The Strum Pattern That UNLOCKS ALL Strum Patterns 

I appreciate how you're not showing off your skills, instead taking the time to teach the mechanics in a way that's easy to learn. Thanks.

funny thing - I use that rhythm all the time whenever I strum open chords, it just feels natural to me and so satisfying.

Hetfield lesson Down, down, down , down, down,down, down, down

Dude i cant thank you enough, its been only a 5 days since ive got a guitar, and immidietly followed ur on site lessons, now ive got some calluses on my fingertips and strings dont hurt anymore, Also ive learned 4 chords and the spider exercise so its really going sweet, i can see myself playing my fav guitar tunes in 6 months or so i can feel it!

up up down down left right left right B A Select Start.

This is THE default strumming rhythm. Play it as fast as you can with distortion and power chords, a d-beat on the drums, and you have instant hardcore punk! Always satisfying

I wish more people could give a guitar lesson like this..for beginners..without having to perform every riff they know..nice job, great video tomcat, love from England.

So far the best tutor i came across, straight to the point slow in talk, clear in explanation and very easy to understand and the demo is in slow, medium and fast phase, most importantly not winding with rubbish talks. Keep it up buddy.

Wow man! God bless you man!! I have been struggling with strumming for close to a year now, I have even almost given up but just opened this video during a break from working at home and this is the best strumming technique lesson I have seen. It felt like magic man, I got it within 2 minutes. I can't thank you enough. Thank youuuu!!!!

Great videos man! Very clear and easy to follow. Thanks for not spending half the video telling people to subscribe, you dont need to with good quality like this.

Locked down 61 it’s now or never, and, man it looks like it might be no, your manner and pace is great, this is the second vid of yours I followed and I am now full of optimism , thank you😊

Can't thank you enough! This helps greatly. It truly does unlock a lot of patterns.

I learned this strum pattern around a year ago and you are correct. With enough practice to make it feel natural it makes a huge difference and helps with timing which in turn makes your strumming much more melodic. It's hard to to to begin with but sooo worth spending time on to get right. Great lesson :)

Hardest part is not making contact. Social distancing for guitar.

I have been playing guitar on and off for quite a few years and found this lesson really really good for improving my rhythm, thank you. :)

I've been calling it "controlled misses" from the straight-eight pattern (down up down up down up down up). So it ends up becoming "down -- down up -- up down --" I like the way you describe it too!

This technique was one of the first things i ever learn about 12 years ago. Once learned strumming become so easy. Cheers

Thank You for the strum lesson . I just started to play and this is an excellent start for me . I have more zeal and confidence in exploring new strumming patterns . Thanks again .

I've been struggling with learning how to strum for some time now. I watched this video today during work and tried it after, when I sat down to practice. It was awkward at first, but after 30 minutes of doing this over and over, I'm actually strumming. I still miss the strings occasionally, but I'm sure that will go away with time and practice. Thank you!

Wonderful demo. Very catchy. Thanks for unlocking strums. Hope to see and hear more from you.

First song i ever learned was time of your life by geeen day. Very glad i picked this song. Helps your strumming. Helps pick individual strings and string skip while changing chords. Can seem daunting at the start but just keep practicing. So many times i think nah i cant do this, to then come back the next day and feel it click. Feels amazing. Dont let yourself down!

Thank you. That was very satisfying. An exercise that made me feel like I was making music. Great feeling for a real beginner.

This was the most helpful video I have seen amongst them all as it comes to strumming thank you so much

just what i needed right now ... been playing for 1 year+ ,,, im sure my nabo's and my cat , will be very happy , with this improvment

I don't know how, but it works, I was desperate because of strumming since more than two years , only two days after this , I understand it and feel it , thank you so much !!

I am 78 & have been trying to get guitar connected for all this this time. I’ve come to know that procrastination ADHD, & advanced age are a terrible combination. The only song I recognized in this lesson was the last one but never fear I still enjoyed the lesson. ADHD MOMENT LOL ... When you’re using the guitar with the dark headstock, many times there is a reflection on it that looks like a gigantic spider ! Might want to give the headstock a once over with bug spray or hang your cables differently. Caused my old ticker to skip a beat or two ! LOL. Keep up the good work !

Best instruction for strumming pattern I've seen on YT. Thanks dude

Dude thanks, the technique of dropping your hand down after a strum is so useful, can't believe I never learned this !!

I can not thank you enough for this!!!!! After a little over a year of guitar I was still having such a hard time understanding how to keep my hand moving and strumming in general was just so difficult. I thought about giving in and calling it quits but this really did unlock something for me and everything is beginning to click for me.

Thanks always. I love the ambience that escorts the knowledge you share.

1 day ago my strumming consisted of all downstrokes with no variation and basically no structure. NOW after only 1 night of practicing this I can't imagine going back, this just feels "right." Can't wait to learn a new pattern, now I know I can. This is a cheat code, it's a key to the next level of guitar playing for me. Thank you!

