Guitar strumming styles is what playing guitar is all about. There are several different methods in which to go about this but in the end it’s nothing more than you playing the notes how you want to play them. Your strumming hand is what defines you as a guitarist and while you can play the same four chords in a progression like someone else you can make it sound completely different. Guitar strumming styles will vary from acoustic to electric (naturally) and you will want to make sure you are applying the right technique to the right guitar.
Acoustic – Guitar Strumming Styles
The acoustic is going to take a much more fluent motion of your strumming hand. It will consist of strumming both up and down in a progression and on time. This can be a true test of how well you are keeping time. For example strum down-up-down-up and count as you do this or tap your foot (always tap your foot to keep time) to the time of 1-2-3-4 and always remember when you are first starting to learn guitar you should always just try and keep everything in a 16 bar so this will always allow you to keep time in counts of four. This is the easiest way to start to keep time. You can find other ways to help mix up your strumming such as counting out four down and then four up. Two down and two up and loop it into a different pattern but always make sure you are keeping time while you are doing this. Strumming is all about time and without time you are just making noise. Guitar strumming styles have no hard and fast rules unless you are playing someone else’s original work so it is up to you to figure this out and decide how you want to sound.
Electric – Guitar Strumming Styles
Electric is a little different from the acoustic because if you play it like an acoustic you are going to be overplaying it and in the end it won’t sound as good. While playing the electric is harder to master it is physically easier to play because you have to do less to get it to sound good and different. Strumming on electric is going to take less work and less wrist movement. It can also be a good idea to focus on just two or three strings with controlled bursts of either a down strum or an up strum. Remember to tap your foot and keep the time. Without time you are not making music. Again stick with the 16 bar and count it out if you have to. Switch up your guitar strumming styles by hitting a couple notes then ringing out all six with an open chord here and there. What you want to do is up to you and this is what makes a guitarist sound the way they do.
Whatever guitar strumming styles you decide to play will be okay as long as you keep time. This can not be stressed enough. Time is what make music and if you are finding it difficult to keep time start tapping your foot even when you are not playing guitar and just listening to other people play (radio, CD, iPod). A good rule of thumb to keep in mind while you are playing is when your foot taps the floor going down you strum down and when you foot comes up off the floor you strum up. This will help practice if you are having a hard time with time.
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