BC-006 • Basic Rhythm Guitar

[justinguitar]

Questions...

[charliemurphyLIVE]

hi justin ive been using ur lessons for some time now, I'm a beginner in learning guitar. And I'm having difficulty in the up strum (And) half beats in the pattern examples. I have no problem strumming down in rhythm, but when i strum up the strings buzz and don't sound how they are supposed to. I'm also having problems with the correct position of my fingers when strumming multiple strings,( I only use my thumb on down strums, is that correct?)Please help. Thanks.

[Scaleyback]

Try using the flat part of your index fingernail for down strums and the back of your thumbnail for upstrumps.

Almost as if you were holding a pick between thumb and index finger if you get what I mean.

Or you could always use a pick for strumming either way.

[charliemurphyLIVE]

thanks ill try tht hope it works cause i have more control ovr the strums wen i use my fingers thn with a pick

[dawson]

i also have a hard time with up strums when using a pick...do i hold the pick at a down angle on an up strum and a up angle on a down strum or should the pick be at 90 degrees to the strings without any angle...

[daviewz]

I've only just started using a pick to strum as I too found I had more control using my thumb.  Now I've started using it though I find I'm getting the hang of it.
With regard to the angle, I've just had a look as I'm strumming and although I change the angle between the down and up strums it's only a very slight angle either way.  I think if you create too much of an angle you are likely to get the pick caught under the strings; especially on the up strums.

[justinguitar]

those needing to angle the pick - should try using a THINNER pick - so you don't have to worry about the angle. They are much more forgiving when you are learning to strum.

You should have only a very slight angle, if any.

If you wanna use your thumb, then try just using the fleshy bit of it, and don't let it hook into the strings on the up - or use your first finger for the ups, as someone suggested!

Hope that helps, J

[daviewz]

Following Justin's advice I've started using a Dunlop Tortex 0.6mm pick for strumming and I also use the 0.73 version for strumming where some picking is involved and find they both work well.  If that's any good to anyone!

[omug]

As a beginner, I learnt how to strum properly chords in the Basic Rythm Lesson. But do I have to follow the same technique (down string on each beat and up string between beats) for a sequence of single notes, or do I have to play one note up and the following down regardless of the rythm ?

[claudekennilol]

how important is it that the strumming patterns are played exactly like described..what I mean is this..

example:	1	|	2	|	+	|	+	|	4
your description:	down strum	|	down strum	|	up strum	|	up strum	|	down strum
my question:	down strum	|	up strum	|	down strum	|	up strum	|	down strum

basically my question is if we can just alternate up strumming and down strumming instead of the off beats always being up and the down beats always being down

[mike42]

You should always keep your hand moving when strumming, so play it the top way, not the bottom.

If you strictly alternate like you say, then it will be very hard to keep the rhythm. It will also sound very choppy. If you look at Justin playing, he always keeps his strumming hand moving very smooth, and that will make it sound a lot better.

[claudekennilol]

alright, that makes sense. thanks.

[Jaden_ph]

ey Justin ... u know some strumming patterns that alot of people use and it works for like alot of songs ...... especially the new ones xD

[justinguitar]

mike42 is totally right - gotta keep that hand moving!! J

[Tomps]

About the strumming: now that I have learned all the rythm patterns and tied patterns what I do with them? Cheesy I mean, should i use one pattern to the whole song or should I play like 3 different patterns and switch them during the song or wa? (sorry about my english, from Finland)