The ‘selective motion’ one is absolutely spot on and a very good way of describing it. It can often sound very ‘stiff’ playing the other way. It’s a lot more natural sound that you get when your strumming hand is more on the move, even when it doesn’t strictly need to be to get the sounds out. And when there’s an accidental strum it’s fine really, because it’s in time with the piece. All to do with the groove baby!
Thank you so much! I was literally just thinking about if there was anything I needed to focus on to improve my strumming & now I have 8. Right time, right place!! Let's just take a moment & appreciate how great a teacher James is. If I had to pay for all these lessons, I'd never be able to afford it all.
Thank you, James. Yip, I'm guilty of most of these 8 mistakes. It's awesome that you focus so much on the trunk of the tree. I can feel and hear my improvements with every video you post. This is so much appreciated as I can notice my improvements every day. You are imprinting the foundation of playing guitar into me. Thank you so much. Your guidance and lessons are so much-needed and valuable.
The things this guy calls "mistakes" are what adds feeling and emotion to music. They're what you _should_ be doing when you play. Play with feeling and emotion, not thought.
Find a bunch of recordings of Norman and Nancy Blake for learning to strum and pick strings. There are many others to learn from, but rhis will be a good place to start. The day I first heard Norman Blake, it changed my musical life. I still am learning after nearly 55+ years. He also plays mandolin.
Different people prefer different thicknesses but if it's too thick, it will feel too stiff and fall out of your hand easily. It's actually better to go a bit on the thinner side at first. But not too thin. Medium is best
Thank You James. This is extremely helpful. Not a lot of people talk about the strumming but for beginners it's not intuitive especially with the up strokes. Definitely will practice and work on these.
Excellent video. This guy has clearly taught a lot of beginners. I am interested in his point about "selective motion". While it clearly works on guitar, I can't think of another instrument that purposefully adds unnecessary motion. Usually you practice to achieve economical motions so you can go faster with less strain.
Thank you for sharing the information. I have been practicing chords for the past several months. Have not started strumming yet. Want to get the chords to be more smooth. Inch by inch! Thank you again!!! Craig
About volume, one thing I've been practicing on is a thing I heard in an Aerosmith intervju, play soft when the singer sings and louder when singer is silent.
Thank you for your post. I've been playing for years (just self taught as a hobby) and this is the #1 thing I struggle with. I cannot stop with keeping a death grip on my pick. I even buy picks that have the "texture" on them so I can hold it as tight as possible. No matter how hard I try to hold a pick lightly, I just constantly drop it. It's so bad I just turn the volume up on my acoustic/electric and just strum with my fingers, but the downside of that is it's such a muffled sound... the pick strumming has always been my biggest nightmare. And yet I watch millions of people do this on TV, UA-cam with absolutely no issue. It drives me nuts.
I had trouble holding picks until I found Monster Grips. They are thin clear silicone rubbery feeling smaller-than -a-dime sized stick-on circles. That's the only way I can describe them. You peel them off of a sheet of plastic, without touching the sticky underside, and stick them on a clean pick. Tweezers help so that you don't touch them. They are the best thing that I've found. They have a tacky feel, but they're not sticky. Amazon has them (16 for $9.99 and they ship free, or they have a website). Best of luck.
Okay so have you tried strumming without a pick at all? Sometimes it is not necessary, it's better to get the rhythm right than to worry about your grip of the pick.
I'm an "intermediate guitarist" I guess, and yeah, #4 (keeping your arm motion going when you're not actually hitting the chord) is a big one, that's something I picked up early on, I think from reading in guitar magazines years ago! Also, that makes it easier when you're playing "muted strums" between actually playing the notes.
I struggle using a plectrum. Always have. It gets caught in the strings. I can't seem to hold it properly, despite following all the advice. I can only seem to keep everything loose and relaxed by strumming with my thumb and finger.
