Strumming Without a Pick - 8 Techniques for Better Fingerstyle Playing

[@mossclumps2959]

0:44 (thumb down, thumb down) 1:26 (fingers up and down) 2:26 (fake pick thumb and index) 3:14 (thumb down, fingers up) 4:18 (down with fingers, up with thumb) 5:30 (bass with thumb, strum with fingers 1 or 2)

[@MarkandJeremy]

Tip three - this is how I've become accustomed to playing, on account of rarely having reliable access to a pick and liking the option of being able to transition between fingerstyle and strumming without fiddling about with a plectrum. I've always had a slight suspicion that it's somehow sub-optimal, so it's nice to have some vindication from a professional guitarist. Cheers!

[@GodsStoryteller]

Thanks. Loved learning my first efforts at strum adrum in your channel. I learnt something from this too.

[@praisearhewoh824]

This is the only useful video I have watched. Thank you so much for this

[@karewa6784]

I really don’t get why your channel hasn’t blown up your videos are so good and they don’t go on for hours an hours. I learned how to play both neon and why Georgia from your channel. Keep up the good work man

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thanks, ah there's no rush, it's growing everyday. Really pleased I've helped you out.

[@Ιησους_κυριος]

Great video, I appreciate you using the same chords and strumming pattern with different styles so that we can hear the difference

[@matthewmurray9178]

Thank you so much for your time and effort. Hugely appreciated, from a "guitarist" who's currently focussing on rhythm and combining fingerstyle with strumming(eg just hitting a strum for emphasis while picking out a baseline and a voice-led melody). I'm grappling with my attack on the strums. You showed me a lot of options. Your video has given me stuff to go on with - thank you so much.

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thanks Matthew, really glad I could help you out

[@brunomallet1727]

Tnx, in the pick technique without pick, what actually gets in contact with the strings on the way up, is it the nail of the thumb, pulp of thumb or pulp of the finger ?

[@edd5070]

Can you do a tutorial on how to play what you played at 6:44? the whole song?

[@emillykkedeigaard5827]

Just put it on half speed and try until it sounds right. It only took me like 15 min which is what a video would take anyways

[@user-nc5zf4dq3w]

+1 for this that sounded really nice

[@nicolen.9642]

Very good for me, I hardly use a pick. The sound is sharp (in a living room haha)...Anyway, I'm more comfortable without a pick. 🎶🎶🎶 Thank you Chris for the thought! 👍👍👍

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Nicole N. Thanks Nicole, I still use a pick everyday. I have virtually no nails so that sharpness is often good for me.

[@nicolen.9642]

Six String Fingerpicking I understand! What works is best!

[@highconnery472]

6:40 That looks complicated but beautiful at the same time. I am gonna try to learn that technique. Thanks chris for another helpful video. Keep em coming.

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Good boi it’s a pleasure. It’s all complicated with guitar until you’ve done it a bunch of times.

[@HenrykandBasiaJarzabek]

thank you very much! Merry Christmas!

[@tanyushmusic]

Thanks a lot!! Quite inspiring 🎸. Do you have a more indepth tutorial for the last 3 styles? I love the melodic softer strumming and flamenco is gorgeous .

[@rishabhsethi2648]

You're great buddy, plus the humility touched me

[@tammieschiller397]

this is exactly what i've been searching for! thankyou awesome teaching video

[@jonathanrymer356]

Bro, good stuff!

[@SuperSeeker1985]

Thank you . You are the teacher I've been looking for . We need more techniques ❤❤❤❤

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thank you! Lots more to come of course.

[@dmc949]

Great lesson. Many thanks. Dave.

[@daz147]

Thank you for this....love the Flamenco style

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

You're very welcome. Thanks

[@DanielAndersonGuitarTuition]

Excellent video. Audio and video are great and content is excellent too!!

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks a lot

[@crispo77]

Great video thanks 👍

[@georgestrickland89]

Thanks!

[@thatisxtc]

Thanks man thanks!! Needed it! Btw can you make us a tutorial on comfortable by John Mayer? Will be amazing. Keep doing you man. Your channel is growing been here since 3k!

[@stevecullen1055]

Super Lesson thank you!!

[@outdoorbill6271]

Hey Thank You!! I’ve got some good strumming patterns to work on!! Your video is a big help!!

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thanks, glad you liked it

[@paraskaith5027]

I've never use a pick lol , always my fingers for everything

[@audrey1774]

I’m sorry for this but.... that’s what she said

[@parasmandal]

No problem paras

[@maxi7767]

😏

[@corvanj8766]

*_"very poor choice of words"_* -the joker

[@paraskaith5027]

Damn never realised how my comment sounded out of context lol

[@witsark9639]

Thank you for this lesson.

[@aguilarrojas1608]

That's what I need! Thank you)

[@natnaelmebrahtu360]

God bless you friend.

[@laiheanchai6077]

What is the model of your Yamaha guitar?

[@sameeraperera3659]

Very thanks dear

[@fritzruttimann1517]

Good lesson. Thanks!

[@maaikebrunekreeft3227]

This is super helpful, thank you!

[@ameanderofficial9684]

Aww man, i too have the same guitar but it refuses to play like this.

[@VikingMan44]

The guitar isn't the problem. It's the chair to guitar interface. ;-)

[@florentinosanchez3969]

Great tutorail

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thanks!

[@jakeholder3606]

Hey man, love the videos, thanks for your help You used a beautiful chord progression at 6.46 minutes, and I was wondering if I could use that, the melody immediately came in my head Thanks

[@aman1245singh]

Thank you sir. Very helpful for a novice guitarist like me 😇

[@freakturner6757]

Very helpful

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Glad you think so!

