Hi Thomas! I struggled initially using a pick. Then I started using a really thin one at .38mm. After a couple of weeks moved to .46mm and so on. It worked a treat! Maybe helpful to other beginners..........you can buy packs of mixed sizes.
YES... that's great Phil. I wish I would have mentioned this in the video. I usually do have students start with a thin pick. Thanks so much for adding your comment.
Thanks a lot! I didn't knew it's easier to learn with a thin pick. I don't know if that's only me,but I'm able to hear sound of pick being striking to the strings along with the sound of guitar..., Is that normal?
The part about changing the pressure of the thumb, I mean I have been playing guitar for 25 years and that little change is such a tremendous help, thank you for sharing!
@@gretataylor7548 I got that problem as well. But when I hold the pick more loosely it slips away haha Man, strumming is really difficult. Way more then it looks. But I'll get there!
thanks, i watched this at just the right time. i have learned to strum but was getting frustrated by the harsh noise and trying all sorts of different angles. Now i know i am heading in the right direction and working on the right things. Clear simple tutorial.
I played fingerstyle for nearly two years neglecting my poor plectrum all this long. Now, can’t even hold it tightly enough. I found your video helpful, thank you sir!
with good practice and focus in mind of smooth strumming,it is achieved.after 6 month of good practice I can strumm very smother.sometime it sounds so cool and soothing to myself.thanks a lot
Thanks Thomas. I have played for 2.5 years and still struggle to strum smoothly with a pick. I tend to dig in to much. Still dont feel 100% comfortable when using a pick, but its getting better though. I started with a really thin pick but has now moved up to 0.7-0.9. Loads of practice is the only thing that works for me.
Man, it doesn't matter how much i practise i just cant atrum smoothly with a pick. With my hand it's just fine, but i can't produce the same sound as to when strumming with a pick so it's really frustrating...
Thanks for commenting, RickySpanish. I've felt that way many times while learning guitar. Even now I when I'm learning something new. You sound normal.
Don't be too hard on yourself. Many players such as Leon Bridges don't play with a pick and they sound great. It has it's benefits but it shouldn't hold you back. There's no wrong way to play guitar. The only rule is to make it sound musical.
Yo Boy Jude I play in a small room an I strum with my thumb as light as I can. It works well but I seldom get to use a pick. It’s way too loud. If I strum soft with a pick I can hear the pick clicking against the strings.
@@russelldavidoakley2802 honestly learning to strung with a pick is nice as the sound of the pick hitting the strings is satisfying but if u wanna sing its better to use a mix and adjust audio
Thanks a million for this. I've always played acoustic blues with my fingers. Now I'm learning to play an electric guitar with a pick and I'm finding it incredibly difficult to srum amoothly. Having watched your video about holding the pick and how to strum everything has suddenly improved. The best advice I've found on You tube.
Before I listened to your lesson, I had heard that I should hold the pick very loosely. This didn’t make sense to me but when I heard your advice about rolling the thumb back slightly, it worked much better! Thanks!
Glad to help Anna! It is a bit of a balance. If it's too tight it sounds rough. But too loose... well, I've fished many a pick out of my sound hole of the guitar :(
I play ukulele and this video was just as helpful and the only one I could find that got to the point of the video in a simple and direct way. Thank you!
Thank you. I watched a video of myself and didn't realize how roough my strum was. I have trouble with my wrist which makes it hard and even painful. But, this helps.
Hello sir.. I watched every video on youtube about strumming... and nothing helped me out. Lots of thanks to you from whole my heart sir.. I really improved just by watching your hand gestures. It was a great lesson.
Just watched your video. I am in the process of learning the guitar. Helped me a lot to understand strumming. Look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks.
Tomas, great video. When I am strumming with pick, side of the palm which is bottom part of the thumb portion is also touching the strings sometimes and it's hindering good sounds coming out of the strings. Could you please suggest what I am doing wrong here?
