Hi everybody
I was wondering how I should change chord following this strumming pattern. I find it extremely difficult (nearly impossible) especially when there are three different chord. Am I missing something or I should follow another pattern? The song is “Teenage Dirtbag” although I found the same issue in several other songs
have you tried just removing the last up strum ?
Hi @mirkoguitar, first of all: welcome to the forum! I would advice you to start by splitting things up: on the one hand practicing the chord changes with just down strums, and on the other hand practicing the strumming pattern with muted strings. For each of these two separately, start at a tempo that challenges you, but still allows you to get things right most of the time. When this goes well, speed up step by step until you get to a point where you can play both comfortably at normal tempo. Then combine both following the same procedure: start slow and gradually speed up.
Good luck!
You are right even though, where there are 3 chords, I have the impression that the strumming pattern doesn’t fit properly.
The strumming patterns in the app are only suggestions… if you don’t like the suggestion then play something you do like.
The pattern that is being suggested is 1/16th notes so whether you strike a note or not, your strumming arm is supposed to keep moving and that Em to D change will remain a challenge until you can hit it instinctively
Excellent replies from all and yes slow down you going to fast got to make the morning last now, and practice practice until you shout YES got it cheers Hec
@mirkoguitar, first of all, as @mattswain already said, it’s alright to change the strumming pattern to something that feels right to you.
As for the suggested pattern: it is indeed 1/16th notes, meaning you have 8 down strums and 8 up strums in each bar. There are 8 dots shown in the bar, one for each down strum (in reference tot the counting shown below the strumming pattern in the screenshot: down strums are on the numbers and the +, up strums on e and a).
In the first bar shown in the screenshot you posted, The G is on the first down, the C on the 5th. Looking at the suggested strumming pattern, it is suggested you play a down strum on 1 and 5, so this fits. For the second bar, the D is on the 1st down, Em on the 5th and D on the 6th. The suggested strumming pattern has indeed down strums on 1, 5 and 6, so it could fit.
As far as I know, you haven’t indicated at which stage you are in your learning. Have you already come across 16th note strumming? If not, you might want to ask yourself if you’re ready for this song.
