G1R Week 1 Recap

So we're off and running!
The key takeaway from week one is THE GOLDEN STRUM ("ooooh!" "ahhhhhh!")

Remember, that's the one that goes down, down-up, up, down-up, or V V^ ^ V^ if you prefer.
Try to keep a continuous up-down motion with your strumming hand a wrist as though you were playing all the 8th notes--in fact you can start out by just playing all eighth notes to help get you into the swing:
down-up, down-up, down-up, down-up.
Then, practice NOT connecting with the strings when you come up on the "and" of the first beat:
down..., down-up, down-up, down-up.
If you can do that, you're most of the way there. All you have left is to omit the down-strum on beat three. (and by "omit" I mean don't connect with the strings. Please DO make the motion of a down strum on that beat, but just don't connect with the strings. That way, your hand will be where it needs to be to come up on the "and" of the third beat):
down.., down-up, ...up, down-up

California Stars is a great song to practice this on because you don't need to think too hard about the chord shapes you're making with your left hand. It's just AAEEDDAA over and over and over again. Easy! (and isn't it cool that you've reached the point where switching between three different chord shapes is "easy"?! Congrats!)

Here's Tweedy-n-co doing that tune just for you.