Pop in C — strumming pattern

Level 1 pop

The basic strum over C-G-Am-Em (I-V-vi-iii), the most reused progression in the Western pop repertoire: a downstroke on each of the four beats, with no variation in pattern or dynamics. Ahead of the syncopated or fingerstyle versions of this same grid found elsewhere in the catalogue, this sheet isolates the one real difficulty at level 1: keeping the picking arm moving steadily while the fretting hand is still hunting for the next chord, rather than trying to sync both hands to the same instant.

Tips

First play each chord separately, letting it ring for a few seconds before changing, to memorise its shape with no tempo pressure.
Then bring in the steady strum, keeping the arm moving even on a chord that isn't quite in place yet: a slightly late chord beats a tempo that stops to wait for it.
Spot the fixed point between C and Am: the index finger (fret 1, B string) and middle finger (fret 2, D string) don't move between the two chords, only the ring finger shifts from the A string to the G string.

Understanding this type of exercise

C-G-Am-Em with an even strum

The same pop loop, with a strumming pattern that never stops — even during a chord change. The picking hand keeps swinging through the air (ghost strums) while the fretting hand catches up. Accent beats 2 and 4.

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