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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → Strumming
I've been learning now for months....seem to be doing well, i have one problem like when i read the chords to a song, even if i listen to the song, i can't figure out a strumming pattern.....is there anywhere i can find songs with there strumming pattern??.....i did find one it was a on CD.......i can play the song perfect.....i know all my cords....but i can't find a strummm....lol....yes i try by ear but it just can't get it that way
!!!!!
thanks
try experimenting with what you think the strumming pattern should be, sometimes you stumble on an alternative sound to the song you are trying to play, its all feel relax and let it flow...good luck chief..m
same with me i have like no tune
try looking for a song with a steady timeing. something in a 4/4. it would help if it has a heavy bass drum signiture in it. don't mix an up stroke with your down stroke as you'll get a back beat mixed in and will really throw you off. the stroke should start at the "thump". the biggest thing is relax,relax,relax! if your all tightened up, it will sound choppy and you'll miss the next stroke down. also try a light pick as it doesn't have any prefrence of attack on the strings. always follow through and remember, the chord change appears at the top of the bass beat.
hope this helps. don't ever give up.
Hey There,
I am also new to the guitar having been playing for the past year. I hit the same wall as you and could just not grasp strumming patterns. I am still no means an expert but I did find it helped if you sing along to the song you are trying to strum to. (doesn't work for all songs however). I don't have a good singing voice, but it certainly helped with exactly when to change chords and basic rhythms
Some songs that I found could be strummed to very easily are:
Importance of being Idle - Oasis
Half The World Away - Oasis
Man On The Moon - REM
All About You - McFly
American Pie - Various Artists
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
I found that by practicing these over and over you eventually start to pick up other songs more easily.
If you hear any other good tips though please keep me posted.
Justin
hey justin thank you very much i will go and look at those songs......thanks again.....
kevin
try wonderwall by oasis very easy to play and sounds great and has a little fingerpicking bit in the middle which is quite easy to learn the chords are on this site, Another site to try is the lick library they do videos on how to play the song and loads of others ok you may have to pay a couple of quid (nothing really) but it helps out alot with your strumming when you can see someone else do it first.
Royston
<font size="3"></font><font color="blue"><font face="Times">there is one thing you can try that might help...when learning to strum to a new song that i`m learning. i try to strum to the lyrics as they are being sung by the artist. this will at least get you learning the timing of the chord changes <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy"> </font></font>
I agree with these guys saying to not forget the importance of lyrics - so true. I also must say I like the exercise of trying to answer such a question because it brings me back to thinking about something I no longer think much about. I've recently been playing Cat Stevens a lot - Peace train, Moonshadow, Father and son - you want to talk about challenging strum patterns. But I find if I disect the song one little piece at a time, I can then put it all together. I listen to the tune on CD or media player which allows me to listen to a short bit and then pause it. Then try to get just that short bit and move on to the next little bit. It takes some time, but I can usually get the hang of a new song all in one piece after a couple of days playing with it like that. I once had a student who's problem was strumming - in particular it was the smooth transition from one chord to the next that troubled her. The result was choppy playing that was really tough to keep time and rythem with. I got her to think about the root of each chord rather than the whole chord at once and focus on that. This eventually led her into double fingering and smooth strumming since focusing on the root allowed her fingers time to get in place for the whole chord and also eliminated her playing strings that were not part of that particular chord. That might be all a little off track for you, but it's another way to approach strumming. Above all keep practicing. The timing will come.
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → Strumming
