Intro to Strumming

Learning how to strum a guitar is a key skill for any budding guitarist. It's all about rhythm and feel, making your playing come alive. There are countless guitar strumming patterns to explore, from simple downstrokes to more complex rhythms. Starting with the basics, you'll soon get the hang of it and begin to develop your own style. Practicing different strumming patterns will help you play a wide range of songs, and it's a great way to improve your timing and coordination. So, grab your guitar, find your groove, and have fun experimenting with various strumming techniques!

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Lisa McCormick
Basic Strumming in 4/4 Time

Let's learn to understand the nuts and bolts that lie behind the strumming rhythm we have been working on so far in this course. Applying this new info to what you can already do will vastly expand your strumming grooves and options! You'll be amazed at how easy, and how very cool this is going to be.

Published: 10/09/2014 Upgrade
Lisa McCormick
Basic Strumming in 3/4 Time

When you are strumming in 3/4 time, the moves and skills are very much the same as what you are already comfortable with, but the feel is quite different. Discover how 3/4 time gives a song a "dance-like" feel, and learn to play the song 'With You I Am Whole'.

Published: 10/09/2014 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Strumming in Rock

In this set of rhythm lessons, Anders Mouridsen is going to examine strumming in rock. We'll talk about strumming and get an appropriate tone, then look at palm muting and strumming with both eighth and sixteenth notes. Then we'll learn about ghost strums, and apply everything to two practice tunes. We'll finish with a lesson on how to derive strum patterns from the drums.

Published: 11/26/2012 Upgrade
Eric Clapton image
Before You Accuse Me (Made Easy) Eric Clapton

We’ve arranged this song in a made easy format for acoustic guitar with simplified chords and strumming. If you’re up for a challenge, we’ve also included a bonus lesson to learn how to play the song with a boogie diad approach. This song uses open 7th chords, the 12 bar blues form, and a steady strumming pattern.

Published: 03/31/2022 Upgrade
The Beatles image
Let It Be (Made Easy) The Beatles

This tutorial is a made easy version of the iconic Beatles tune arranged for acoustic guitar. This song uses open chords, a simple strum pattern, and dynamics.

Published: 05/19/2022 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Basic Rhythmic Subdivisions

Rhythm is one of the most powerful concepts you can master and learning it early on will only put you ahead of the curve. In this tutorial we'll learn the basics of rhythmic counting and subdivisions.

Published: 11/29/2021 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Strumming Patterns

In this tutorial we'll explore the most basic version of what's called a strumming pattern using the chords we've learned so far. The idea is that you could now use this rhythmic pattern to go play a million different songs. As your skills grow we'll keep building on this strumming pattern to make it more and more cool sounding and useful.

Published: 11/29/2021 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
8th Notes & Upstrokes

In this tutorial we'll explore a new type of subdivision and a whole new way to play it with your right hand: an upstroke. This technique may be a challenge for you at first, particularly when it comes to holding your pick. But it's an absolutely crucial skill for a guitar player on any level, and as always we'll take it one step at a time.

Published: 11/29/2021 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Metronome Practice

In this tutorial I'll introduce you to a brand new tool that will be helpful from now on and throughout the rest of your guitar playing journey. In itself it's not particularly exciting, but it can help you do some really exciting things. The tool is called a metronome, and it's used by everyone from beginners to virtuosos.

Published: 11/29/2021 Upgrade
Jimena Fosado
Basic Strumming Pattern

In this tutorial, I’ll be showing you how to play a commonly used strumming pattern for acoustic guitar style material. Though any of these principles could be also used in other genres that you’ve probably heard before. We’ll use a group of four chords that are frequently played together in many songs.

Published: 02/02/2023 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Down Stroke Strumming Pattern

Anders will show you the basics of the simple acoustic guitar strumming pattern.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Strumming Pattern Tried-and-True

Anders will add another classic strumming pattern to your arsenal.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Strumming With a Waltz Feel

Anders will show you a different right hand strumming pattern using a 3/4 time signature, or waltz feel.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Soul Asylum image
Runaway Train (Made Easy) Soul Asylum

This is an acoustic Made Easy version of a 90s pop rock classic. Any guitar, acoustic or electric, is suitable to play this tune. This song uses open chords, a simple strumming approach, and dynamics. Released in 1993 as part of their album "Grave Dancers Union," this song chugged its way into the hearts of millions, becoming an anthem for the lost and the searching. What sets "Runaway Train" apart isn't just its soul-stirring melody or its evocative lyrics; it's the raw, emotional energy that captures the essence of feeling utterly lost. Digging into the Soul Asylum Runaway Train chords, you'll find that the song's musical backbone is both compelling and surprisingly straightforward, making it a go-to for guitarists looking to convey deep emotion without the complexity of intricate finger gymnastics. The Soul Asylum Runaway Train chords and lyrics weave through the track, guiding the listener on a journey through darkness and hope, with a touch of melancholy. For those eager to strum along, finding Soul Asylum Runaway Train chords and lyrics is like discovering a treasure map to the soul of the '90s alternative rock scene. The song's structure offers a gentle yet powerful acoustic experience, perfectly suited for those late-night introspective moments or around-the-campfire sessions. If you're itching to learn how to capture that haunting essence, a Soul Asylum Runaway Train guitar lesson might be your next stop. These lessons often dive deep into the nuances of the song, from mastering the chord progression to nailing the emotive dynamics that give Runaway Train its unforgettable sound. It's not just about playing the notes; it's about conveying the song's spirit, something that Soul Asylum did so effortlessly. Runaway Train became more than just a hit; it turned into a social message, famously accompanied by a music video featuring missing children, some of whom were actually found because of it. This added a layer of profound significance to the song, highlighting the power of music to make a real-world impact. So, whether you're a guitarist looking to learn a new song that speaks to the soul, or a music enthusiast curious about the story behind a '90s classic, Runaway Train chords Soul Asylum offers both a musical and emotional journey. Grab your guitar, hit those chords, and let the story unfold.

Published: 12/22/2022 Upgrade
AC/DC image
You Shook Me All Night Long (Made Easy) AC/DC

David will show you a made easy version of this song using an acoustic guitar. The entire song only uses 3 major chords with an awesome syncopated groove. As a bonus you can also learn the iconic walk up bass note line that kicks in during the chorus. Finally, we'll check out the solo section rhythm and learn how to play those killer choppy, staccato chords.

Published: 09/09/2021 Upgrade