Thanks so much for making this video! After years of playing and making all these mistakes to this day I often wonder why the instructor I payed never taught me anything really. Glad i was able to learn from you
As a 75 yr old arthritis gets mr on many chords that require stretching even the C so i learned the C add 9 but this makes the transition to am and E and F pretty tough frustrates me I bought a taylor gs mini that helps some but really enjoy playing my dreadnoughts for the tich tone..any suggestions? Enjoy your youtube videos very much
Hello Gary, I think going slow and steady (and I mean very slow) at first might be just what the doctor ordered. Please do be patient with yourself. I am also building a guitar health kit that I made alongside a guitar physiotherapist, that I am going to offer alongside my premium course that will address issues with playing and arthritis. Too much to type here but keep checking back - thanks, James
.. James - absolutely. The continuous strumming helps me when I need to practice changing chords quicker! The image of the 'brush' works to visualize the flow.. cool T-Shirt btw :)
thankyou so much James, just watching this video today and implementing it immediatley i felt and sounded so much better, felt more comfortable and at ease and it felt...easy and relaxed, keep these strumming ones coming please, and on intermediate strumming and syncopated etc, thanks again!! - tammie
James, your attention to details/ the fundamentals are bringing AWARENESS to my approach to Guitar. My being more cognizant is bringing improvements to my playing with each lesson… you are one of the very best teachers of Guitar on the entire Internet! THANK YOU!
Some interesting tips there. As someone who never had formal lessons, I probably suffer from one or more of those, though not badly. The one thing about picks... it's not a good thing to drop your picks often if you're doing a solo gig. The turn of the wrist is something I do, and I ended up going to a lighter pick to solve the issue of uneven percussiveness.
What I really hate is when I drop the pick and it goes in the hole. I love to check out these instruction videos. You give some really good beginner advice. I've been playing since 1967, by the way.
sometimes it's good to use a soundhole cover (typically used for avoiding feedback when plugged in) to avoid this especially at the beginner stage as you're getting used to it. They are cheap and don't really change the sound of the guitar too much.
🎸I have several of Jame’s courses ( Strumming made simple and Barre Chords made easy) they really do build your confidence in playing the guitar.All courses have comprehensive student guides that can be used away from the guitar. It’s tough learning on line but with Jame’s expert and musical guidance and weekly guitar tutor I feel that I am now moving to positive areas for my guitar playing. 😊
I'm guilty off all these mistakes. Thanks for the lesson. My biggest issue is when I do loosen my grip, the pick tends to rotate so that the tip is sideways and I'm using the side of a pick. The other is the pick slips down so that instead of 1/4 inch showing, 1/2 inch does.
This was awesome content! My dad called me out for changing chords as I strum. He said that I have to stop strumming as I change chords. After decades, I still dont get what he meant.
What I learned from a UA-cam teacher is that open strings on the upstrokes doesn’t usually sound bad. He said a lot of musicians do that while they change chords. It gives you a second to find the next chord’s position. Of course, how well that will work depends on the rhythm you are playing. I wonder what you dad meant too.
It's a Crafter. Wayyy back when James was around 19 years old, he could only afford a guitar that cost around $300. It was this Crafter. Anyway, he was self conscious to put the Crafter name on his channel in case he would be judged for his cheap guitar. STORY TWIST - this guitar actually sounds amazing, and the reason why he left the tape on it was just because he literally forgot that it was still there. He's not self conscious anymore but when I ask him about it he just shrugs and goes, "oh well, I keep forgetting it's covered". Then it became some weird mystery to his subscribers but really that's why. Anyway if James can play this on a $300 guitar, then I think it's a sign he's a good player! Hope that helps.
The hardest strumming I ever practiced is Wanted dead or alive. That taka lot of practice including string muting with a left hand finger also some palm muting.
I am used to play with my thumb. When i try to play with the pick, i have a problem with the upstroke. It seems that my motion while the downstroke is a bit short, so that i can't change the position angle of my pick. Also my motion is too stiff i think. But my rythm seems to be fine 😊 Thank you for your explanations!
