Is there a right or wrong place to strum? Over the sound hole (or not) ?

[DukeX]

It's all pretty much been said already.

But you will also find that each guitar is different. I modify my attack, stroke and position slightly depending on the particular guitar I'm playing.

[YamahaGuy]

So the pickguard does its job.

[Kitkatjoe]

Originally Posted by Axelorox

A helpful trick is to look up YouTube videos of your favorite guitarists and pay attention to their physical technique, such as strumming location.

Go watch Johnny Cash strum.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Strum where you get the sound you want. You will get more clarity and brightness towards the bridge and a softer and more blended sound away from the bridge.

I second this. Use the point of strum as a way to get different tones out of the same instrument.

[Yrksman]

Originally Posted by fazool

if you are going to be a musician, artist or creator of anything you must eliminate the phrase "right or wrong" from your vocabulary.

A huge truth said in just a few words

[Nama Ensou]

Originally Posted by Gordon Currie

...strum over the bottom of the fretboard, by the bridge, and everywhere in between. It's kind of like having a tone control on an acoustic guitar...

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Strum where you get the sound you want.

Originally Posted by guitar george

You get different sounds by strumming in different places. Its all about technique to get the sound you want for a particular song.

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

...whatever sounds the best and feels best to you is the proper position and technique.

Originally Posted by dwasifar

There's a whole range of different sound characters you can get out of the instrument by varying where you strike the string.

Originally Posted by Larry Mal

...you can think of where you strum as being your guitar's natural EQ sweep.

Originally Posted by MinorKey

Depends on what tone you're after

Originally Posted by gmel555

I second this. Use the point of strum as a way to get different tones out of the same instrument.

You've been preceded in seconding the point of strum as a way of getting differing tones, and that's pretty much the point of every post so far.

[Sonics]

The bright and brittle tone produced by strumming at the bridge is rarely used. Folk don't seem to like that tone. However in the hands of a MASTER it's quite the 'punctuation' mark. Note how Al consciously shifts his strumming/picking hand to different positions...




So yes there is a 'right' place to strum. However that 'right' place will constantly change and we be dictated by the music.

[Bob Womack]

"Is there a right or wrong place to strum?"

The right place to strum is in a stairwell, preferably four or more floors and five might be optimal, an open-plan stairwell with a well down the middle and no carpet. It gives you a really nice reverb. You can adjust how much reverb you hear by whether you are on the stairs or on a landing.

That is all.

Bob

[Blueser100]

Originally Posted by Kitkatjoe

Go watch Johnny Cash strum.

My thoughts exactly. He had a habit of tilting his guitar toward the headstock and then strumming in front of the sound hole, on the fretboard.

[gmel555]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kitkatjoe View Post
Go watch Johnny Cash strum.

Originally Posted by Blueser100

My thoughts exactly. He had a habit of tilting his guitar toward the headstock and then strumming in front of the sound hole, on the fretboard.

And Lennon was about as close to the bridge as possible! No right or wrong, just different strokes for different folks.

[wguitar]

OP here -- THANKS to all for a very informative and entertaining thread!