Pop in E — strumming pattern

Level 1 pop

A single strumming pattern, repeated over the most common pop progression (E-A-B), to cleanly split two problems usually faced at once: holding a steady rhythm with the right hand, and changing chords with the left. Here the right hand does exactly the same thing, bar after bar; only the left hand moves. Once the pattern is automatic, you can drop it onto any four-chord song without thinking.

Tips

Isolate the pattern on one held chord, left hand still, until the right arm does it on its own, like walking.
The right hand never stops: on beats where you don't hit a string, it keeps moving in the air above the strings.
Add the chord changes only when the strum needs no attention at all.

Understanding this type of exercise

E-A-B with an even strum

The I-IV-V cadence in E major with a strumming pattern that never stops. The picking hand keeps swinging through the air during the changes; accent beats 2 and 4.

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