To play the guitar, you must know how to slap the strings. Some common strumming patterns are:
- Down, Down Up, Down Up, Down Up
- Down, Down, Miss, Down
- Down, Down, Down, Down
- Down, Down, Down Up, Down Up – Strait and Narrow – Teenage Fanclub
- Down Up, Down Up, Down Up, Down Up – Hey Soul Sister – Train
- Down Up, Down Up, Miss Up, Down Up
- Down, Down Up, Miss Up, Down Up – How to Save a Life – The Train
- Down, Down, Miss Up, Down Up
- Down, Down Up, Miss Up, Down Up