Down-strokes are the simplest strumming techniquein contemporary Christian music. Play a down-stroke by bringing the pick across the strings from the top (the thickest string : E) to the bottom (the thinnest string : high-pitched E). Practice this without fretting a chord to start, then fret a chord which uses all strings, such as G. Hit all of the strings when playing chords such as G. Other chords, C, is an example, do not use all of the strings . They require some aiming in your down-stroke. Strum several chords as down-strokes to get used to the technique.
Up-strokes work in exactly the opposite way as down-strokes. Up-strokes start from the high, thin E string and go up to the low, thick E string. Like down-strokes, chords which do not cover all the strings require some accuracy. Generally strum songs as eighth notes, which simply means that eight strums make a bar. Strum one stroke downwards followed by one upwards. Repeat this four times for the four beats of a bar. Each down-stroke falls on beat and the up-strokes fall off beat. Place an "accent" on some chords to establish a pattern. Play an accent by strumming the chord more loudly than the non-accented chord. For example, you can strum the first two down-strokes as accents (with one, non-accented chord between them), and then the next two off beat up-strokes as accents. Finish this pattern with an accented down-stroke.
You can use strumming hand muting to bring an abrupt end to the chord currently ringing out, and if used as part of a pattern, can further accentuate a rhythm. Play a strumming hand mute by strumming a chord and then letting your strumming hand fall down across the strings. Your strumming hand will be your strongest hand. Use the edge of your palm nearest to your little finger to mute the strings between the sound hole in the body of the guitar (or pickups on an electric guitar) and the bridge. Play the accented pattern again ,but add a pause created by your strumming hand muting to one part of it. Try to work the muting so it fits into the rhythm.
This technique is used in a similar way to strumming hand muting, but it creates a more percussive muted sound. Play a percussive strum with fretting hand muting by resting the fingers of your fretting hand lightly against the strings, so that you fret no notes. Strum the strings to hear the "dead" note sound associated with this type of strumming. Play a strumming pattern with a fretting hand muted note on every off-beat. Used in this way, fretting hand muting can create a simplistic beat for your strumming pattern.