Bluegrass Strumming 102

Adding a Bass Note

In this lesson you'll learn the second step to playing rhythm guitar - adding a bass note before your strum.

You are going to learn how to add a 6th string bass note before you strum. The pattern goes like this - bass, strum, bass, strum. Although your picking hand has to be more precise for the bass note, make sure your wrist is still loose. Exaggerate the motion for this exercise and practice dropping your wrist and hand through both the bass note and the strum.

The tab below demonstrates the bass, strum pattern. Play along with it to lock in your timing.