Thanks so much for this - just what I needed. I’m playing electric and trying to do the chords for come as you are and I wanna try and accomplish my favorite nirvana songs and this helped so thanks. I’m not great yet but I hope soon.
I tried going further away from my guitar on my down strum than I thought I had to and it sounded way better, I think it works because there is more space to adjust the pick
I have just seen this video and i alot of the times because i just start using a pick i miss the bottom string alot when im trying to play the song mocking bird
This video really helped! Takes quite a bit of practice. Any tips on only strumming 2 strings like the 3rd and 4th and palm muted? I cant get it to be super smooth and i am hitting other strings or get 'hung up' on a string.
I had a big mistake in strumming and picking for long ..I used my fingers [index and thumb] for moving the pick instead of using the whole wrist to move the pick ...
When I strum loud, some strings touch my fingers ,not during every single downstrums but on certain random down strums. Is it normal? Should I correct by left hand position? It's alright when I strum gently. Thanks in advance.
Hi Tomas thanks for your guitar leason=) I have a question. I try to train my Guitar pick strumming at the moment. How do you make a smooth movement on specific notes without strumming the other notes ? My Finger strumming works for this problem but i struggle with a guitar pick. 😅Best Regards Qin 😁
I had trouble with a pick till I tried a Herco flat thumb pick which I found was the perfect solution. Not only did my strumming improve, but since all the fingers remain free, finger picking can continue as usual.
Great video! Thanks for posting this. I have been learning to play the guitar for over the past year but have been struggling trying to use a pick. I have used just my fingers up to this point but I know it is better if I learn to play with a pick. I have watched other videos but it has not helped me like yours has. I have always had trouble with upstrums as I don't catch many of the strings or not at all. Your advice to angle the pick and place your thumb higher on the pick to give it more flex really helped. I still have to practice this more but this is the first time I have felt, "I think I can do this!"
Ive learned to strum very similarly to how it is shown in this video. Ive encountered an issue learning to palm mute. Other player seem to twist their hand much less which makes palm muting possible. Any tips on managing this transition?
@@TomasMichaud but sir strumming and singing at the same time is difficult for me .. But also i am beginner so can u help me sir or make a video pls sir
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Hi Thomas! I struggled initially using a pick. Then I started using a really thin one at .38mm. After a couple of weeks moved to .46mm and so on. It worked a treat! Maybe helpful to other beginners..........you can buy packs of mixed sizes.
YES... that's great Phil. I wish I would have mentioned this in the video. I usually do have students start with a thin pick. Thanks so much for adding your comment.
good point
i tried using a thin pick but the sound became very high and made my head hurt when playing.. idk
MayZay I only used it for a short time......and no headaches! 🤣🤣
Thanks a lot! I didn't knew it's easier to learn with a thin pick.
I don't know if that's only me,but I'm able to hear sound of pick being striking to the strings along with the sound of guitar..., Is that normal?
Finally, someone that explains the down strum and up strum angles so concisely and clearly, thank you!!!
The part about changing the pressure of the thumb, I mean I have been playing guitar for 25 years and that little change is such a tremendous help, thank you for sharing!
You're very welcome Annette.
Sometimes I totally miss the strings and other times i hit them too hard...Its frustrating
I had this when I first started, but if you hold the pick more loosely it stops you from hitting the bottom string too hard (sorry for taking so long)
I have the same problem!
I just started and have a same problem. Thank you for help guys :)
@@gretataylor7548 I got that problem as well. But when I hold the pick more loosely it slips away haha
Man, strumming is really difficult. Way more then it looks. But I'll get there!
Same
I'm new to guitar - plus I'm older - so I feel especially challenged. Your videos make learning feel easy, possible and fun. Thank you!
You can do it Molly!
thanks, i watched this at just the right time. i have learned to strum but was getting frustrated by the harsh noise and trying all sorts of different angles. Now i know i am heading in the right direction and working on the right things. Clear simple tutorial.
1:27 such a great tip, i've never seen that before but i can feel it makes a difference straight away.
