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. An up strum is indicated by a y, and is played on the "and" section of the count. The down strum "on the beat" is often played louder than the up strum which is "off the beat" (the "+" section of the count). There are eight eighth note strums in one bar of * time. Start the up strum on the first (thinnest) string and strum all six strings. Practice this new technique holding a G chord then apply it to the following chord progression.
Eighth Note Rhythm Pattern 1
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.