I've never taught guitar to anyone, so not sure on any tips for strumming, it just comes naturally to me (after 36 years of playing!)  All I can tell people is keep on practicing!  Play along with CDs if it helps, but try to get an hour of practice in at least 3 times a week.

Thanks for the b-day wishes 

Wow, look at that! This is my first post with new layout! Fancy, isn't it?

I play actually every day at least for an hour, on the weekends twice, up to four hours then. I wanted to play again since more than 20 years (I used to try a bit when I was a teenager) ... and now I'm really into it!  I hope I'll make my 36th year ... :-)

I know what you mean with "letting it come naturally" ... that works fine with me. I never took lessons but I have quite some books. The Author has a fine method to explain and visualize with some easy graphics. That's how I made my first steps with folk picking amd hammering pattern.

But ok, if you with your experience recommend to play along with the originals I'm apparently on the right track! Thanks anyways ... :-)

By the way, your Am and Am7 works wonderful for me!

Cheers ... Christina