If you are using the Old Faithful strumming pattern, for example, and playing a song with a chord change after two beats, is it correct that you not play the new chord until the up strum at “3+”? It seems odd if the new chord is not played on the beginning beat after the chord change. Basically, what should happen when there is chord change at a point in a strumming pattern where strums are left out?
Hi @lawboyhd, as you say, with Old Faithful, you don’t strum on the 3rd beat, so if there’s a chord change on 3, you don’t strum - that is, if you adhere closely to Old Faithful. That’s why it’s not such a great strumming pattern in those cases. However, there’s nothing wrong with a little variation, like strumming on the 3rd beat in those measures where you have a chord change on 3. Just play around a bit, try different patterns and see (hear) what sounds best to you - after all, if it sounds good, it is good!
There is a lot of discussion on this very topic in a previous thread, well worth reading. I particularly like the advice given here
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Thanks all, I figured it had come up before but there are quite a few lessons about strumming and could not find this specific point!
I have already started to make up my own strumming patterns but they don’t sound as good as I want them to . How do I get them to sound better???
Sorry the emoji are not what I wanted:
Justin recommends practicing new strumming patterns with the strings muted with your fretting hand resting on the strings. Start slow and gradually increase your speed with practice. Have fun.
Thank you so much SteveL_G99! I hope you have blast with your guitar journy!
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Really struggled with these dumb:“1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and…”
So I quickly assigned some quick 8-syllable lyrics to the lot.
" I don’t know which sha-dow gets me. "
You might choose some happier catch phrase though 
Works instantly much better 