The idea of a gap between your strums is a great idea. First time I have seen that. In one of your future videos would you show what strumming would be best for playing the Blues ? Thanks.
Very helpful, thank you! I came trying to find tips to improve my upstroke (I tend to get caught in the strings on the way up), but came away with other great advice. :)
No worries Roq..hope it helps you out! Thanks for watching! If you like my lessons then you can find lots more and my free online community at my website: jamesshipwayguitar.com Hope to maybe see you there sometime! Cheers, James
I just picked up the guitar after about 40 years of not playing a chord. Remembering the chords were hard but the strumming is what was kicking my ass. Maybe after a certain age a person loses her rhythm (among many, many other things). I watched a plethora of videos and yours helped me the most. I just wanted to thank you. I don't know why yours helped the most, I just know it did. Again, thank you, thank you. Sincerely, Sandie
Hi Sandie, thanks for your message and thanks for watching! Glad the lesson helped you out. Strumming can take a little while to get the hang of so start simple, take it slow, follow these guidelines and sure you'll crack it. Good luck! James
That's awesome Andy, thanks for your comment. Glad the video helped you and good luck with the strumming! There's more at my site too if you enjoy my lessons: jamesshipwayguitar.com Maybe see you there sometime mate! Cheers, James
I always had the impression that on up strum you had to hit every string that you hit on down strum. Such an eye opener that you only have to clip the high E string and B string on up strum.
This was super helpful and is helping me with a particular strumming pattern I've been struggling with for long time. Thank you very much, sharing your expertise is greatly appreciated.
These lessons are eye opener for me especially using the tip only of the pick made a whole lot of difference and sounds good. I subscribed to your site and looking forward to watch the rest of your video. Thanks James.
DUBSTEPx5PRO Thanks for your comment! Really glad it helped you - strumming can be tricky at first and I'm sure you'll find these tips will make a difference.Good luck and remember to subscribe for more! Cheers. James
Thank you for this inspiring helpful and informative video. Although picking came very quickly struggling with strumming. This will definitely be used as a dedicated lesson for me.
Hi Pedro and thanks for watching. Hope it helps you out with your strumming. If you enjoy my lessons take a minute to check out my site for more (plus a load of bonus stuff!). It's jamesshipwayguitar.com or www.totalguitarlab.com Hope to see you there sometime! Cheers, James
Hi again! Yes, this is pretty common. It's about finding the balance between holding pick too tight (creating tension and a nasty sound) or too loose and dropping it. Just experiment with finding that perfect balance really, can take a bit of trial and error but if you're aware of this you'll probably solve it. Some picks are less slippery too...maybe get a few with a rougher surface on them, this can help a bit too. Good luck Colin! James
Hi James thanks for your videos and your lessons are great and easy to understand and learn... Can you do a session for hammer on and pull off.. Thank you..
Hi Daniel. Thanks for watching. In fact you've given me an idea for a 'essential technique tips' video...slides, hammers, pull offs, bends...could be good. Look ut for it over the next month or so. If you like my lessons then there are more at my site jamesshipwayguitar.com Maybe see you there sometime and look out for the video soon! Cheers. James
I'm still a beginner after 2 years, almost. I especially like your advice about breaking down the strum pattern. I need all the advice I can get. I really enjoy my guitar, even though I'll probably always be a "beginner". I practice often and regularly, but only make very small improvements, but, hey, that's better than not at all, right? Looking forward to more of your videos!
Thanks for watching Peggy. We're all beginners! We never stop learning...The regular practice is what counts and will help you get there, glad my video helped point you in the right direction with strumming. Good luck and thanks for watching! James
Hi James! You need to grip it tightly enough to keep hold of it but not TOO tight or it causes tension and messes up your strumming. It's about finding that middle ground....and don't worry if it doesn't happen instantly - it will over time. Relaxation most important thing, then everything becomes easier. Good luck! James
I'm a very much beginner..I'm practising the basic chords every day about 2 hours...can u tell me some videos to improve my self...I'm doing very slow..
