Basic Strumming Patterns
Every strumming pattern is built from just two moves — down and up. Start with steady down-strokes on the beat, then layer in up-strokes to get the classic D-D-U-U-D-U groove.
Start with down-strokes on the beat
The simplest possible strumming pattern is one down-stroke per beat: down, down, down, down, one per click of a metronome at a slow tempo. It sounds plain, but it teaches your strumming hand to keep perfect time before you add anything fancier. Almost every strumming pattern you'll ever learn is really just a variation built on top of this steady down-beat pulse.
Adding up-strokes: counting "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &"
Once down-on-the-beat feels automatic, subdivide each beat in half by counting "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &." The numbers are down-strokes, the "&"s (the off-beats) are up-strokes. A pattern is just a decision, for each of those eight slots, of down, up, or nothing at all.
The classic: D-D-U-U-D-U
One of the most common patterns in pop, folk, and rock strumming is down, down, up, up, down, up. It skips the third eighth-note slot (no stroke on the "&" of beat 1... actually the up-stroke right after beat 2), which gives it a bouncy, syncopated feel compared to strumming every single slot. Try it above — notice how the pattern keeps your hand moving through all eight slots even though only six of them make sound.
Reading strumming pattern notation
- D = down-stroke (strumming hand moves toward the floor).
- U = up-stroke (strumming hand moves back up toward the ceiling).
- A dash or blank slot means you don't strike the strings there, but your hand can still keep moving.
- Patterns are almost always read left to right across one full bar (often 8 eighth-note slots in 4/4 time).
Common questions
What is the most basic guitar strumming pattern?
A single down-stroke on every beat (down, down, down, down) — the foundation every other pattern builds on.
What does D-D-U-U-D-U mean?
Down, down, up, up, down, up — one of the most common patterns in pop, folk, and rock.
Why do down-strokes usually fall on the beat?
They're the strongest, easiest strokes to time accurately, so they land on beats 1-4 while up-strokes fill the off-beats.
How do I practice a new strumming pattern?
Start slow with a metronome, say the pattern out loud, and loop it over one easy chord before adding chord changes.
Practice strumming patterns with real backing tracks
Melody Monkey lets you loop chord progressions at any tempo so you can drill a new strumming pattern until it's automatic.
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