Strum
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In
Strums are often contrasted with
Notation
Strumming patterns
A strumming pattern or strum is a preset pattern used by a
4 consisting of alternating down and up eighth note strokes may be written:
- 1&2&3&4&
- dudududu
Rock and pop
The pattern most typical of rock and related styles is:
- 1&2&3&4&
- d du udu
The final upstroke is sometimes omitted altering the strumming pattern slightly to d du ud. This pattern is often called "Old Faithful",[7] or when played on ukulele, the "Island Strum".
Examples of other strumming patterns include:[8]
- Single down strum: d d d d
- Elvis' "Burning Love"
- Kathy Mattea's "What Could Have Been"
- Boom-chicka: d dud du
- Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings"
Jazz and funk
The simple four-to-a-bar rhythm is associated with jazz guitarists such as Freddie Green, although they may subtly vary the rhythm of a chord on some beats to add interest.
A simple eight-to-a-bar (8 eighth notes) rhythm is known as "straight eights" as opposed "
The fretting hand can also mute the strings on the fretboard to damp a chord, creating
Fingerstyle strumming strokes
Some of the many possible
- A slow downstroke with the thumb. This is a sforzando or emphatic way of playing a chord.
- Light "brushing" strokes with the fingers moving together at a near-perpendicular angle to the strings. Works equally in either direction and can be alternated for a chord tremolo chord effect.
- Upstrokes with one finger make a change from the standard downstroke strum.
- A "pinch" with the thumb and fingers moving towards each other gives a crisp effect. It is helpful to clearly articulate the topmost and bass note in the chord, as if plucking, before "following through".
- Rasgueado: Strumming is typically done by bunching all the right-hand fingers and then flicking them out in quick succession to get four superimposed strums. The rasgueado or "rolling" strum is particularly characteristic of flamenco.
- Turning p-a-m-i tremolo plucking into a series of downstrokes. This is a lighter version of the classic rasgueado, which uses upstrokes.
See also
References
- ISBN 0-7390-0260-0.
- ^ "Definition of STRUMMING". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ "Should You Play Left-Handed or Right-Handed? | Hub Guitar". hubguitar.com. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ "Fret-Hand Fitness: Four Wicked Workouts to Develop Your Digits". GuitarPlayer.com. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ "Right-handed and Left-handed Vs Right and Left Hand Guitars". Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ "Strumming patterns for the Ukulele". Ukulele-Tabs.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ISBN 978-1780386874.
- ISBN 9781610654869.