In this video
...we unlock one of the most useful rhythmic concepts in guitar playing: how a single strumming pattern sits at the heart of multiple classic songs by The Cure.
Starting with Just Like Heaven, we break down the signature baseline and show how it maps directly to your strumming hand. The key insight here is that the baseline is always your clue — once you can hear it, you can feel the rhythm before you even pick up your pick.
From there, we explore how that same core pattern runs through In Between Days, Love Song (built around a beautiful A minor 9 chord), and Pictures of You — all at different tempos but sharing the same rhythmic DNA. You'll hear how varying your down-up strokes keeps things musical rather than mechanical, and how the same groove feels completely different depending on the BPM you're working at.
We also touch on a satisfying 3-3-2 rhythmic subdivision that gives The Cure's feel its distinctive forward momentum — something that once you hear it, you'll start spotting everywhere.
Whether you're new to strumming patterns or looking to add some post-punk flavour to your playing, this lesson will give you a versatile rhythm you can apply across a whole catalogue of songs.