Strums - Six Rhythmic Syllables (UL39_SixSyllables.shtml) | Updated: 21-Nov-2008 - 15:25
Using our Rhythmic Engine as the example with its continuous down-up strumming pattern and by breaking the basic four beat rhythmic pattern into smaller, more manageable two beat patterns or syllables. We can come up with the following six two beat syllables.

The same count can be used for all six rhythmic syllables. Either 1 + 2 + or D U D U. This count is used to get the sound of the syllable and then dropped or internalized to where you feel it and don't have to count it. Remember to count evenly.
I prefer the 1 + 2 +. As numbers are typically usd to count things. But - I have had students that struggled with counting and had success with the D U D U (down up down up) version.
The rhythmic syllables are combined into rhythmic patters after learning the sound of each individual syllable.
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