STRUMMING

 

This chapter deals with how to strum a guitar well as we all know how horrible a bad strummer sounds.

  1. let each and every string are ringing clearly

  2. your downstrums and upstrums should be equally loud

  3. don't strum too hard as this will cause the strings to rattle noisily

  4. don't strum too softly

 

Ok, now make sure that your guitar is in tune to EBGDAE.

Using your fretting hand, form any chord on the neck.

Now, use a pick to play this -

 

Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Up

 

Keep time by counting in your head or by using a metronome.

Once you reach the end, then simply loop the pattern and continue playing.

 

I've shown below some other patterns for you to try. Play each one and then go on to the next...
1. Down Pause Down Up Pause Up Down Up
2. Down Down Up Down Pause Down Up Down
3. Down Up Down Pause Pause Up Down Up

 

Now come up with your own patterns. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are strumming a guitar:

  1. If you are using an acoustic guitar and your only purpose is to strum and keep accompaniment for someone else, then make sure to strum directly over the sound hole .

  2. When playing an electric guitar, strumming in different places (over the body of the guitar) will give you different sounds.

  3. Think of your elbow as being the top of a pendulum.

  4. Your arm should swing up and down from it in a steady motion, never pausing at any time.

  5. Don't keep your wrist stiff while strumming.

  6. The strumming motion should come from rotation of your wrist - don't use your forearm extensively.