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
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: