strumming problems

GoofyJeff · #1 July 10th, 2007

Yeah okay, I've only been playing for a little over a week, but I'm having a really difficult time getting my strumming down. I can do the downstrokes just fine, not a problem, but the ups... that's a different story. I can't make them sound as "bright" as my downs. They are "plunkier" and a little louder if I try to "brighten" it up. Don't get me started on rhythm because that is definitely gonna take time.

At least I haven't given up yet, and have gotten further along than when I bought this thing years ago.

allthumbs · #2 July 10th, 2007

Usually the upstroke is softer since it is the off beat. The & of the 1 & 2 &3 & 4. The up stroke is often comprised mainly of the treble strings so should actually sound brighter than the down stroke which tends to include the bass strings, which help give it the dominant beat. Try this lesson.
Strumming

GoofyJeff · #3 July 10th, 2007

Thanks... after I posted this, I just now tried again and hopefully I'm describing the problem accurately... it feels like the pick is getting caught on the strings on the up... almost like picking each string out individually... whereas on the down the pick feels like it's just flowing down over the strings in a singular motion. Does that make sense?

allthumbs · #4 July 10th, 2007

Yup. A common problem. Relax your fore arm and wrist. the down stroke and upstroke have a pendulum line of travel. It is like your wrist rebounds when it reaches the bottom of the arc. That means your wrist rotates fingers towards the floor on the down stroke and up towards the ceiling on the up strokes. You may be trying to move straight up the strings instead of relaxing and letting your fore arm and wrist rotate as you move the pick up across the strings.
Think of the movement as flicking water off the end of your pick then slow the motion down as much as needed for the speed you want to strum.

GoofyJeff · #5 July 10th, 2007

Ah... that could've been my problem... I think I was just playing both downs and ups straight on... didn't realize there is supposed to be a little wrist action going on as well...

allthumbs · #6 July 10th, 2007

Now you have it. Nice and relaxed. Fore arm and wrist soft.

LongT · #7 July 12th, 2007

I am new also so I could be wrong, but, a softer pick helped me with strumming.

I figured that out when I strummed without a pick. Just my thumb it sounded much better.

Bill