strums

Strums are the sound produced when the strings of a plucked instrument are brushed or swept by a finger, thumb, or pick to produce chords. The technique emphasizes rhythm and harmony, and the resulting texture depends on the instrument, strings, and the attack of the stroke.

Common forms are downstrokes and upstrokes, combined into patterns described as D and U. In 4/4, D D U U D U is common, with many styles adding offbeat accents. Flamenco and classical players use rasgueado or muting to shape timbre, while fingerstyle strumming assigns the thumb to bass notes and other fingers to chords for a percussive, dynamic texture.

Strumming is typical on guitar and ukulele, but can be used on mandolin, bouzouki, lute, and other stringed instruments. The sound depends on using a pick or bare fingers, nail length, hand position, and palm muting. The choice of strings, instrument body, and technique affects volume, tone, and sustain.

In modern music, strumming provides rhythm and chordal support for vocals across folk, pop, rock, country, and reggae. It draws on diverse traditions, including rasgueado in Flamenco. The rise of rhythm guitar in the 20th century helped standardize common patterns used by learners.

Strumming patterns are shown in chord charts or tablature with rhythmic slashes or D and U. Beginners start with simple patterns and use a metronome or backing track to develop timing and dynamics.