Horseshoe = down stroke
V shape = up stroke
Classic Folk Rock Pattern
There are 4 possible down strokes (on the beat), and 4 possible up strokes (on the “and”) in one measure of 4/4 time. In this strumming pattern we are leaving out the first up stroke, and the 3rd down stroke.
Sometimes this is easier to play if you “fake” the missing down stroke:
3/4 Strumming Patterns
There are 3 possible down strokes (on the beat), and 3 possible up strokes (on the “and”) in one measure of 3/4 time. In the first variation we are leaving out the 1st and 3rd up strokes.
Variation 1:
Variation 2:
Variation 3:
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door Pattern
An example of a more complex strumming pattern using the same principles.
Note: this is not the exact strumming pattern from the original recording, just the way I like to play it.
