Originally Posted by: usa4cc

Hey everyone,

I've been wondering how to do strumming patterns for 16th notes.

It looks like you do 1 a & e, 2 a & e, 3 a & e, 4 a & e. And then all the ands are also downstrokes, rather than upstrokes.

So for example, the first beat here would be DUDU.

Here's my question. How do I implement that and have good timing?

And is the physical aspect of it just muscle memory?

Hey usa4cc,

Here's how I would begin to implement it.

Set a slow metronome tempo. 60 bpm for example.

For every click, you just evenly strum Up Down Up Down. 4 strokes. ONE - e - and - a.

You can get into accenting certain strokes later. First, just get used to dividing the space into 4.

Next step is to switch between subdivisions.

Quarter Notes: 1 Strum per Click

Eighth Notes: 2 Strums per Click

16ths: 4 Strums per Click.

So, do one measure (4 clicks, 4 strums) at Quarters, then one measure at Eights (two strums per click), then 16ths (4 strums per click). Then you can go back to 8ths, then back to Quarter notes. Repeat the cycle.

Hopefully that explanation makes sense to you typed out like this. It would be much easier to explain in a video or audio recording, so let me know if that's not clear.

Right now just focus on those subdivisions and keeping the strum smooth at a slow tempo.

Over time, increase the tempo.

-Carl.