The first example is performed by using a slight vibrato to a chord or a single note.
The advantage of using a whammy bar is that you can add a vibrato that goes both up and down in pitch, producing a different effect than a regular finger-vibrato.
Step 1: First of all, I'm playing an A5 power chord and adding a slight vibrato with the whammy bar.
left handed players
right handed players
Step 2: Then I'm playing the A at the 2nd fret of the G-string (as an example for a single note).
left handed players
right handed players
Step 3: Finally I'm playing a natural harmonic at the seventh fret of the G-string (D). I add vibrato to each note with the bar.
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Previous Lesson: Strumming
INTRODUCTION
Okay, let's get into more detail on strumming.
Strumming means that you plays the notes of a chord simultaneously either downstrokes and upstrokes.
Different strumming patterns make different sounds.
One way to bring a tune to life is by adding an interesting strumming rhythm to the music. A guitarist with a good grasp of strumming can really bring any chord to life, no matter what sound it is. Different strumming patterns can often make the song sound really good and catchy, even if it is only a tune with 2 chords.
Different locations will give you a different variation of sound, but try not to strum over the neck. Strumming directly over the body gives it a real fat clear sound. Strumming down near the bridge will give it a thin, tinny sound. Make sure all your strings ring out clearly.
Therefore this lesson will show you:
Which Hand should I use
How to Strum
Strumming Using 1 Single Chord
Strumming Using Different Chords
WHICH HAND SHOULD I USE?
If you are right handed, your left hand holds the chords on the guitar neck and your right hand does the strumming.
Alternatively, if you are left handed like me - your left hand does the strumming while your right hand holds the chords on the guitar neck.
HOW TO STRUM
Step 1:
Grab your pick and hold it between your thumb and index finger. Now, rest the palm of your hand gently on the bridge of the guitar body. Get ready to strike the strings.
left handed players
right handed players
Let's hold an A Chord for example.
Step 2:
Strike the strings with your pick.
Is there a clear sound? Or is it a muffled mess? Can you hear a clear note?
If not, press down harder on the strings. One tip is that the closer your fingers are to the actual guitar FRET, the less you have to push down.
left handed players
right handed players
When strumming, your wrist is the only thing that should move. The rest of your arm should stay still. The more your arm moves, the more energy you burn up, and the less you can play.
So keep your arm movements to a minimum and allow your wrist to act as a pendulum. Your arm is the secure point.
DIFFERENT STRUMMING PATTERNS AND TECHNIQUES USING 1 SINGLE CHORD
Here are 4 different types of strumming patterns that produce 4 different sounds all using the exact same chord.
Let me explain...
For instance, let's take Chord C. I will show you 4 different ways to strum Chord C:
CHORD C MAJOR
left handed players
right handed players
STRUMMING PATTERN 1
This is one way of strumming chord C.
All I am doing here is holding a C chord and picking each string one by one, down the body, then up again as heard in audio...
STRUMMING PATTERN 2
This is still the same chord, only strumming it differently now.
What I am doing here is holding the same C chord, but instead of picking each string one by one, I am strumming all strings at once before muting them on the upstroke.
Muting is done by placing the palm of my hand over the strings, to mute them (stop them from ringing out). Listen to the audio and you will notice the difference.
STRUMMING PATTERN 3
Once again, this is the same C chord. This technique is the same as strumming pattern 1, only now I am muting the whole chord.
What I mean by this is that I am placing the palm of my hand over the strings to prevent them from ringing out, and then I am hitting them with my pick. When you mute strings, instead of resting the palm of your hands on the body of the guitar, you now move your hand forward a little, till your palm is actually resting on the bottom of the strings. Actually place the palm of your hands on the strings. That prevents them from ringing out, and allows you to hit the strings, and get a sound like this!
As this strumming pattern is more complicated to explain in words, here are the steps on how to do it:
STEP 1
Hold Chord C
Let's try holding a standard C chord, and try picking each string one by one.
STEP 2
Mute the strings
Place the palm of the hand you are about to strum with directly on the end of the strings (right on the body of the guitar).
left handed players
right handed players
To mute a string, place the palm of your strumming hand directly over the strings. In other words, instead of resting your palm on the bridge, move it up a bit, so your palm sits on the actual strings. This prevents them from ringing out loud).
STEP 3
Strike any strings
They should all be muted and not ring out when you strike them. You should get a flat dead sound as heard in audio...
STEP 4
Combination
Mute the strings and holding a C chord, pick each string one by one, down then up. You should get something that sounds like this...
And that's all there is to it. Once you can do this, you can apply the same technique to any chord.
STRUMMING PATTERN 4
Again, this is still a C chord, only now I am adding distortion to it. This is using my effects pedal. Still a C chord, only played with an effect on it. Also I am muting the chord towards the end of the riff. This is the sort of sound most punk or rock bands use.
STRUMMING WITH DIFFERENT CHORDS
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Okay, the strumming patterns above is just strumming with 1 chord, however what about strumming with more than 1.
I will show you exactly how to strum with different chords here.
One other rhythm technique you might like is swapping the chords. Here's one of the nice tune and have a listen...
This tune is primarily made up of 4 main chords. Those chords being Chord C, A minor Chord, F Barre Chord & G Barre Chord.
All we are doing here is holding each chord and hitting the 5th string, followed by the bottom 3. They are played as follows:
STEP 1
Hold a C chord.
left handed players
right handed players
Then strike the 5th string (second thickest string) followed by the bottom 3 strings.
For instance:
Strike 5th string followed by 1st string, then 2nd string, then 3rd string and then back to 1st string, 2nd string and 3rd string).
STEP 2
Hold an A minor chord.
Left handed players
right handed players
Then do exactly the same as in step 1.
For instance:
Strike the 5th string followed by 1st string, then 2nd string, then 3rd string then back to 1st string, 2nd string and lastly 3rd string.
STEP 3
Hold an F barre chord.
Left handed players
right handed players
Then do exactly the same as in step 2.
For instance:
Strike the 6th string (thickest string) followed by the bottom 3 strings: 1st string, then 2nd string, then 3rd string then 1st string, 2nd string then third string.
STEP 4
Hold an G barre chord.
Left handed players
right handed players
Then do exactly the same as in step 3.
For instance:
Strike the 6th string followed by the bottom 3 strings: 1st string, then 2nd string, then 3rd string then 1st string, 2nd string then third string.
STEP 5
Repeat the same process until you can swap between all 4 chords, smoothly and quickly. Your playing should then sound something like this...
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Chords can sound really great together once you have a rhythmic pattern going and can change quickly between them. You might also like to add some fill ins and jazz it up a little.
It's all up to you as to what combination of chords and strumming patterns you want.
However - here are few things to keep in mind when comes to different strumming patterns:
If you are using an acoustic guitar, make sure you strum directly over the sound hole.
If you are using an electric guitar, strum over the body; not over the neck.
Remember that different strumming locations will give you different sounds. Use the variations in your songs for different styles of music.
Try to vary your strumming pattern. Strum hard only when you need to emphasize certain notes. Use light strumming for rhythms. By varying your strumming, it shows professionalism and adds interest to the song.
Did You Like this Strumming Lesson?
This strumming lesson is taken from one of the Elmore Music exclusive sites:
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