I was practicing the rhythm part for Simple Gifts, and one version i like for playing the chords is the Bass/strum/bass/srum style. Assuming 4/4 time: bass = 1, strum = 2, bass = 3, strum = 4...
I've also practiced the version that Dave frequently uses, incorporating a light brush on the higher-pitched strings on the way up for the next strum. May as well not waste the movement going back up, right? This really adds life to the measure, but is harder because i lose timing easily.
My question: does the upstroke count as a beat, or does it happen so fast that it appears as one in the context of the chord and timing? I guess this sounds like what would be an appropriate strum pattern for this song? Bass/down/up sounds good and adds life to the measure. What do you more seasoned ax players think?
