Let's discuss #1: You must know the most commonly used strum patterns used in songs. 

Time and time again I have been asked by students, "what is the strum pattern to this song?" I'll listen to the song and realize that the strum pattern used in the song is actually a strum pattern that I have worked on with the student numerous times.

I decided to do a little research. I listened to tons of songs of all styles: Pop, Rock, Blues, Christian, Hawaiian, Country, and R&B and realized something amazing. Hundreds of songs in all these styles used 8 different strum patterns.

That's right, hundreds of different songs used 8 different strum patterns over and over again.

Could it be this simple?

The answer is yes. Playing solid rhythm is not about playing something complex, it's about laying down a solid foundation as part of the rhythm section.

You are going to be absolutely amazed when you master these 8 strum patterns and watch the world of musical possibilities open up to you.

First you have to understand theses 4 basic rhythms:

1. Whole Note: a note that rings out for 4 beats (watch video) 

2. Half Note: a note that rings out for 2 beats (watch video)

3. Quarter Note: a note that rings out for 1 beat (watch video)

4. Eighth Notes: a note that rings out for 1/2 a beat (watch video)

Now that you we have looked at these 4 main rhythms used in music, let's look at the 8 most important strum patterns:

For all these examples practice with a 'C' Chord.

Strum Pattern #1 (watch video)

• This pattern stresses the importance of being able to play and count whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes in perfect time. Each measure will test your ability with these different rhythms.

Strum Pattern #2 (watch video)

• This pattern will help you smoothly connect a measure of quarter notes followed by a measure of eighth notes. TIP: Eighth notes are twice as fast as quarter notes so make sure not to rush measures 2 and 4.

Strum Pattern #3 (watch video)

• This pattern is great to trying to learn the down-up stroke. Beat one is a quarter note, with eighth notes on beat 2 and a half note on beat 3. The half note on beat 3 gives your extra time to be able to switch to a new chord.

Strum Pattern #4 (watch video)

• This is an essential strum pattern that is literally found in songs ranging from The Beatles to Twenty-One Pilots. It has a quarter note on beat 1 and 3 and eighth notes on beats 2 and 4.

Strum Pattern #5 (watch video)

• This is a unique rhythm that uses quarter notes on beats 1 and 4 and eighth notes on beats 2 and 3. 

Strum Pattern #6 (watch video)

• This rhythm is a flip-flop of Strum Pattern #4. It uses eighth notes on beats 1 and 3 and quarter notes on beats 2 and 4.

Strum Pattern #7 (watch video)

• Led Zeppelin fan? This strum pattern works great on songs like "Babe I'm Going To Leave You."

Strum Pattern #8 (watch video)

• This is the granddaddy of all strum patterns. Take your time and really master this one since you will be able to play hundreds, no thousands, no millions of songs with this one (maybe not millions). This one is difficult becaue it uses a 'tie' between the '+' of 2 and 3. A 'tie' means to hold. So you will strum the '+' of 2 and let it ring through beat 3 but do not strum beat 3.

How did you do with those? Make sure that you practice these until you get them smooth. Once mastered you will be able to strum your favorite songs.