Download the PDF of this lesson here.
These 20 beginner strumming patterns give you simple, repeatable rhythms you can use in hundreds of songs. Each example includes a strumming line, a counting bar, a chord example, and a two-chord switching exercise to help build timing and confidence.
1. Steady Downstrokes (Quarter Notes)
Perfect for absolute beginners.
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
1 2 3 4
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----| (C Major)
Switch Practice: C → G
C Major
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----|
G Major
e|-3---|
B|-0---|
G|-0---|
D|-0---|
A|-2---|
E|-3---|
Similar songs: “Simple Man,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (verse)
2. Steady Eighth Notes
Most common beginner rhythm ever.
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|-2---|
B|-3---|
G|-2---|
D|-0---|
A|-----|
E|-----| (D Major)
Switch Practice: D → A
D Major
e|-2---|
B|-3---|
G|-2---|
D|-0---|
A|-----|
E|-----|
A Major
e|-0---|
B|-2---|
G|-2---|
D|-2---|
A|-0---|
E|-----|
Similar songs: “Chasing Cars,” “Good Riddance” (Green Day)
3. Down Down Up
Simple but musical — used in tons of acoustic songs.
↓ ↓ ↑
1 2 +
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-2---|
D|-2---|
A|-0---|
E|-----| (A Minor)
Switch Practice: Am → Fmaj7
Am
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-2---|
D|-2---|
A|-0---|
E|-----|
Fmaj7
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-2---|
D|-3---|
A|-3---|
E|-----|
Similar songs: “Let It Be,” “Stand By Me”
4. Down Down Up Up Down Up
The most famous beginner pattern of all time.
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
1 2 + + 3 +
e|-3---|
B|-3---|
G|-0---|
D|-0---|
A|-2---|
E|-3---| (G Major)
Switch Practice: G → Cadd9
G Major
e|-3---|
B|-3---|
G|-0---|
D|-0---|
A|-2---|
E|-3---|
Cadd9
e|-3---|
B|-3---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----|
Similar songs: “Wonderwall,” “Brown Eyed Girl”
5. Down Up Down Up
Great for learning steady alternate strumming.
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
1 + 2 +
e|-0---|
B|-0---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-2---|
E|-0---| (E Minor)
Switch Practice: Em → C
Em
e|-0---|
B|-0---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-2---|
E|-0---|
C Major
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----|
Similar songs: “Zombie,” “All Apologies”
6. Down – Up (Half Notes)
Slow and simple — very beginner friendly.
↓ ↑
1 3
e|-2---|
B|-3---|
G|-2---|
D|-0---|
A|-----|
E|-----| (D Major)
7. Down – Down Up (Classic Beginner Groove)
Simple, musical, and used in tons of acoustic songs.
↓ ↓ ↑
1 2 +
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----| (C Major)
Switch Practice: C → Am
C Major
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----|
A Minor
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-2---|
D|-2---|
A|-0---|
E|-----|
Similar songs: “Perfect” (Ed Sheeran), “Hallelujah”
8. Down Up Up Down Up
A lightweight, flowing pattern good for softer songs.
↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
1 + + 2 +
e|-3---|
B|-3---|
G|-0---|
D|-0---|
A|-2---|
E|-3---| (G Major)
Switch Practice: G → D
G Major
e|-3---|
B|-3---|
G|-0---|
D|-0---|
A|-2---|
E|-3---|
D Major
e|-2---|
B|-3---|
G|-2---|
D|-0---|
A|-----|
E|-----|
Similar songs: “Good Riddance,” “Hey There Delilah”
9. Down (Mute) Up Up Down
Introduces simple percussive muting.
↓ x ↑ ↑ ↓
1 + 2 + 3
e|-2---|
B|-3---|
G|-2---|
D|-0---|
A|-----|
E|-----| (D Major)
Switch Practice: D → Em
D Major
e|-2---|
B|-3---|
G|-2---|
D|-0---|
A|-----|
E|-----|
E Minor
e|-0---|
B|-0---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-2---|
E|-0---|
Similar songs: “I’m Yours,” “Riptide”
10. Down – Up (Muted) Down Up
A light groove that works well with open chords.
↓ ↑ x ↓ ↑
1 + 2 + 3
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----| (C Major)
Switch Practice: C → Fmaj7
11. Down Up Down (Hold)
Good for slower songs with space.
↓ ↑ ↓
1 + 2
(hold 3–4)
e|-0---|
B|-2---|
G|-2---|
D|-2---|
A|-0---|
E|-----| (A Major)
Similar songs: “Stay With Me” (Sam Smith)
12. Down Up Down Up (Muted Groove)
Brings basic funk energy into beginner playing.
↓ ↑ x ↑
1 + 2 +
e|-0---|
B|-0---|
G|-1---|
D|-2---|
A|-2---|
E|-0---| (E Major)
Switch Practice: E → A
13. Down (Hold) Up Down Up
Very natural for flowing acoustic parts.
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
1 2 + 3
e|-3---|
B|-0---|
G|-0---|
D|-0---|
A|-2---|
E|-3---| (G Major)
Switch Practice: G → Em
14. Down Down Up (Hold)
Slow and expressive.
↓ ↓ ↑
1 2 +
(hold 3–4)
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----| (C Major)
15. Down Up (Down) Up Down
Great for adding movement without complexity.
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓
1 + 2 + 3
e|-2---|
B|-3---|
G|-2---|
D|-0---|
A|-----|
E|-----| (D Major)
16. Down Up Up (Hold) Down Up
Flowy and syncopated, but beginner safe.
↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
1 + 2 3 +
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-2---|
D|-2---|
A|-0---|
E|-----| (A Minor)
17. Slow Downstrokes + Final Upstroke
Common in soft acoustic intros.
↓ ↓ ↓ ↑
1 2 3 +
e|-0---|
B|-1---|
G|-0---|
D|-2---|
A|-3---|
E|-----| (C Major)
18. Down Up (Mute) Down Up Down
Adds light groove while staying easy.
↓ ↑ x ↓ ↑ ↓
1 + 2 3 + 4
e|-3---|
B|-3---|
G|-0---|
D|-0---|
A|-2---|
E|-3---| (G Major)
19. Down Down (Mute) Up Down Up
An extremely versatile and musical beginner pattern.
↓ ↓ x ↑ ↓ ↑
1 2 + + 3 +
e|-2---|
B|-2---|
G|-2---|
D|-2---|
A|-0---|
E|-----| (A Major)
20. Beginner Shuffle Pattern (Swing Feel)
Great for blues, folk, and country rhythm.
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
1 a 2 3 a 4
e|-0---|
B|-0---|
G|-1---|
D|-2---|
A|-2---|
E|-0---| (E Major)
Similar songs: “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Pride and Joy” (simplified)
Related Strumming Pattern Guitar Lessons
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Strumming Patterns & Lessons
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Chord Progressions & Lessons
Comment Policy: You're down to leave a comment? That's awesome. Keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. Please avoid any spammy keywords or a domain as your name, otherwise your comment will be deleted. Let's stay on topic, keep questions relevant and have a meaningful conversation. All the best.