Improve your Guitar Strumming Today !

Guitar strumming is easy for some, but can be quite difficult for others. Add singing and/or chord changes to the mix and things can get really interesting! It's like trying to chew gum and walk at the same time. :0)

So, what should a person do who is having problems strumming the guitar?

First of all, you must learn how to RELAX. Tension in the body will only contribute to an uneven, choppy, abrasive sound.

Second, you must learn how to SIMPLIFY. Don't worry about singing or chord changes.

Give yourself a chance to learn one thing at a time. Focus only on strumming.

You can do this by holding one chord while you practice different strumming patterns using various combinations of whole notes, quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes. Begin with simple 3/4 and 4/4 rhythms. When this feels comfortable, experiment with 6/8, 12/8 and other Time Signatures.

Once you are able to maintain a smooth, even strum while holding one chord, try adding a simple chord change such as: G D7 G, or A E7 A. Be sure to begin with chord changes that are easy for you to execute so that you can continue to keep your primary focus on strumming.

As your strumming improves, try playing a few common chord progressions. Then find an easy song that you would like to learn how to play.

I recommend the E-Z Strummer guitar course because you will learn how to strum 40 of the most popular songs ever. Songs like "3 A.M." by Matchbox 20, "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison, and "Knockin On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan.

Another important aspect of strumming the guitar is learning how to FOLLOW THROUGH. Most beginner guitar students tend to emphasize the bass strings when they strum and miss the treble strings altogether. So, when they play a series of open, "primary" chords, it becomes difficult to distinguish one chord from another.

When your are playing primary chords in and around first position, you should be emphasizing the treble strings when you strum your guitar, not the bass strings.

Try this simple experiment:

Part 1:

1. Hold an open D chord

2. Strum down using only the 3 lower bass strings (don't strum the top 3 treble strings)
1.-----------------
2.-----------------
3.-----------------
4.-----^-----------
5.-----^-----------
6.-----^-----------

3. Now move to an A chord

4. Strum down using the same 3 bass strings

Did you hear a difference between the two chords? Probably not.
Part 2:

5. Go back to the D chord

6. Strum only the 3 higher treble strings

1.-----^-----------
2.-----^-----------
3.-----^-----------
4.-----------------
5.-----------------
6.-----------------

7. Move to the A chord

8. Strum the same 3 treble strings

Did you hear a difference this time? Yes, you probably did.

If you do the exercise correctly, you should notice a distinct difference between the two chords when you strum the treble strings.

The exercise given above is simple, but it illustrates the importance of FOLLOW THROUGH.

In summary, if you apply the three things mentioned in this article to your strumming...

1. RELAX
2. SIMPLIFY
3. FOLLOW THROUGH

...you should begin to notice an overall improvement in the sound of your guitar playing within a relatively short period of time.

 

-By Kathy Unruh

www.abclearnguitar.com

Kathy Unruh is the webmaster of AbcLearnGuitar.com. She has been providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years.