My name is Charles and you fascinate me I've been playing for a while never really had a lesson I've seen a lot of bands might even seen you on stage I've been all over the United States the reason I find you fascinating I love watching your lessons and seeing how you figured it out and seeing how I figured it out and we have a lot in common a lot in common you keep it up I'm still learning how to play that's why I watch you I've learned a lot off of you you probably could learn a lot from me too but that's what guitar players do we inspire each other keep playing it on man

Outstanding video. You are going into time with the strumming patterns. Fundamental, Rock Solid lesson. The beatles, on the rooftop version of "Get Back" should be required learning for all guitarists,bass players and drummers.It's the one one where John says "I hope we passed the audition". Time is everything,and everybody getting to the same place when your foot hits the floor is everything.Everybody in the band is at the same place at the same time. Can't go wrong.

my most common strumming pattern is this exact pattern but with a final upstroke instead of a no hit

Sometimes I thin k about all these teachers that post videros in RU-vid. It must be really boring to make a video of something as basic as this if your are an accomplished guitar player... unless you are an accomplished guitar player AND a dedicated and passionate teacher. A good one I mean. Mike is a great teacher. His lessons are crystal clear and well designed to help people no matter the playing level. I ca't afford his lessons becasue I live in a country where credit cards are blocked for internet transactions but I am pretty sure his website is fantastic and I'd recommend to anyone. So I watch him here. Keep the good work my friend and thanks!

This is what I was looking for months now! Thank you sir!

Been playing for a bit but strumming patterns have always been tough for me. This was very helpful and easy to follow. I'll be checking out your other content ty!

Really helpful, great sounding strum. I am starting to get it. For people like me who need to count the beats: D:1 AND D:2 U:AND (D No contact):3 AND:U D:4 AND . The up stroke with contact is always on the AND that is to say the second half of the beat, and the D with no contact on beat 3 helps you to keep the rhythm.

Good lesson. I've always struggled with my strumming. Picked this up and struggled for a minute or two keeping my motion going consistently, but I've got it now. Kind of the "Pink Houses" rhythm.

I'm definitely a beginner and just couldn't get the strumming thing. I saw the video, tried your method and got it really quick. I've been using it on the songs I know and it works!!! Thank you!!!

Many thanks Man, for all the lessons. You do a fantastic job !!!

Great lesson, I know that I will need some practice to get this pattern down. Thanks so many for sharing !

Thanks for this video! I can't wait to try this out; I've been learning guitar by myself for a few months and strumming is the biggest weak point I wanted to improve on.

Love that Nashville! Had one since around December ish and I love it a lot! Only thing I would do is swap out that cap on a pick up selector because after playing live a lot mine kept falling off.. switched to a knurled tip that screws in, works perfectly hasn’t fallen off!

Even though I know my rhythm this actually helped me relax a bit more now that I seen someone break it down it clicked faster for me because I have it down already this just opened it up way more for me thank you ❤

been struggling with chord change and strumming this really helps

I've been watching your vids for the last 6 months or so and I was still *slightly* skeptical about your strumming claims on this . After watching and trying the technique you described I can tell you it was immensely helpful. At a certain point it just clicked. Like, ok thanks I get it now. I've gone back to other songs I'm learning that include strumming and my rhythm and technique is definitely improved. It's not just this video, you have become my go-to for advice and techniques on all things guitar. Your vid on guitar picks has been very helpful as well. I've been a fan of Dunlop picks but I wasn't comfortable with the blue and purple picks. I hadn't tried them in months but have revisited them and I've already moved up to green and love the feel on my electric. It makes sense now why I like the orange and red so much on acoustic. Thanks for sharing your knowledge in a way that really makes sense to new players. You definitely have a good grasp of how to explain tough concepts and introduce new ideas in an approachable way.

Awesome, thank you so much for taking the time to show us 👍

I promise I'm not being paid to say this but holy shit. This literally changed the way I strum for the better in a matter of like 4 minutes. I legit feel like I unlocked a cheat code LOL. Thanks so much man!

thanks this video really helped me a lot, i have seen lots of videos on youtube but for me this helped the most. Gonna sign up for the lessons next on the website :)

OMG. This works! I was so skeptical but it did unlock something in my brain. I can strum (up finally). You just earned a subscribe! Also loving that Telecaster. It's on the wish list.

A nice piece of teaching. Well put; good work.

This is my Achilles Heel because I naturally attempt to “muscle” everything I do and like you said, it is hard to miss the strings with a stiff arm. You would think relaxing would be easy but this is going to require some “stiff” practice to be unstiff. I’ll give this technique a try since it seems to force you to relax to do it and maybe finally get over this hurdle. It’s ironic to need to focus on relaxing.

Thank you soooooo much ❤️❤️ You teach in an amazing style. Thanks for Teaching me for free in such away that it cured my depression i love my guitar I will watch all all of your videos.. Starting now one by one. ❤️ there is good people after all❤️ You Rock wew

loving the shirt, lovin the tele, and lovin the vids!!

