Alternate Strumming

Lesson 3/65 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Blues Guitar

Alternate Strumming

All of the examples you have played so far involved a downward strumming motion which can be indicated by a t. With eighth notes there are two possible ways to play the previous rhythm. Sometimes it sounds best to use all downstrokes of the pick, and other times the technique of down and up ( y) strumming is used. This is called alternate strumming, and it is essential for the development of speed and accuracy.

Alternate strumming motion -

When using alternate strumming on eighth note rhythms, use a down strum on the beat (the number count) and an up strum off the beat (the "and" count). Apply alternate strumming to the previous example. As a general rule play eighth notes using alternate strumming, although some grooves work better with all downstrokes.

Many rhythm patterns contain both quarter notes and eighth notes. In this situation you can play all the quarter notes with down strums and alternate the strumming for the eighth notes, as shown in the following example.

When playing this style it is a good idea to keep up the alternating strumming motion even when there is no up strum in the music. Instead, strum in the air just above the strings. This helps you keep time and keep the momentum of the rhythm you are playing.

Eighth notes can be very effective when combined with rests. In rhythm guitar playing the most important thing is where in the bar you place your notes and how they interact with the parts being played by other musicians. The following example uses the F7 chord, along with C7 and G7. These are chords I IV and V in the key of C. Once you are comfortable with this example, try playing a 12 Bar Blues using these chords.

The Dotted Quarter Note

A dot written after a quarter note means that you hold the note for one and a half beats.

A dotted quarter note is often followed by an eighth note.

This example demonstrates the use of the dotted quarter note. Remember to tap your foot on each beat and count out loud as you play. It is also important to use your metronome with everything you practice.

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Class Sessions

1- Bending Notes 2- The Blues Scale 3- The Minor Pentatonic Scale 4- The Mixolydian Scale 5- INTRODUCTION 6- The Triplet 7- Identifying Eighth Note Rhythms 8- Boogie Rhythms 9- Eighth Note Rhythms 10- Slurs 11- The Slide 12- Understanding Chords 13- Rhythm Notation 14- The Release Bend 15- Vibrato 16- Moving to Different Keys 17- Twelve Eight Time (<span class="symbolA">+</span> ) 18- Tuning Up 19- Five Forms Of The Pentatonic Scale 20- Moving Between Forms 21- More About The Blues Scale 22- Electronic Tuner 23- Vibrato With Bent Notes 24- Open Position A Blues Scale 25- Open Position Minor Pentatonic Scale 26- Open String Sounds 27- Open String Mixolydian Riffs 28- Strumming Triplets 29- Ties 30- Enharmonic Notes 31- Alternate Strumming 32- The 12 Bar Blues Progression 33- The G Major Chord 34- Blues Chords 35- Identifying Scale Patterns 36- Slight Bends 37- Five Forms of the Blues Scale 38- Experimenting With Sounds 39- Swing Rhythms 40- Jam Along Progressions 41- Open Position E Blues Scale 42- Blues Licks 43- Chord Diagrams 44- Syncopation 45- Strumming 46- Chords I IV and V in all Keys 47- Keys 48- Listening 49- E Minor Pentatonic Scale 50- Rhythm Notation 51- The Seventh Chord 52- I IV and V as 7th Chords 53- The Shuffle 54- Slide Finger 55- Scale Diagrams 56- Power Chords 57- Chord Progressions 58- Tablature 59- Right Hand Damping 60- The C Major Chord 61- Tablature Symbols 62- The Pivot 63- How To Hold The Guitar 64- Technique 65- Music Notation

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Alternate Strumming