Guitar Strumming Patterns with Marty Schwartz
Strumming is the heartbeat of guitar playing, but most guitarists struggle with rhythm. These strumming pattern lessons from Marty Schwartz teach you the essential patterns you need to play hundreds of songs—from simple down-up strums to complex rhythmic patterns with muting and accents.
Marty breaks down strumming patterns that sound complicated into simple, repeatable movements. You’ll learn how to count rhythm, when to strum down vs. up, and how to add dynamics and muting for professional-sounding rhythm guitar.
Master rhythm guitar: Get Marty’s strumming pattern lessons delivered weekly, plus exclusive rhythm exercises and practice tracks.
What You’ll Learn
These strumming pattern lessons cover everything from basic to advanced:
- Basic down-up patterns – The foundation of all strumming
- Counting rhythm – How to keep time and know when to strum
- Palm muting – Creating dynamic contrast in your strumming
- Syncopated patterns – Off-beat strumming for funk and reggae
- Fingerstyle strumming – Using fingers instead of a pick
- Accents and dynamics – Making strumming patterns groove
Strumming Pattern Lessons
Essential Strumming Techniques
Start with “down down up up down up.” This is the most common strumming pattern in modern music. It works for thousands of songs. Master this pattern and you can play half the songs on the radio.
Your wrist should be loose, not stiff. The biggest mistake beginners make is tensing up. Your wrist should flick like you’re shaking water off your hand. Relaxed wrist = better tone and less fatigue.
Missing strings is okay (sometimes). Not every strum needs to hit every string. Many patterns intentionally miss strings on certain beats. This creates rhythmic interest and makes patterns less mechanical.
The “and” of the beat is crucial. When counting “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and,” those “ands” are where up-strums usually happen. If you can’t feel the “and,” you can’t play most strumming patterns.
Common Strumming Patterns
Basic 4/4 Pattern: Down, down-up, up-down-up (D-DU-UDU)
Used in: Wonderwall, Wish You Were Here, Horse with No Name, and thousands more
Country/Folk Pattern: Down, down-up, down, down-up (D-DU-D-DU)
Used in: Folsom Prison Blues, Wagon Wheel, Ring of Fire
Reggae Pattern: Muted-UP, Muted-UP on the off-beats
Used in: No Woman No Cry, Redemption Song, Three Little Birds
Ballad Pattern: Down, down, up, up-down-up (D-D-U-UDU)
Used in: Fast Car, Hallelujah, Let It Be
Strumming Tips by Song
Wish You Were Here strumming pattern: This is one of the most requested patterns. It’s a variation of the basic D-DU-UDU with emphasis on the first down strum. Watch Marty’s lesson for the exact feel—it’s all about the timing.
Wonderwall strumming pattern: Classic Oasis pattern with syncopation. Starts with two down strums, then alternates. The trick is keeping your down-up motion going even when you’re not hitting strings.
Horse with No Name strumming pattern: Super simple but hypnotic. Just down-down-up, down-up repeating. The minimalism is what makes it work.
Practice Tips for Strumming
Practice with a metronome. Seriously. Your internal timing isn’t as good as you think. Set a metronome to 60 BPM and practice keeping perfect time. Speed comes later.
Focus on your right hand for a week. Forget chord changes. Just play one chord and practice different strumming patterns until they feel natural. Then add chord changes.
Record yourself. You think you sound fine, but recording reveals the truth. Does your strumming stay in time? Are the up-strums clear? Recording shows you what needs work.
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