Calling all OcUK guitarists: Strumming

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I have a question for all you guitarists out there;

How do you learn to strum ?

This may sound like a daft question. I am teaching myself to play with all sorts of books / videos / online sites.
I am picking basic chords up and find finger picking fairly straightforward. But as soon as I come to strum a few chords, it just sounds dreadful.
 
ermm.... what exactly is the problem when strumming??? if it sounds dreadful is it that you aren't fretting the chord properly/correctly? or is the strumming not rhythmical, etc?

I guess this would just come with practice! keep playing...
 
I know I am fretting the chord, because if I hit each string it sounds fine.

I think what I mean is I am doing something like this (E chord)..

Strum down, and hit all strings.
Strum up, and land heavy on the bottom e string and miss the rest.
Strum down, miss the first 2 strings, and hit the bottom 4.

That kind of thing.
 
It will just happen...

one day you will sound hideous at strumming away... the next day you will just sit strumming away.

try not to think about strumming when you do it. Personally for me it sort of just clicked... i remember one day being crap the next day strumming 3chords together... was a proud day in my guitar playing :)
 
Well I've played guitars for years and can't strum at all well. I finger pick everything, including chords largely.

So if anyone has any tips for us lot!

(also, I can't use a plectrum ;p)
 
I found it tricky to miss out strings etc at the start but it just happens naturally after practise. Get a few songs you like and strum along with the chords and it'll happen. (seem to remember first one I did was Jet - Move On or Red Hot Chili Peppers - Venice Queen for a few more complex strumming patterns)
 
just practise, one of my housemates cant strum to save his life and is a bassist, the other is a drummer and can strum pretty well when he actually gets the chord right.

its just a case of smooth motion really.
 
If you're learning from tab don't try and match every strum and string... it will drive you insane (it does me) :)

I'd recommend getting and learning the chords from the tab then listening to the track to get a feel for it. Once you get the feel of the tune and you're comfortable with the chord changes, the strumming will come easier.
 
I'm completely the opposite. I got strumming straight away but simply cannot get finger picking right :/
 
Aye strumming took a while for me to feel comfortable with. It's something that will slowly come with practice. Try not to worry about it, it's not a talent you either "have" or "don't", it just gradually falls into place.
 
Use a very light plectrum for one thing. This way you won't clatter the strings as much when you get the stroke wrong.

Then try this strumming rhythm exercise.

Okay, think: DOWN / DOWN / UP / UP / DOWN / UP / as the strokes along the strings.

But to this following timing: D _ D U _ U D U

I hope this makes sense. It's a very common and easy strumming pattern, and you can even practice it as a rhythm when you're not playing. If I could make a mov for you I'd show you. I've used this simple pattern to teach a few people, and it gets them off to a good start.
 
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