Strumming
To play the G chord, play all five strings with your thumb (t) at the same time using a downward motion, as shown in the photo. This is called a strum. Move the thumb from the base and keep your hand and arm relaxed.
Place thumb on top string.
Strum with a downward motion of the thumb.
This is the symbol for a downward strum.
This is a quarter note strum.
It lasts for one beat.
There are four quarter note strums in one bar of * time.
This is a whole note strum.
It lasts for four beats.
There is one whole note strum in one bar of * time.
In the following example there are four bars of the G major chord played in * time. The chord symbol is written above the staff and a new chord symbol is placed at the beginning of each bar. Play the chord with four quarter note strums in each bar. To make the example sound finished, end with one strum of the first chord (a whole note strum q ).
To help keep time play the first quarter note strum in each bar louder. The two dots at the end of the staff before the double bar lines are called a repeat sign and mean that you play the example again from the start.
