“Guitar Strumming: the Perfect Combination of Music and Technique.”
The gentle sound of a strum being played on a guitar is something that not only provides a soothing sensation, but also a great source of entertainment. The combination of strumming and playing the guitar is something that has captured many hearts over the years, providing a great way of expressing an individual’s feelings.
It is fair to say that although some guitarists are talented at strumming, others have mastered the skill to become proficient. A combination of both expertise and a good way at approach will often lead to the best results.
In this blog post, we will cover the basics of guitar strumming, take a look at different types of strum and suggest ways of improving your strumming technique.
The Basic Strum
The basic and most fundamental form of strumming is a four-note pattern. This involves the use of two downstrokes (representing two beats apiece) and two upstrokes (again representing two beats apiece). This form is often referred to as the alternate pattern, because it involves striking an alternating string with each stroke. The pattern normally goes: down-down, up-up, down-down and up-up etc.
One of the best ways to improve your strumming technique is to practice the alternate pattern. If you’re not familiar with it, start by strumming the open strings of your guitar. This will help you get used to the alternating patterns, as well as give your wrists a good workout.
Rhythmic Variation
Once you’ve got a good handle on the basic alternate strumming pattern, you can start to add some extra rhythmic variation. The easiest way to do this is to change the way you’re striking the strings. Instead of using all downstrokes or all upstrokes in a pattern, experiment with a combination of both. You can also introduce accents – striking the strings with more force at certain points in the pattern. This is a great way of adding emphasis and giving your strumming a little more excitement.
Muting Technique
Another great way to perfect your strumming is to apply a muting technique. In most cases, you should use your fretting hand to both mute the strings between each strum, as well as provide a strong enough grip on the chords that you’re playing. This ensures that the sound of each strum is clearly heard and helps to avoid any slump in the sound that could come from an overly long strum.
Open Strumming
A great way to get started with strumming is open strumming. This approach involves strumming on the open strings of the guitar for each down and upstroke. The sound that comes from this can be quite pleasing, as the open strings provide a full, balanced sound. A great way to use this strum is for simple melody lines and minor chords.
Strumming With your Fingertips
Whilst playing with a pick is the norm for many guitarists, using your fingertips can provide a far more delicate sound. Fingertips create a softer, chop sound when strumming, that encourages a more relaxed strumming approach. This in turn can sometimes be better for creating more intricate strums and developing different types of rhythms.
Finger Picking
Finger picking is a great way of combining your strumming technique with variations on chords. This technique involves strumming with your index and middle fingers, as opposed to relying purely on a pick. It also places more emphasis on chord shapes and fingerings, as you will need to adjust your positions accordingly. Whilst finger picking can be difficult to get to grips with, it is well worth the effort.
Strumming Styles
Ultimately, no two strumming styles will ever be quite the same. Some guitarists may favour putting a lot of emphasis on the off-beat whilst others may prefer to take a laidback approach. What ultimately matters is finding the style that best works for you – and only you. Taking the time to experiment and find your unique sound will give your audience something original and interesting to listen to.
Conclusion
Guitar strumming is a great way to take your playing to the next level. With the right approach and practice, you can learn how to become a proficient strummer and build a sound that is totally unique to you. Hopefully, by taking on board the advice given in this blog, you will be able to perfect your strumming technique in no time!
“Guitar Strumming: the Perfect Combination of Music and Technique.”