I’m subscribed to the site now. Fun and inspiring lesson!

Thank you sooo much, this has been a game changer for me!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

That 3 pickup tele is sick! It's always a good day when I see your upload!

This video had me very intrigued and then I realized you had used this pattern on the apprentice level challenge songs, your so right once I had that down a lot of other strums became easier

Thanks so much for this very helpful and well explained video!

Thanks a lot ! It helped me understand the Hey Ya (by the Outkast) strumming pattern.

1. Down, 2. Down, up, 3. Up, down -- 3 days ago I just bought an electric guitar online. I don't know how to play -- TOTAL beginner here. This will be one of the first strums I try. Meanwhile, will practice on air guitar. Thanks for the great instructions. Now please teach what you did at the very end - that sounds impressive.

So, this is kind of interesting. I took lessons for only a few months when I first started playing 25 years ago. Since then, I’ve just progressed by playing and figuring the vast majority of things out naturally as I went along. The interesting part is how simply playing over time will eventually bring you to the same methods! I notice this all the time when I’m watching RU-vid guitar videos these days. I was never taught 80% of the techniques I use. Yet, I do use them. Pretty cool!

Your amazing amigo, Amazing. Yep, I was not waiting at the bottom for the up strum. Thanks😉☀️

Like 6 months ago I used this pattern for a song and immediately every other strum patters just kinda felt natural

It’s honestly something that coms with time all this stuff I got my first guitar and a year and a half ago first year I was literally just watching tabs on yt learning tabs, start of 2022 start a music course at school so started learning chords midway through 2022 and was also struggling so much with strumming patterns but if you just feel the music you are playing you’ll over time pick it up

Really good lesson!!! This helped a lot!!!!

It took 47.5 years, but I finally see a Telecaster that looks really nice.

Thanks, i think i nailed that one after seeing your video, was learning down-strums on all beats but this actually sounds like playing music and wont make me insane when practicing. :-)

First visit to your channel. Great tip. You have a good speaking voice and guitar sound. I saw the '77 show in Seattle and still have the shirt.

Excellent teaching sir

Thanks for the very clear instructions

I wish I had known about this when I started learning the Andalusian Rumba! Still, better late than never. It's a great training technique. Thanks.

I'm struggling with that for will I dont even think that exist... Wow you finally give me the taste to coming back to guitar

Good lesson. I heard the beatles “tell me what you see” and “Me and Bobby Mcgee”.

The intro sounds like something from Sean Daniel Love it! 😍

I will practicibg it, hopefully it will help me have brekthrout to my rhytim and strumming after so many years dont feel right....back then i have doing it wrong...thank bro

Thank you so much, I just sat and tried, it seemed impossible I was thinking too much. Came back to it and bang, I got it.

I like your Zeppelin shirt! Good lesson, I'm going to practice this. Yes, it does sound like Bob Seeger.

Excellent. Thanks for the help.

Great video ! Could you do a lesson on the more advanced bit you played at the end, please? Thanks very much!

Funnily enough, my guitar teacher back in high school drilled this strum pattern into us haha It worked though!

That is very similar to my go-to strumming pattern, though I also play an extra upstroke at the end.

I always click with your teaching ,thanks so much mate.🤙🎸🇦🇺

That’s great advice thanks. The other thing that i learned from Justin Guitar which I found incredibly helpful was that your strumming arm keeps the beat no matter whether it hits the strings. Which is what you were doing. But it bears pointing out for the hard of thinking like I myself am 😁😁

You're a good teacher nice lesson, thanks

I like this. It helped me a lot. Thank you!

Nice technique, thanks for the lesson. Nice Tele, looks like mine except I have the white pick guard. So there.

Excellent lesson, Thank you

Very helpful 👍 sure makes it more natural to keep the strumming hand moving on other syncopated patterns (Ramble On for example). Cheers 🍻

That was really helpful thanks I wish had some money to give you its definitely worth it. My Dad bought me lessons for years lol!!

im only just starting guitar and practicing this pattern and chord switching for 1 day made me like 10x better

Dude, I love how you teach.

I am a newbie. Guitar is something I always wanted to learn never thought I would. So thankful for ppl like u. Wow I got a little emotional writing that sentence lol . Finger picking is where my heart is. Do u have videos for strumming with fingers? I’ll look but often it’s like finding a needle in a hay stack. Wish RU-vid would create a search on another persons page. That would be a feature I might pay for.

Thanks. I've been looking for advanced RH technique and exercises.

excellent teacher, very helpful, thank you!!

you are amazing sir, thank you for sharing !!

Thank you Mike You're the best I've followed ...bro It worked for me. Yes

This is really cool. Thanks!

This is the strum pattern my guitar teacher taught us in class since we're learning Brown-Eyed Girl which uses the G-cord