Quarter and Eight Note Strumming Patterns Part IV

Up to now we’ve only looked at one bar strumming patterns. They’re alright but things get pretty interesting when we start using two bar strumming patterns.

A two bar strumming pattern does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a pattern that stretches over two bars and then repeats itself again.

These strumming patterns aren’t as predictable as the one bar patterns and they’re actually really cool.

One of the easiest ways to get into this is by playing the pattern as you’ve learned it in the previous lesson and then reversing it in bar two. Check it out…

Strumming Pattern 01

So bar one will be:

Down Up, Down Up, Down, Down or One & Two & Three Four.

And bar two will be:

Down, Down, Down Up, Down Up or One Two Three & Four &.

Strumming Pattern 02

Let’s reverse the whole previous pattern.

Bar one will be:

Down, Down, Down Up, Down Up or One Two Three & Four &.

And bar two will be:

Down Up, Down Up, Down, Down or One & Two & Three Four.

Strumming Pattern 03

Let’s do something different for this one.

Down, Down Up, Down Up, Down or One Two & Three & Four.

Down, Down, Down Up, Down Up or One Two Three & Four &.

Strumming Pattern 04

One More…

Down, Down Up, Down, Down Up or One Two & Three Four &.

Down Up, Down, Down Up, Down or One & Two, Three & Four.

Strumming Pattern 05

Last one

Down Up, Down, Down, Down Up or One & Two Three Four &.

Down Up, Down Up, Down, Down or One & Two & Three Four.

There you go! Two Bar Strumming Patterns

These patterns are very cool indeed and will add some depth to you rhythm playing.

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