Strum Pattern Nomenclature

[daveclt]

Beginner question here. When I see the below strum pattern on YouTube, how do I decode it?

It seems (in my mind at least) that the "Down-Down Up-Up-Down Up" is the main strumming pattern throughout the song. And Down's are the quarter notes, while Up's are the half notes (so this pattern is "1 2 and and 4 and"). And the first Down is the bass note, while all the others are the DAE strings. Am I right so far? I also realize the first row of "DDDD" indicates play the pattern with D chord four times.

But what are all the other rows of D's and U's? I'm assuming they are Down's and Up's. But why are they abbreviated with D's and U's, while the one row is spelled out Down's and Up's? And what's with all the "or's"?

Intro
DDDD
DD-DD-DD-DD
Down-Down Up-Up-Down Up
D-DDU-UD-DUDU
DU-UD-UU-DUDU

Chords in ()=Half/Split Strum Pattern
DD-DD or D-DU or D-DDU
or
D-DU///U-DU
or
D-D///U-U-DU
or
D-DDU///UD-DUDU

[Mark Gunter]

"When I see the below strum pattern on YouTube"

Ok, best you post a link to what you're asking about (some specific video, no doubt?). What you posted is not exactly self-explanatory.

Something like "DUDUDU" and variants indeed normally indicates Down/Up as relates to picking patterns or strumming patterns. Generally, "D"s are quarter notes, but "U"s are not half notes, rather they usually indicate eighth notes. But again, there can be variances and you have to understand this stuff in context. So for the best response, maybe embed the trouble video lesson or whatever it is ...

[daveclt]

Yes, sorry. Eighth notes, not half.

I think this is the link where i saw it. If that doesn't work, try this.

[red7flag]

I am certainly no expert. But picking patterns give a rhythm to your right hand. The DDDD is associated with Bill Monroe. As such, it gives a really driving feel. A lot of modern pickers focus on DUDU which tends to be very smooth sounding. To achieve syncopation, some will go DDU DDU DD (total of 8 or two measures) The two triads provide a different rhythm. When you add lead notes to these patterns, you get a different feel. Hope this helps, some.

[Ky Slim]

It seems (in my mind at least) that the "Down-Down Up-Up-Down Up" is the main strumming pattern throughout the song.

Yep that is the rhythm he carries for most of this. Honestly, I think you should work with that groove ("1 2 and and 4 and") and make sure you are playing all of the chords cleanly. Decoding his system for describing those strum patterns is not necessary. I wouldn't even try to do it. Just play along with the video which is a nice karaoke style lesson. The places where he varies the strum pattern will come to you before you know it. Good Luck!

[trabb]

Yep that is the rhythm he carries for most of this. Honestly, I think you should work with that groove ("1 2 and and 4 and") and make sure you are playing all of the chords cleanly. Decoding his system for describing those strum patterns is not necessary. I wouldn't even try to do it. Just play along with the video which is a nice karaoke style lesson. The places where he varies the strum pattern will come to you before you know it. Good Luck!

Agreeing with the above. Probably worth noting that the main places he breaks that pattern are spaces where there are no vocals and he's adding extra strums to give something interesting in that space. (At least that's true of the few minutes I watched.)