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Seven Essential Country Strumming Patterns

Lesson 6 – Country & Bluegrass Rhythm Course
Lesson ID: A0107

In the previous lessons of this course, I taught you several important strumming techniques that’ll make your rhythm guitar playing sound country and bluegrass. We covered the basics in lesson one of this series, and then we worked our way up to some fairly complex country bluegrass rhythm in later lessons.

In this guitar lesson, I’m going to show you seven different strumming patterns that will make your playing sound even more country. I’ll break down each strumming pattern in detail and then we’ll practice our country strumming over the classic country song “Write This Down” by George Strait.

Lesson Overview

Strumming Patterns

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Rhythm Guitar Course Recap
02:32 min Down Beats and Up Beats – Pick and Strum Direction
03:58 min Strumming Pattern 1
05:06 min Strumming Pattern 2
08:05 min Strumming Pattern 3
09:50 min Strumming Pattern 4
11:41 min Strumming Pattern 5
14:23 min Strumming Pattern 6
16:00 min Strumming Pattern 7
17:14 min Creating Your Own Strumming Patterns

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Chord Progressions

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min How to Practice
01:16 min Intro Chord Progression
02:22 min Verse Chord Progression Breakdown
04:27 min Verse Chord Progression Playthrough
05:06 min Chorus Chord Progression
06:35 min Instrumental Break
06:48 min Helpful Tips, Bridge, and Ending

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Listen

Practice playing the seven strumming patterns we learned in this guitar lesson over the song “Write This Down” by George Strait. This song is great for practicing country rhythm technique because it’s played at a relatively slow pace and it has that classic country sound we’re focusing on in this lesson series.

The embedded player below is brought to you by Spotify — I’d highly recommend using Spotify for online radio. If you don’t have a Spotify account, click here to sign up FREE with your Facebook account or e-mail.

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Martin
Martin(@martinfan)
7 years ago

Nice strumming patterns Devin. Thanks for the new material. I’ve really been enjoying your weekly lessons.

Cole
Cole (@guest_499)
7 years ago

I’m really glad I stumbled upon your site. I watched some free lessons just now and they are all are very pro. Great job. I’ll see you in the member area soon.

burl.anderson
burl.anderson(@burl-andersonatt-net)
7 years ago

Just finished lesson 5 strumming. Now on to playing with song. Hope you will have more real songs to practice with

Tim Miller
Tim Miller(@tim)
7 years ago

Thanks Devin great lesson!!

Phil
Phil (@guest_786)
6 years ago

I see this lesson is at least 4 months old. When is the next lesson coming out? I see it says “coming soon” but I don’t know what that means. thank you.

nemo
nemo(@nemo)
5 years ago

so much to much, thanks

cassarta11
cassarta11(@cassarta11gmail-com)
5 years ago

A to the famous C D G .. i got the answer to my question. Which other chords coule suit in country

Birgit
Birgit(@b-scholbebluewin-ch)
4 years ago

Such a helpful lesson. A very good introduction to seven great strumming pattern. I like the „4 pics in a row“ very much. I’m so glad, that I found your site, Devin,I’m learing so many things from you. Thank you.

Jocelyn
Jocelyn(@jocelyn)
3 years ago

Great job Devin! Would it be interesting to have an old school country waltz rhythm course? I’m really a fan about waltz rhythm….

jerseychicadee
jerseychicadee(@jerseychicadee)
3 years ago

I like that sound a lot. It’s getting real up in here now! Whew!

Last edited 3 years ago by jerseychicadee
George Lange
George Lange(@georgeanddoris66hotmail-com)
2 years ago

Very nice lesson. I like the new patterns

George Lange
George Lange(@georgeanddoris66hotmail-com)
2 years ago

Do you really have to go through the motions of the silent beat or can you just wait for the next beat where a note would be played? In other words, should you move your arm or just wait?

Mark Seay
Mark Seay(@markd85)
1 year ago

Hi Devin
I think the link to download the “Strumming Pattern Charts” is broken. If anyone can verify this I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Mark

Gregory Hernly
Gregory Hernly(@gregh)
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark Seay

Same as Mark. I can’t access the video for strumming pattern charts.

Magnus Jacobson
Magnus Jacobson(@k-magnus-jacobsonicloud-com)
8 months ago

Hi, Devin! After playing mainly Swedish folk and pop tunes for many years I’m so happy I found your online guitar school. I’ve learned so much in a relatively short time and I look forward to take all your courses and lessons:) However – I have one major problem that limits my progress: I’ve never really given the pick a chance, mostly playing fingerpicking, and I find it hard to hold the pick firmly while keeping the wrist lose and fit for strumming. Or, the other way around: How do I hold on to the pick without loosing the grip… Read more »