Country strumming (boom-chicka)

Boom-chicka alternates a bass note with a quick strum: the backbone of country and bluegrass rhythm guitar.

213
G
×321
C
××132
D

Live: G, C, G, D in the Country (boom-chicka) style. Slow it to 0.5× to follow the hand.

How to count it

Bass note on 1, strum down-up on 2&, alternate bass on 3, strum down-up on 4&.

Meter 4/4, typical tempo around 112 BPM

Tips

  • Pick the root on 1 and the fifth (often one string over) on 3.
  • Keep the strums short and bright.
  • Add bass walk-ups between chords once the pattern is steady.

Use this pattern on your own song

Paste or snap any chord sheet, pick “Country (boom-chicka)” as the style, and the hands play your song with it.

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