Hi. Really enjoyed this video and the 3 step plan. I am struggling with not strumming all the strings when making different chords. Is there a trick or exercise to improve this? Really slows me down
Hi Diane! Thanks for your question ...sorry it's taken me a week to answer. The key to avoiding the strings you don't want to play (for example the low E on a C chord) is this: start with your pick on the lowest string in the chord before you push through the strings to strum. So with a C chord, put your pick on the A string at the start of each strum and push through the strings. This means your below the E string and won't strike it. Make sense? Most people attack all the strings and try to avoid the unwanted strings...doesn't usually work! Begin on the string you want and it will be much easier with a little practice. Good luck and look out for my new channel The Chord Guy coming soon for more chords, strumming and practice tips. Cheers! James
hi James great lessons great channel....yep im a mature age learner....id say in five years ive only come up with a D Em C no way can i play an A with three fingers only two will fit in the fret etc....i cant play a decent F# Bm type chords i try but my fingers wont obey..lol as for strumming...i cant seem to develope "touch" its just one volume i recently bought an electric guitar thinking that it would somehow be easier to key the strings but alas....anyhow the point im trying to make is an hour into watching a couple of your lessons...ive moved forward more than the last five years efforts...so thank you and i will be taking more advice from you as you seem to know how to communicate as opposed to just showing us how good you are....keep rockin
+mick falvey Hi Mick and thanks for your comment. So cool that one video helped you make so much progress. Strumming looks so easy when you see someone do it...but it's not! Takes a while to get that control and 'touch' as you put it. Mostly it's about relaxation to be honest. Keep working at it and sure you'll see good progress soon now you're on the right track! Cheers and speak soon, James P.S. On electric strumming sunds a bit smoother when you turn your volume control on the guitar down a touch (about half on). Seems to take out the rough edges so maybe try that as well.
Thanks for the video tips. I have however a question ,I seem to have distinct sound or rather clean sound doing a down stroke. But when I do a upstroke , the thinner strings seem to get muted and it sounds a bit non rhythmic . Any tips on that ?
Hi there. Thanks for your question. Check that you're pressing the top (thinner) strings down hard enough...it may be that they're not really clear on the down strum either but it doesn't really show because the low strings are louder! Check you're not muffling them with your fretting hand fingers too, this is easy to do. Other than that just keep your up strum relaxed and soft like I say in the video. Takes a bit of practice so persevere...you'll get there! Good luck, James
Hey Shahwaiz! Takes a little practice. Keep your strumming hand really close to the strings and make sure it's really relaxed. Also start with really easy patterns with just 1 or 2 up strums. You'll get the hang of it with some practice. Good luck! James
Chris Quigley Hi! A little bit...but probably not too much. Your wrist definitely wants to be relaxed! Copy how I do it...doesn't have to be exactly the same but if you're doing this you'll be on the right track. Hope that helps! James
thank you main problem i have is with up strumming. sounds load & harsh as if im only catching the bottom string. i thought it was because was angling the pick up on the down strum; so the angle wasn't right for the up strum. Though now I think its just a case of not being relaxed enough. Will keep persevering thanks for the great guitar videos. great help
No problem. Think you're right...probably just need to relax more and keep pick really close to strings. It's ok to only catch 2-3 strings on up strums too! Cheers and good luck. James
Hey there, thanks for watching and commenting! Yes, the technique is pretty much the same although you may want to be a bit softer. If you strum too hard it might sound a bit harsh on electric with distortion (depending on your sound). But just keep relaxed, small strumming movements and should work well. Cheers! James
is there any way you could tell me what kind of guitar I can use for big hands everyone says you will not be able to play the guitar with your hands you need a bass guitar is that true also how can I find a guide for where to put your fingers thank you for the tip with the upstroke that really helped thank you
Hi there! Hard to say without seeing your hands, but not a normal problem (unless your hands are totally huge!). Learning to play is really about learning to use whatever you've got...sometimes big hands can be an advantage. I think the key this is probably to keep your fingers on their tips as you play your chords so that they don't 'squash' surrounding strings and deaden the sound. Try this and see how you get on. May be take a lesson with a good teacher too to assess the situation. Failing that, yes, a bass will give you a little more room but is essentially a different instrument (not for chords, strumming, etc). Hope this helps you out mate and good luck! james
God bless I started taking my guitar in church playing Arabic hymns The problem now my friend on keyboard always go lower pitch using the capo For example Webhd hymn Am,F,E.... She put her keyboard -2 which is G.... Didnt known what to,do
Hi there! All you can really do is work out the new chords and play them I think. If she was going +2 then you could capo at the 2nd fret...but when it's going down you'll just have to move the chords. You could retune but think it'll be a big pain! Hope that this is helpful, good luck! James
Hi Vishal. This is tricky when you start out for sure! I'm guessing you mean your fretting hand fingers are touching the other strings and spoiling the sound. It's not easy to start but try to keep your fingers on their tips and press the string down hard into the fingerboard. This will help them to clear the other strings. Don't worry if it doesn't happen instantly...persevere and you'll get there. Cheers and good luck! James
relaxing my shoulder/arm/wrist/hand improved my strumming abit, still sounds like im raping my strings though when im using my pick, it sounds better when im using my thumb, i guess it will improve over time. Still, a great vid, thanks!
