When you first start playing guitar, learning how to strum correctly can really improve your music. Here are some simple strumming techniques to help you keep beat easily:

1. Downstrokes and Upstrokes

• Downstrokes: This means strumming down hard. It's great for a strong beat, especially when you play chords at the start of a measure.
• Upstrokes: Strumming up is softer and adds a nice touch to the beats in between. Using both types together makes your music feel exciting!

2. Alternating Strumming

• Try mixing downstrokes and upstrokes in a steady pattern. For a common 4/4 beat, you can do this:
  • Down (1), Up (and), Down (2), Up (and), Down (3), Up (and), Down (4).

3. Accent on the Beats

• Making some beats louder can make your music more interesting. For example, strum harder on beats 1 and 3, while being softer on beats 2 and 4. It looks like this:
  • Loud (1), Soft (and), Loud (2), Soft (and), Loud (3), Soft (and), Loud (4).

4. Metronome Practice

• Using a metronome can help you keep a steady beat. Start off slow—try 60 beats per minute. As you get better, you can slowly speed it up!

By practicing these techniques, you’ll find it much easier to keep time when you play guitar. This will make your music more fun and lively! Happy strumming!