I am having major problems with acoustic strumming (with a pick), particular in terms of alternate strumming- the sound when I strum upward sounds like a cat being dragged through a place where cats really shouldn't be dragged. Backwards.

One of Kris' tips (I think in a scales lesson) was to angle the pick slightly which has helped to a degree but I was wondering if anyone had any other tips or lessons/exercises to try. I've looked the strumming lessons on GMC but as far as I can tell there aren't any that focus on this really, really basic (I know, I know!) technique.

Do you mean strumming six strings or picking one string? Kinda confused

Maybe youre just using too much force and that's why it sounds bad. If it's not because of that the problem might be the angle of your pick. If you are satisfied with your downstrumming sound then look at the way youre holding the pick while downstroking and use the exact opposite angle when youre strumming up (hope you get what i mean)

This post has been edited by ZakkWylde: Jan 4 2008, 09:18 PM

Well I would recommend you to buy a really thin pick , something like Jim Dunlop USA nylon .38mm ...It would be easier to strum with it.Just take it slowly and watch out for the angle..You may try to strum just from your wrist without moving whole hand to get the angles going.Than when you get it use whole arm.When your going down lean the pick upwards and when going up downwards to prepare it to attack strings more easily.

This post has been edited by Bogdan: Jan 4 2008, 09:21 PM

Hey Stevie,

When your strumming the idea is just to keep your wrist as relaxed as possible so that you can get that smooth flowing strum, it always seems very forced at the beginning as your attempting something your body is not used to doing, but it like everything - the more you practice the more fluent you become.

Try and hold the pick similar to this;



But dont concentrate on the way you are holding too much, just find something that feels right for you and just keep your wrist as untensed and floppy as possible when your doing that.

(I'm aware that sounds like some bizarre ineuendo for something but lets not go into that )

Cheers lads- will get wan... strumming with these tips and report back...

I would suggest that you strumm as lightly as you can in start, with your pick at a 90 degree angle because if you angle it any other way it will try to fall out of hand.

The up strum is more of a treble oriented strum usually on acoustics - dont try to get all 6 strings with it - just the thin 3 is fine, don't change the angle of your pick or wrist to accomodate the up strum either.

Basically - I think the best way to get a relaxed and flowing strum( I am a very good rhythm guitarist, just saying that so you know I'm talking from real experience here - not blowing my own trumpet) is to
practise eighth note rhythm in down/up strums. Let your arm feel 'heavy' on down strum, then just bring arm back to starting postion and brushing top few strings as you return for upstrum.

Acoustic strumming of full chords works from the elbow too with some light work in the wrist - arm should feel like a pendulum and it keeps up that motion of the eighth note down up even if you do not strum on that particular beat or part of beat - this is what helps give great timing and feel.

I suggest watching videos of acoustic strumming on utube - watch and analyse the little details in relation to the strum that you hear being performed.

Thanks to all for the tips- I was basically being far too heavy handed and after a night's hardcore strumming now seem to be much more consistent (although I'm still sh*t...)