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Strumming challenges
Hello guys. I’m having a difficult time learning to strum with a pick. My strumming sounds loud and somewhat abrasive – and it feels like I’m banging on the strings no matter how delicately I try to strum. Also, my pick feels like its about to fall out of my hand – maybe holding it too loose?
Down strokes seem reasonable but up strokes sound bad and I’m missing strings.
Any suggestions on what to review to start improving? I’m struggling and could use some insight.
Thanks guys.
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3 Replies
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@atroutcatcher Strumming is difficult to learn and master, but when you finally are able to do so, you’ll feel so good. I’ve spent 3 years getting comfortable with it. Now that may sound daunting, but it wasn’t horrible throughout the 3 years. It’s that I became more fluid, was able to hold the pick more loosely, and I was able to strum a multitude of patterns.
First thing is to make sure your pick isn’t too thick. Over time, I found that the ideal pick for me was .60 mm. When I first started though, I went thinner than that. You won’t meet as much resistance with the strings with a thinner pick. Try a variety of thicknesses (typically thinner for strumming and thicker for flatpicking).
I use Gorilla Snot to help keep the pick in my hand and from turning as I strum. It will allow you to learn to strum more fluidly too. Try thinking of the pick as a feather that you are simply brushing up and down in a smooth, soft motion. When you strum down, angle the pick so the tip is higher and your brushing your hand down. On your upstroke, flick your wrist so that the pick has the tip facing downward as you flick your wrist up. Bring it up smoothly, but only strum the bottom few strings. You don’t do a full strum on the up-strum. When I say flick, I’m not saying to do an actual flick, but and exaggerated up down using your wriist. Hope that makes sense.
My strumming was too hard and clunky initially. The strings will make noise if you strum lighter. Try just strumming with the tip of the pick touching the strings. You might miss a down strum or up-strum occasionally, but that’s normal.
I watched a lot of guitarists playing to see the motion of their hand. This helped me practice over and over what I observed. Slowly it got easier, and then seemingly overnight it all clicked and fell into place.
Hang in there, and my motto is keep on plunking!
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Excellent advice from @Loraine. I also have difficulty and the pick direction advice is on my radar today. Good luck in your journey
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@Loraine – wow. Thank you for such a thoughtful and helpful response. All makes great sense and I’ll take your advice and put it to work!
I have been expecting to get the strumming skill mastered quickly and now know that is not the path to success. I’ll give myself a break and more time for this to come together. The pick thickness advise is great – wasn’t really sure.
I’m ready to practice now and look forward to taking the many steps necessary to get better.
Many thanks to you. Be well!
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