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Step Two: How To Use Your Strumming Hand |
This beginner guitar lesson will teach you how to use your strumming hand properly. There are a few basic things that you will need to know in order lay a solid foundation for your strumming technique.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the first thing you need to do is relax. Make sure that your strumming hand is relaxed enough to be comfortable but not so relaxed that the pick flies out of your hand.
If you are using a pick now is the time to learn how to hold it. Take your index finger on your picking hand and lay the pick along the fleshy part of your first joint. Come down on the pick with your thumb and pinch it. If you need more specific instruction on how to hold the pick you can check out the video on this page.
Now that you know how to hold the pick, it is time to learn how to strum. Place the pick near the low E string and strum the pick downward through all six strings. Most of the strumming motion should come from your wrist but sometimes the fingers and elbow help out a little as well. Make sure to relax. Strum upward through all six strings starting on the high E string. Try to make your strumming motion smooth and clear sounding.
Picking individual guitar strings is something you need to learn how to do as well. Remember to relax and use your wrist for most of the picking motion. Again, the fingers and elbow can help out too. Watch this beginner guitar video on strumming and picking to start developing your right hand technique.
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