Eighth Note Rhythms
All the rhythm patterns you have played so far involved playing a downward strum t, on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th beat. To make rhythm patterns more interesting, eighth note rhythm patterns can be used. An eighth note rhythm is a combination of a down and an up strum within one beat. The down strum "on the beat" is played louder than the up strum which is "off the beat" (the "+" section of the count).
An up strum is indicated by a i, and is played on the "and" section of the count. Start the up strum on the first (thinnest) string and strum upwards. Instead of hitting all six strings, the up strum sounds best with only the first three or four strings being struck. As you continue the up strum, your hand will naturally move up away from the strings and be ready for the next down strum.
Play the following rhythm pattern, which has eighth note strums on the second beat consisting of a down strum on the "2" count and an up strum on the "+" section of the count. There are eight eighth note strums in one bar of * time.
Play the following patterns holding a G chord:
