3 Strumming Patterns Without A Guitar Pick

If you hate using guitar picks then this quick lesson is for you.

Some guitar geeks just don't like guitar picks and that's ok, but what do you do when you want to strum along to a song?

You certainly don't want to sit the tune out so in this short video I am going to share with you 3 ways you can strum along to a song without a guitar pick.

[warmonger]

So, I am not the only one, who feels awkward using a pick. Thank you for the video.

[TC-lwrp]

Took off on my guitar journey a few years ago and love it at 51. Saved my soul. Tendinitis is stopping me in my fretting arm. Desperate first post. Thx.

[laurameeks]

thank you for affirming my finger strumming, I use a pick very rarely, my arm gets tired very fast when I use a pick, I'm probably gripping it too tight, bc, I tend to drop them, just clumsy holding it. I have tried, literally 100's of picks, tacky, ones with holes, ridges, grip of all types, different materials, felt, leather, wood, tortoise, etc etc thought it was the pic, but its just me.
I like to feel the strings with my strum hand and have gotten very good control with volume, different patterns, strums combined with picking and I don't have to concentrate on the pick I can work my timing, tone and technique

[kerriforrest]

Thanks Tony! I switched from acoustic to classical partly because I am not a fan of the pick, but I missed my acoustic guitar’s sound. This helps me find my way back.

[fannyingabout]

I have realised that strumming with fingers can be unbelievably sweet. I am a Ryan Adams fan and he does this really well. What you get is the ability to be really sensitive with the guitar especially if you are singing. I pigeonholed myself first into fingerpick and then pick, but now I’m starting to prefer the combination of finger/thumb and fingerpicking.

I'm so glad to know this is a thing and I'm not the only one. I am an absolute clutz with a pick. My first guitar teacher as a kid was a classical player so I never really learned to use one. My hippy teacher as a teenager tried to get me to play with one but I just could never get the hang of it. When I strum I basically use my middle fingernail supported by my thumb. The sound is softer than a pick but it's the best I can do and still sound good.

[johnholloway]

Nice lesson, Tony. I use a pick just fine but if I get handed a guitar & don't have a pick, I use the last style you mentioned-the 'pick-holding' position, using the top of the index finger nail & the tip of my thumb to kinda follow right after the index finger...

[stevenshockley]

I've never used a pick, if I wanna strum hard or get a more pick-esque sound, I just use my nail, works for me. Everyone plays differently and I love it :)

[unitscolombus]

I do like the last method and I also like using my my thumb for downstrokes and middle finger for upstrokes, and skipping few strings while doings that.

[iamdissapoint]

I love the thumb brush strumming sound. So nice, warm, seamless.

[toddvanfleet]

Bravo.
Working drummer learning acoustic-.
Naturally used the ringer-as-pick method.
Strum/Finger pick intermittently.
JJ Cale & Stephen Stills Chordify and your excellent tutorials
Turned a corner yesterday' on playing dynamically with Dynamics -Pete Townsend
You've been a help..
Really good.
Thanks 😊

[frankp]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I saw a video of this girl playing "I Want it That Way" and I was trying to see her strumming method since it gave a great bass sound plus the chord. This last strumming method what was I was looking for. I don't like using the pic, but this should help greatly. Thank you, sir!

[GarySchiltz]

I've never really liked using a pick, but my dislike has been from lack of practice or ability than it is the style - I love the sound of flat picking music. I'm enrolled in Tony's Acoustic Challenge, and am making progress, and would welcome any advice from others who have added flat picking to their repertoire.

[rameneaterguy]

I think you should practice all styles all the time. Constantly mix it up and don’t get complacent with a style if want continued growth. They’ve all got their benefits but always keep growing that portfolio of techniques.

[lastactionmedic]

That and the pick makes it louder than holy hell lol. I have a travel, parlor size guitar. A pick makes a small guitar sound louder than it should in my opinion. If I want it to be heard out front, I'll mic it up. Great video, thanks buddy 🇺🇸🤟

[KaibaTopDueling]

Hey Tony I’ve learned many fundamentals of your finger picking Tabs of the Train song, when I saw you demoing the Gs Mini Koa.

[lnb]

Nice Tutorial Tony! Thank you, it did!

[TJ-cgmq]

.. great tips :) ...was also wondering how you would strum up from the high E all the way to the low E (like I heard in a Whitesnake song)??!

[danialazeman]

I hope you will include a finger-style tutorial

[stevecullen]

I am trying to make a transition to not relying on a pick. The send technique is the one I hope to improve upon. The eight note after 2 and 4 set in stone?