Fíjate en la página en la parte de los audios: d significa down (hacia abajo) y u significa up (hacia arriba). X significa apagar la cuerda:
4/4 Strumming Patterns
By
far the most common time signature around is 4/4 (“four four”). If you
can count along to a song, “one, two, three, four, one, two, three,
four,” and it fits, try out these strumming patterns.
Strumming Pattern 1: d – d u – u d -
If you’re looking for a strumming pattern for a song where the chords change regularly (twice a bar) try out these.
Strumming Pattern 5: d – d u
If the chords change much more slowly, you could just double up on the 4/4 pattern. Or you could make it more interesting by using a two bar pattern.
Strumming Pattern 7: d – d u – u d u OR - u d u – u d -
Strumming Pattern 8: d u d U d u d U
With a reggae strum you’re always going to be accenting the off beats. In the other strums here you’re always playing a strong beat on the ‘one’ of the count. Here you’re accenting other beats. It’s not always obvious what’s going on so I’ve included a click track with these.
Strumming Pattern 10: – d – d – d – d
If counting, “one, two, three, four,” doesn’t fit with the song you’re playing, try counting in threes instead. If that works, try these patterns.
Strumming Pattern 12: d – d u d -
Strumming Pattern 1: d – d u – u d -
This one crops up in so many ukulele songs. It’s simple to play. But – because it misses the third down strum – it has a slightly syncopated feel to it which makes it more interesting. Use it in: Charlieissocoollike – A Song About Acne, Outkast – Hey Ya!, Noah and the Whale – Jealous Kind of Love, Zee Avi – Kantoi, Nevershoutnever – Cheatercheaterbestfriendeater,…Strumming Pattern 2: d – d u – u d u
Very similar to strumming pattern 1, but with another up strum at the end. Use it in: Ingrid Michaelson – You and I, Paolo Nutini – High Hopes, I Wanna Be Like You, Misty Miller – Remember,…Strumming Pattern 3: d – d – d u d u
Use it in: OK Go – This Too Shall Pass, Keston Cobblers Club – You Go, The Pogues – Fiesta,…Strumming Pattern 4: d – d u d u d u
A really straight-forward strum useful for punky stuff. Use it in: UOGB – Teenage Kicks, Ryan Gosling – You Always Hurt the Ones You Love, The Beach Boys – Wouldn’t It Be Nice,…Half-Bar Patterns
If you’re looking for a strumming pattern for a song where the chords change regularly (twice a bar) try out these.
Strumming Pattern 5: d – d u
Use it in:, Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You Into the Dark, Sesame Street,…Strumming Pattern 6: d u x u
Use it in: Hellogoodbye – Betrayed by BonesTwo Bar Pattern
If the chords change much more slowly, you could just double up on the 4/4 pattern. Or you could make it more interesting by using a two bar pattern.
Strumming Pattern 7: d – d u – u d u OR - u d u – u d -
Henceforth to be known as the ‘Sophie Madeleine strum’. Use it in: Sophie Madeleine – The Knitting Song & You Are My Favourite & I Just Can’t Stop Myself, Rocky and Balls – Love Cake, Bella Hemming – Play Guitar, Peggy Sue – February Snow, Antarctica Takes It – C&F,…Emphasis
Strumming Pattern 8: d u d U d u d U
Use it in: Florence and the Machine – Kiss With a Fist, Sophie Madeleine – Take Your Love With Me,…Strumming Pattern 9: d u x u d u x u
Use it in: Nevershoutnever – Biggest Fan, Noah and the Whale – Five Years Time,…Reggae Strums
With a reggae strum you’re always going to be accenting the off beats. In the other strums here you’re always playing a strong beat on the ‘one’ of the count. Here you’re accenting other beats. It’s not always obvious what’s going on so I’ve included a click track with these.
Strumming Pattern 10: – d – d – d – d
Here you’re accenting the beats between the count. Use it in: April Smith – Colors,…Strumming Pattern 11: – – d u – – d -
Here the accent is on the ‘two’ and ‘four’ beats. Use it in: WIUO – The Israelites,…3/4 Time
If counting, “one, two, three, four,” doesn’t fit with the song you’re playing, try counting in threes instead. If that works, try these patterns.
Strumming Pattern 12: d – d u d -
Use it in: Amanda Palmer – In My Mind, John Denver/Ballard C Boyd – Christmas for Cowboys, Weezer – Christmas Song,…Strumming Pattern 13: d – d u d u
Use it in: WIUO – Blue Smoke,…
