💻 Check out James' Beginner Guitar Course: goodguitarist.com/beginner-guitar-course/
@geoffc376 Жыл бұрын
Excellent lesson young man! 💯
@y007p3 Жыл бұрын
The ‘selective motion’ one is absolutely spot on and a very good way of describing it. It can often sound very ‘stiff’ playing the other way. It’s a lot more natural sound that you get when your strumming hand is more on the move, even when it doesn’t strictly need to be to get the sounds out. And when there’s an accidental strum it’s fine really, because it’s in time with the piece. All to do with the groove baby!
@BoughtByTheBlood Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! I was literally just thinking about if there was anything I needed to focus on to improve my strumming & now I have 8. Right time, right place!! Let's just take a moment & appreciate how great a teacher James is. If I had to pay for all these lessons, I'd never be able to afford it all.
@Doowopsid Жыл бұрын
Thanks for posting the best video on strumming that I’ve seen anywhere! Great job of explaining and demonstrating in a calm professional manner!
@theolombard7396 Жыл бұрын
Thank you, James. Yip, I'm guilty of most of these 8 mistakes. It's awesome that you focus so much on the trunk of the tree. I can feel and hear my improvements with every video you post. This is so much appreciated as I can notice my improvements every day. You are imprinting the foundation of playing guitar into me. Thank you so much. Your guidance and lessons are so much-needed and valuable.
@dougsmith8430 Жыл бұрын
Couldn’t agree more Theo!
@jackschitt7783 Жыл бұрын
The things this guy calls "mistakes" are what adds feeling and emotion to music. They're what you _should_ be doing when you play. Play with feeling and emotion, not thought.
@datraucous3351 Жыл бұрын
I’ve watched a few of your videos and you are a very good patient teacher. I appreciate the time and effort you put into making these videos.
@mickthemerciless9694 Жыл бұрын
Great lesson. Holding a pick correctly is an important fundamental and I, like many others started wrong and it held me back completely.
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Well, at least now you know how to do it correctly!
@dermotmurphy6804 Жыл бұрын
Thanks a million James. I have been playing for a few years now and I learned a lot from you today. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪
@lnxguit Жыл бұрын
You're a very good teacher. Great points and really effective presentation. Kudos!
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Glad you think so!
@AnthonyDilloncrossroads Жыл бұрын
Not only good as in competent, but you have a very friendly style.
@alnoiwangmuang8547 Жыл бұрын
Thank You James. This is extremely helpful. Not a lot of people talk about the strumming but for beginners it's not intuitive especially with the up strokes. Definitely will practice and work on these.
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Strumming really isn't intuitive for beginners and too many people just skip over it. I am glad this helped you.
@yeah7892 Жыл бұрын
I’ve been playing a while that I’ve forgotten what mistakes I’ve probably been doing. Thank-you for re-informing me with your video.
@chriswardrop127712 күн бұрын
just cured my problem , well done your explanation is right on the money
@tammieschiller397 Жыл бұрын
thankyou so much James, just watching this video today and implementing it immediatley i felt and sounded so much better, felt more comfortable and at ease and it felt...easy and relaxed, keep these strumming ones coming please, and on intermediate strumming and syncopated etc, thanks again!! - tammie
@GodsStoryteller5 ай бұрын
Quite a useful video for us beginners. Thanks so much. I subscribed.
@scottsmith2052 Жыл бұрын
Excellent video. This guy has clearly taught a lot of beginners. I am interested in his point about "selective motion". While it clearly works on guitar, I can't think of another instrument that purposefully adds unnecessary motion. Usually you practice to achieve economical motions so you can go faster with less strain.
@freddyleftyou486 Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for making this video! After years of playing and making all these mistakes to this day I often wonder why the instructor I payed never taught me anything really. Glad i was able to learn from you
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hey never too learn to learn the right way...thanks for tuning in, Freddy
@robertshorthill6836 Жыл бұрын
Find a bunch of recordings of Norman and Nancy Blake for learning to strum and pick strings. There are many others to learn from, but rhis will be a good place to start. The day I first heard Norman Blake, it changed my musical life. I still am learning after nearly 55+ years. He also plays mandolin.
@maureengrant9077 Жыл бұрын
This lesson isf so helpful. Thankyou ever so much James.
@funkymonk984 Жыл бұрын
Very good explanation and presentation. Kudos
@MrGmooney Жыл бұрын
Excellent lesson James,can i share it with my beginner folks?
