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Strumming question
Hi Folks
I see all over the internet, how important it is to keep your strumming hand moving at all times. But Tony seems to say that you could just have, for example, 4 downstrokes in 4/4 time. I can see how in more complicated rhythm situations, you might just do a down stroke and let it sit there for a sec. I am just looking for clarification. Do I need to keep my strumming hand moving up and down all the time no matter what rhythm pattern I am playing? It seems like it’s complicated to do so in some situations.
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This discussion was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by
lollyt.
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This discussion was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by
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3 Replies
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your stumming hand does keep moving just more slowly if you are playing the 1/4 note down strokes. Remember for every down stroke your hand must move up. Whether or not it grazes the strings on the up stroke is a matter of choice and practice.
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I would say it is good practice to do so. So even if you strum only for example 1 and 3, like in https://tonypolecastro.com/lessons/living-or-deceased/ you should do the 2 without hitting the strings. That may help you keep timings accurate.
However, you are free to trust your feeling and just skip that 2 beat. Maybe you tap your food to keep track, or just hint to that 2 beat by making a tiny move of your strumming hand. Whatever works best for you is right.
Nonetheless, I think for beginners it is really a good advice to keep that hand moving even if you do not hit the string.
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Thanks for the replies. I saw a hint elsewhere on Youtube, to use your strumming hand to keep time instead of your foot or something. This keeps your hand moving, even if you don’t strum or make a full strumming motion. I will try this.
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