Thanks for your feedback!
Whenever I upstrum, the first two strings stand out a lot and sound super twangy if that makes sense... How do I fix it 😭
Mmm, practise really slowly just doing up strums and really emphasise the wrist twisting motion. Also revise your pick grip tightness if necessary
Dean Spence Thanks I’ll try it
Same problem here
SAme here
Sameee I suck at strumming😂😂
My pick doesn't wiggle wiggle, IT DROPS 🤣
I played fingerstyle for nearly two years neglecting my poor plectrum all this long. Now, can’t even hold it tightly enough.
I found your video helpful, thank you sir!
with good practice and focus in mind of smooth strumming,it is achieved.after 6 month of good practice I can strumm very smother.sometime it sounds so cool and soothing to myself.thanks a lot
You're welcome Govind. Nothing takes the place of focus and persistence.
6 months to sound okay??? Oh god my downstairs neighbour is going to hate me haha.
Thanks Thomas. I have played for 2.5 years and still struggle to strum smoothly with a pick. I tend to dig in to much. Still dont feel 100% comfortable when using a pick, but its getting better though. I started with a really thin pick but has now moved up to 0.7-0.9. Loads of practice is the only thing that works for me.
Sounds like you're on the right track Johan.
what about now?
Man, it doesn't matter how much i practise i just cant atrum smoothly with a pick. With my hand it's just fine, but i can't produce the same sound as to when strumming with a pick so it's really frustrating...
Thanks for commenting, RickySpanish. I've felt that way many times while learning guitar. Even now I when I'm learning something new. You sound normal.
Same !!!
I'm the exact same way I got huge hand picks just don't work for me ...it pissed me off after a few weeks so now I just use my fingers
I started guitar using a pick but when I started studying fingerstyle,welp I kinda forgot how to use a pick now hahahahha like wtf haha
Don't be too hard on yourself. Many players such as Leon Bridges don't play with a pick and they sound great. It has it's benefits but it shouldn't hold you back. There's no wrong way to play guitar. The only rule is to make it sound musical.
how do i strum quietly so i can sing over the top without a mic, particularly when strumming fast rhythm
I HAVE THE SAME EXACT QUESTION AND NO ONES TALKING ABOUT IT
Yo Boy Jude I play in a small room an I strum with my thumb as light as I can. It works well but I seldom get to use a pick. It’s way too loud. If I strum soft with a pick I can hear the pick clicking against the strings.
@@russelldavidoakley2802 honestly learning to strung with a pick is nice as the sound of the pick hitting the strings is satisfying but if u wanna sing its better to use a mix and adjust audio
Russell David Oakley it’s such a pain and i’m trying so hard to use a pick because my hands are really awkward
You can also maybe just play the song with power chords during singing parts.
Excellent help from an absolute beginner aged 63. Many thanks. Love from Scotland 🏴
Happy to help! Hang in there :)
Thanks a million for this. I've always played acoustic blues with my fingers. Now I'm learning to play an electric guitar with a pick and I'm finding it incredibly difficult to srum amoothly. Having watched your video about holding the pick and how to strum everything has suddenly improved. The best advice I've found on You tube.
Glad I could help, Lightnin991.
Thank you for being so clear and concise! That was really helpful!
Before I listened to your lesson, I had heard that I should hold the pick very loosely. This didn’t make sense to me but when I heard your advice about rolling the thumb back slightly, it worked much better! Thanks!
Glad to help Anna! It is a bit of a balance. If it's too tight it sounds rough. But too loose... well, I've fished many a pick out of my sound hole of the guitar :(
I play ukulele and this video was just as helpful and the only one I could find that got to the point of the video in a simple and direct way. Thank you!
Glad it helped Maribugg!
In fact this a most important Lesson thanks a lot
Thank you. I watched a video of myself and didn't realize how roough my strum was. I have trouble with my wrist which makes it hard and even painful. But, this helps.
Glad I could help, Jim.