@manfredverbosek3034Ай бұрын
Cool lesson. Thank you
@TJ-cg8mq Жыл бұрын
.. James - absolutely. The continuous strumming helps me when I need to practice changing chords quicker! The image of the 'brush' works to visualize the flow.. cool T-Shirt btw :)
@pattiparker1234 Жыл бұрын
Thanks James! Great reminders!
@dougsmith8430 Жыл бұрын
James, your attention to details/ the fundamentals are bringing AWARENESS to my approach to Guitar. My being more cognizant is bringing improvements to my playing with each lesson… you are one of the very best teachers of Guitar on the entire Internet! THANK YOU!
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hey Doug, this is a huge piece. Thanks for bringing it up! Glad to help with the awareness part. So important!
@elishamiller5724 Жыл бұрын
Another great lesson ..thanks James !
@waynzwhirled6181 Жыл бұрын
Well done. Great instruction about strumming.
@teamnoble9715 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much. I was "scooping" and getting all caught up in the up strum.
@2dogbull Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing the information. I have been practicing chords for the past several months. Have not started strumming yet. Want to get the chords to be more smooth. Inch by inch! Thank you again!!! Craig
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hi Dan, thanks. No, actually, I make them all by hand...
@michaboruczkowski2222 Жыл бұрын
Thanks man, this is exactly what I needed
@TooLooze Жыл бұрын
The most important part of playing is the basics. Thanks for a great reminder not to stiffen up!
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Absolutely! We could all loosen up a bit... I feel
@davidfereday3422 Жыл бұрын
Great video. Just what I needed to see
@franciscaexposito162710 ай бұрын
I love they way you explained it's so easy to understand ❤. Thank you 😊 🙏
@christopheranderson1968 Жыл бұрын
I struggle using a plectrum. Always have. It gets caught in the strings. I can't seem to hold it properly, despite following all the advice. I can only seem to keep everything loose and relaxed by strumming with my thumb and finger.
@loulauer5853 Жыл бұрын
I'm guilty off all these mistakes. Thanks for the lesson. My biggest issue is when I do loosen my grip, the pick tends to rotate so that the tip is sideways and I'm using the side of a pick. The other is the pick slips down so that instead of 1/4 inch showing, 1/2 inch does.
@johnmchugh8015 Жыл бұрын
James, I always seem to have trouble with the pick swivelling around, not dropping it. How do you stop it swivelling, without a death grip?
@kimedmond5377 Жыл бұрын
I’ve got these same issues and love this video thank you
@francissreckofabian01 Жыл бұрын
Thanks, No.2 was especially helpful for me. 8 was interesting too. Thanks.
@philc1402 Жыл бұрын
This is a really, really good lesson!
@dkod19 Жыл бұрын
Some interesting tips there. As someone who never had formal lessons, I probably suffer from one or more of those, though not badly. The one thing about picks... it's not a good thing to drop your picks often if you're doing a solo gig. The turn of the wrist is something I do, and I ended up going to a lighter pick to solve the issue of uneven percussiveness.
@Airtouch67 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your post. I've been playing for years (just self taught as a hobby) and this is the #1 thing I struggle with. I cannot stop with keeping a death grip on my pick. I even buy picks that have the "texture" on them so I can hold it as tight as possible. No matter how hard I try to hold a pick lightly, I just constantly drop it. It's so bad I just turn the volume up on my acoustic/electric and just strum with my fingers, but the downside of that is it's such a muffled sound... the pick strumming has always been my biggest nightmare. And yet I watch millions of people do this on TV, KZbin with absolutely no issue. It drives me nuts.
@itsjustmeMike527 Жыл бұрын
I had trouble holding picks until I found Monster Grips. They are thin clear silicone rubbery feeling smaller-than -a-dime sized stick-on circles. That's the only way I can describe them. You peel them off of a sheet of plastic, without touching the sticky underside, and stick them on a clean pick. Tweezers help so that you don't touch them. They are the best thing that I've found. They have a tacky feel, but they're not sticky. Amazon has them (16 for $9.99 and they ship free, or they have a website). Best of luck.
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Okay so have you tried strumming without a pick at all? Sometimes it is not necessary, it's better to get the rhythm right than to worry about your grip of the pick.
@petehall2982 Жыл бұрын
how important is pick thickness in all of this? thanks for the lesson!!!!
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Different people prefer different thicknesses but if it's too thick, it will feel too stiff and fall out of your hand easily. It's actually better to go a bit on the thinner side at first. But not too thin. Medium is best
@AdamCulp Жыл бұрын
Great tips, thanks.
