The video will take you through three exercises that can be played straight or shuffled.
We’ ve changed the way the grooves sound by delaying the up strums. By the way, if this was all straight quarter notes or half notes, would shuffling be possible? The answer is … no, because the shuffling makes its appearance in the offbeat eighth notes. That’ s what gives each strum the unique shuffled characteristic.
To apply this process practically, I invite you to consider a strumming pattern I call the“ Camp Strum,” but which has been used in countless worship songs and even pop songs( and I’ m
pretty sure I’ m the only one who calls it the“ Camp Strum.” The rhythm is 1 2 & & 4 &, or DOWN, down UP, up down up. See the diagram( f) for the straight version.
But then, as if to breathe new life into this pattern with more groove and artistry, we can delay the three up-strums in this pattern to create the shuffled version( g). The accompanying video unpacks this very well, and even demonstrates a drummer’ s intuitive spontaneous response to these contrasting strums in real time … without any rehearsal and very little preparation.
The video takes eight notes, turns them into
triplets, and then finishes with a shuffled groove, all at tempos 108, 120 and 132. I encourage you to watch it, especially since it’ s designed to take you through a process, much like a workout coach might do.
I’ m grateful for your willingness to spend some time today considering my thoughts on strumming, and I hope they help you continue to develop your skills to new heights. Soli Deo Gloria!
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David Harsh David Harsh is a nationally touring worship leader, songwriter and performing artist. He is passionate about equipping guitarists to discover their potential. Learn more and join now at www. GuitarSuccess4U. com 56 May 2025 Subscribe for Free...