How do i improve my guitar strumming?

Question

I never feel confident with my strumming, how can i do better??

Answer 1

Like the old saying goes: "Practice Makes Perfect"

My boyfriend plays and one of his friends told him that the way he learned was by practicing until his fingertips bled. He is very good now.

: )

Answer 2

When you strum make sure you're holding your pick (or if not a pick then your fingers together) in a comfortable position, so that you have a firm hold on it and good control. Practice strumming just the first two strings without hitting the other strings, then try three strings, then four and so on until you are sure of the position of each string. Then try strumming the third and fourth strings without touching the other ones, and next try strumming the second, third, fourth, and fifth strings together, and so on. Finally see if you can skip strings. Once you can do all of this, you should be pretty good at strumming

Answer 3

I've been working on this, too.

1) Try out different picks and see which ones you strum the best with. You might even like different picks for different styles. Try a bunch!
2) JUST LISTEN TO MUSIC! Pay attention to the rhythms and to what the guitars are doing. Tap the rhythm.
3) For me, it's not that I can't hear the rhythm in my head, it's just that it's hard for my hand to actually strum it! So for this you just have to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
4) Don't get too crazy too soon. Start out with slower, down strumming rhythms. Then when you're confident with those, add in a little bit of 'up strumming'. UMM I've played guitar for long enough. I SHOULD know this terminology...LOL But you know what I mean! Then start working on faster rhythms. Just make sure you're not trying to do too much too soon!


GOOD LUCK! DON'T GIVE UP!!!!

Answer 4

GUITAR strumming is something that takes a little time,i have been playing guitar for almost 16 years and that was the hardest part for me.i suggest you start out with alot of open chords,then add one finger at a time,and then work your way up to the harder chords,be sure you are holding your pick correctly,picking is all about timing start slow and then work on speed,might i also suggest sanding one side of your pick with sandpaper very gently,this helps to grasp the strings a little better.I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Practise, of course. Try simple rhythms and patterns of strumming to a steady metronome over and over. Muscular memory requires about 700 repeats of a motion to feel comfortable and 'mindless'. Choose your strum pattern and then do it 700 times. I'm a classical guitarist.... good luck.....actually try a 'few patterns'... but it sounds like you need a metronome for now.

Answer 6

Lessons. Practice. Endurance.

Answer 7

Practice and eventually you'll get better. I suggest getting a tape recorder so you can go back and listen to yourself to see where you can improve. Good luck.

Answer 8

practice, practice, practice.

video tape yourself strumming. maybe that can help?

Answer 9

Practice, alot.

Answer 10

PRACTICE ON A SONG U LIKE THE MOST,AND U KNW BUILD CONFIDENCE,ITS JUST U WHO LACKS IN CONFIDENCE,PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE,BUILD CONFIDENCE TILL U CAN STRUM WITHOUT FEELING BAD.