When playing guitar....?

Question

I have heard several theories as to which way you should hold your right hand. I have a tendancy to just use my thumb to strum the strings and keep the rest of my hand relaxed. But--- everyone i've seen playing does something with their pointer finger and thumb... its kind of crazy.
I've never had any formal lessons... i'ts just me and my chord chart! so... if someone could tell me exactly what i'm supposed to be doing, i would be really grateful!!!!

And no people, i hate guitar picks... AGH they really bug me....
and i played the violin before this so i guess a little of the finger thing is from that.

thanks tho.

Answer 1

i use every finger
probably because before i was with guitar, i played violin, where you have to learn to use all of your fingers to the fullest extent
it depends
are you using acoustic or elecrtic?
it varies

Answer 2

I use a pick which I hold with my index finger and thumb, and I also use my middle and ring fingers sometimes to catch certain strings after I use the pick...adds a fuller sound than just strumming. Simply strumming with your thumb is okay while you are trying to learn the chords, but after you get a few of them down you really need to start using a pick and working on your picking or strumming, it really won't matter how many chords you know if you can't get your rhythm and picking or strumming techniques down to make it actually sound like a song. I taught myself too just like you, with my guitar and a chord chart, and one thing that allows you to do is develop your own style of playing that may sound different than others. But the down side is you kinda have to just play around with it until you figure it out.

I think the most important thing, and sometimes the most difficult for people, is figuring out how to play the correct rhythm and tempo. Sometimes they just wanna strum and strum and strum and it just sounds wild, nothing like the song it's supposed to be. So, don't forget to work on that while your figuring out how to pick and/or strum.

Guitar playing is a lot of fun once you figure it out, but it can be frustrating when you are just beginning. Stick with it and you'll be glad. Good luck.

Answer 3

Whatever way works for you! As someone else mentioned what you probably are seeing with the pointer & thumb is a pick. Some people hold the pick so you can barely see it, again a matter of personal preference. There are many ways of using your right hand but if it works for yourself and you get the SOUND you want then that is all that matters. Playing music comes down to sound.

Answer 4

There are different formal styles of playing the guitar. However, all of that has mostly been disregarded except by those who wish to become proficient at the craft. What you most likely had seen was what is called finger picking or travis picking. It is used mostly in Bluegrass, Country, Folk, and Blues types of music. The style can be played on either electric or acoustic guitar. The other more popular style of playing the guitar is call flat picking. I recommend flat picking for the beginner.

Answer 5

Hi Curly...

If what you're referring to is a R/H action besides just holding a pick,,,,,
but more like a 2 fingered finger picking techique...

Thats usually some version/variation of what's called "Clawhammer",,,origins often attributed to Rev.Gary Davis adopting it/employing it for Guitar

It probably came from Banjo Finger picking.

Real simple to try,,,instinctive almost.

Thumb Down>Index Finger Up is easiest way to start.
Each finger is independant usually,,,
and Thumb usually plucks a bass-line rythem,,or alternating bass


The Position is easy,,,
Close your had as if making a fist,,,then use Thumb & Forefinger
like You're "pinching something".

like forming a letter "C" with those 2 fingers,,,
or showing somebody how long an inch is with your thumb/finger

Often,,the thumb strums Down,,while Finger picks UP
But either can work either way.

Real simple style,,but has a lot of flexibility to add control,tone,dynamics,etc to your strumming

Best thing to do is just try it,,,,there's no "wrong way"

Rev Davis got blinded as a very small child,,,and later on had arm or wrist broken which left him sorta crippled..

So it's a style he developed by ear/feel/instinct,,,NOT anything very sophisticated,,,,though so Effective he became Famous for his sound & technique

Try the Clawhammer,,Ya cant go wrong,,,You'll get hang of it very,very quickly

You can fool with that a Long time and do a LOT,,,imagination is only limit I 'spose.

And if You LIKE finger-picking,,you can advance from there and learn more advanced techniques


Or,,,maybe you're seeing something else,,and I misunderstand ?? :)

Either way,,,ya will develop into a better player by advancing beyond thumb strum.

WATCH some videos of Classical Guitarists,,,and Bluegrass Guitar & Banjo,,,and Country Guitarists....Flamenco...
Anybody really,,,but watch their Picking Hand.

It ranges from techniques that are an extremely strict discipline to totally improvisational free style.
And an Infinite mix & match variety of all that.

Some flat-pickers hold pick between thumb & Middle finger,,then index finger is used for picking independantly.
For Notes and effects,,,like touching off harmonics.
Eddie Van Halen is a common example of that.

(You know about artificial harmonics?,,pinched ones,etc? the chime like tones above string's natural frequency,)

Pluck any open string,,then LIGHTY touch it at 12th fret,,and immediately pull finger away----you'll hear the original note stop & break into a higher octave of same note.
Or LIGHTLY rest finger on string at 12th,,pluck & then instanly move finger away from string.

**Finger must be Directly Over the fret,,NOT "between" frets as when actually fretting a note.
And string is NOT pushed down,,,Only Touched

There are certain points on guitar neck where those harmonic nodes exist.
Strongest is at 12th fret,,thus easiest to do
7th fret is probably next.

LOTS of Tone/Style/dynamics is based upon that...
and it looks unusual to an observer to see a Pick
or even finger-picking being used,,,while Forefinger seems to be just flopping around at random

If ya ever get a chance to watch a video of Lindsay Buckingham/Fleetwod Mac,,,,,try to figure what the heck he's doing with his right hand.
The Sight and Sound get pretty far away from each other sometimes-----makes ya wonder if it's a pantomine thats Badly outa sync.
L.B. is an unusual example of what Right Hand can do with unique picking /plucking techniques.

MOST of all,,,have Fun,,Enjoy Yourself.
PRACTICE as you Know ya really Should,,
But "practice experimenting " also.

And work on getting the Other R/H fingers to help your thumb too:)

Hope that helps

Have a Happy New Year!

Answer 6

You could use a pick, where you use your thumb and first finger, but I actually prefer using my thumb like you say you do. You should try a pick, it might be easier. Either way, with or without a pick, is fine, it's just basically what you prefer. Hope I helped...good luck with the guitar!

Answer 7

When you say thumb, do you mean the nail? I can never seem to finger pick for the life of me, so I stick to the pick. Makes things much easier.

Answer 8

If you are playing well the WAY you are playing then strum on! Who is to tell anyone the way they should do things. Things are done different ways, so play the way you are most comfortable!

Answer 9

Honestly... im not making fun, but have you ever tried a pick? they work out a lot better for beginners.... or try struming with all of your fingers... that helps a lot too :)

Answer 10

what you see them doing is holding a pick.