[@HassanAfxal]

please make a video on the mechanics of upstrum how to approach that and name the video as physics of the upstrum i bet there is no elaborate video on youtube regarding this issue ...

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thanks Hassan, I'll consider doing that.

[@magic_guenni]

Thank you for another video full of inspiring techniques!!

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Cheers Gunther

[@jadeedmundson5715]

Super helpful! Thankyou🙏🏻🐶

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

You're welcome Jade

[@wellingtongouvea9452]

thanks! great lessons! what is the music's name that you teach at 7th technique?

[@cynicalidealist11]

This was very helpful, thanks.

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thanks

[@Oscar797]

Ok that last bit was really inspirational… better get cracking

[@frankdispenza121]

This is awesome. I play rhythm (beginner) and have been trapped in the thought that it's either a pick (which I can't hold for @%$&) or the side of my thumb, which sounds muted. I'm also trying thumb picks, but this demo has it all beat.

[@brooklynb34ts26]

Around 7:24, do you still pluck the same strings even when you switch chords?

[@joshuareybernyngson5429]

So if you hit the the base that's counted as 1? Or i mean it's down up down up

[@crazygamer241]

When I try to strum with my thumb, I can't get the strings to ring out. If I strum harder, my thumb just gets caught on a string and I get a buzz sound.

[@pradeepjhariya4318]

Thanxx

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

pradeep jhariya pleasure

[@joshuareybernyngson5429]

Thanks so much lodicakes

[@MusicalJourney2018]

Which mic you are using?

[@clarkricopuerto7613]

i watched this tutorial because of sungha jung's flaming nice tutorial btw

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thanks for watching. His technique is just beautiful.

[@toybonniesfm]

whenever i strum i hit the skin at the edge of my nail lol

[@mrx-b3i]

wow!

[@Somerandomdude420]

I am currently a beginner and i cant strum with a pick lol. Always falls out of my hand. I use my thumb and honestly it sounds better for my ears as well because of the plasticy sound from a pick.

[@guitarjay741]

What cpx is that

[@maximemichiels]

Yes nr 7 is what i needed 😁😁😁😁 lucky nr 7

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Fantastic! I use that technique ALL the time.

[@maximemichiels]

@@SixStringFingerpicking yes thanks. Is there a methode to get some full scale melodies as a solo between the strumming and this without a pick? That is not easy... Maybe with a pedal and repeat...

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

@@maximemichiels I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean? To create a decent melody use notes from the chord/scale.

[@maximemichiels]

@@SixStringFingerpicking i mean e.g. you are fingerstyle strumming one chord e.g. a c chord for one measure and then you want to play a solo e.g. 4 notes from a scale that fits and then you start strumming another chord for one measure etc... Is this more clear maybe?

[@maximemichiels]

So strumming and then a solo part with beautiful pattern from a scale and fhen again strumming... 😁 Very nice

[@mcrstudio8418]

Bro i know strumming i know chords even barre chords and some fingerstyle but now i am stucked.....i can't find my way to progress myself i am stucked please suggest me what i can do now

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

First off don't worry, this is very normal and happens to everyone. My advice would be to look for some new music, some fresh inspiration. Try something you've never even considered doing before on the guitar. You just have to push through the ruts.

[@EatMeSideways]

Keep learning new songs. Not just what's in your personal music collection either (that was a big help for me getting past that stage). Ultimate Guitar is my go-to for tabs. Eventually you will find start to find new chords, new ways of playing chords you already know, different timings etc. That helped me get passed that stage and opened everything back up again in terms of what was possible. For something more immediate, get into alternate tunings. That was a big one for me too. Check out one of my favs The Tea Party. Or for something a little easier The Rolling Stones. Keith loved his open tunings.

[@Dutcharmytent]

Never used a pick as it limits you so much. I tried one and it felt awkward and I could not get on with it. I pick two strings at once as well.

[@brightontaru4828]

I'm on the third style

[@ckeds]

done except flamenco triplet

[@alwyneluaya6094]

Nice lesson...I sub u😘

[@SixStringFingerpicking]

Thank you!

[@adienarthamarchia]

i practice this 10:08 technique but the sound makes my surroundings in a bad mood

[@cR33dful]

1:32 I find the upstrum particularly difficult with fingers.. there's a lot of resistance

[@pcb8059]

Keep the last knuckles of your fingers loose/no muscles , then the resistance of the upstroke strum (using fingers) becomes manageable and adjustable, the even tension/resistance of slipping your fingertips past the strings. So trick is, use your last knuckle joints as a hinge with no muscle tension. Practice that, and syncopation and double the notes ,speed, and playing in the pocket , becomes a happy accidental afterthought while focusing on the thumb melody/bass and down stroke.

[@johnmascs3209]

Nice nice nice. :)

[@someshgorla1304]

2:16

[@4everfatjoe]

Does anyone else have a problem when strumming with fingernails the sound of fingernails hitting strings is too loud? Louder then the sound of the chord almost? I really don’t know what to do about it.

[@tomascerniauskas1706]

Still can`t strum upwards :(

[@Hachi.899]

In the Aeroplane over the Sea

[@lowellirish]

20 YR BODHRAN PLAYER- 1.5 YR GUITARIST... ABOUT TO ATTACK THAT FLAMENCO TECHNIQUE!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@wasifaliriaz981]

Need to be repeated tens of thousands of times… simple enough 😂