I have a nylon strings guitar and I used my thumb and indice fingers this way I do b Stroke brushing technique I learn the major and menor cords but I think y rithm is way out I had I had watch many videos and you don't have see the cords just listen and you are able to identify which song is playing Not me but just keep going forward
Hi James, I am recently retired and have committed to playing the guitar again. I consider myself a beginner, however, I have played off and on for 40 years. I took some lessons in the 80s but I've never really been able to progress like a would like to. Learning rhythm patterns and making a song sound like the song is something I could really use help with. Do you recommend the Beginner Guitar Course or something else? I heard you mention another rhythm course for intermediate players that sound like it might help me. Or, do you have another course that may cover other issues....such as theory, scales, lead, etc. Thanks you, Drew
Hi Drew, if you are 100% with your chord transitions, and there are zero "hiccups" when doing so, I would recommend "Strumming Made Simple." It's exclusively geared towards learning to feel and execute rhythm. The complete beginner course (Learn Guitar Once And For All) is the total package, chords and rhythm. It doesn't go as far into rhythm as "Strumming Made Simple" but it goes more in depth on the foundations of rhythm. You can find both of these courses at courses.goodguitarist.com/
For strumming yes, start with a very thin pick then as you get better move to a medium. It’s nice to have a medium like around .70 mm so that it’s not too hard to strum and also pick out individual strings since as you progress you’ll be doing both in many songs.
But I love how dragging sounds. =D Yeah it’s not always appropriate, but I am drawn to songs that make use of that kind of strumming where each note in a chord has some degree of individual definition.
Hey Michael, yes, you certainly have a point. For the most part, it is wise to master the basics (keeping steady rhythm), before breaking the rules (speeding up and slowing down for stylistic reasons). Hope it helps!
dude, everyone has got their own style. this kind of stuff is probably why so many radio stations rely on music from 30, 40 or 50 years ago when lots of great original music came out of neighborhood garages.
Try placing your thumb on the six string / second fret. F#. When you play a D open chord. D / 4th string open is root note. A / 5th string open is alternate bass note. F# / 6th /2nd fret adds a bass note for depth and fills out the sound when strumming to back vocal performance. Not all songs but try it.
@@robinhood480 Yep, that's how I've been doing it since 1977. It's just something I've noticed in beginner (and some intermediate) players, and think it belongs on the next list if he makes one.
@@Good_Guitarist I do many of your guitar tutorials and songs thankyou, Canada so yikes on exchange., but i did find one here on youtube much more within my budget thankyou for your kind response love your youtube page!
ua-cam.com/video/ibMxYyK75WI/v-deo.html&ab_channel=AgaZagA I find that backing tracks help me to get the "internal rhythm" you speak about. I don't know why, but I can strum fluidly, up and down, to the backing track above.
Some of what you are showing is up for debate. Sometimes, you need to sound a little more aggressive if the material requires it. Also if you drop a pick, don't over worry about it. I play with both a pick and without. Just make the same shape as holding a pick and use your index finger think combo to hit strings. This is shown in any Ukulele study. Also, because People concentrate on always using a pick, they do not successfully perform songs like Smoke on the Water. This song is performed using the fingers and zero pick.
An acoustic and an electric guitar should be played different, don't bang on your acoustic like you'd dig into the electric. I've switched to fingers only on acoustic, I think it sounds better and (after a little adjustment period) it feels more natural.
Why even move your arm to strum? The simple solution is to strum with a bent wrist and rotating your forearm. Even better, get rid of the pick There is no reason nowadays to use a pick for strumming, except for effect in some recordings.
Yes, smaller loose wrist action rather than big arm motion with continuous movement so you can incorporate selective picking, muting (palm, pick), hybrid picking and other advanced techniques.
so, I have to say that rotating your forearm does not yield the same rhythm results as moving your full arm. I had a great teacher once tell me this and I never looked back.
@@Good_Guitarist Well, they did not know what they were talking about. This is easily demonstrated. If fact, when you use the correct technique, all kings of advantages occur, especially once you get rid of the pick and use your fingers for strumming. Listen to any good flamenco guitarist.
💻 Check out James' Beginner Guitar Course: goodguitarist.com/beginner-guitar-course/
Excellent lesson young man! 💯
The ‘selective motion’ one is absolutely spot on and a very good way of describing it. It can often sound very ‘stiff’ playing the other way. It’s a lot more natural sound that you get when your strumming hand is more on the move, even when it doesn’t strictly need to be to get the sounds out. And when there’s an accidental strum it’s fine really, because it’s in time with the piece. All to do with the groove baby!
Thank you so much! I was literally just thinking about if there was anything I needed to focus on to improve my strumming & now I have 8. Right time, right place!!
Let's just take a moment & appreciate how great a teacher James is. If I had to pay for all these lessons, I'd never be able to afford it all.
