How to Develop a Strumming Hand

Strumming power comes from your wrist.

A good strumming hand is essential to a guitar player's success. The strumming hand is the hand that makes contact with the strings to make them vibrate and create sound. If you're a left-handed guitar player, your strumming hand is your left hand. If you're a right-handed guitar player, your strumming hand is your right hand. There are a few techniques that can be done to develop a strong strumming hand.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar
• Pick

Instructions

1. Use a pick to strum, if desired. A pick can make strumming easier and it decreases the chances of hurting your fingers. Hold the pick by placing it on the side of the first joint of your index finger --- the side closest to your thumb. Clamp the pick down by pressing your thumb onto it.

2. Curl your remaining fingers into your hand so they do not hit the strings.

3. Strum the strings with your pick, using your wrist for most of the motion. Move your elbow slightly to provide additional motion. This motion should look like you're flicking something away.

4. Strum upward on the strings using your wrist and some of your elbow for the motion. Hit all of the strings.

5. Strum both up and down the strings in alternating directions. Get comfortable with your wrist moving up and down.

6. Relax while you strum.

7. Continue to strum, building up speed. Take breaks to rest your wrist and elbow, if necessary. Play along with a metronome to give you practice playing at certain speeds. Increase the speed of the metronome to improve your strumming skills.

References

• Guitar Lessons: Right Hand Guitar Technique

Resources

• Guitar Lessons: Basic Guitar Strumming Patterns