@v2807 Жыл бұрын
Are you saying the swoop in #3 Is something to strive for? I don’t see how that would be good.
@Islandboy2.0 Жыл бұрын
What I really hate is when I drop the pick and it goes in the hole. I love to check out these instruction videos. You give some really good beginner advice. I've been playing since 1967, by the way.
@willolux9564 Жыл бұрын
sometimes it's good to use a soundhole cover (typically used for avoiding feedback when plugged in) to avoid this especially at the beginner stage as you're getting used to it. They are cheap and don't really change the sound of the guitar too much.
@garethmartyndavies2250 Жыл бұрын
Nice lesson , interesting for beginners and great for recapping 😁
@endamccallion1073 Жыл бұрын
Check out David Bowie’s ‘Five Years’ for clumsy upstrokes.
@igorperic5232 Жыл бұрын
Hey :) could you explain in a video the difference between 3/8, 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 time signature? :)
@shamasb36198 ай бұрын
great tips!!!!
@chrisjamesr77 Жыл бұрын
I'm an "intermediate guitarist" I guess, and yeah, #4 (keeping your arm motion going when you're not actually hitting the chord) is a big one, that's something I picked up early on, I think from reading in guitar magazines years ago! Also, that makes it easier when you're playing "muted strums" between actually playing the notes.
@ranjithkumara6888 Жыл бұрын
Hi James...this is my favourite guitar lesson...❤️❤️❤️ greetings from Sri Lanka
@nicknavarro288 Жыл бұрын
Great video! I especially like the metronome idea. All material is relevant though. Subscribing!
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
I am very happy to have earned your subscription! Lots more content is in the works.
@huntergray8572 Жыл бұрын
Thanks
@nerdmommy7114 Жыл бұрын
This was awesome content! My dad called me out for changing chords as I strum. He said that I have to stop strumming as I change chords. After decades, I still dont get what he meant.
@gins8781 Жыл бұрын
What I learned from a KZbin teacher is that open strings on the upstrokes doesn’t usually sound bad. He said a lot of musicians do that while they change chords. It gives you a second to find the next chord’s position. Of course, how well that will work depends on the rhythm you are playing. I wonder what you dad meant too.
@reineh34774 ай бұрын
About volume, one thing I've been practicing on is a thing I heard in an Aerosmith intervju, play soft when the singer sings and louder when singer is silent.
@Andrew-cu9lf Жыл бұрын
3 gears, I like that. That's a nice mnemonic device. Well done.
@aureliomartinez2633 Жыл бұрын
James I'm stoked in the 30 day program in rhythm counting strokes I don't want to move forward because I think I will never be good on that
@nirmalamarak9386 Жыл бұрын
Thank you my good guitarist Teacher.
@Pwrcritter Жыл бұрын
Thanks, what brand guitar is that?
@willolux9564 Жыл бұрын
It's a Crafter. Wayyy back when James was around 19 years old, he could only afford a guitar that cost around $300. It was this Crafter. Anyway, he was self conscious to put the Crafter name on his channel in case he would be judged for his cheap guitar. STORY TWIST - this guitar actually sounds amazing, and the reason why he left the tape on it was just because he literally forgot that it was still there. He's not self conscious anymore but when I ask him about it he just shrugs and goes, "oh well, I keep forgetting it's covered". Then it became some weird mystery to his subscribers but really that's why. Anyway if James can play this on a $300 guitar, then I think it's a sign he's a good player! Hope that helps.
@Pwrcritter Жыл бұрын
@@willolux9564 Thank you. Interesting backstory too. I had to ask because It sounds very nice)
@davidfarmer6988 Жыл бұрын
Is a thinner pick better than a stiffer pick for a beginner
@brandonowilliams Жыл бұрын
For strumming yes, start with a very thin pick then as you get better move to a medium. It’s nice to have a medium like around .70 mm so that it’s not too hard to strum and also pick out individual strings since as you progress you’ll be doing both in many songs.
@brucemacdonald3051 Жыл бұрын
Great advice
@danacarney7017 Жыл бұрын
Thank you sir
@acheawlove1570 Жыл бұрын
James I am having strumming problem with chord progression please
@andrewjamez Жыл бұрын
I hate how picks swivel within your finger grip and you end up striking the strings with the back of the pic. Any hint for that propblem?
