Question:

How do you strum "up" on an acoustic guitar?

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I can strum downwards perfectly fine... but whenever I try to strum up, it comes out really loud and forced, and the pick slips in between each string as I strum over it... so it kind of sounds like I'm trying to strum each individual string really fast, or trying to pull all the strings up and out with my pick... It just sounds like a complete and total mess.

So, any tips?

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  1. www.justinguitar.com free site lots of good info. You could also go to you tube and see if there is any guitar strumming lessons. Google "guitar strumming lessons" and see what comes up, try to watch other people strum to see what they are doing. Try slowing way way down and getting the sound you are looking for and then speeding up to tempo. Try turning your pick and putting rounded edge to string, also try turning your pick at 45 degree angle to the strings instead of parallel.


  2. This will only come with practice - I've been playing for 18 years and it is still tricky! I CAN tell you what I do: I lightly grab the pick using my thumb and middle finger and gently drag it upward. To compare, when down-strumming, I generally am pretty agressive, and I hold the pick firmly between thumb and pointer. A couple good songs that use this technique are: Pink Floyd - Breathe; Phish - Taste, Phish - Talk. Just practice those and other songs that utilize this technique and you'll get better at it. It's all about what feels right for you. Do some experimenting with your grip and try a thinner pick. I use medium or thin, and the thinner the pick, the easier it is to strum up. Keep playing!

  3. try to double downstroke. in other words do two downstrokes then a quick upstroke it won't sound like you upstroked but that you did all downstrokes its really kool but a little at first.

  4. Try angling your pick a little, or get a thinner pick

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