Shuffle / blues strumming pattern

A shuffle swings each beat: the down-stroke is long and the up-stroke comes late, like a triplet with the middle note left out.

231
E
×123
A
×2134
B7

Live: E, A, E, B7 in the Shuffle / Blues style. Slow it to 0.5× to follow the hand.

How to count it

Count 1-trip-let 2-trip-let and strum down on the "1" and up on the "let".

Meter 4/4, typical tempo around 96 BPM, swung

Tips

  • Listen to the swing before you play it; it is felt more than counted.
  • Use a steady 8-beat pattern first, then add the swing.
  • Combine it with a 12-bar blues in E or A.

Use this pattern on your own song

Paste or snap any chord sheet, pick “Shuffle / Blues” as the style, and the hands play your song with it.

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