Strumming Question

[rstaight]

Originally Posted by tbirdman

I would get the thinnest pick you can find. Eventually you can move up to heavier picks.



I've been taught that you need to strum with you full forearm like a pendulum from the elbow and don't just play with your wrist.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXL1bG_ao3c

I agree with the pick. Start with a thin pick or even no pick at all.

I was taught not to use my arm for my strumming. Use the wrist.

You will get some elbow movement but it is a result of other movement.

The wrist helps with boom chicka strumming patterns. But even with a straight pattern using the elbow can sound stiff.

[gurroz]

Originally Posted by Bob from Brooklyn

My advice is to just play along to songs over & over & over.

What he said! Also, use a good pick. I started playing the ukulele so when I picked up the guitar I did not use a pick. Uke players use fingers. After about a month I decided to master the pick. I bought an assortment pack of picks and played all sizes. For me, anything 1mm or greater worked fine but I settled on 1.5 as my pick of choice. After that, I bought Dunlop Prime-Tone picks which are beveled. I do use a Digitech Trio to stay in time when not playing songs but, like Bob from Brooklyn play songs! I spend 2 hours a day just playing songs and then work on technique for a couple more hours.