I will try it, thank you for this information.
Thank you man this will come in handy I feel a guitar pick brings the guitar alive a little more
Thanks for commenting, Bill. I'm glad you found this helpful.
Hello sir.. I watched every video on youtube about strumming... and nothing helped me out. Lots of thanks to you from whole my heart sir.. I really improved just by watching your hand gestures. It was a great lesson.
Great lesson - to the point and helped solve something I've been wondering about for a while - thanks!
Incredibly helpful. Wish I woulda found this video sooner. Thx.
Thanks for the Angle part,I was using it straight but by angling it's way smooth
Hi, I just discovered your channel. So helpful and straightforward! Thank you very much and keep it like that. Cheers!
It's nice to hear from you, echavezr2012. Thanks!
thank god, this is video I have been looking for! what a relief! thanks for the tips, really useful
You're very welcome Lin.
Ha, and I felt dumb for not being able to strum... thank you, this is really helpful!
Very glad you put this video out, very helpful
Glad it was helpful!
time stands
1.technique - 0:48
2.technique - 1.59
Thanks Tomas, great simple tricks to solve issues.
Happy to help Alan.
That was a very clear and logical explanation! Thanks for that!
You're very welcome!
This was so incredibly helpful, thank you so much!!!
Loved the video. I was struggling with this for quite some time.
Glad I could help, Stringfreak.
A genius and a life saver!
Thanks!
Just what I needed thank you. Now I just need to get accurate with hitting the right strings for the chords I’m playing.
You can do it!
thank you i now understand how to strum a bit
"so you can sound like a pro on your guitar"
We're not there yet, please don't rush me
so hows your progress after nine months?
Just watched your video. I am in the process of learning the guitar. Helped me a lot to understand strumming. Look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks.
Glad I could help, Pat.
That was a good lesson man 👏👍
Glad you liked it!
Tomas, great video. When I am strumming with pick, side of the palm which is bottom part of the thumb portion is also touching the strings sometimes and it's hindering good sounds coming out of the strings. Could you please suggest what I am doing wrong here?
Thanks so much for this - just what I needed. I’m playing electric and trying to do the chords for come as you are and I wanna try and accomplish my favorite nirvana songs and this helped so thanks. I’m not great yet but I hope soon.
Thanks for your help! As a future music educator, this was very useful instruction.
Glad it was helpful!
I tried going further away from my guitar on my down strum than I thought I had to and it sounded way better, I think it works because there is more space to adjust the pick
That makes sense Sam. I applaud you for experimenting. I've learned a lot by just trying different things to see what works.
Thank you! First actual detailed instructions!
You're welcome!
U are ever nice guitar instructor how i feel .. thank you and god bless you
Thanks, sujeewa dodamgoda. God bless you.
Really helpful thanks sir
Most welcome
Useful lesson even just to put your attention onto your strumming. Good tips. Thanks.
This is super useful, thank you!
I have just seen this video and i alot of the times because i just start using a pick i miss the bottom string alot when im trying to play the song mocking bird
Amazing, just what I was looking for!
Glad I could help!
This video really helped! Takes quite a bit of practice.
Any tips on only strumming 2 strings like the 3rd and 4th and palm muted? I cant get it to be super smooth and i am hitting other strings or get 'hung up' on a string.
Thanks for commenting, Mr. Studer. I'm going to make a lesson on how to avoid hitting the wrong strings. Would that help?
super helpfull thanks brotha always enjoy learning from your videos
You're very welcome Christian.
Thank you! I’ll try this
You're welcome.
Excelleny tutorial man!!!😇😇
Glad you liked it!
The most helpful video I found on this subject. Thanks man!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! This made my strumming sound so much better!
Glad I could help Sienna!
Thanks a lot sir I learnt to strum my guitar within no time after watching ur video.
Glad I could help, Terence. Keep it up!
Thanks! This was super helpful. The other begginer videos I watched just said - strum up and down. This was so helpful! Thanks.
