How To Strum The Correct Way On Guitar And Sound Smooth

Does your strumming feel wild and hard to control?

It’s not just you. Many guitar players have this problem.

What is the reason? 

Most players have never been taught what exactly they need to do to make their rhythm guitar playing sound smooth.

There is good news and bad news. 

The bad news is…you probably don’t do any of these things yet.

The good news is…they are easy things to do.

Today I will show you several simple ways to smooth out your strumming.

To begin, check out this guitar strumming technique video that explains a technique that most teachers or videos never explain in detail.

Tip #1. Correct Rhythm Guitar Posture

This is a really simple way to help out your rhythm guitar playing…

Sit upright, not slouching, shoulders back and not hunched forward.

Don’t sit with your back against the backrest of the chair. Sit on the edge of the chair. 

Rest the guitar on your leg opposite your strumming hand.

This will put your strumming hand in the best position to strum easily.

Tip #2. Type Of Pick To Use For Rhythm Guitar

Picks come in a wide array of sizes, shapes, and thicknesses.

Using a very thick pick to start could make sounding smooth more difficult.

Start off using a medium-thick pick.  

A medium-thick pick allows some flex for you to strum easily and play other techniques that you cannot do with a thin pick.

Tip #3. How To Hold A Pick

Hold the pick with your thumb and first finger only. Don’t get into the habit of holding a pick with three fingers.  

Using more fingers than needed could prevent your wrist from executing the proper motion needed to sound smooth.

You also want to not have your thumb hanging over the edge of the pick.

Why?

This will inhibit progress with other skills playing the guitar.

Now you have some easy tips to use that will help with your rhythm guitar playing. Focus on one tip at a time until it feels more natural.

About Mark Turko: Mark Turko is a professional guitar player and instructor with over 30 years of experience and teaches guitar lessons online.