Does your rhythm guitar seem boring?

If you’re asking this question, they most likely are. 

Most guitar players typically always play the same basic strumming patterns.

The result…

…boring rhythms

You can easily break this cycle of having boring rhythms now.

Today I will explain a few strategies on how to create interesting sounding rhythms.

By using strumming and arpeggiating combinations you will be on your way to sounding like a pro.

First, check out the video below that will show you how to arpeggiate chords.

Later in the article, we will use that technique again in another rhythm guitar strategy.

Pattern 1:

Here is an easy pattern where all the down strums fall on the beat and the upstrokes are on the “and” or in between beats. The pattern is a total of 4 beats.

Down, Down, Down, Up, Down

Pattern 2:

Here is a different but simple pattern that many guitar players use. This pattern also is a total of 4 beats.

Down, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down

Professional Rhythm Guitar Strategy #3

You can take the same idea in strategy #2 of using two simple patterns but apply it differently.

You will use different strumming patterns for different chords in a progression.

Here is a simple example.

Let’s assume we are playing a 4-chord progression (Am Dm G C) where each chord is played for 4 beats.

You can alternate patterns where the first and third chord use pattern 1 and the second and fourth chords use pattern 2.

Professional Rhythm Guitar Strategy #4

Combine strumming and arpeggiating together.

Use a strumming pattern on one chord and arpeggiating on a different chord.

Following a formula of strictly alternating between the two techniques may not sound good to you. You can use your judgment as to when to strum and arpeggiate.

Experiment and have fun to see what sounds good in a particular chord progression

About Mark Turko: Mark Turko is a professional guitar player and instructor with over 30 years of experience and teaches guitar lessons online.