Patterns
Strum Patterns

Practice with a metronome, to gain the ability to maintain a steady beat.

Index of Cymbals
D: strum down, from the chord's lowest note.
d: strum down on only a couple strings.
U: strum up, to the chord's lowest note.
u: strum up on only a couple strings.
Dx: strum down, using a dead hit (strings are completely muted with strumming or fretting hand).
Ux: strum up, using a dead hit (strings are completely muted with strumming or fretting hand).

Four beat per measure

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
D   D    D    D

1  +  2  +  3  +  4  +
D  U  D U D U  D U

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
D   DU  D   DU

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
D    DUDU DU

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
DU DU    U DU

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
DU    U    U DU

1  +  2  +  3  +  4  +
D     Dx    D      Dx

1   +   2   +   3   +   4   +
Dx U  Dx U  Dx U   Dx U

1   +   2   +   3   +   4   +
D  Ux D  Ux  D  Ux D  Ux

1    +    2    +    3    +    4    +
D   U   Dx Ux   D   U   Dx   Ux

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
d u D U d u D U

1    +    2    +    3    +    4    +
D   u     D   u           u          u

Now start making up you own strum patterns!
Finger Picking PatternsBefore practicing these patterns, read the "Technique" page concerning finger picking.
Apply the patterns to common chord progressions, like ii, V7, I (Dm, G7, C).

Right Fingers:
P: Thumb (always presses the lowest note of the chord)
I: Index
M: Middle
A: Ring

The biggest string gets the biggest number; string six is the thick string.

Read left to right, bottom to top.

Press P, then I, then M, then A.
Strings
1             A
2        M    
3     I     
4         
5 P        
6  

On this pattern, M and A are pressed together, at the same time.
1       A   
2       M     
3    I       I
4         
5         
6 P        

1          A
2      M    M
3    I             I
4 P        
5         
6         

1           A
2 M       
3        I        I
4         
5 P         P  
6         

1    A      
2        M 
3             I
4         
5         
6 P        

1 A    A   
2 M   M     
3 I     I  
4         
5         
6 P        

1          A
2     M    
3     I   
4         
5 P        
6         

1 A        
2       M   
3        I  
4  P        
5         
6