strumming

In this lesson we’ll still be using “Handsome Molly” as an exercise to incorporate the various lessons we’ve picked up in our podcasts thus far.

Let’s take stock of the many things we’ve learned so far and, over the course of the next number of GN Podcasts, put them to use in song.

In this podcast we’ll look at the feel of swing and of how “swing eighths” differ from the “straight eighth” notes that we’ve been using in our strumming up to this point.

For lack of a better way of putting it, we’ll be “stretching out” our downstrum – turning it from a typcial downstroke to something that’s more of a musical punctuation mark.

This podcast will take us from the basic elements of string muting and then work on integrating this new technique into the strumming patterns and techniques we’ve covered thus far.

The tenth Guitar Noise Podcast gives us an introduction to palm muting, how it’s done and, more importantly, how it can become a vital part of your strumming bag of tricks.

We’re going to take ideas from many of our past GN Podcasts and use them to create fills that will make our basic strumming sound even better.

We’ll take one of our earliest strumming patterns and add a bit of crosspicking to it, giving us even more choices of variations and embellishments to the original strumming pattern.

This time out we add the technique of crosspicking (using individual notes instead of strumming or partial chords) to give some variation and interest that basic strumming wouldn’t cover.

In our sixth podcast we’re going to begin looking at 3/4 timing. Using a simple progression we will employ a “bass/strum” pattern and then add in a bit of a walking bass line to move things along.

In this, our fifth GN Podcast, we’ll continue to make our playing more interesting by adding walking bass lines into our chord progression strumming.

With this podcast you’ll hopefully start to feel more confident that you can strum where you want without thinking twice about it.

In this Podcast, we’re going to start with looking at the differences between strumming various note values, in terms of timing, and try a very simple exercise.

Our second GN Podcast picks up where the first left off – we’ll take a “basic” strumming pattern from the first podcast and then spice it up by means of adding simple hammer-ons to the chord being strummed.

This first podcast is also the first in a series on strumming, covering the very basics of strumming – using fingers as well as a pick.

When you’re starting out, sometimes it seems like your hands have a mind of their own. Maybe even two minds, since you have two hands! Josh Urban explores how using a little psychology can help you to get faster and cleaner in making your chord changes.

Getting better at making chord changes is an early goal for every guitarist. Graham discusses how using the art of visualization can help you develop smooth chord changes, both in learning new chords and in practicing the ones you already know.

Here is a wonderfully detailed, step by step tutorial for those who are having a bit of trouble with their strumming. Matt’s put together a series of exercises designed to jump start your rhythm guitar playing and it’s a great read, too!

Tom, who goes by Noteboat on our forum pages, is already pretty well known and respected by our forum members or those who’ve bought and read his book on theory. He now contributes a terrific piece on how to practice keeping the beat. Staying in rhythm is probably one of the most important things a guitarist (or any musician) can do and Tom’s article will help you to get better at this.

Let’s tackle strumming patterns; how to learn them and get them down pat. Here’s an approach that will simplify the whole issue surrounding strumming patterns.