You're a very good teacher. Great points and really effective presentation. Kudos!
Glad you think so!
Not only good as in competent, but you have a very friendly style.
Thank you, James. Yip, I'm guilty of most of these 8 mistakes. It's awesome that you focus so much on the trunk of the tree. I can feel and hear my improvements with every video you post. This is so much appreciated as I can notice my improvements every day. You are imprinting the foundation of playing guitar into me. Thank you so much. Your guidance and lessons are so much-needed and valuable.
Couldn’t agree more Theo!
The things this guy calls "mistakes" are what adds feeling and emotion to music. They're what you _should_ be doing when you play. Play with feeling and emotion, not thought.
just cured my problem , well done your explanation is right on the money
Cool lesson. Thank you
Quite a useful video for us beginners.
Thanks so much.
I subscribed.
This lesson isf so helpful. Thankyou ever so much James.
I love they way you explained it's so easy to understand ❤. Thank you 😊 🙏
Thanks for posting the best video on strumming that I’ve seen anywhere! Great job of explaining and demonstrating in a calm professional manner!
Great lesson. Holding a pick correctly is an important fundamental and I, like many others started wrong and it held me back completely.
Well, at least now you know how to do it correctly!
Find a bunch of recordings of Norman and Nancy Blake for learning to strum and pick strings. There are many others to learn from, but rhis will be a good place to start. The day I first heard Norman Blake, it changed my musical life. I still am learning after nearly 55+ years. He also plays mandolin.
Thanks James! Great reminders!
I’ve been playing a while that I’ve forgotten what mistakes I’ve probably been doing.
Thank-you for re-informing me with your video.
Very good explanation and presentation. Kudos
how important is pick thickness in all of this? thanks for the lesson!!!!
Different people prefer different thicknesses but if it's too thick, it will feel too stiff and fall out of your hand easily. It's actually better to go a bit on the thinner side at first. But not too thin. Medium is best
Great video. Just what I needed to see
Excellent lesson James,can i share it with my beginner folks?
Thanks man, this is exactly what I needed
I’ve watched a few of your videos and you are a very good patient teacher. I appreciate the time and effort you put into making these videos.
Thank You James. This is extremely helpful. Not a lot of people talk about the strumming but for beginners it's not intuitive especially with the up strokes. Definitely will practice and work on these.
Strumming really isn't intuitive for beginners and too many people just skip over it. I am glad this helped you.
Thanks a million James.
I have been playing for a few years now and I learned a lot from you today.
Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪
Excellent video. This guy has clearly taught a lot of beginners. I am interested in his point about "selective motion". While it clearly works on guitar, I can't think of another instrument that purposefully adds unnecessary motion. Usually you practice to achieve economical motions so you can go faster with less strain.
Thank you for sharing the information. I have been practicing chords for the past several months. Have not started strumming yet. Want to get the chords to be more smooth. Inch by inch! Thank you again!!! Craig
Hi Dan, thanks. No, actually, I make them all by hand...
The most important part of playing is the basics. Thanks for a great reminder not to stiffen up!
Absolutely! We could all loosen up a bit... I feel
Well done. Great instruction about strumming.
About volume, one thing I've been practicing on is a thing I heard in an Aerosmith intervju, play soft when the singer sings and louder when singer is silent.
Another great lesson ..thanks James !
Thank you for your post. I've been playing for years (just self taught as a hobby) and this is the #1 thing I struggle with. I cannot stop with keeping a death grip on my pick. I even buy picks that have the "texture" on them so I can hold it as tight as possible. No matter how hard I try to hold a pick lightly, I just constantly drop it. It's so bad I just turn the volume up on my acoustic/electric and just strum with my fingers, but the downside of that is it's such a muffled sound... the pick strumming has always been my biggest nightmare. And yet I watch millions of people do this on TV, UA-cam with absolutely no issue. It drives me nuts.
I had trouble holding picks until I found Monster Grips. They are thin clear silicone rubbery feeling smaller-than -a-dime sized stick-on circles. That's the only way I can describe them. You peel them off of a sheet of plastic, without touching the sticky underside, and stick them on a clean pick. Tweezers help so that you don't touch them. They are the best thing that I've found. They have a tacky feel, but they're not sticky. Amazon has them (16 for $9.99 and they ship free, or they have a website). Best of luck.
