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"What in the world are country guitar strumming patterns?"
Why learn strumming patterns?You could down strum all the time, but it'd be a little ( a LOT actually) boring. Imagine if Billy Ray Cyrus sang in a flat tone in all his songs? People would throw tomatoes at him! Now that I've given you a rather visual representation as to what happens to people who only strum in one direction. "Ok fine. So what are patterns and do I play them?"Strumming patterns are, well, patterns according to which you strum. Let's take a simple 4 beat. (Image courtesy of leagueofguitarists.com)
That was quite a simple example, but has a MASSIVE effect. It actually sounds a bit like 2 chords! Go and practice to one of Billy's songs, they have very nice patterns! Making up your own beatsBy now you must be thinking, hey if this dude can make up a pattern, so can I! Well I'm happy to say anyone can make up a strumming pattern. Just experiment with up and down strokes on different counts of the beat. NOTE: Read the next part ONLY if you are comfortable with up and down strokes. Palm muted patterns and skipping beatsThis is the bit you really can show off your skills. You can palm mute certain counts (which sounds really cool) or you can palm mute the whole beat, making your singing more prominent. As for skipping counts (meaning you don't strum on those counts), its up to you. For example, look at Real Gone. Billy Ray Cyrus pauses the whole band 'round the middle of the song, and says "Now did 'ya?". Then ALL the instruments start once again at the same time (For effect). It sounds really, and its up to you when you want to skip or palm mute certain counts. I hope that helped you! Feel free to ask me if you don't understand strumming, or country guitar in general, via the contact page. Thanks!
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