Hi Stef. Glad it helped! Try keeping your grip on the pick a little more relaxed and keep it really close to the strings. This should help keep it more cdontrolled and less harsh sounding. Good luck! James
Hi Gordon. Thanks for watching! Correct, it often sounds better and is easier if you only strum the top few strings (thinner strings). Might seem a bit wierd but try it...it works. Good luck, James
The idea of a gap between your strums is a great idea. First time I have seen that. In one of your future videos would you show what strumming would be best for playing the Blues ? Thanks.
this is the best strumming lesson as i have ever seen so far on youtube.
So helpful!!!! Thank You...nice'n easy exercise applications...and It helps me to say it out loud too...much appreciated!
Nice, I was hugely struggling with upward strumm now got it....
This is incredibly helpful!! Thank you so much!
Explained beautifully. Thank you very much.
Very helpful, thank you! I came trying to find tips to improve my upstroke (I tend to get caught in the strings on the way up), but came away with other great advice. :)
Cool Dana. ..thanks for your comment. Really glad that this video helped you out. Good luck with the strumming!
Great lesson. Been practicing strummg and this was another good lesson....
Thank you for this. Very well presented and is exactly what I’ve been looking for.
Thanks excellent video, in particular your tip about upstrums!
No worries Roq..hope it helps you out! Thanks for watching! If you like my lessons then you can find lots more and my free online community at my website: jamesshipwayguitar.com Hope to maybe see you there sometime! Cheers, James
Very helpful , thanks James.
I just picked up the guitar after about 40 years of not playing a chord. Remembering the chords were hard but the strumming is what was kicking my ass. Maybe after a certain age a person loses her rhythm (among many, many other things). I watched a plethora of videos and yours helped me the most. I just wanted to thank you. I don't know why yours helped the most, I just know it did. Again, thank you, thank you. Sincerely, Sandie
Hi Sandie, thanks for your message and thanks for watching! Glad the lesson helped you out. Strumming can take a little while to get the hang of so start simple, take it slow, follow these guidelines and sure you'll crack it. Good luck! James
Very good! Clear, schematic and right to the point. Very useful and essential tips, thanks.
Explanation & experience v nice..
Tq
Thanks James really like this video really helpful
That's awesome Andy, thanks for your comment. Glad the video helped you and good luck with the strumming! There's more at my site too if you enjoy my lessons: jamesshipwayguitar.com Maybe see you there sometime mate! Cheers, James
James you are really encouraging 👏 colin
I always had the impression that on up strum you had to hit every string that you hit on down strum. Such an eye opener that you only have to clip the high E string and B string on up strum.
Glad it helped you out! yes, a common mistake and so much easier when you get used to playing the top strings only with the up strum. Good luck! james
This was super helpful and is helping me with a particular strumming pattern I've been struggling with for long time. Thank you very much, sharing your expertise is greatly appreciated.
Very useful..especially for beginners like me who havn't held a guitar ever..ty sir..
Glad it helped, thanks for watching!
These lessons are eye opener for me especially using the tip only of the pick made a whole lot of difference and sounds good. I subscribed to your site and looking forward to watch the rest of your video. Thanks James.
Thank you very much.This really helped me :D.
DUBSTEPx5PRO Thanks for your comment! Really glad it helped you - strumming can be tricky at first and I'm sure you'll find these tips will make a difference.Good luck and remember to subscribe for more! Cheers. James
Thank you for this inspiring helpful and informative video. Although picking came very quickly struggling with strumming. This will definitely be used as a dedicated lesson for me.
Thanks for watching David, hope it helps your strumming along! Cheers, James
Very useful lesson...
Thanks for watching Sujeewa and good luck with the strumming! James
Good video! Thanks.