@garyasbury Жыл бұрын
As a 75 yr old arthritis gets mr on many chords that require stretching even the C so i learned the C add 9 but this makes the transition to am and E and F pretty tough frustrates me I bought a taylor gs mini that helps some but really enjoy playing my dreadnoughts for the tich tone..any suggestions? Enjoy your youtube videos very much
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hello Gary, I think going slow and steady (and I mean very slow) at first might be just what the doctor ordered. Please do be patient with yourself. I am also building a guitar health kit that I made alongside a guitar physiotherapist, that I am going to offer alongside my premium course that will address issues with playing and arthritis. Too much to type here but keep checking back - thanks, James
@cihanlost Жыл бұрын
I am used to play with my thumb. When i try to play with the pick, i have a problem with the upstroke. It seems that my motion while the downstroke is a bit short, so that i can't change the position angle of my pick. Also my motion is too stiff i think. But my rythm seems to be fine 😊 Thank you for your explanations!
@aureliomartinez2633 Жыл бұрын
I have a nylon strings guitar and I used my thumb and indice fingers this way I do b Stroke brushing technique I learn the major and menor cords but I think y rithm is way out I had I had watch many videos and you don't have see the cords just listen and you are able to identify which song is playing Not me but just keep going forward
@ParaBellum2024 Жыл бұрын
I have four Crafter guitars (and never cover up the logo!). Which model is in this video? Sounds excellent.
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hey yeah, this one does sound excellent. GAE-ESP I think ,
@HI-os2pm Жыл бұрын
The hardest strumming I ever practiced is Wanted dead or alive. That taka lot of practice including string muting with a left hand finger also some palm muting.
@Oldtimefolk1658 Жыл бұрын
Hi James, I am recently retired and have committed to playing the guitar again. I consider myself a beginner, however, I have played off and on for 40 years. I took some lessons in the 80s but I've never really been able to progress like a would like to. Learning rhythm patterns and making a song sound like the song is something I could really use help with. Do you recommend the Beginner Guitar Course or something else? I heard you mention another rhythm course for intermediate players that sound like it might help me. Or, do you have another course that may cover other issues....such as theory, scales, lead, etc. Thanks you, Drew
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hi Drew, if you are 100% with your chord transitions, and there are zero "hiccups" when doing so, I would recommend "Strumming Made Simple." It's exclusively geared towards learning to feel and execute rhythm. The complete beginner course (Learn Guitar Once And For All) is the total package, chords and rhythm. It doesn't go as far into rhythm as "Strumming Made Simple" but it goes more in depth on the foundations of rhythm. You can find both of these courses at courses.goodguitarist.com/
@bigal25938 Жыл бұрын
A loose grip on my pick makes it want to rotate. Really annoying.
@taggart8 Жыл бұрын
🎸I have several of Jame’s courses ( Strumming made simple and Barre Chords made easy) they really do build your confidence in playing the guitar.All courses have comprehensive student guides that can be used away from the guitar. It’s tough learning on line but with Jame’s expert and musical guidance and weekly guitar tutor I feel that I am now moving to positive areas for my guitar playing. 😊
@lukewarm1217 Жыл бұрын
Depends effect you want and the tune you are playing!
@frankmcguane4225 Жыл бұрын
The best strummever seen
@tammieschiller397 Жыл бұрын
I would love to do strumming made simple looks great! but too expensive, plus my exchange rate
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hi Tammie! Sorry to hear it's out of your price range. Please do enjoy a bunch of the free stuff I will continue to post. What country do you live in?
@tammieschiller397 Жыл бұрын
@@Good_Guitarist I do many of your guitar tutorials and songs thankyou, Canada so yikes on exchange., but i did find one here on youtube much more within my budget thankyou for your kind response love your youtube page!
@notusedexer Жыл бұрын
I don't use a pick. Is anything here helpful to me?
@getonlygotonly Жыл бұрын
dude, everyone has got their own style. this kind of stuff is probably why so many radio stations rely on music from 30, 40 or 50 years ago when lots of great original music came out of neighborhood garages.
@michaelw6277 Жыл бұрын
But I love how dragging sounds. =D Yeah it’s not always appropriate, but I am drawn to songs that make use of that kind of strumming where each note in a chord has some degree of individual definition.
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Hey Michael, yes, you certainly have a point. For the most part, it is wise to master the basics (keeping steady rhythm), before breaking the rules (speeding up and slowing down for stylistic reasons). Hope it helps!
@annamariehewitt3173 Жыл бұрын
Without RHYTHM you have nothing.....
