#1
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Advice on strumming
Hey everyone,
I was wondering if you could give me some advice on strumming technique. I sometimes seem to struggle to achieve a smooth, consistent sound when I strum. By that I mean I cannot always re-create the sound that I hear on the original track that I'm trying to play. I also find it difficult to work out struming patterns by listening to the original track. Does wrist action & position have an effect? I was also wondering how relevant the angle that the pick hits the strings at is in producing a nice sound? i.e. should I be aiming the hit the strings at a certain angle?? Hope that all makes sense!! Cheers. |
#2
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I have heard (and try to follow) that you want your wrist action to mimic that you are shaking water off your hand. (Steve Kaufman)
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"Bluegrass Hack" |
#3
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I've heard the opposite. The wrist should stay straight and all the "action" is at the elbow. But I'm no good at either
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#4
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I think it all depends on what kind of sound one is going for. I like a good hard drive to a rythm guitar, which is where I think the "wrist whipping" motion comes in, whereas if one is wanting a lusher sound, that might be where the all elbow motion may come in.
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"Bluegrass Hack" |
#5
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Strumming
I think it's good news that you can hear and feel that you're not quite getting it. I'm assuming that means you can hear well enough to eventually get it. Some people who cannot hear and feel as well, do not know or care and may not ever get it.
I'd say try various youtubes like this one to see it it helps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw9yk...eature=related Try to find clips you can hear clearly and maybe even see and imitate what they're doing. If that doesn't help, maybe you can hang out with a friend and observe more closely. Very tough to explain, but as you say, the wrist and elbow and position and position of pick all play into this...pun intended. |
#6
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The key to good strumming is to keep you arm moving. Most movement should take place at the elbow, with the forearm moving up and down. Your wrist should be relaxed, though movement does not originate from the wrist.
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kats Martin 00-28 Cordoba C9 Yairi FY70CE KoAloha Tenor Ukulele KALA Tenor |
#7
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Here's where I came up with my advice somewhat. Also I play mainly Bluegrass, so most of the guys I play with use wrist movement more than elbow (although, elbow movement will be involved). Check out the Steve Kaufman video below and maybe it will help you. Whew, hope I covered my opinion with this. My best advice is do what works best for yourself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay0OuUorx7k
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"Bluegrass Hack" |
#8
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Quote:
Otherwise when strumming or fingerpicking you want the pick to be entirely perpendicular to the string. Steve |
#9
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Quote:
You also do not want any roll in the motion. Think of the motion of the "royal wave". Ok - that's what you DON'T want. Pick-wise, you want the pick perpendicular to the strings, and don't over-grip it. The biggest thing for beginners is "too much pick". Don't stick the pick way deep in-between the strings. You only need the string to contact the pick a couple of millimeters (yes, I mean MILLImeteres) above the tip of the pick. |
#10
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I think by watching good rhythm guitarists you will find that strumming is a combination of so many techniques, it becomes hard to capsulize. Using the edge of the pick gives a different sound than strumming flat. Damping strings between strums gives rhythmic effects ala Neil Young. Down strokes and up strokes seem to be pretty simple concepts, but Rythm guitar is an art form all it's own.
Watch Tony Rice and you will see that his efficiency is in the wrist motion. I do not agree that strumming is best done with the elbow as a hinge. It is inefficient. I see many guitarists that I respect doing it that way, and many have nade more money at it than I, but I just do not feel it is a good way to approach strumming if the habit has not already been ingrained. |
#11
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Fly Fishing could teach you something
Im no expert. I was just going to leave it at that. But I did see a recent issue of acoustic guitar mag anf hey had a cool article on that you should google it. To me its like matial arts where every thing is doing soemthing, like when you final get a good cast fly fishing, its your elbow, but a little rist. Your whole body really moving in acord so when you finaly hit the string everything leads up to that. Whats it like playing with a pick?
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#12
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Thanks for all the advice guys, it's much appreciated. I've managed to find a few videos on Youtube that have been quite useful too.
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