learning strumming patterns/techniques

[Memories]

For a total absolute beginner. Any good you-tube videos or series out there? I am learning to play some with Andy's Guitar and getting a good sense of success. Just learned my 4th chord. But my strumming feels very unnatural and sometimes too hard or too soft. And hard to coordinate anything other than a 1-2-3-4 pattern along with trying to play the chords and remember the song lyrics. Reminds me of trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time.

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by Memories

For a total absolute beginner. Any good you-tube videos or series out there? I am learning to play some with Andy's Guitar and getting a good sense of success. Just learned my 4th chord. But my strumming feels very unnatural and sometimes too hard or too soft. And hard to coordinate anything other than a 1-2-3-4 pattern along with trying to play the chords and remember the song lyrics. Reminds me of trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time.

Justin guitar has a compete free beginner course, and each stage has strumming patterns and practice, with appropriate level songs to try out. I'd forget trying to sing along for some time, many find this very difficult to do, your strumming and chords need to be practically on autopilot before you can manage this.

[ecguitar44]

Originally Posted by Memories

For a total absolute beginner. Any good you-tube videos or series out there? I am learning to play some with Andy's Guitar and getting a good sense of success. Just learned my 4th chord. But my strumming feels very unnatural and sometimes too hard or too soft. And hard to coordinate anything other than a 1-2-3-4 pattern along with trying to play the chords and remember the song lyrics. Reminds me of trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time.

Sounds like you're exactly on track. Just takes time to get comfortable with the fingerlings...then the strumming...eventually rhythm/groove/feel comes along.

Keep it up!

[Rick1044]

It's a strange phenomenon, you will have it today and then tomorrow it's gone. Strumming is also subjective, go with what comes out of you….don't just be locked down to the basic patterns. If it sounds good to you….gowith it, if not go by the book. If you use Justin Guitar website, he is very good and only asks for contributions……..if you like him….send him a Pound or two.

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by Memories

For a total absolute beginner. Any good you-tube videos or series out there? I am learning to play some with Andy's Guitar and getting a good sense of success. Just learned my 4th chord. But my strumming feels very unnatural and sometimes too hard or too soft. And hard to coordinate anything other than a 1-2-3-4 pattern along with trying to play the chords and remember the song lyrics. Reminds me of trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time.

Lol. We have all been there. It will come along with steady practice. Sounds like you are pursuing the right things to become proficient. Improvement feels like it takes forever for many of us. Keep at it!!

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by Rick1044

It's a strange phenomenon, you will have it today and then tomorrow it's gone. Strumming is also subjective, go with what comes out of you….don't just be locked down to the basic patterns. If it sounds good to you….gowith it, if not go by the book. If you use Justin Guitar website, he is very good and only asks for contributions……..if you like him….send him a Pound or two.

Fair point, but for those that struggle with strumming, learning some basic, commonly used patterns will help to develop up and down strumming, rhythm and timing, and hopefully, an ear for what is being played when learning new songs. As we progress, we all tend to deviate a bit from 'the record'. So long as it sits in the rhythm and is clearly recognisable as the song intended, it's all good.

[gracecovenant]

Here's a great website I came across a couple of years ago. It includes many, many strum patterns with directional strumming notation and audio examples. They are also separated by time signature. Great practice tool! The only downside....doesn't work with the ipad.

http://www.strumpatterns.com/Strums/strumsPage02.htm

[Doxy]

I agree with the posters above that justin guitar is really good. I also like Marty Swartz on YouTube. I also agree with another poster that trying to sing and play in the beginning can be very hard! There was no way I could sing and play at the same time when I first started. When I was first learning I found it easier to use thinner picks, especially those with a little grip so they didn't fling out of my fingers as easily.

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by gracecovenant

Here's a great website I came across a couple of years ago. It includes many, many strum patterns with directional strumming notation and audio examples. They are also separated by time signature. Great practice tool! The only downside....doesn't work with the ipad.

http://www.strumpatterns.com/Strums/strumsPage02.htm

Everyone learns differently, but a quick look at that, and it seems quite complicated, getting to know what all the symbols mean, I guess some might find it easier. I had enough of a hard time trying to learn DDuD etc... written patterns, because I couldn't hear the rhythm they're meant to be played to. In the end I gave up and just started listening to the rhythms played, and copied them. Muting came more naturally when needed too.

[MJRB]

There's a lot more to it than "just strumming". I'm an exclusively finger style player and that is partly because I'm lousy at strumming.
Keep at it, it's all fun.
Good luck.
MJRB