Dave Wirth
When it comes to strumming a rhythm, there are two tricks I share with people learning. First, observe people who play acoustic rhythm guitar, but really to zero in on their tapping foot and their strumming hand. The movements of the two are very coordinated, and both up and down together. Then, mimic it. Forcing the two movements to be together, the hand down with the foot down and vice-versa, tends to create a very solid rhythmic foundation .
This doesn't always work. If you think about it, there are two things a person has to do. There is strumming and there is the coordination of the foot and hand. If someone is having trouble with this strumming, I'll ask them to direct their attention to the movement of the hand and the foot together and pay no attention to the strumming altogether. If this coordination happens, then it is easier to play rhythm. It's funny. Ignore the strumming and rhythm gets better.
The reason? The actual strumming is often secondary to a good pulse. Mistakes are inevitable in any musical situation. Keeping the pulse even if the strumming isn't working keeps a song in rhythm. If a person internalizes the pulse, it will feel like they have the song even if they mess up. The pulse is a very good thing.
Maybe that's why I can't stop tapping my foot after a song has finished?