@davejames3728 Жыл бұрын
James another great lesson, have you a 12 string in your arsenal if it's a yes can you do a similar lesson using one. Many thanks Dave
@frankmcguane4225 Жыл бұрын
Some good players don't use a pick
@MrRoundwound Жыл бұрын
@@frankmcguane4225 most good players don’t use a pick. Cooder,Beck,kottke,knopfler. Picks are for losers
@Arkslippy Жыл бұрын
I feel personally attacked !!!! Great video, i'm guilty of the first 5 and I'm going to keep revisiting this
@deniseshaw3871 Жыл бұрын
Ha I’m always dropping the plectrum or it swivels around in my fingers
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
This is a very common issue!
@havable Жыл бұрын
Strum how you want but just be aware that different patterns will sound differently.
@ghijkmnop Жыл бұрын
Mistake #9: Playing all the strings, all the time. An open D major chord (and to a lesser extent, an open C) suffers when that low E is played.
@robinhood480 Жыл бұрын
Try placing your thumb on the six string / second fret. F#. When you play a D open chord. D / 4th string open is root note. A / 5th string open is alternate bass note. F# / 6th /2nd fret adds a bass note for depth and fills out the sound when strumming to back vocal performance. Not all songs but try it.
@ghijkmnop Жыл бұрын
@@robinhood480 Yep, that's how I've been doing it since 1977. It's just something I've noticed in beginner (and some intermediate) players, and think it belongs on the next list if he makes one.
@petrey9712 Жыл бұрын
You left out the big one most beginners do or don't do actually , Breath .
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
Yup, let's not forget about that!
@saviobrowne914 Жыл бұрын
I wanna learn Tears in heaven by Eric Clapton
@bernardanderson3758 Жыл бұрын
I got me a thin pick to strum better
@Spiraljam Жыл бұрын
Some of these “problems” are really just playing dynamics…
@danmax68 Жыл бұрын
Never let the guitar shop put the strap pin in the side of your ax
@Pentaclown84 Жыл бұрын
anyone else prefer the abrasive sound in the first one?
@happyguycmb288310 ай бұрын
kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5OwqYyvgJxojas&ab_channel=AgaZagA I find that backing tracks help me to get the "internal rhythm" you speak about. I don't know why, but I can strum fluidly, up and down, to the backing track above.
@atonofspiders Жыл бұрын
When you've been playing for 20 years and stick around for the whole video anyway
@reverendlee7617 Жыл бұрын
Some of what you are showing is up for debate. Sometimes, you need to sound a little more aggressive if the material requires it. Also if you drop a pick, don't over worry about it. I play with both a pick and without. Just make the same shape as holding a pick and use your index finger think combo to hit strings. This is shown in any Ukulele study. Also, because People concentrate on always using a pick, they do not successfully perform songs like Smoke on the Water. This song is performed using the fingers and zero pick.
@andywalex Жыл бұрын
An acoustic and an electric guitar should be played different, don't bang on your acoustic like you'd dig into the electric. I've switched to fingers only on acoustic, I think it sounds better and (after a little adjustment period) it feels more natural.
@scottfleming2166 Жыл бұрын
Bruce Springsteen needs to watch this
@peg.6880 Жыл бұрын
It comes all with the time. Everything needs time, step by step. It’s not easy to learn strumming.
@איןשם-ה5ב Жыл бұрын
🏆🏆
@jeffthevideoguy23 Жыл бұрын
There are no rules for playing.
@RedArrow73 Жыл бұрын
What you call 'elbow' ia in reality Bicep/Tricep. Remember, only muscles initiate motion, not joints nor structure of the body.
@CarharttCowboy Жыл бұрын
What it you have no rhythm
@geraldhenderson8474 Жыл бұрын
My teacher wanted us to make all 6 sound like 1
@theodoreturner5567 Жыл бұрын
Why even move your arm to strum? The simple solution is to strum with a bent wrist and rotating your forearm. Even better, get rid of the pick There is no reason nowadays to use a pick for strumming, except for effect in some recordings.
@4ofwands Жыл бұрын
Yes, smaller loose wrist action rather than big arm motion with continuous movement so you can incorporate selective picking, muting (palm, pick), hybrid picking and other advanced techniques.
@Good_Guitarist Жыл бұрын
so, I have to say that rotating your forearm does not yield the same rhythm results as moving your full arm. I had a great teacher once tell me this and I never looked back.
@theodoreturner5567 Жыл бұрын
@@Good_Guitarist Well, they did not know what they were talking about. This is easily demonstrated. If fact, when you use the correct technique, all kings of advantages occur, especially once you get rid of the pick and use your fingers for strumming. Listen to any good flamenco guitarist.
@sniffableandirresistble Жыл бұрын
No you are reaching everything is on the table when it comes to strumming thats simply the truth