how do i strum fast?

[Blayd3r]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVm__6H9dQ

this guy is a pretty fast strummer just look at his hands how do i go about moving my hands that fast??? it looks impossible

[andrewrg]

I wouldn't say that was fast strumming. If you want to hear fast listen to Justin Hayward's 12-string on 'Question' (Moody Blues). Pete Townsend on 'Pinball Wizard' does some nice, syncopated, strumming.

How do you get there? Practise!!

[66strummer]

Lots of caffeine maybe?? :D As AndrewG said, practice a lot. You got this vid off of youtube. Weren't there some strumming "how to" videos on there as well? Youtube has a ton of instructional clips that people have uploaded for learning to play songs etc...., some of course better than others. This page might be helpful....... Strum faster (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+strum+faster&search_type=&aq=f)

[benplaut]

Practice, and get a really thin pick to make it easier.

[jaskofall]

If you are watching the "how to strum faster" clip, then you might want to watch the "how to change strings faster when they break" clip as well
Not that skillfull really, sorry

Jasko

[alanbakewell]

Good Lord I've turned into my Dad.

I couldn't understand a word he was saying.

Good way to plug the video though.

Cheers, Alan.

[gusto5]

If you are watching the "how to strum faster" clip, then you might want to watch the "how to change strings faster when they break" clip as well
Not that skillfull really, sorry

Jasko

Agreed, he clearly could've thrown lots of double-strums everywhere.

[sixiron150]

I would like to strum faster myself. They say to loosen up and relax the wrist and arm. However, when I do this the pick tends to come loose and turn in my hand. Therefore, I have to tighten my grip on the pick to prevent it from falling to the floor (or in the sound hole). But, in doing so it slows down my strumming, tightens up my wrist, and causes the pick to dig in the strings (especially on the up strums). Sigh... guitar is so frustrating, contradictory, and fun! Maybe in about 10 years I'll be a little better at this.

[jonlee]

i practiced A LOTTTTTT and i use those grey .60mm dunlop picks. started out using the .46mm white ones but they were too bendy.

btw... i double strum a lot and play songs like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U2jTzzYxxk

[astrummer]

The flamenco players use a technique callede rasqueado....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasgueado

There are youtube videos available on the technique if you search for them.....

[rhythmstrummer1]

I find keeping a lose wrist helps, perhaps starting with a thinner pick at first and then graduating to a thicker one if thats the sound you are looking for.

And lots of practice, like others said. Get a metronome, find a comfortable tempo, and work up from there.

[banpreso]

the secret to playing fast (strumming, fingerpick, flatpick) is usually to relax, start slow and be accurate, and gradually spped up over time.

[66strummer]

i practiced A LOTTTTTT and i use those grey .60mm dunlop picks. started out using the .46mm white ones but they were too bendy.

btw... i double strum a lot and play songs like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U2jTzzYxxk


I like that tune! Very cool.......:).

[vac4873]

the speed in strumming, as in nearly everything I've ever tried to develop speed in, including sports or anything is this: focused energy, and brevity of motion. What I find in a lot of of students is the tendency to use their elbow as the "fulcrum" of their strum motion. However, if you watch people that strum really fast, the fulcrum of their strum is much closer to the point of attack (the place where the pick or their fingers meets the strings). Make sure your strum doesn't extend very far above the sixth string or below the first string, and you will find that you will need to focus your energy much closer to the strings to get good volume. The idea is to maximize the amount of time that the pick is in contact with the strings and minimize the amount of time that the pick is hitting nothing. Also, as was stated before, relaxation is key. I play with a heavy pick and hold it very lightly, but seldom lose the pick.

[vac4873]

I made a little YouTube video to demonstrate the technique I was talking about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwXv6k3_C80&feature=channel_page

[mellowman]

Looks like you've got some great advice so far: thin pick, loose wrist, start slowly then go faster, practice, practice, practice.

[vac4873]

a thin pick is a good place to start, as it will be more forgiving of somewhat inconsistent striking due to inaccurate pick depth (how far into the pick surface that you strike the string. However, after you develop some speed, you will notice that a thin pick deflects far enough that it won't return to center on time to strike the next time, and you will have to go to a thicker pick. I used a standard Fender heavy in the video.