Strumming Archives

Today’s guitar lesson is on the art of strumming. Specifically, blues guitar strumming.

As you’ll see, I initially started this strumming lesson using G C and D chords. Which of course works fine, and is highly relevant for teaching the strum pattern, however then I realized just how much this strumming pattern is used in the blues, so the last part of the lesson is really just a demonstration of how you can use 7th chords and make that exact same strumming pattern sound great in the blues.

7th chords are probably among the most common chords you’ll find in the blues, so if you ever want to make a song a little more bluesy, try swapping the major chords for their 7th counterparts. For instance, E goes to E7.

So without further ado, let’s get into the lesson!

Here’s a guitar lesson for beginners on guitar strumming.

One of the most common things that I’ve heard from you fine folk is you’re having difficulties getting strumming down properly. In this lesson on guitar strumming, we’ll cover a very simple rhythm that you can use to practice your strumming, however I also talk about things like how to hold your pick, and a very important one… which strings to play.

Jamorama

As always, leave a comment below the video and tell me what you think about it.

Here’s a guitar lesson on how to play Mary Jane’s Last Dance by Tom Petty. I didn’t address the riffs in this song, as this video is targeted towards beginners. Instead, we focus mostly on the strumming aspect, which sounds pretty cool on its own anyways.

Guitar Learning System - Order Now

The chords are quite simple -- all open chords -- Am, G, D and back to Am. The chorus (didn’t get into that in the video) is Em7, A, Em7, A, G.

Leave a comment down below and let me know if you like the song and I’ll do another video for the riffs.

(UPDATE: I’ve now done a lesson for these riffs as well. Click here for Last Dance With Mary Jane riffs.)

Want to really get a handle on blues guitar?

Checkout Playing Through The Blues

This shuffle is fun to play and sounds nice and bluesy. Plus, it gives you tons of room to noodle over.

Bored playing it clean? Hit the talent button and crunch out a bit!

Questions or Comments? Leave one below!