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(@dobby69)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 6
Topic starter  

Hi, my name is Kai and I started playing acoustic guitar a little while ago. I'm having alot of difficulty strumming (I get my fingers caught up and it produces awful sound). Do you have any advice?


   
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 Nuno
(@nuno)
Famed Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 3995
 

Hi Kai,

Read and study to lessons in the main site. The Easy Songs for Beginners section includes several lessons for strumming.

And practice. :D

Welcome to GN!


   
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(@boxboy)
Noble Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 1221
 

Welcome, Kai.
What Nuno said and:
I'd advise practicing a simple chord, like an open E that uses all 6 strings and play DUDU with an exaggerated strumming motion. Let your arm go almost straight at the end of the down strum and almost hit yourself on the chin on the up strum. That'll wire the freedom of motion you need to strum.
Once you can play all 6 strings in what sounds like a single 'chime', especially on the downstrokes, tighten up your strumming arc and introduce some variety: DDUDU.
Once you can do that, try it with chords that don't use all the strings (like an open A).
Sorry, no easy fix. It's called technique; it takes time! It's fun though.
Best of luck.
:)

Don


   
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(@elecktrablue)
Famed Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 4338
 

Are you using a pick or strumming with your fingers?

..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´ -:¦:- Elecktrablue -:¦:-

"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"


   
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(@dobby69)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 6
Topic starter  

Are you using a pick or strumming with your fingers?

I'm trying both.


   
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(@rmorash)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 108
 

If you're having problems strumming with a pick, maybe if you tried a thinner pick it might help? Or maybe you have too much of the pick sticking out past your fingers ??


   
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(@stellabloo)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 189
 

Dobby is only 15 so has no idea how to stroke the strings with FEELING. Also he is too cool for a guitar teacher, that is "conformist".
And he is not forced to babysit his sisters as much as he thinks :twisted:

What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's really all about?

~ why yes, I am available on youtube ~
http://www.youtube.com/stellabloo


   
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(@dobby69)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 6
Topic starter  

Dobby is only 15 so has no idea how to stroke the strings with FEELING. Also he is too cool for a guitar teacher, that is "conformist".
And he is not forced to babysit his sisters as much as he thinks :twisted:

Uhh.... dude I think u got the wrong dobby lol


   
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(@maxrumble)
Honorable Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 441
 

Sometimes when you are watching TV, I suggest you hold your guitar, mute the strings by lightly resting your fretting hand across all strings and just strum with a thin pick. You can try thicker ones later when you are more used to strumming.

There are many important aspects of strumming that a beginner would normally not be aware of, such as emphasising the fist and third beats, selection of which strings you are hitting, muting, partial strumming, etc.

It will come in time, just keep at it.

Cheers,

Max


   
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(@dobby69)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 6
Topic starter  

ok, thanks!


   
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