Up strum??

WTouch · #1 January 2nd, 2007

hi, just wondering when you strum down on an G you strike all 6 chords down. what about an upstrum do you strike all 6 up? and for a D chord all 3 as well?

thanks, willy

Fretsource · #2 January 2nd, 2007

Normally, you don't strum all the strings on an up stroke on any chord. Don't be too exact about how many you hit, though. Just aim to hit a few to make the upstroke sound lighter, in contrast to the heavier accented downstrokes.

WTouch · #3 January 2nd, 2007

i see, i tried hitting all 6 of them and it just sounds awful. the bass takes over all the sound and it makes it sound so dull.

Lcjones · #4 January 2nd, 2007

Well, now that's a great question!

Down strokes and up strokes are tools to be used. You can create some *great* sounds with upstrokes. You can really color your chords with upstrokes. You can make a lot of people believe you're doing some awesome guitar work by using upstrokes in strategic places.

A lot depends on the sound you want or the type of rhythm you're trying to create.

Here are some samples ......

Be sure to listen to it all. It's only about 2.5 minutes. There is a Neil Young and a Bob Dylan sample in there.

It's not the best of lessons but may will help out.

**
Les

Ballard · #5 January 3rd, 2007

I generally aim for the top 3 strings (EBG) when strumming upwards. As Fretsource said, upstrokes are supposed to sound lighter. Thus, no need for the bass.

blackcat · #6 January 3rd, 2007

This has been very helpful,thankyou.

douglas englund · #7 January 3rd, 2007

Lcjones that was very helpful thank you very much

cshude · #8 January 3rd, 2007

Great examples, LC! Good reminder that I need to pick up a pick every once in a while!

brightstar · #9 January 4th, 2007

I'm glad someone else asked that. I gave it a try b/c my friend was talking about it. I'm not really far enough along to worry about it yet I don't think, just working on learning chords right now. I didn't even know you were supposed to upstroke at all. ha. Anyway, yeah it sounded horrible. Glad to know it's just because I didn't know what I was doing.

allthumbs · #10 January 4th, 2007

Hit the down string on the numbers and the upstrokes on the & to start with. ie. 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & or 1.2.3 & 4. or 1 & & 2 & & 3 & & etc.

solidwalnut · #11 January 4th, 2007

....and just to add a bit, the downstrokes themselves often need to be only a few strings. As Les was getting to, there are different types of downstrokes and upstrokes. There really isn't any one-size-fits-all types of strums, only stylistic expressions found very differently in many types of songs.

You may have a rhythm that you want to play that requires three downstrokes to begin the song or pattern. The first two may by you playing the top three or four strings while the last has you playing the bottom three.

Often times playing all the strings on a downstroke is a great effect, especially for a songs' opening downstroke or the beginning of a musical phrase, but shake it up here as well. Just be prepared to be flexible in learning different strumming patterns. Listen to different styles of songs to get ideas. Thanks Les, for that. You rock.

Steve