Very well explained
Thanks for watching Riya...hope the strumming is going well so far! Cheers, James
Thank you James for your great video!! Very helpful, and very clear to understand :)
Hi Pedro and thanks for watching. Hope it helps you out with your strumming. If you enjoy my lessons take a minute to check out my site for more (plus a load of bonus stuff!). It's jamesshipwayguitar.com or www.totalguitarlab.com Hope to see you there sometime! Cheers, James
Great tutorial. I'm finding the pick is slipping round ? How do I solve this
Hi again! Yes, this is pretty common. It's about finding the balance between holding pick too tight (creating tension and a nasty sound) or too loose and dropping it. Just experiment with finding that perfect balance really, can take a bit of trial and error but if you're aware of this you'll probably solve it. Some picks are less slippery too...maybe get a few with a rougher surface on them, this can help a bit too. Good luck Colin! James
Great vid !
Great lesson, very helpful and encouraging.
No
Thanks man 😊 subscribed 😊😊
Hi James thanks for your videos and your lessons are great and easy to understand and learn... Can you do a session for hammer on and pull off.. Thank you..
Hi Daniel. Thanks for watching. In fact you've given me an idea for a 'essential technique tips' video...slides, hammers, pull offs, bends...could be good. Look ut for it over the next month or so. If you like my lessons then there are more at my site jamesshipwayguitar.com Maybe see you there sometime and look out for the video soon! Cheers. James
James Shipway Guitar thanks for considering my request...
Thankyou for the video.
Very very useful.
Thanks for watching Amit. Good luck with the strumming my friend! James
Thanks
It's useful for me
Thanks for watching Rahul! Good luck with the strumming practice. Cheers! James
hey how to do press strings during strumming ..its give a rock sound sound
I'm still a beginner after 2 years, almost. I especially like your advice about breaking down the strum pattern. I need all the advice I can get. I really enjoy my guitar, even though I'll probably always be a "beginner". I practice often and regularly, but only make very small improvements, but, hey, that's better than not at all, right? Looking forward to more of your videos!
Thanks for watching Peggy. We're all beginners! We never stop learning...The regular practice is what counts and will help you get there, glad my video helped point you in the right direction with strumming. Good luck and thanks for watching! James
Thank you
i have a great on up strums
dude what to do...?
How do you stop the pick from moving around if you don't grip it ?
Hi James! You need to grip it tightly enough to keep hold of it but not TOO tight or it causes tension and messes up your strumming. It's about finding that middle ground....and don't worry if it doesn't happen instantly - it will over time. Relaxation most important thing, then everything becomes easier. Good luck! James
Just saying thanks great lesson
Thanks for watching Greg! Glad you found it helpful and good luck with the strumming! Cheers, James
Glad it helped you out Greg. Thanks for watching! James
actually problem is the sound come when u strum with pick means pick sound
I'm a very much beginner..I'm practising the basic chords every day about 2 hours...can u tell me some videos to improve my self...I'm doing very slow..
Jazz III strumming! ;-)
Hi. Really enjoyed this video and the 3 step plan. I am struggling with not strumming all the strings when making different chords. Is there a trick or exercise to improve this? Really slows me down
Hi Diane! Thanks for your question ...sorry it's taken me a week to answer. The key to avoiding the strings you don't want to play (for example the low E on a C chord) is this: start with your pick on the lowest string in the chord before you push through the strings to strum. So with a C chord, put your pick on the A string at the start of each strum and push through the strings. This means your below the E string and won't strike it. Make sense? Most people attack all the strings and try to avoid the unwanted strings...doesn't usually work! Begin on the string you want and it will be much easier with a little practice. Good luck and look out for my new channel The Chord Guy coming soon for more chords, strumming and practice tips. Cheers! James
hi James great lessons great channel....yep im a mature age learner....id say in five years ive only come up with a D Em C no way can i play an A with three fingers only two will fit in the fret etc....i cant play a decent F# Bm type chords i try but my fingers wont obey..lol as for strumming...i cant seem to develope "touch" its just one volume i recently bought an electric guitar thinking that it would somehow be easier to key the strings but alas....anyhow the point im trying to make is an hour into watching a couple of your lessons...ive moved forward more than the last five years efforts...so thank you and i will be taking more advice from you as you seem to know how to communicate as opposed to just showing us how good you are....keep rockin
+mick falvey Hi Mick and thanks for your comment. So cool that one video helped you make so much progress. Strumming looks so easy when you see someone do it...but it's not! Takes a while to get that control and 'touch' as you put it. Mostly it's about relaxation to be honest. Keep working at it and sure you'll see good progress soon now you're on the right track! Cheers and speak soon, James
P.S. On electric strumming sunds a bit smoother when you turn your volume control on the guitar down a touch (about half on). Seems to take out the rough edges so maybe try that as well.
