed is by listening to it. You need to know the chords and THEN you try to copy how the song sounds when you strum it. It basically comes down to experience. You get better as you do it.

The truth is you need not concern yourself with really copying the strumming patten 100%. If you have the right notes/chords, it'll sound more or less the same.

Just keep practicing and you'll get better. Promise.

Answer 2

The strumming patterns I first used were to strike the fundamental tone first with my thumb and then strum downward with my forefinger. Then I alternated between the fundamental tone of a chord with other notes within the chord before the downward strum on beats two and four.

If playing in three-quarter time (waltz) I'd simply strike the fundamental tone--usually the bass note--and then strum down or upward twice for beats two and three.

These methods are basic and with continual practice and experimentation you should be able to develop other patterns based upon the songs and the guitarists playing them.