Beginner Strumming Secrets

Count, strum and groove on open chords: steady down-up patterns, mid-pattern chord changes, chucks, palm muting, triplets and a country boom-chuck.

What you will be able to play

• Count whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes in 4/4 and strum each one in time on a G chord.
• Play the down, down, down, down, up pattern on G, Cadd9 and D without stopping the strumming hand at the changes.
• Keep a steady down-up flow on open chords and change chords in the middle of a pattern.
• Use ghost strums to keep your arm moving while choosing which strums hit the strings.
• Add a percussive chuck and light palm muting to your strumming.
• Pick arpeggios and single root notes inside a strumming pattern.
• Play a country boom-chuck with an alternating bass on E, A and B7.
• Strum a triplet pattern on E with a quick change to A and back.

Is it for you?

Beginners who know a handful of open chords (G, C, D, E, A, E minor, A minor, and ideally F) and can strum down in time, but whose rhythm still feels stiff or who stop strumming every time they change chords. No music reading is needed; counting is taught in the first lesson. Also good for self-taught players who only ever strum all downstrokes. Not for complete first-day beginners, since the chord shapes are shown only briefly, and not for players looking for lead guitar or full song arrangements.

What you get

• 24 video lessons in teaching order
• Taught by Marty Schwartz
• Level: Beginner
• Watch on the web or in the GuitarJamz app, on any device, with your progress kept
• Yours to keep: one payment, no subscription
• Backed by our money-back guarantee

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