A downstroke strums from the low strings to the high strings, and it is stronger, because it follows the natural movement of the arm, while an upstroke strums from the high strings to the low strings, and it is lighter, because it works against gravity. Downstrokes fall on the beat, and upstrokes fall on the offbeat.
What is the difference between downstroke and upstroke strumming?
A downstroke strums from the low strings to the high strings, and it is stronger, because it follows the natural movement of the arm, while an upstroke strums from the high strings to the low strings, and it is lighter, because it works against gravity. Downstrokes fall on the beat, and upstrokes fall on the offbeat, and the difference gives the strum its groove: the downstroke is the accent, and the upstroke is the lift, and the two together make the rhythm flow. The downstroke is the foundation of strumming, because it is the natural movement, and it is the stroke that most beginners learn first. The upstroke is the complement, because it fills the space between the beats, and it is the stroke that makes the rhythm flow, instead of stopping and starting. A strum that is all downstrokes sounds choppy and square, because there is no lift between the beats, while a strum that mixes downstrokes and upstrokes sounds flowing and groovy, because the upstroke lifts the rhythm into the next beat. The G major guitar chord and the C major guitar chord are the chords most beginners first strum with, and the metronome keeps the beat steady.
How downstrokes and upstrokes work
A downstroke works by moving the pick from the low strings to the high strings, in one smooth motion, with the wrist loose and the arm relaxed. The pick should brush the strings, not dig into them, and the strum should start with the pick above the strings and end below them, in one motion. The downstroke is stronger, because the arm is moving down, with gravity, and the pick hits the low strings first, which are the bass notes, and the bass gives the strum its weight. An upstroke works by moving the pick from the high strings to the low strings, in one smooth motion, with the wrist loose and the arm relaxed. The pick should brush the strings, not dig into them, and the strum should start with the pick below the strings and end above them, in one motion. The upstroke is lighter, because the arm is moving up, against gravity, and the pick hits the high strings first, which are the treble notes, and the treble gives the strum its lift. The D major guitar chord and the A major guitar chord are the chords the strums are built on.
Worked example — downstrokes and upstrokes in a bar. Hold a G major chord, and count one and two and three and four and, strumming down on the number and up on the and. The downstroke on beat one hits the low strings first, and the bass note gives the strum its weight, and the upstroke on the and hits the high strings first, and the treble gives the strum its lift. The bar has eight strums, four downstrokes and four upstrokes, and the downstrokes are the accents, and the upstrokes are the lifts, and the rhythm flows because the two are balanced. Now try strumming only downstrokes, four per bar, and notice how the rhythm sounds choppy and square, because there is no lift between the beats. The I–V–vi–IV progression in G major is a good progression to practise the strums with.
How to practise downstrokes and upstrokes
Practise downstrokes and upstrokes separately, and then together, so each stroke is smooth and the combination is balanced.
- Practise downstrokes alone on a G major chord, strumming down on every beat, four strums per bar, counting one, two, three, four.
- Practise upstrokes alone on a C major chord, strumming up on every offbeat, four strums per bar, counting and, and, and, and, and notice how the upstroke feels lighter.
- Practise the down-up pattern on a D major chord, strumming down on the beat and up on the offbeat, eight strums per bar, counting one and two and three and four and.
- Play the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major with a down-up strum, changing chords on beat one of each bar.
- Practise with the metronome at 60 beats per minute, and increase the tempo by 5 beats per minute when the strums are steady at the current tempo.
Common mistakes
- Strumming upstrokes as hard as downstrokes — An upstroke is lighter than a downstroke, because it works against gravity, and strumming it as hard as a downstroke will make the rhythm sound flat and even, with no accent. Let the upstroke be lighter, and the downstroke will be the accent.
- Digging the pick into the strings on the upstroke — An upstroke that digs into the strings will catch and stutter, because the pick is moving against the strings, and the strings resist. Brush the strings lightly on the upstroke, and let the pick glide over them.
- Using only downstrokes — A strum that is all downstrokes sounds choppy and square, because there is no lift between the beats, and the rhythm stops and starts. Mix downstrokes and upstrokes, and the rhythm will flow, because the upstroke lifts it into the next beat.
Quick reference
This table compares downstrokes and upstrokes side by side, so you can see the differences at a glance. The downstroke is stronger and falls on the beat, while the upstroke is lighter and falls on the offbeat, and the two together make the rhythm flow, with the downstroke as the accent and the upstroke as the lift.
| Downstroke | Upstroke | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Low strings to high strings | High strings to low strings |
| Strength | Stronger, with gravity | Lighter, against gravity |
| Timing | On the beat | On the offbeat |
| Role | The accent | The lift |
| First strings hit | Bass notes | Treble notes |
Use the table to check your strumming: is your downstroke stronger than your upstroke, and is your downstroke on the beat and your upstroke on the offbeat, and does the rhythm flow because the two are balanced. When you can answer yes to all three, your strumming is balanced, and the groove is yours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between downstroke and upstroke strumming?
A downstroke strums from the low strings to the high strings, and it is stronger, because it follows the natural movement of the arm, while an upstroke strums from the high strings to the low strings, and it is lighter, because it works against gravity.
Should downstrokes be stronger than upstrokes?
Yes. The downstroke falls on the beat, and it is the accent, while the upstroke falls on the offbeat, and it is the lift, and the difference gives the strum its groove. A strum where both strokes are equal sounds flat and even, with no accent.
Can I strum with only upstrokes?
You can, but it is unusual, because the upstroke is lighter and it works against gravity, so it is harder to keep steady. Most patterns mix downstrokes and upstrokes, with the downstroke on the beat and the upstroke on the offbeat.
Why do my upstrokes sound weak?
Because the upstroke is lighter than the downstroke, and it hits the high strings first, which are thinner and quieter than the low strings. The upstroke is meant to be lighter, and the weakness is the lift that makes the rhythm flow, not a fault.
How do I make my upstrokes smoother?
Relax the wrist, hold the pick loosely, and brush the strings lightly, letting the pick glide over them, instead of digging into them. A loose wrist and a light touch will make the upstroke smooth, and the rhythm will flow.