Glad it was helpful Jeff!
Thanks for the good explanation.
You are welcome!
Thanks ! This helped a lot !
this was so awesome to watch. thank you for your work
You're very welcome Vince.
Super helpful!! 💥👍🤜🤛 thanks!!
I don't know how to strings properly. Because I'm a lefty. I feel weird and when I strum it sounds harsh
I am also a lefty. Teaching myself to play a right handed guitar. Practice practice practice, you eventually teach your right hand
I had a big mistake in strumming and picking for long ..I used my fingers [index and thumb] for moving the pick instead of using the whole wrist to move the pick ...
When I strum loud, some strings touch my fingers ,not during every single downstrums but on certain random down strums. Is it normal? Should I correct by left hand position? It's alright when I strum gently. Thanks in advance.
Nice one Tomas!
Thanks!
Thank you you are very helpful
Happy to help
Really helpful thank you!
just helped me strum first time !
Rock on!
Very succinct and useful advice. Big help, ty.
Glad it was helpful Dan!
Omg I was struggling so much but I found this video and it totally helped!
Glad I could help, Cinnamøn_ Tøast.
Man, I love you for this video!!
Glad you enjoyed it FenderGuy!
Hi Tomas thanks for your guitar leason=) I have a question. I try to train my Guitar pick strumming at the moment. How do you make a smooth movement on specific notes without strumming the other notes ? My Finger strumming works for this problem but i struggle with a guitar pick. 😅Best Regards Qin 😁
Amazing🔥🔥
I had trouble with a pick till I tried a Herco flat thumb pick which I found was the perfect solution. Not only did my strumming improve, but since all the fingers remain free, finger picking can continue as usual.
That's cool Savta. Thanks for sharing.
Great video! Thanks for posting this. I have been learning to play the guitar for over the past year but have been struggling trying to use a pick. I have used just my fingers up to this point but I know it is better if I learn to play with a pick. I have watched other videos but it has not helped me like yours has. I have always had trouble with upstrums as I don't catch many of the strings or not at all. Your advice to angle the pick and place your thumb higher on the pick to give it more flex really helped. I still have to practice this more but this is the first time I have felt, "I think I can do this!"
Glad I could help, rbtomio.
Yes, you're a big help to me
I'm glad to hear that Dean.
legend. thank you
You're welcome!
thank you so much!! After watching this video I can use a pick!!
Glad I could help, Dimana.
Thanks so much Tomas!
My pleasure!
Great tips, thank you!
You're very welcome Lanora.
Best lesson on how to hold a pick properly out there. Thanks a lot for clear and quick instructions! Now i'm off to annoy the neighbours :-)
Glad it helped Karl!
Helped a lot uncle love ya!
Glad I could help, Bee Stinger.
U ARE AMAZING THANK UUÙUUU
Thanks bro helps a lot
THABK YOU SO MUCH!!!! i was struggling for sooo long 😭😭 this helped!!!!
You're very welcome, Lily. I'm glad I could help.
Ive learned to strum very similarly to how it is shown in this video. Ive encountered an issue learning to palm mute. Other player seem to twist their hand much less which makes palm muting possible. Any tips on managing this transition?
This really helped!! Thank you !!
You're welcome!
Thanks for the help, subscribed!
Thanks for the sub Mike!
great video thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Im a classical guitar player and i just bought an electrical guitar recently. Using pick is really hard for me...
Thanks for commenting, Nevarky. Yes, I'm not surprised... keep at it. It will get better by being persistent.
Great !!! Thank you.
Welcome Dax!
Thank u sir very helpfull keep going sir
Always welcome Suman.
@@TomasMichaud but sir strumming and singing at the same time is difficult for me ..
But also i am beginner so can u help me sir or make a video pls sir
Very helpful 👍
Glad it was helpful Shehal!
Thhhshhanks alot man!
You're welcome!
Thank you!
You're very welcome.
Excellent
Thank you, Ejaz!