Strumming consists of rhythmic up and down strokes in various combinations depending on the beat being played. Every beat is divided equally into a beat and an off-beat which you count as “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and; every “and” is an offbeat. Each beat or offbeat can be an upstroke, a downstroke, or no stroke. What strokes you play determine the rhythm of the molody. When you strum, take note to sweep across all of the strings with an even pressure and at a steady pace else you will hit harder on some strings and hardly at all on the rest and produce an uneven sound.

The strumming motion should come mostly from the wrist, without moving the entire forearm. As you strum rhythmically, the motion acts like a metronome, helping you to keep time.You can tap your foot too to keep time, or jerk your knee Elvis style, or bob your head. When you are just beginning, you can move your hand rhythmically up and down even when you are not playing guitar just to get the hang of the rhythm.

Strumming is done with a pick or with your fingertips. There are various kinds of picks, but for beginners a thin pick is best. The pick must be held between the thumb and the side of the index finger.

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