Thanks for the video tips. I have however a question ,I seem to have distinct sound or rather clean sound doing a down stroke.
But when I do a upstroke , the thinner strings seem to get muted and it sounds a bit non rhythmic . Any tips on that ?
Hi there. Thanks for your question. Check that you're pressing the top (thinner) strings down hard enough...it may be that they're not really clear on the down strum either but it doesn't really show because the low strings are louder! Check you're not muffling them with your fretting hand fingers too, this is easy to do. Other than that just keep your up strum relaxed and soft like I say in the video. Takes a bit of practice so persevere...you'll get there! Good luck, James
i have a great problem on up strumps
what to.do dude ....?
Hey Shahwaiz! Takes a little practice. Keep your strumming hand really close to the strings and make sure it's really relaxed. Also start with really easy patterns with just 1 or 2 up strums. You'll get the hang of it with some practice. Good luck! James
hi. should you rotate your wrist when strumming?
Chris Quigley Hi! A little bit...but probably not too much. Your wrist definitely wants to be relaxed! Copy how I do it...doesn't have to be exactly the same but if you're doing this you'll be on the right track. Hope that helps! James
thank you
main problem i have is with up strumming. sounds load & harsh as if im only catching the bottom string. i thought it was because was angling the pick up on the down strum; so the angle wasn't right for the up strum. Though now I think its just a case of not being relaxed enough. Will keep persevering
thanks for the great guitar videos. great help
No problem. Think you're right...probably just need to relax more and keep pick really close to strings. It's ok to only catch 2-3 strings on up strums too! Cheers and good luck. James
Do you use exactly the same technique when playing with distortion/overdrive strumming over 2 or 3 strings?
Hey there, thanks for watching and commenting! Yes, the technique is pretty much the same although you may want to be a bit softer. If you strum too hard it might sound a bit harsh on electric with distortion (depending on your sound). But just keep relaxed, small strumming movements and should work well. Cheers! James
Thanks a lot. Really good teacher.
Can i contact you..??
is there any way you could tell me what kind of guitar I can use for big hands everyone says you will not be able to play the guitar with your hands you need a bass guitar is that true also how can I find a guide for where to put your fingers thank you for the tip with the upstroke that really helped thank you
Hi there! Hard to say without seeing your hands, but not a normal problem (unless your hands are totally huge!). Learning to play is really about learning to use whatever you've got...sometimes big hands can be an advantage. I think the key this is probably to keep your fingers on their tips as you play your chords so that they don't 'squash' surrounding strings and deaden the sound. Try this and see how you get on. May be take a lesson with a good teacher too to assess the situation. Failing that, yes, a bass will give you a little more room but is essentially a different instrument (not for chords, strumming, etc). Hope this helps you out mate and good luck! james
God bless
I started taking my guitar in church playing Arabic hymns
The problem now my friend on keyboard always go lower pitch using the capo
For example
Webhd hymn
Am,F,E....
She put her keyboard -2 which is G....
Didnt known what to,do
Hi there! All you can really do is work out the new chords and play them I think. If she was going +2 then you could capo at the 2nd fret...but when it's going down you'll just have to move the chords. You could retune but think it'll be a big pain! Hope that this is helpful, good luck! James
my fingers always gets touched to other strings. i tried hard but cant make it.
Hi Vishal. This is tricky when you start out for sure! I'm guessing you mean your fretting hand fingers are touching the other strings and spoiling the sound. It's not easy to start but try to keep your fingers on their tips and press the string down hard into the fingerboard. This will help them to clear the other strings. Don't worry if it doesn't happen instantly...persevere and you'll get there. Cheers and good luck! James
relaxing my shoulder/arm/wrist/hand improved my strumming abit, still sounds like im raping my strings though when im using my pick, it sounds better when im using my thumb, i guess it will improve over time. Still, a great vid, thanks!
Hi Stef. Glad it helped! Try keeping your grip on the pick a little more relaxed and keep it really close to the strings. This should help keep it more cdontrolled and less harsh sounding. Good luck! James
Thank you James! So For the up strums, I'm not supposed to strum all the strings up or something? I'm confused
Hi Gordon. Thanks for watching! Correct, it often sounds better and is easier if you only strum the top few strings (thinner strings). Might seem a bit wierd but try it...it works. Good luck, James
"Stay tuned" pun intented?
your guitar name??
Hi there! It's a Freshman guitar. Cheers! James
James Shipway Guitar n plz make a lesson on struming with hand i mean without pic .....plz