How do you know the proper strumming for every song?

Question

I dunno how to strum for every song. How do u know the correct strumming pattern?

Answer 1

and just to add to the above...try to get the chords for songs you know, and practice till dem fingers bleed...

Answer 2

You don't necessarily need to read the sheet music to find a strumming pattern. If you can listen to the song and pick up what time signature it's in then it's fairly easy to figure out the strumming pattern (4/4 is usually down down up up down, 3/4 is usually down up down possibly repeated depending on the speed).

Of course, if you're going to do that, you might as well pick up the strumming from listening to the actual song. This also tends to work better than even sheet music since the bands tend to jazz up their strumming from the basic 4/4 and add extra strums or picking.

So really... a lot of listening, because even if you get the sheet music, it doesn't always tell you the patterns, just time signature and fingerings. If you're having a lot of trouble lessons really help with that kind of stuff.

Answer 3

The best technique I know of is to move your wrist up and down in 8th notes, so twice for every beat. But hover above the strings- only move your wrist down to actually strum depending on if you want a downbeat or an upbeat.

Answer 4

You need to read all of the sheet music, starting with the time signature.

Remember that most of the sheet music you see are just lead sheets. You can strum more than what the notes are on the page - the page just tells you what and when.

To get a better understanding of music, you may want to tune in to "The Piano Guy" on your local PBS station if they carry it. He explains music theory in such an easy and practical way. I wish that I was taught by someone like him all those years ago.

Answer 5

if you listen to a song long enough, you can hear every different note played... there for if you are air guitaring, you just pluck your finger at a different imaginary chord.