Originally Posted by: Guitar Tricks Admin

Learning a strum pattern also has a lot to do with your ear, in that most of the time you will be able to hear the rhythm or pulse of the guitar.

Yes, aural skills are the fundament part of musicianship.

When learning a new song I sing the rhythm in my head. Like "daa - da - daa - daa - da - da - daa - daa". It makes it easier to pick-up the strumming. If rhythm is difficult with anticipations or syncopation etc. I may write it down to clarify it.