Strumming to the Beat: A Garage Band Guitarist’s Guide to Mastering Techniques
As an amateur guitarist playing in a band, it is crucial to be able to fully master a variety of strumming techniques. Strumming may seem simple enough on the surface: moving your pick or fingers across the strings. However, there is so much more to it than that. It is about expressing rhythm, emotion and style as well. This article will explore different strumming techniques and reasons behind them, and we’ll also go over examples from legendary artists who have made these techniques iconic.
Downstrokes & Upstrokes
Without mastering downstrokes (hitting the strings downward) and upstrokes (hitting them upward), you won’t be able to create the foundation for strumming necessary to bring your music to life. By combining downstroke and upstroke patterns, you can create various rhythms. Downstrokes generally give off a stronger sound while upstrokes are lighter. Johnny Ramone from The Ramones was known for his relentless downstroke strumming technique that possessed an energetic, driving rhythm.
Alternate Strumming
Once you’ve mastered down and up strokes separately, this technique will come naturally when you start alternating them. It allows for faster strumming patterns that are essential when playing quicker tempos without tiring out your arm muscles in one song or setlist. Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day is a genius at this technique; he uses it to power through punk rock anthems with speed and precision.
Palm Muting
Resting the palm of your strumming hand lightly on the strings closer towards the bridge can create a muted percussive sound. If used correctly this technique could add a chunky rhythmic effect onto power chords which are regularly used in rock and metal songs such as Metallica’s James Hetfield’s aggressive palm-muted riffs; giving songs like theirs a heavy driving force throughout.
Rasgueado
Originating from the flamenco guitar, this technique involves fanning out the fingers of the strumming hand in a rapid, sweeping motion across the strings. This will produce a vibrant rhythm sound that is perfect to add a Spanish flare to your music. Artists like Paco de Lucía who are known for their Flamenco have popularized this technique.
Fingerpicking
Although it may not be considered as strumming, fingerpicking still belongs to the family of strumming techniques. It uses individual fingers to pluck specific strings which allow for more complex and melodic patterns. Some artists that are renowned for their fingerpicking skills include Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and Tommy Emmanuel who are both known for creating complex textured sounds that you can’t get just by strumming alone.
Chucking
Also referred to as percussive strumming, chucking involves muting the strings with the palm of your hand immediately after strumming them which creates a percussive rhythm sound. This adds groove to your playing and is often used in funk and reggae songs such as those played by John Mayer.
Dynamic Strumming
Varying the intensity of your strums can add emotional depth and variety to your playing style. By softly stroking through quieter sections and then hitting harder on louder parts, you’ll create a diverse expressive sound. Artists like Ed Sheeran use dynamic strumming as a tool to showcase emotion during his acoustic performances.
Mix up these techniques while you play around with different patterns, combine some together if possible but most importantly have fun with it! Strumming is all about personal expression so don’t be shy about letting your own unique flair shine through. Happy strumming! — Daniel Aronowitz
