The very basics of rhythm to start you getting in a groove...

Video Lesson

 

Really Useful Strumming Patterns (RUST)

RUST is an acronym for "Really Useful Strumming Patterns" and as part of this beginners course I will be showing you some of the patterns I teach in my DVD with that title to get you started in learning your rhythm guitar.

During the course (or after it) you might like to check out more rhythm lessons in greater detail on the DVD - Really Useful Strumming Techniques. If you use it while doing the Beginners Course then you'll need to add 5 minutes extra to your practice routine, or wait until the end of the course and use it to help consolidate your chord changes. Up to how well you are feeling with your rhythm... if you are struggling then in might really help to use it with the beginners course!!

RUST 1

This is as basic as it gets, but it is very important that you learn to do this pattern well, because pretty much all rhythm patterns are based on this simple pattern!

RUST 2

Now we just add one up strum, but it makes a very common strumming pattern. The aim here is to repeat this pattern until it becomes "instinctive" you should be aiming to be able to put the up strum in the right place without thinking about it at all. To do that you just need to practice it over and over again! It is very important to do this repetition as much as you can! We will be developing these patterns more in coming stages, but better to be able to do a few very well, than lots badly!

The key thing here is to make sure that those 4 down strums stay even. Played with the click of a metronome. That up pick will become between the metronome clicks!

Try setting your metronome at between 60 and 100 bpm. Some people find it harder very slow (60) other when it is faster (over 100) so start with what is easy for you, and slowly work toward what is hard. In the end you want to be able to do this and every other pattern you know at a range of tempo's.

Note too that it's fine if the up strum just hits the first 3 or 4 strings. You don't need to strum them all, in fact it's better if you don't in this example.

Once you have the pattern super comfortable playing just one chord, have a go at using this new pattern and changing between two chords that you find easy to change between. YOU MUST NOT STOP THE STRUMMING. If you can't do your chord changes fast enough to keep strumming then don't try and apply this to a song yet. In the next stage I will help you out more by teaching you to "force the changes" but the big deal here is DO NOT STOP STRUMMING. And don't expect it to be easy either! ;) changing chords while strumming is going to take some practice, so be prepared to dig in.

Probably the most important thing to learn about strumming is to just keep going! As soon as you stop you are waving a big flag that tells everyone you just screwed up. Even non musicians will know right away that something is wrong when the rhythm stops, but many people will never notice a wrong of slightly wrong chord.

The other very important factor is to RELAX. Make sure you keep your arm relaxed as possible. Of course it needs a little tension to move and hold the pick, but otherwise keep your whole body as relaxed as possible and try and learn to let music flow, rather than force it! I know it can be hard to relax when you struggle with something, and it's ironic that sometimes the tension is causing the problem... so just do your best and try and stay as relaxed as possible!

I've noticed on the forum that a few people where worried about the exact angle of the strum over the strings. This is not important at this stage. It changes on what you are doing, so beware of analysis paralysis! Don't think yourself into a mental block. At these early stages (especially if you follow my advice) there will be hardly any bad habits you will pick up that can't be fixed a little later!

If you still struggle at all, with anything, then SLOW DOWN.

It is the key thing for all guitar practice. When something is hard, slow down and get it right then speed up. I really can't emphasize that enough. Slow makes good.

 

HELP!!!!

If you need to ask a question about this lesson - there is a topic set up specifically to help you with this lesson. To help you find it easily you can click the following link and it will take you right the topic. You'll be able to see questions that other people had and ask your own questions! Hopefully one of the very helpful members of our community will be there to help you soon, I do go there and answer stuff too - but there are just too many questions for me to answer alone! So click this link to get help with this lesson!

Justinguitar Beginner's Products

I have four great beginners products that will help you make the most of this course. Most popular is The Justinguitar Beginners Songbook which contains 100 songs arranged by difficulty that perfectly match up with each level of the course. Many people told me they like books more than web pages so we've made The Justinguitar Beginners Course Book (comes with 2 x CD's too!) and many people found being online to watch the videos a pain so we offer The Justinguitar Beginners Course DVD which also means you can watch the vids in much better quality. Together they complete the whole online course and are perfect when there is no internet connection!! Also very popular is Practical Music Theory for those that like to know what they are doing and why!! It covers very basic theory in an easy to digest way and puts it onto the guitar! They are all available in Bundle Packs too where you can save a bunch of money!! Buying products and making donations help keep the site free and growing! :)