Strumming Guitar and Developing Your Rhythm
Strumming is THE KEY element to sounding good on guitar. You could be making the best chord shapes in the world, but if your rhythm isn’t there, the song won’t sound good.
Think about it this way: if you press your fingers down on the chord shapes, does the guitar make a sound? Nope!
Your strumming arm ACTIVATES the guitar and makes the music happen – that’s why we strum with our dominant hand!
First let’s make sure you’re avoiding these common issues
Getting a Good Strumming Sound: Pick or Fingers?
I recommend using a pick because it makes the whole process MUCH simpler – you just have to trust me on that…
If you really don’t want to use a pick, I would still like to help you and make sure you are strumming properly…
Before You Go Off On Your Own And Learn A Bunch of Patterns…
I think you’d benefit from the concept taught in this lesson. It demonstrates the power of DYNAMICS – so you’re not just learning patterns, but the feeling behind them..
Need Help Developing Your Sense of Rhythm?
Strumming Patterns To Practice
Want to spice up your strumming with some picking techniques?
There’s a lot more to it than simply playing downstrokes and upstrokes. Of course that’s where we all start, and making those essential motions helps us lock in to the rhythm. But once you’re feeling comfortable, you can add some picking and percussion techniques that’ll make your strumming sound next-level.
This 3-Part Series Will Teach You Some Simple Theory Behind Rhythm
Ready To Move Beyond Regular 4/4 Time Signatures?
