Making Joyful Noises

Strums, continued

We don’t have to strum on every beat and every halfway point. Let’s try some new strums, using our new notation. (Remember your hand will go up and down here or you hit the string.) whether not

StrumThree. Repeat this pattern using your Achord.

4 beats per measure -

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

3 beats per measure -

1

2 and 3

1

2 and 3

1

2 and 3

2 beats per measure -

1

2 and 1

2 and

1

2 and

Notice that in a four beat measure you hit the strings in a pattern - down, down up, down, down up. In a three beat pattern, it goes down, down up, down. For a two beat pattern, it also alternated down, down up.

. This is a four and three beat pattern only. A two beat pattern is the same as Strum3. StrumFour

4 beats per measure -

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

3 beats per measure -

1

2

3

1

2

3

StrumFive . This is a four and three beat pattern. A two beat patternwould be the same as Strum1.

4 beats per measure -

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

3 beats per measure -

1

2

3

1

2

3

Learn each of these patterns. Try them with the progressions below. Beware–do not rush–try to keep your eye on the page.

1.

E/A/E

4.

A/D/A/E7/A

2.

D/D7/G/A/A7/D

5.

G/Am7/D7/G

3.

D/E7/A/D

6.

Em/Am7/Em

Making Joyful Noises: Master ing the Fundamentals of Music • 45