[Neilsonite]

OK, so now we have the preliminaries down, we can get into some rhythms...
The first batch will involve ghosting up strums, which is the easiest type (but may still be a challenge). I'll give you the exercises, but first, you need to know how to practice...

How to Practice

You should always do these exercises this way:
KEEP TIME (swing your arm without hitting the strings, just think 1, 2, 3, 4)
SAY IT (say the rhythm while you keep time - still no hitting of strings!)
PLAY IT (using muted strings)

If you lose your place, just KEEP TIME, SAY IT, PLAY IT. Listen to the attached audio to hear how to do it. When you're keeping time, you should swing your arm down on 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Seriously, do this and you will learn these fast...

LEVEL #1 EXERCISE
Learn to play the two rhythms in the attached pdf. Ghosted strums are in grey. Patterns (a) and (b) are labeled. Listen to the attached audio files to hear how they sound. Try playing along, and focus on the swing of your arm and the rhythm, not the down and up strums.

So, go listen to the audio, and play along (there will be a 'bing' on every '1'). Remember to KEEP TIME, SAY IT, PLAY IT. If you've read and listened and it still isn't making sense, let me know.

Back shortly with Level #2,
James