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Counting Ands

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When it comes to strumming and keeping time, counting the beats is essential. To play rhythm guitar, you must learn how to count (and feel!) the beats and the off-beats - which we call 'ands.' That is key to playing a solid rhythm guitar. 

In this lesson, we'll learn all about the 'ands' and explore how you should practice counting the beats! :) 
 

Counting the Beats: What is an 'And'? 

So far, you should already be familiar with strumming down on the beat and counting the four-beat bar. Like this:

1 2 3 4 

D D D D

When you play consecutive down strums on the beat, your strumming hand naturally moves up on the off-beat. So, the 'ands' happen between each down-strum. Generally speaking, each beat gets a down strum, and the off-beat gets an up strum.

We usually write the 'ands' as a little + between the beats. We don't call it plus or cross -  we always say 'and.' Take a look:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 

D U D U D U D U

Later on, we'll explore how to play these up-strums. For now, let's focus on counting them!

 

How To Practice Counting The Beats

First, focus on saying the count of "one and two and three and four and" out loud. Get used to saying it with an even rhythm. Keep repeating it to get it stuck in your brain. Trust me - it'll be worth it later! :) 

While you're saying the counts out loud, start moving your strumming arm up and down with the beat. The down-strum happens on the beat - and the up-strums movement happens on every 'and.’  Try this without actually holding your guitar. Keep your strumming hand moving evenly, even when it's not playing anything! 

Once you feel confident with this strumming movement, the next step is to tap your foot on the beat - and keep counting out loud! If you need a refresher on how to tap your foot for guitar playing, check out this lesson.

The goal is to ingrain the rhythm within you. Practice counting the beats out loud over and over again - sometimes there's no way around it. You'll have to trust me on this one - I wouldn't lead you astray! :)

Howdy guitar friend,

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