Easy Strumming Patterns for 3/4, 6/8 and 12/8 Time Signatures

Most of the time your strumming pattern (and the song) will use the common time signature of 4/4. But that's not always the case.
In this lesson, I want to show you how to count and strum when you run into a song that uses the time signatures of 3/4, 6/8, or 12/8.
If you'd like to help support the channel, try using some of my resources, like my free eBook, barre chord course, and complete beginner's course. These resources are designed to help you do it better and faster.
Free eBook: goodguitarist.com/learn-rhyth...
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1:00 - 3/4 DISCUSSION
2:32 - 3/4 STRUMMING PATTERN
3:15 - 6/8 DISCUSSION
3:57 - 6/8 STRUMMING PATTERN
5:30 - 12/8 DISCUSSION
6:20 - COUNTING 3/4 vs 6/8 vs 12/8
6:57 - 12/8 STRUMMING PATTERN
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I have two goals for you:
First, I want you to understand the difference between time signatures on both a theoretical and practical level.
Secondly, I want you to actually be able to feel the difference between the time signatures, so that you can pick up the strumming patterns in that time signature.
By the end of this lesson you can expect to know one pattern for each of those time signatures and what makes each of the time signatures different, on both a theoretical and "feel" level.
The lesson begins with the difference between common time (4/4) and 3/4 time. We work on a strumming pattern: Down Down-Up Down-Up. Some songs that use 3/4: Happy Birthday, Waltz #2, Open Arms, Manic Depression.
Next is the 6/8 time signature which on a mathematical level is exactly the same as three four. We discuss why it's different. (pssst... it's because of which beats are being emphasized... that's the difference between any time signature... especially these two).
We learn a pattern that uses 6/8, which is (surprise!) the same pattern that we used in three four, but with a 6/8 "feel" instead of a 3/4 "feel." Songs in 6/8: Unchained Melody, House Of The Rising Sun, You Really Got A Hold On Me, Still Crazy After All These Years, Nothing Else Matters, a plethora of traditional Irish music.
Finally, we discuss 12/8 time, which is kinda like two 6/8 time signatures glued together. This time signature's essential if you want to learn the blues shuffle. I teach you not only the mechanics of how it works, but I also show you how we can break the rules regarding down and upstrokes using 12/8 to create the quintessential blues shuffle feel. Songs that use 12/8: Since I've Been Loving You, Let Me Roll It, In My Room (not a blues, but a cool 12/8 tune), Hold The Line, .
Next up is a finger picking tutorial: Everybody Hurts by R.E.M. (which, by the way, is in 6/8).
'til then!
-James
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[@Good_Guitarist]

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1:00 - 3/4 DISCUSSION
2:32 - 3/4 STRUMMING PATTERN
3:15 - 6/8 DISCUSSION
3:57 - 6/8 STRUMMING PATTERN
5:30 - 12/8 DISCUSSION
6:20 - COUNTING 3/4 vs 6/8 vs 12/8
6:57 - 12/8 STRUMMING PATTERN

[@satchrules101]

Amazing lesson ! i been struggling on understanding how this works for so long lost a lot of sleep because of it... Thank you for helping me understand this ... subbed!

[@TheKottonheads]

Time is so important! I work everyday trying to perfect it. Not easy sometimes, but worth the effort!🎸 Thank you!!!!!

[@javierf55]

Fantastic. This is what I was looking for to program my SDRUM pedal. Thanks

[@ImRefraction]

THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE MUSIC THEORY I TOOK IN SCHOOL FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

[@thegreatestdao]

Nobody can explain this concept better than you!!!

[@carlitopeteros5872]

Very informative, God bless sir!

[@garywhitaker4124]

Really well done. Helped

[@sardarbelal3114]

Great i would love to see some song writing lessons thanks

[@bijoysarkar6710]

Thank you. It's really helpful

[@lubo3609]

Wowww, i m struggling with rhythmic patterns, is not easy to feel them naturally, and count them is very effective! Thanks for this tips,

[@Pilgrim_2014]

from today am gonna fall in love with this wonderful channel...love from North East India

[@Good_Guitarist]

Welcome aboard!

[@gardeningwithshivangi4797]

Why are you dividing India😂 ,Just proudly say that you are Indian 🇮🇳

[@johnnybx3254]

Thanks James for this lesson 👍 👏👏 great way to understand strumming and feeling

[@cks4567]

Thanks for this video. I STRUGGLE with the different time signatures. I made a cheat sheet of the examples you gave so I can practice. I cringe when I’m playing in a jam session and the time signature is NOT 4/4 time. Finding and feeling the rhythm other than 4/4 is a challenge for me. Guess it’s a common beginner challenge. Thanks again.

[@meicharries2249]

Thank you for sharing your skills and advice. Super tutorial for a beginner / intermediate learner on the guitar.

[@larrysmith5637]

James this lesson is great it gives me more input on the strumming patterns Thanks

[@ak2010utube]

THANKS! So helpful

[@seanbunce720]

Nice one James thanks.

[@RajeevKumar-cq6ui]

Thanks for a wonderful lesson.

[@dnyanesh_lifts]

Game changing and very helpful 🙌

[@carleenmejzastrumunderthes4130]

Very helpful

[@samnam715]

This is so handy I was really struggling thanks

[@mohandhas153]

Very good explanation.Hoping for more

[@MunkirNakirGaming]

This is the best video about this time signature..... Take love ❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank u for this video

[@Good_Guitarist]

Thank you so much 😀

[@bobbyhavoc26262000]

Thank you!

[@sagarbantawarai672]

Thanks buddy for your wonderful lesson

[@duelbuster123]

thank you!

[@matoushruby9795]

Thank you, helped a lot! Made me think quite differently about the melody and sound of it

[@Good_Guitarist]

You're very welcome!

[@TasteofLeadGuitar]

Thank you.. Very useful..

[@Stevethesearcher]

Good video. He didnt over complicate matters like some tutorials.

[@lazarusflute3825]

Wonderful lesson on 12/8, 6/8 and on 3/8.😂👏👌

[@assameseliterature6003]

thanks sir...

[@rangeldaveallapitan590]

this what i needed

[@percivercasihan2449]

Wow, well explained bro. Thanks!

[@Good_Guitarist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@prabhattiwari7322]

Great

[@nirmalamarak9386]

Good keep it up 🤗

[@jiby344]

Nice

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Ah yes, my arch nemesis, Good Guitarist...

[@arbinrai5859]

Very nice sir your guitar rhythm some guye making guitar ryhthm do not write but your writing up done that nice your student also clear understent sir ok thanks for you sir I need some rhythm

[@Germoney2000]

Very good explanation... Still haven't finished my guitar course... been a while since I started, and I will eventually. You did a good job with it, but it's a bit too basic (slow moving) for me. The "Rhythm Section" was very helpful and filled in some big gaps. Now I'm just wondering if I still have my password somewhere?

[@Germoney2000]

Oh, before I forget... congratulations on your baby!

[@tammieschiller397]

Haven't watched the entire tutorial yet, but i want to know how to count this to make sure when i'm making my own chord progression or song that i'm doing it right. especially when i split and have an assymetical chord change not 4/4

[@Good_Guitarist]

Well I feel like I do explain what you're looking to learn in this video!

[@madhiazhagan5057]

7.34... That's why I take my guitar daily.

[@glorysportsandmore5520]

If I want to play hallelujah...how can I play 🙏

[@RealPartySongs]

How come you didn't play any songs to illustrate those rhythms?