In my last lesson, we worked on (attempting!) to breakdown a song into strumming patterns.
We listened to the song, looking at one of the books which have the lyrics with the chords above it.
I struggled with this, and have been attempting to listen to a song and break down what the strumming pattern is before my lesson tomorrow, does anyone have any hints?
I have tried slowing the piece down when I listen to it, and focusing on the drum beats to get the rhythm but still can't quite seem to work out what are up and down strokes.
Thanks
Apache
Strumming patterns are usually short (2 measures is typical), and there aren't many of them in a song.
I have students listen to a short segment of the song they're working on several times, and then TAP the rhythm on their guitar top. After they've tapped it several times, I have them write it out.
Once it's written, we can analyze it - what is the division? (the division is where you'll alternate strokes - it could be eighth notes for a slower rhythm, or sixteenth notes for a faster one). Twice the division will be the strumming unit - where your downstrokes go.
We'll mark the strum directions over their transcription of the rhythm, and then play through it.
Some rhythms may take a little tweaking, as a few artists may put strokes in odd places for effect, like doubling up an upstroke. But most are pretty straightforward. So that's usually the whole process:
LISTEN - imitate - write it out - analyze - practice
Hope that helps.
Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL
