I’m not sure the appropriate place to post this question, but I am confused about the strumming patterns and how they come into play when using the practice songs. Up until now, I only played a single down strum every time I saw a note pop up. Is that wrong?
Now Justin says we have plenty of songs to practice the strumming patterns on, but all the songs look the same to me in terms of notations. Is there a demonstration of how I’m suppose to be using the strumming patterns in the songs? Have I been doing this wrong the whole time?
Hi @LadyOfTheCastle – I am using the app and I was in module 3 until I realized that something was off. Justin talks about integrating simple strumming patterns in the songs, and I couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. The last I remember hearing, he said to downstrum once when you saw the note in the practice songs, and so that is what I have been doing. One single down strum instead of strumming every single beat. So now I guess I am going back to module 1 to get my strumming practice in.
I still haven’t figured out where the riff introduction and instructions are. Just loading up the practice module doesn’t tell me what I am suppose to be doing and I cannot find a video where he mentions it. Feeling very frustrated with the format of these lessons right now. Maybe I am more beginner than is expected.
@toodledoodledoo, if you’re having trouble seeing the structure of the course and the lessons in the app, I would advise you to go to the website www.justinguitar.com. Create an account there (it’s not the same account as for the app) and take a look at the ‘courses’ tab at the top of the screen. For grade 1 for example, you’ll find all the lessons here: https://www.justinguitar.com/classes/beginner-guitar-course-grade-one
Justin’s course started out as a website course. The primary goal of the app is the song section, where you can play along to a whole set of songs. The lessons have been added afterwards. However, I’m finding the website easier to have an overview of all the lessons in a module, to go back to review something that trips me up, … Also, underneath each video lesson, you will find a written ‘version’ of the video, allowing you to easily run through what you’ve just seen in the video. Underneath each lesson video there’s also a link to the dedicated part of this forum.
As for your question about riffs: don’t sweat it. Justin introduces a short riff in each module if I remember correctly, but mostly for fun, to give you a tast of moving around the fretboard and picking individual notes. You’ll find the explanation in the corresponding lessons.
@LadyOfTheCastle Oh, I didn’t realize it started out as a web course and that there might be more comprehensive content on the website. I will switch to using that except for when I am doing practice modules / songs and see if that helps with the confusion.
I’m new to this. In regards to the strumming patterns with ups and downs; for the down stroke am I hitting all six strings even if the chord is say for example a “D” chord or an “A” chord?
