Free Fallin

The "Free Fallin'" strumming pattern isn't really a strum. It's a hammer-on trick on a single chord, repeated every two beats. The pattern is so distinctive that you can recognize the song from one bar.

The Basic Strum

For each chord (D, G, A with capo 3), the strum is:

• Beat 1: down strum on the chord
• Beat 2: down strum on the suspended version (with the pinky added)
• Beat 3: down strum on the chord (pinky off)
• Beat 4: down strum on the suspended version

Four down-strums per bar. Between strums 1 and 2, the pinky hammers on. Between strums 2 and 3, the pinky pulls off. Repeat.

The Hammer-On Detail

For the A chord (capo 3), the suspension is on the 3rd fret of the B string (the suspended 4th). For the D chord, the suspension is also on the 3rd fret of the high E string (Dsus4). For the G chord, the suspension can be the same shape with a different finger.

The hammer happens between the strums, not on the strums. The right hand keeps strumming a steady down-down-down-down. The left hand adds and removes the pinky between the strums.

The Bigger Picture

The constant down-strums create a steady pulse. The hammer-ons add melodic motion on top. Together, they give the song its sense of motion despite using only three chords.

Common Mistakes

• Hammering too late. The pinky should be in place before the next strum. If the hammer arrives after the strum, you hear the chord change instead of the suspension.
• Pulling off too soon. Same issue, opposite direction. The pull-off should land before the next strum, not during it.
• Forgetting to keep the right hand steady. All four strums per bar are downstrokes at the same volume. The hammer-ons are quieter; the strums carry the rhythm.

FAQ: Free Fallin' Strum Questions

Is the strum just downstrokes?

Yes. Four down-strums per bar at quarter-note pace. The melodic motion comes from the hammer-ons between strums.

How fast is the song?

About 84 BPM. Slow enough that the hammer-ons fit comfortably between the strums.

Can I add upstrokes for more energy?

Yes, but the song's character comes from the simple down-strum and the hammer-on. Adding upstrokes turns the song into a different kind of strumming.

Does the hammer-on happen on every beat?

The pinky goes on for beats 2 and 4, off for beats 1 and 3. Two hammers and two pull-offs per bar.

What if my pinky won't hammer cleanly?

Practice the hammer-on without strumming. Hold the chord, hammer the pinky onto the 3rd fret of the B string, listen for the new note. If it doesn't ring clearly, your pinky needs to land closer to the fret.