Strum Patterns? Why never explained?

[JonnyBGood]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

It's okay. We'll still probably be answering this question seven years from now.

Best,
Jayne

It would be really interesting to hear from the OP and whether seven years on he/she still needs a formula for 'strum patterns' written out for every new tune they learn.

Bonkers. Completely agree with points made by JonPR, AuntieDiluvian and all the others.

[Yendoggy]

I only have one banned phrase in my teaching studio. One.

It is

“Strum pattern”

Seriously.

Just a horrific way to look at it.

[Dalmationdexter]

Originally Posted by Yendoggy

I only have one banned phrase in my teaching studio. One.

It is

“Strum pattern”

Seriously.

Just a horrific way to look at it.

Super helpful comment.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Yendoggy

I only have one banned phrase in my teaching studio. One.

It is

“Strum pattern”

Seriously.

Just a horrific way to look at it.

I tend to agree. Whatever right hand style you choose, it is an accompaniment to the vocals, the melody, and the rhythm.

I can't really comprehend how instructions about up and down could help, but I'll offer this for consideration :

[Yendoggy]

Originally Posted by Dalmationdexter

Super helpful comment.

Glad u liked it.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by GuitarFundi

Howdy,

I am constantly trying to learn songs from tablature and they never include the strum patterns. It is either not there at all or they say watch the artist play and you'll figure it out..... Sorry, but I can never figure it out!

If people are going to go to the trouble of creating the tabs Why, O, Why not include the strum patterns?

Am I missing something?

Hi GuitarFundi,

I'm afraid that you are approaching this in the wrong way. Tablature will tell you the positioning of the notes of a melody, but nothing more.

I question the existence of "strum patterns". It is far more important to accompany according to the meter of the song.

Edit, In this space I took and verse and chorus from a well known song showing the changes over the lyrics but the spacing was lost, so here is a very simple song (cos I wrote it!) showing how the simple progression repeats keeping the rhythm consistent.



Just follow (or create) the rhythm, keep it solid and make the changes consistent - you can rag the time in the vocals but not in the accompaniment.

[Yendoggy]

Everyone is keeping 8th notes. Or occasionally 16th in certain styles like flamenco flairs. But if you are ever thinking “down down up” or something of the sort you are VERY much going about it the wrong way. Find a teacher and if they ever say strum patter or down down up you should probably run screaming. [emoji854]