Considering so much of what creates style, is based on what happens between the actual chords (the pressing), let's consider some ideas about strumming that can help you become aware of the resonant rhythms which live within you.
As humans, we are rhythmic beings. Our walking is rhythmic, as well as our speech & use of language. The guitar, being a harmonic, melodic, & rhythmic instrument, has the potential to create a wide variety of musical experiences. Strumming is an experience. It feels good; we can get rhythmic with it. We can emulate drum sets, & other percussion instruments by strumming.
Every player should seek to become a solid rhythm player, & strumming is the primary means of attaining this type of rhythmic reliability.
Guitar Lesson Tips
- Strum slowly. Keep the rhythm evenly spaced. Keep the motor hand moving. The Motor hand is the engine. The fretting hand is the steering wheel [it creates rhythm too].
- Slow down the snap to 'slow motion.' Super slow motion. What does it take to make this change? When you program motion in slow motion, you create a larger memory of information in your brain & body.
- You don't have to press the notes of the chord down all the time. You can release (touch lightly without lifting) the tones of the chord while you are strumming. To start, you typically release (touch lightly) on the ands (the up-beats or weak-beats) of a measure.
- The goal of any chord change is to make the connection. In fact, a chord change is the space between the chords. The chords themselves are 'consequences' of good travel (connection). Think about the space between the chords. Consider your travel.
- Count the beats aloud as you strum. Feel the beat; the rhythm.
- When learning a change, get the shapes (changes) programmed first, then clarify the sound later. Don't judge the sound too early. To get clarity in a change, you need to build hand strength (include scale playing into your training routine). You also are creating awareness about what you are touching. Ideally, as you grow this awareness, you always know the state of every string, & intuitively know which fingers are touching which strings.
- Be aware of your fretting hand wrist. The farther down it is, the straighter the fingers (a natural thing beginners do to try to not touch open strings); this isn't the solution. Rather, by raising your wrist up, behind the neck, you actually get the curvature of the fingers that will create the clarity you are looking for. If you can't reach the lower strings, move your elbow around to find the access angle. Each chord may have slightly different wrist/elbow/angle configuration. Nothing drastic, just minor adjustments. Stay loose with this process.
- If you are layering (adding fingers 1 or 2 at a time, rather than landing all together), fret the lowest tones first. At the beginning, since you are changing chords on the down-strum, putting the bass tone fingers on first matches the direction of the strumming motion. You strum the bass notes first on a down-strum, so put them on first, then add the higher tones/strings.
