All Tools

Strum Pattern Guide

Visual down/up arrow patterns for common worship time signatures. Animate at any BPM.

BPM
Basic 4/4 Down Strum
Beginner · Hymns · Slow worship
4/4
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2
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4
Four solid down strums, one per beat. Perfect for slow hymns and congregational singing where clarity matters most.
Standard Worship (D-DU-UDU)
Intermediate · Most common pattern
4/4
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2
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3
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5
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6
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7
The most versatile worship pattern. Works for almost any 4/4 song at medium tempo. Start slow, build to tempo.
Driving Worship (D-D-UDU)
Intermediate · Uptempo praise
4/4
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2
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4
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5
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6
Stronger downbeats give this a driving feel — great for upbeat praise songs and high-energy moments in worship.
Ballad (DU-DU-DU-DU)
Intermediate · Slow ballads
4/4
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2
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3
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4
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5
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7
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8
Smooth down-up pairs on every beat. Great for slow worship ballads and intimate moments.
Waltz
Beginner · Hymns in 3/4
3/4
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1
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2
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3
Three beats per measure — strong downstroke on 1, lighter on 2 and 3. Classic for hymns like "Amazing Grace".
Waltz Swing (D-DU-DU)
Intermediate · 3/4 with movement
3/4
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2
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3
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4
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5
Adds movement to 3/4 time. The up strums on beats 2 and 3 create a flowing, swaying feel.
Six-Eight Feel
Intermediate · Compound time
6/8
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2
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7
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8
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10
Two groups of three eighth notes. Gives a rolling, lilting feel — common in many modern worship songs.
Fingerpick Worship
Advanced · Intimate/acoustic
4/4
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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7
Skipbeat pattern creates space and breathing room. Excellent for quiet, intimate worship moments.
Legend
↓ Down strum
↑ Up strum
– Mute/skip
From Our Worship Team

Finding the right strum for the moment

One of the first things we tell new guitarists on our team: the strum pattern is not about showing off — it's about serving the song. A slow, quiet moment of worship doesn't need the driving D-DU-UDU pattern. It needs space. Four steady down strums, or even a simple fingerpick, lets the congregation breathe and focus on the words they're singing.

We've noticed that beginner guitarists tend to use the same strum pattern for every song regardless of tempo or feel. The standard worship pattern (D-DU-UDU) becomes a crutch. This guide was built to help our newer team members hear and visualize different patterns so they can make intentional choices. Animate the pattern at your rehearsal tempo, watch the arrows, and practice along until it's in your muscle memory.

For 3/4 time songs like "Amazing Grace" or "How Great Thou Art" — this trips up guitarists who default to 4/4 thinking. The waltz strum (three beats per measure, strong on the 1) feels awkward at first but becomes natural within a few practice sessions. Use the BPM slider to slow it down when first learning, then bring it back up to tempo.

Strum pattern questions for worship guitar

What is the best strum pattern for worship songs?
The most versatile worship strum pattern is D-DU-UDU (Standard Worship). It works across a wide range of tempos and song styles. For slow, intimate songs, simplify to straight down strums. For upbeat praise songs, the driving D-D-UDU pattern adds energy. Match the strum to the emotional feel of the song — not just the tempo.
How do I strum in 3/4 time?
In 3/4 time, there are 3 beats per measure instead of 4. Count "1-2-3, 1-2-3" rather than "1-2-3-4." The simplest 3/4 strum is D-D-D (one down strum per beat), emphasizing the first beat slightly more. The waltz swing pattern (D-DU-DU) adds movement. Hymns like "Amazing Grace," "Be Thou My Vision," and "Holy, Holy, Holy" are all in 3/4.
What strum pattern does Hillsong use?
Most Hillsong Worship and Hillsong United songs use variations of the standard D-DU-UDU pattern at medium to uptempo speed. Songs like "Oceans" and "What A Beautiful Name" use a more flowing, even pattern closer to D-U-D-U. The best approach is to listen closely to the original recording and tap along to internalize the feel before trying to match it exactly.
How do I learn to strum without looking at my hand?
Muscle memory comes from slow, repetitive practice. Choose one strum pattern and practice it at 50% your target tempo with a metronome for 10 minutes every day. Keep your strumming arm moving in a consistent pendulum motion even when not hitting strings — the rhythm lives in the arm movement, not in whether you hit every strum. Within 2–3 weeks it will feel automatic.