Carlos, this video gives a good introduction to strumming without a pick…
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/how-to-strum-without-a-pick-b1-107
Carlos, this video gives a good introduction to strumming without a pick…
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/how-to-strum-without-a-pick-b1-107
Thank you @roger_holland, @MAT1953, and JokuMuu for your responses ![]()
I come from a little ukulele experience where I adopted finger picking/strumming so it’s definitely a lot easier for me and sounds great too. But Roger, you are right, I should give it a try… eventually… lol right now I want to move forward with what I know best.
Thanks again all! Love this community, very helpful! I’ll check out these resources. Just want to make sure I’m practicing good habits as I’ve already completed the 1/3 of the beginner modules using this method.
I got the Dunlop Nylon variety pack and sometimes use the thicker nylons from strumming. I used the light grey 0.60 mm nylon for all my grade 2 consolidation videos, but i am starting to use the orange 0.60 tortex as my strumming technique gets better.
Nice you did a video on this. My likes to rotate a lot when i’m playing and I noticed its cause i have my hand at an angle and over time it causes the pick to rotate. i try to force my hand to stay straight on to keep it straight.
I bought a multipack of picks and found using .71mm works good for me. The very thin one’s just don’t last and end up breaking them in short order. I also roughed up the end of the pick with sandpaper/ knife to get better grip on it.
It is probably better in the long term to not try to force any position of your hand or arm
If you look at Justin’s strumming lessons, he advises picking the strings at a slight angle that happens naturally when you move the arm up and down from the elbow. Holding the pick loosely and turning the wrists slightly as you strum might help.
Did your pick multipack include a selection of nylon picks. I find that the Jim Dunlop nylon 0.60 mm thckness and higher are pretty easy to hold on to, since they are textured with dots.
As a longtime drummer you should do well with some of the more advanced strums with 16 note rhythms and percussive strums and mutes. Justin teaches percussive strums in module 14 Percussive Strums - the back beat hit I think that you will like that lesson. Justin uses percussive strumming in the intro demo in the grade 2 song lesson Please Forgive Me that I leaned and really enjoyed in my grade 2 consolidation, because I like an interesting rhythm as much as an interesting melody or chord progression. ![]()
I suppose I mean, concentrate to keep hand at a neutral angle; good form. I’ve been using the .71mm and seem to like it so far. I’ll have to check out ones with dots tho thanks! And yes it’s funny cause certain songs, I know how I’d play them on drums and associated guitar strum along with various time signatures - 4/4, 6/8, 7/8 etc. So it’s just a matter of getting the form correct and practicing.