Okay so have you tried strumming without a pick at all? Sometimes it is not necessary, it's better to get the rhythm right than to worry about your grip of the pick.
Check out David Bowie’s ‘Five Years’ for clumsy upstrokes.
I'm an "intermediate guitarist" I guess, and yeah, #4 (keeping your arm motion going when you're not actually hitting the chord) is a big one, that's something I picked up early on, I think from reading in guitar magazines years ago! Also, that makes it easier when you're playing "muted strums" between actually playing the notes.
I struggle using a plectrum. Always have. It gets caught in the strings. I can't seem to hold it properly, despite following all the advice. I can only seem to keep everything loose and relaxed by strumming with my thumb and finger.
Thanks so much for making this video! After years of playing and making all these mistakes to this day I often wonder why the instructor I payed never taught me anything really. Glad i was able to learn from you
Hey never too learn to learn the right way...thanks for tuning in, Freddy
As a 75 yr old arthritis gets mr on many chords that require stretching even the C so i learned the C add 9 but this makes the transition to
am and E and F pretty tough frustrates me I bought a taylor gs mini that helps some but really enjoy playing my dreadnoughts for the tich tone..any suggestions? Enjoy your youtube videos very much
Hello Gary,
I think going slow and steady (and I mean very slow) at first might be just what the doctor ordered. Please do be patient with yourself. I am also building a guitar health kit that I made alongside a guitar physiotherapist, that I am going to offer alongside my premium course that will address issues with playing and arthritis. Too much to type here but keep checking back - thanks, James
Thank you so much. I was "scooping" and getting all caught up in the up strum.
Great tips, thanks.
This is a really, really good lesson!
.. James - absolutely. The continuous strumming helps me when I need to practice changing chords quicker! The image of the 'brush' works to visualize the flow.. cool T-Shirt btw :)
thankyou so much James, just watching this video today and implementing it immediatley i felt and sounded so much better, felt more comfortable and at ease and it felt...easy and relaxed, keep these strumming ones coming please, and on intermediate strumming and syncopated etc, thanks again!! - tammie
James, your attention to details/ the fundamentals are bringing AWARENESS to my approach to Guitar. My being more cognizant is bringing improvements to my playing with each lesson… you are one of the very best teachers of Guitar on the entire Internet! THANK YOU!
Hey Doug, this is a huge piece. Thanks for bringing it up! Glad to help with the awareness part. So important!
Thanks, No.2 was especially helpful for me. 8 was interesting too. Thanks.
Some interesting tips there. As someone who never had formal lessons, I probably suffer from one or more of those, though not badly. The one thing about picks... it's not a good thing to drop your picks often if you're doing a solo gig. The turn of the wrist is something I do, and I ended up going to a lighter pick to solve the issue of uneven percussiveness.
great tips!!!!
What I really hate is when I drop the pick and it goes in the hole. I love to check out these instruction videos. You give some really good beginner advice. I've been playing since 1967, by the way.
sometimes it's good to use a soundhole cover (typically used for avoiding feedback when plugged in) to avoid this especially at the beginner stage as you're getting used to it. They are cheap and don't really change the sound of the guitar too much.
Nice lesson , interesting for beginners and great for recapping 😁
James, I always seem to have trouble with the pick swivelling around, not dropping it. How do you stop it swivelling, without a death grip?
Are you saying the swoop in #3 Is something to strive for? I don’t see how that would be good.
James I'm stoked in the 30 day program in rhythm counting strokes I don't want to move forward because I think I will never be good on that
🎸I have several of Jame’s courses ( Strumming made simple and Barre Chords made easy) they really do build your confidence in playing the guitar.All courses have comprehensive student guides that can be used away from the guitar. It’s tough learning on line but with Jame’s expert and musical guidance and weekly guitar tutor I feel that I am now moving to positive areas for my guitar playing. 😊
Hi James...this is my favourite guitar lesson...❤️❤️❤️ greetings from Sri Lanka
I’ve got these same issues and love this video thank you
Great video! I especially like the metronome idea. All material is relevant though. Subscribing!
I am very happy to have earned your subscription! Lots more content is in the works.
