Creative Guitar Playing & Performance
Rhythm Guitar
(Finger Style and/or Pick)
Here are six of the most popular strumming patterns used across
rock, pop, folk, and country music, formatted by rhythm value and directional
pick strokes.
Standard 4/4 time patterns
1. The everyday strum
This is the most common pattern in modern music,
famous for omitting the downstroke on beat 3 to create a driving syncopation.
Rhythm: Quarter, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth
Beats: 1, 2, &, 3, &, 4, &
Strum: Down, Down, Up, (Miss), Up, Down, Up
2. Driving rock eighths
A
continuous eighth-note pattern that builds energy.
It is often played with all down strokes for a heavier rock feel, or alternating
strokes for acoustic pop.
Rhythm: Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth
Beats: 1, &, 2, &, 3, &, 4, &
Strum: Down, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up
3. Pop syncopation
This pattern utilizes a dotted quarter note at the start to create an asymmetrical, modern groove.
Rhythm: Dotted Quarter, Eighth, Quarter, Eighth, Eighth
Beats: 1, (2), &, 3, 4, &
Strum: Down, Up, Down, Down, Up
4. Folk accent pattern
A
traditional pattern that emphasizes the solid downbeat of beat 1 and beat 3,
with quick eighth notes filling the gaps.
Rhythm: Quarter, Eighth, Eighth, Quarter, Eighth, Eighth
Beats: 1, 2, &, 3, 4, &
Strum: Down, Down, Up, Down, Down, Up
Triple meter patterns (3/4 and 6/8 time)
5. Acoustic waltz (3/4 time)
The
classic "boom-chick-chick" rhythm.
Guitarists often play the root note of the chord on beat 1,
followed by full strums on beats 2 and 3.
Rhythm: Quarter, Quarter, Quarter
Beats: 1, 2, 3
Strum: Down (Bass note), Down (Treble strings), Down (Treble strings)
6. Slow rock ballad (6/8 time)
Commonly used in blues, soul, and classic ballads,
this pattern groups notes into two main pulses per measure.
Rhythm: Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth, Eighth
Beats: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Strum: Down, Up, Down, Down, Up, Down
Recommended BPM ranges
1. The everyday strum
BPM range: 75–115 BPM
Ideal speed: 90 BPM (A
relaxed mid-tempo that makes the syncopation easy to hear)
2. Driving rock eighths
BPM range: 110–150 BPM
Ideal speed: 120 BPM (The
classic high-energy rock standard)
3. Pop syncopation
BPM range: 85–125 BPM
Ideal speed: 100 BPM (A
modern, danceable pop pocket)
4. Folk accent pattern
BPM range: 70–110 BPM
Ideal speed: 85 BPM (Allows
the traditional acoustic spacing to breathe)
5. Acoustic waltz (3/4 time)
BPM range: 90–140 BPM
Ideal speed: 110 BPM (A
comfortable, rolling dance tempo)
6. Slow rock ballad (6/8 time)
BPM range: 45–70 BPM
Ideal speed: 55 BPM (A slow, heavy groove that emphasizes the triplet feel)