Strumming the strings properly is the most important part of playing a string instrument. There are lots of strumming patterns of guitars. Here are some of them:

Let us start with a basic 4 beat pattern. Tune your guitar first and then settle down with a chord, say D Major chord. Hold this chord properly. Make sure that every single string is sounding properly. Now, start counting the 4 beat rhythm. You do not have to make it complicated first. Just count 1, 2, 3, 4 and strum up and down. Strum down while counting 1. Then strum up while counting 2. Continue this pattern with every beat.

Your second step is to start playing off beats. To do this, start playing the 4 beat rhythm by counting 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Here offbeat is referred as and. Now while counting, start strumming the guitar in an up and down pattern. That means while counting 1, strum downward and while counting that offbeat, i.e. and, strum upward. Practice it until you get a proper hold of it.

These are the easy strumming patterns of guitars. These are the basics and mainly for beginners. Once you feel comfortable with these patterns then try playing some difficult ones.

Break the rhythm and strum with them. That means now count a 4 beat rhythm as 1 and and 2 and and etc. These two ands means you are breaking 1half beat to two-quarter beat. Use the previous patter of strumming here. That means strum up with the first and. Strum down with the second and.

Go for more complicated ones now. Break a beat into 4-quarter beats and strum with them. After this start to break the beats in as much quarter beats as you can. Remember, the more you break, the more it will become tough for you to maintain the rhythm.

To maintain the rhythms of the strumming patterns of guitars, you can follow some rules.

Tap your foot while playing. Remember; tap your foot downwards when you are strumming down. Do just the opposite while strumming up.

You can even count 1 2 3 4 louder. Count 1 and, when you are playing the off beats.

Do not play fast at first. Start playing very slow. After you feel comfortable with the pattern, then go for a faster speed.

While trying different strumming patterns of guitars, you should be aware of some basic rules.

If you play an acoustic guitar, then make sure that you are strumming over the sound hole. It will give you the best sound.

Be very careful that both the up strumming and down strumming are sounding same. Otherwise it will not deliver the correct sound.

Do not strum too hard. It will make a rattle sound. Do not even strum too soft. It will make a wimpy sound.

When you are playing different strumming patterns of guitars, be careful about your forearm. While playing, your wrist will move, but not your forearm.

So, practice these strumming patterns of guitars, and you will be surprised to see that how brilliant you can play.