Finger Strumming Question

[Marcus Wong]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Without a pick, I strum with both the thumb and index... thumb on the downstroke, index on the up. Been doing it that way since I started.

I usually do the opposite. Back of the fingers on the down stroke, and back of the thumb (P) for up stroke.

But also do variations like:

-Middle (M) and ring (A) finger for the down, and index (I) for up.
-Using only (I) for both down and up stroke
-Holding (P) and (I) together like a plectrum and have the down stroke on the back of my (I) and up stroke on the back of the (P)

[hammer40]

Yes, I use the index finger for strumming. Coming from ukulele, that's how i learned, picks aren't used for the uke. So in moving to guitar, that's what I know and am comfortable with. Besides, I don't like the sound the pick makes on the strings, not to mention, I just can't learn how to hold the darn thing without it moving all over the place.

[The Bard Rocks]

The thumb does the bass notes, always downward, and the rest of the fingers stoke downward, using the nails to get a sound nearly as loud as a flatpick. I use a combination of flicking downwards and using my wrist to do this. Then the fingers return to get the thumb back in position. As they return I get sort of a "bumpity" effect. It works.

[musicman1951]

I would never strum a whole song without a pick, but I often use the back of my index fingernail for single chords while I'm playing fingerstyle.

[hairpuller]

Originally Posted by Paraclete

I had to actually pull out my guitar to figure out what I do... thumb on articulated bass notes, middle and ring finger on downstroke, index on upstroke. I have no idea if that is weird or not. Fingerstyle player here, started on classical, if that means anything.

Ha! Same here. I have a rather relaxed hand and use index and middle fingers for downstrokes, and thumb for upstrokes. Just index if I'm doing a little picking. I actually really like the warm sound of this!
scott

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wong

I usually do the opposite. Back of the fingers on the down stroke, and back of the thumb (P) for up stroke.

But also do variations like:

-Middle (M) and ring (A) finger for the down, and index (I) for up.
-Using only (I) for both down and up stroke
-Holding (P) and (I) together like a plectrum and have the down stroke on the back of my (I) and up stroke on the back of the (P)

Sometimes I use the combination of my index finger nail and the tip of the pick on the downstroke and the tip of the thumb nail and my pick on the upstroke.
Weird, huh?

[mickthemiller]

Never used a pick apart from trying to master it and failing many times. Always use thumb and/or index for strumming, otherwise finger picking with as many fingers as I can control!

[DukeX]

Like others I use both, using various techniques, depending on what I'm playing.

[DanleyJ]

I use thumb, index, middle and ring fingers for strumming. Thumb for bass runs and fingers strum both directions. I also use a pinching grip where I grab 4 strings at one time followed by an up or down strum. Generally used for that boom-chicka country strum. It's similar to banjo frailing I guess. Never could get used to a pick although I keep trying from time to time. I even pick out lead guitar between my thumb and index finger. I can play quicker and more accurately than with a pick. I can also control the dynamics of my playing better with just fingers. Soft to loud and back again. I would love to use a pick like Bryan Sutton or Molly Tuttle but it just isn't me.