How to Play Guitar Strums
One of the most important skills for any guitarist to learn is the ability to properly strum the strings. Although the guitar can be strummed with your fingernails, most guitarists choose to strum their guitars with a piece of plastic (or sometimes metal) known as a pick. A pick is a thin, triangular object designed specifically to strum and pluck the strings on a guitar. Guitar picks can be bought at any guitar shop.
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Instructions
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Fret a simple, six-string chord with your fret hand. This will make a more pleasant sound than just strumming the open strings. An E major or G major chord works well for this purpose.
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Hold the pick properly. Curl your pointer finger until the tip of your finger is pointing toward your palm. Set the pick on your first knuckle of you pointer finger with the tip of the pick pointed out from your hand. Hold the pick in place with your thumb. Grip the pick firmly, but do not hold on to it too tightly.
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3
Strum downward across all six strings, making sure that all the notes ring cleanly. Make sure your pick is staying still in your hand.
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Strum upward across all six strings. Again, make sure that all the notes are struck evenly and ring out clearly.
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Combine down strokes with up strokes. Learn to strum the strings with a consistent motion coming from your wrist, not from your fingers or your arm.
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Practice strumming your guitar, keeping the length of the strums consistent. Practice changing chords while you strum.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that you are holding the guitar properly when you are learning how to strum it. Hold the back of the body flat against your stomach, and bring your arm around the top of the body of your guitar.
References
- Photo Credit playing the guitar image by egirldesign from Fotolia.com