I have four Crafter guitars (and never cover up the logo!). Which model is in this video? Sounds excellent.
Hey yeah, this one does sound excellent. GAE-ESP I think ,
I'm guilty off all these mistakes. Thanks for the lesson. My biggest issue is when I do loosen my grip, the pick tends to rotate so that the tip is sideways and I'm using the side of a pick. The other is the pick slips down so that instead of 1/4 inch showing, 1/2 inch does.
This was awesome content!
My dad called me out for changing chords as I strum. He said that I have to stop strumming as I change chords.
After decades, I still dont get what he meant.
What I learned from a UA-cam teacher is that open strings on the upstrokes doesn’t usually sound bad. He said a lot of musicians do that while they change chords. It gives you a second to find the next chord’s position. Of course, how well that will work depends on the rhythm you are playing. I wonder what you dad meant too.
Hey :) could you explain in a video the difference between 3/8, 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 time signature? :)
Thanks, what brand guitar is that?
It's a Crafter. Wayyy back when James was around 19 years old, he could only afford a guitar that cost around $300. It was this Crafter. Anyway, he was self conscious to put the Crafter name on his channel in case he would be judged for his cheap guitar.
STORY TWIST - this guitar actually sounds amazing, and the reason why he left the tape on it was just because he literally forgot that it was still there. He's not self conscious anymore but when I ask him about it he just shrugs and goes, "oh well, I keep forgetting it's covered". Then it became some weird mystery to his subscribers but really that's why. Anyway if James can play this on a $300 guitar, then I think it's a sign he's a good player! Hope that helps.
@@willolux9564 Thank you. Interesting backstory too. I had to ask because It sounds very nice)
3 gears, I like that. That's a nice mnemonic device. Well done.
Thank you my good guitarist Teacher.
Thanks
The hardest strumming I ever practiced is Wanted dead or alive. That taka lot of practice including string muting with a left hand finger also some palm muting.
I am used to play with my thumb. When i try to play with the pick, i have a problem with the upstroke. It seems that my motion while the downstroke is a bit short, so that i can't change the position angle of my pick. Also my motion is too stiff i think.
But my rythm seems to be fine 😊
Thank you for your explanations!
I have a nylon strings guitar and I used my thumb and indice fingers this way I do b
Stroke brushing technique I learn the major and menor cords but I think y rithm is way out I had I had watch many videos and you don't have see the cords just listen and you are able to identify which song is playing Not me but just keep going forward
Great advice
Hi James, I am recently retired and have committed to playing the guitar again. I consider myself a beginner, however, I have played off and on for 40 years. I took some lessons in the 80s but I've never really been able to progress like a would like to. Learning rhythm patterns and making a song sound like the song is something I could really use help with. Do you recommend the Beginner Guitar Course or something else? I heard you mention another rhythm course for intermediate players that sound like it might help me. Or, do you have another course that may cover other issues....such as theory, scales, lead, etc.
Thanks you,
Drew
Hi Drew, if you are 100% with your chord transitions, and there are zero "hiccups" when doing so, I would recommend "Strumming Made Simple." It's exclusively geared towards learning to feel and execute rhythm. The complete beginner course (Learn Guitar Once And For All) is the total package, chords and rhythm. It doesn't go as far into rhythm as "Strumming Made Simple" but it goes more in depth on the foundations of rhythm. You can find both of these courses at courses.goodguitarist.com/
Is a thinner pick better than a stiffer pick for a beginner
For strumming yes, start with a very thin pick then as you get better move to a medium. It’s nice to have a medium like around .70 mm so that it’s not too hard to strum and also pick out individual strings since as you progress you’ll be doing both in many songs.
I hate how picks swivel within your finger grip and you end up striking the strings with the back of the pic. Any hint for that propblem?
Thank you sir
But I love how dragging sounds. =D Yeah it’s not always appropriate, but I am drawn to songs that make use of that kind of strumming where each note in a chord has some degree of individual definition.
Hey Michael, yes, you certainly have a point. For the most part, it is wise to master the basics (keeping steady rhythm), before breaking the rules (speeding up and slowing down for stylistic reasons). Hope it helps!
Depends effect you want and the tune you are playing!
A loose grip on my pick makes it want to rotate. Really annoying.
