Strumming the Off Beat to a Drum Track

Strumming and rhythm can throw up all sorts of challenges and potential stumbling blocks at any stage while learning Guitar; this lesson focusses on one technique that can fix so many of these problems when we nail it.

By playing the off-beats and more syncopated rhythms we start feeling the beat and internalising the music thus developing our own sense of timing.

Strumming off-beats

To play on the off-beats we don't play on beat 1 or any of the other main numbered beats. We can simply Strum then Mute on the '&'s exclusively - 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

• Small twist of the wrist to Strum the chord

• Mute with outside palm of the strumming hand

• Think of the Strum as a 'short' and 'sharp' staccato strum

A great song example of this technique is I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.

Try Jamming along to this visual Jam Track or along to the Drum Track MP3.