Strumming
Reading and playing strumming patterns
Een aanslag (strumming) is hoe je je rechterhand de snaren laat raken. Het patroon bepaalt het gevoel van een lied — dezelfde akkoorden klinken anders bij een ballade dan bij een rocknummer.
Notation
- D — down stroke (downward, from thick to thin string). Marked in sheet music with this symbol above the note.
- U — up stroke (upward, from thin to thick string). Marked in sheet music with this symbol above the note.
- x — a short tap on the strings — you mute the strings with your left hand so they don't ring out, and strum with your right. Sounds like "chick". Not the same as palm muting (that's a separate technique with your right hand palm).
With pick or fingers? Both work — the direction (down/up) stays the same, only the sound and technique differ. Read about pick vs fingers.
A common "everyman's friend" pattern — heard in hundreds of pop songs. Hit play and hear how the same pattern sounds over a simple progression:
Other time signatures
Not every song is in 4/4. A waltz counts three, an Irish jig goes in 6/8, and Balkan folk often plays in 5/8. The notation stays the same — only the number of notes per measure changes.
3/4 — waltz
2/4 — march rhythm
5/8 — five-beat groove (à la Take Five)
6/8 — swinging (Perfect, Hallelujah)
Oefen het met een les
Les · met Levi
Levi walks you through the D D U U D U pattern
Reading is one thing, getting it in your hands is another. In the Strumming Pattern trainer, Levi teaches your right hand the universal D-D-U-U-D-U rhythm without your left hand having to think along — first on muted strings, then with one chord per measure. Exactly the pattern you hear above, but to play along at tempo yourself.
Aanslagpatroon-trainer zit in de abonnementen Gitaarles en Alles-in-één. Probeer een maand voor € 1.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the right pattern for a song?
Three strategies:- Listen to the drum. The kick (bass drum) and snare often reveal the rhythm. Down-strokes usually align with the kick.
- Start simple: quarter notes. Four down-strokes per measure (D D D D). Does it sound okay? Then you can build up to eighths and patterns with up-strokes later.
- Imitate first, analyze later. Play along with the recording by ear. Only once the rhythm clicks do you write it down or study it.
Wrist movement or arm movement?
Wrist movement — almost always. The arm gives the general swing, but the actual stroke comes from a relaxed wrist. A stiff, whole-arm stroke feels heavy and sounds sluggish; a fluid wrist gives you control, speed, and you can play for hours without fatigue.My wrist cramps — what am I doing wrong?
Often one of these:- Gripping the pick too tight. The pick shouldn't fly out of your hand, but that's a light grip — not holding it like your life depends on it.
- Wrist overextended. Wrist angle should be straight, not bent forward or to the side.
- Keep strumming through the pause. Actually pause — let your strumming arm rest for a moment between practice rounds. Your wrist is a muscle; fatigue builds up.
Do I always have to hit all six strings?
Nee. Bij een C-akkoord wil je de lage E (snaar 6) niet meeklinken — die hoort niet in het akkoord. Mik bij verschillende akkoorden op verschillende snarengroepen: power-chords vaak op de onderste 3, open akkoorden meestal op de onderste 4-5. Dit klinkt eerst onmogelijk, maar je hand leert dit binnen een paar weken.What is 'palm muting'?
You rest the side of your right-hand palm lightly on the strings near the bridge while you strum. Result: a muted, "chunky" sound instead of ringing chords. Lots of rock, punk, and metal riffs use palm muting heavily. Too much pressure = completely dead; too little = no effect. In between is just right.My timing is off — how do I improve it?
Clap the rhythm first without the guitar — just clap or tap on your leg. Does the rhythm come out right? Then on a muted guitar (right hand palm on all strings). Only then with chords. By breaking down the complexity you give your brain one thing at a time. A metronome helps — start low (60-70 BPM) and build up.
Compare patterns in action?
Pick a song and listen to how the strum creates the feel.