James I am having strumming problem with chord progression please
dude, everyone has got their own style. this kind of stuff is probably why so many radio stations rely on music from 30, 40 or 50 years ago when lots of great original music came out of neighborhood garages.
The best strummever seen
I don't use a pick. Is anything here helpful to me?
You left out the big one most beginners do or don't do actually , Breath .
Yup, let's not forget about that!
Mistake #9: Playing all the strings, all the time. An open D major chord (and to a lesser extent, an open C) suffers when that low E is played.
Try placing your thumb on the six string / second fret. F#.
When you play a D open chord.
D / 4th string open is root note.
A / 5th string open is alternate bass note.
F# / 6th /2nd fret adds a bass note for depth and fills out the sound when strumming to back vocal performance.
Not all songs but try it.
@@robinhood480 Yep, that's how I've been doing it since 1977. It's just something I've noticed in beginner (and some intermediate) players, and think it belongs on the next list if he makes one.
I would love to do strumming made simple looks great! but too expensive, plus my exchange rate
Hi Tammie! Sorry to hear it's out of your price range. Please do enjoy a bunch of the free stuff I will continue to post. What country do you live in?
@@Good_Guitarist I do many of your guitar tutorials and songs thankyou, Canada so yikes on exchange., but i did find one here on youtube much more within my budget thankyou for your kind response love your youtube page!
I feel personally attacked !!!!
Great video, i'm guilty of the first 5 and I'm going to keep revisiting this
Without RHYTHM you have nothing.....
James another great lesson, have you a 12 string in your arsenal if it's a yes can you do a similar lesson using one. Many thanks Dave
Some good players don't use a pick
@@frankmcguane4225 most good players don’t use a pick. Cooder,Beck,kottke,knopfler. Picks are for losers
Strum how you want but just be aware that different patterns will sound differently.
When you've been playing for 20 years and stick around for the whole video anyway
I wanna learn Tears in heaven by Eric Clapton
Ha I’m always dropping the plectrum or it swivels around in my fingers
This is a very common issue!
I got me a thin pick to strum better
Some of these “problems” are really just playing dynamics…
Never let the guitar shop put the strap pin in the side of your ax
ua-cam.com/video/ibMxYyK75WI/v-deo.html&ab_channel=AgaZagA
I find that backing tracks help me to get the "internal rhythm" you speak about. I don't know why, but I can strum fluidly, up and down, to the backing track above.
anyone else prefer the abrasive sound in the first one?
Some of what you are showing is up for debate. Sometimes, you need to sound a little more aggressive if the material requires it.
Also if you drop a pick, don't over worry about it. I play with both a pick and without. Just make the same shape as holding a pick and use your index finger think combo to hit strings. This is shown in any Ukulele study.
Also, because People concentrate on always using a pick, they do not successfully perform songs like Smoke on the Water. This song is performed using the fingers and zero pick.
An acoustic and an electric guitar should be played different, don't bang on your acoustic like you'd dig into the electric. I've switched to fingers only on acoustic, I think it sounds better and (after a little adjustment period) it feels more natural.
Bruce Springsteen needs to watch this
My teacher wanted us to make all 6 sound like 1
It comes all with the time. Everything needs time, step by step. It’s not easy to learn strumming.
What you call 'elbow' ia in reality Bicep/Tricep.
Remember, only muscles initiate motion, not joints nor structure of the body.
Why even move your arm to strum? The simple solution is to strum with a bent wrist and rotating your forearm. Even better, get rid of the pick There is no reason nowadays to use a pick for strumming, except for effect in some recordings.
Yes, smaller loose wrist action rather than big arm motion with continuous movement so you can incorporate selective picking, muting (palm, pick), hybrid picking and other advanced techniques.
so, I have to say that rotating your forearm does not yield the same rhythm results as moving your full arm. I had a great teacher once tell me this and I never looked back.
@@Good_Guitarist Well, they did not know what they were talking about. This is easily demonstrated.
If fact, when you use the correct technique, all kings of advantages occur, especially once you get rid of the pick and use your fingers for strumming.
Listen to any good flamenco guitarist.
There are no rules for playing.
🏆🏆
No you are reaching everything is on the table when it comes to strumming thats simply the truth
What it you have no rhythm