TOPIC: Carter Family Style Strumming

We play Wildwood Flower and John Hardy in class. These were two of the first songs I learned when I was just learning to play the guitar. I learned the carter family strum from a book which had wildwood flower and John Hardy used as learning examples. The book was Instrumental Techniques of American Folk Guitar, an Instruction Guide Based on American Folk Guitar by Harry Taussig (Paperback - 1968). It is available on Amazon used for under $10. My copy has more or less disintigrated. The carter family strum is essential for playing and singing many folk songs and works for background playing in bluegrass.

Axel, what is it? i've heard of it before. How is it emloyed?

Its basically like this:
bass strum
bass up down up

Its also called the church lick. Taussig's book has three versions of wildwood flower that get progressively harder by using alternating bass and substituting single notes for strums.

I can't imagine Wildwood Flower getting any harder than it is!

You can view Maybell Carter playing "Wildwood Flower" on you tube. You can see her unique style......good luck!!!