As a beginner guitar student, the most important things you are working on are probably learning your basic notes and how to read them, learning to finger common chords, and learning how to STRUM those chords in time.
Below are some images of common strum patterns that can be used in 4/4 time at almost any tempo (We'll deal with 3/4 and 6/8 time in a future post!).
On thing to remember is that strumming does not have to be fancy to be effective. This is especially true if you are accompanying yourself or someone else who is singing a tune. As you watch popular artists on TV or videos you will note that if they are singing, they're probably either doing a simple strum, or letting their second guitarist do the fancy stuff!
In any event, here are some common strums--and you'll note that in a lot of songs, it's sounds just fine to hit one strum per quarter note, or do two strums per beat in an eight-note pattern. While there are some "down" and "up" stroke indications for these strums, it's more a matter of what you are feeling and are capable of doing.
One last thing: I generally use a thinner pick for acoustic strumming, and I really try to use my whole are, bending at the elbow and letting my hand go across the strings in a smooth arc.
Click on the video link below for a demonstration of these strum patterns. Enjoy--and Happy Pickin'!
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