One of Fender Play’s earliest lessons is, “Basics of Strumming: Electric Guitar”. I had this lesson at Level 1, Course 07, eletric guitar, rock genre with Ceska Zaide. The lesson teaches a basic down, up strumming pattern. When I went through this lesson, I simply watched and never really returned to it again. There aren’t really any instructions. You don’t really have any idea how long you’re could / should practice and you don’t know how long you should continue. So, here’s my extra credit suggestions for those of out there who are looking for some tips from someone who’s gone through this.
For New Players Starting Out with Fender Play
The Ceska’s lesson goes like this:
- Mute your guitar with your fretting hand. No sounds are needed for this lesson
- Metronome: set your metronome for 60 bps
- Recommended exercise time: 2-minutes per practice session
- We’ll be doing a Down, Up strumming pattern below
Metronome: you can find a metronome in your Fender Play app. It can be found under. There is also a free metronome with Fender Tune. You can find it under . If you don’t like the Fender metronomes, free metronome apps are available on the iPhone and Android app stores. I highly recommend that you use one. I skipped using a metronome / timed exercises during many of my Fender Play lessons and I wish that I used it more. As a learner, I know that it’s a bit of a pain. It’s not always easy to keep up with and that can be frustrating. However, I think it’s worth it in the longer run. Timing is very important when in comes to guitar and music. The Fender Play exercises all make use of a timer/metronome. There is a good reason for it.
Extra Credit: For Fender Play Students Who Have Learned the Em Chord
Fender Play teaches the Em chord at about Level 1, Course 17. The last time I checked, the lesson was with Gregory Johnson. Once you’ve started learning chords, I suggest that you switch your exercise from muting the guitar to using the newest chord that you’ve learned. After Ceska’s strumming lesson, Fender Play doesn’t say much about how long you should practice. I suggest that you continue with keeping a strumming pattern practice as a part of your overall practice and warm up.
Switching Chords While Strumming
Once you’re feeling comfortable with practicing the strumming pattern with the Em chord, start switching to another chord and continuing the strumming pattern. The next chord Fender play teaches is the Am chord. Try starting your strumming practice with the Em chord after a couple cycles of the pattern, try switching to the Am chord and repeat. Once again, do it for a couple minutes and then move on to other practice when you get tired of it. I do the strumming and chord switching with every new chord that I learn.
Watch the Musora Beginner Guitar Strumming Lesson
Nate Savage at Musora has a really useful guitar strumming pattern lesson on YouTube. He goes over 5 popular 8th note strumming patterns. I wouldn’t try to learn all the strumming patterns at the same time. Pick one or two that are easy for you to start learning and practicing with your chords. That’s it for now. There’s a lot to digest with these extra credit suggestions. I hope this post was helpful.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please put them in the comments below.