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". An up strum is indicated by a y, and is played on the "+" section of the count. Start the up strum on the first (thinnest) string and strum all six strings.
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.
Practice these new rhythm patterns holding a G chord, then apply each one to the following chord progression.