Strum Pattern Randomizer
Over 40 guitar strum patterns — browse all of them or hit Randomize to land on one you haven't tried yet. Each pattern shows the downstroke/upstroke notation so you can play it immediately.
Try it
↓ = down stroke · ↑ = up stroke · small arrow = muted / short
How to read the patterns
- ↓ is a downstroke (strumming toward the floor)
- ↑ is an upstroke (strumming toward the ceiling)
- Patterns are shown in 4/4 time — 4 beats per bar, with 8 subdivisions for the 16th-note patterns
- Spaces or dashes between strokes indicate rests or muted beats
Why strum pattern matters
Chord progressions provide the harmony. Strum patterns provide the groove. The same four chords can feel like a ballad, a pop song, or a folk stomp depending entirely on the rhythm you play them with.
One of the most common reasons a song feels generic is that it's stuck in a default strum — usually straight downstrokes or the same up-down pattern the writer learned first. Adding an off-beat upstroke, a muted beat, or a syncopated accent can immediately change the feel of a progression you've been playing for months.
The randomizer is useful specifically because it introduces patterns you wouldn't normally reach for. Try playing your current song's chords with a pattern you've never used and see what it does.
Do these work on acoustic and electric guitar?
Yes. The patterns are rhythm patterns — they apply to any guitar. The feel will be slightly different (acoustic is more percussive, electric sustains more) but the strumming motion is identical.
What if I can't play the pattern at speed?
Slow it down. Every strum pattern can be practiced slowly and brought up to tempo. If it feels awkward, try counting out loud: 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and, and identify which beats the strokes fall on.
Can I use these for ukulele?
Yes. Uke strum patterns use the same up/down notation and the same rhythmic subdivisions. The feel is lighter but the mechanics are the same.
What does 'muted strum' mean?
A muted strum is when you strum but immediately rest your palm against the strings to damp the sound. It creates a percussive 'chunk' on that beat. It's written as an X in some notation systems.
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