11 Tips to Help You Strum Better!

Video Chapters
00:00 Tip 01 - The SECRET of strumming
01:15 Tip 02 - How to FINALLY understand strumming
02:17 Tip 03 - The FOUNDATIONS of strumming
04:38 Tip 04 - Make your strumming FEEL good
05:24 Tip 05 - How to practice strumming
06:30 Tip 06 - The rhythm is literally OLDER :)
07:31 Tip 07 - Choose the right strings to strum
08:31 Tip 08 - Take a few steps back
09:17 Tip 09- How to hold a guitar pick
09:35 Tip 10 - The RIGHT thickness pick
11:40 Tip 11- Should beginners use guitar pick?

[TwiztedDezign]

I remember when I had to look at the guitar to change chords. I remember when bar chords were hard to do. I also remember when I couldn't sing an play at the same time. But now all that's gone. Practice practice practice. You will get there!

Thank you Justin, I learned from you.

[budj]

Justin, I've been playing guitar for 54 years and I still learn from you. I don't think we are ever done learning as guitarists, or humans for that matter. Thanks for all your great content.

[abhishekmishra]

Hands down the best person on internet for anyone at any stage of their guitar journey..tysm Justin!!

[steveturner]

When you first start out you should learn song’s completely. The whole song. Then learn three or four all the way through. You want to be able to play something if you have a guitar in your hands if somebody asks for a song. Justin is good for this. He gives you songs that are like that and some quite tough. He’s a good teacher.

[robinbhairam]

If it helps anyone, I started playing in lockdown 1 (June 2020), I do have a musical background (drummer), BUT I cannot recommend this man highly enough. In the short time I’ve been playing, his beginners course, videos and advice have been so remarkable and second to none. - He is a musical treasure ... even if you play, I guarantee you’ll learn something ... a truly naturally gifted teacher. Thanks Justin (off to practice my strumming!)

[rodmathie]

Just bought a Justin T-shirt. Dude, I owe you so much, I’m probably now closing in on ‘intermediate’ guitar skills and all thanks to you. Best guitar teacher on the interweb by far....

[jamesellwood]

As a novice so focused on the chords, I couldn't figure out how to fix my strumming which clearly sounded awkward and unpleasant. Thanks Justin ! The more tense and uptight I got, the worse it sounded. Now to relax and try this new approach.

[drewbarrett]

I played a little few chords back when I was in high school and now re leaning at 66. I’m excited and music is a huge part of my life. Thank you fire the lesson…. Very helpful!

[markbrown]

I am a finger style guitarist. I add bass lines and pick more than three or four strings at one time and place of strumming because sometimes too much strumming gets boring after a while. This is why I chose to be a finger style guitarist. That’s why it breaks the monotony of all of the strumming, although I do strum, but not quite as often as most guitar players do if you watch Chad Atkins, he hits a baseline and then hits three or four strings at the same time. This is what he does in the place of struming. I love being a solo instrumental guitarist. It’s not so boring. I’ve been playing like this since 1974. You’re are a good teacher better than most on YouTube. Thanks for your videos I really like them have a beautiful day.😁👍🏼❤️🎸😎

[edcrutchfield]

Excellent teacher. Patient with humor and a comfort level that shines. Really appreciate what you do .🎸😎.

[jamespowers]

I've been working for several years now to correct over 60 years of bad strumming form, but after thousands of hours doing it wrong, I have acknowledged that the bad muscle memory is so strong I can't overcome it. Learn it right from the beginning. Your future self will thank you!

[warrennz]

Something that's often overlooked in strumming is *_stopping_* the notes. It can be as important as starting them. To stop the notes in a barre chord just lift your fingers a bit. You can hit them while they're muted to give a funky sort of "groove" too. If you're playing chords with open strings in it you need to lay one of your hands down on the strings lightly to stop the notes. You'll see/hear this if you watch a professional closely doing a song with a funky feel.

[Sentarry]

7:00 I was so used to down strums when I started guitar that up strums felt very odd. But now it makes sense to have rhythm going with strumming and trying to keep as consistent as possible

[timreeves]

I can honestly say he might be the best guitar teacher on the internet. Especially for beginners. He actually explains things which many of these people do not do. I think that is even more important online

[danieli.]

For many years I only strummed with the side of my thumb, because it is quieter than using a pick and I was embarrassed by how badly I played, so I wanted to keep the volume down. Over the past couple of years, with help from Justin and some other online lessons, I only strum with a pick. I have progressed from very thin picks to some that are quite a bit thicker, and I find the thicker picks more comfortable now. Thanks, Justin!

[timdaugherty]

Just like every good coach knows, when efforts collide with results, you have to return to the basics. Well said Justin!

[shegocrazy]

9:38 Jim Dunlop Nylon 0.38mm That pick also has a textured top half which makes it easier to hold without slipping.

[bruceberry]

I like the video before I even watched it. Justin is by far my favorite teacher on the internet.

[siddhantbhardwaj]

I got my acoustic for my 15th birthday this January, and Justin was the first person I turned to to learn. I'm still pretty horrible, but I love his lessons. Thanks Justin!

[NortonsNestMonthly]

This is so helpful. I am learning late in life. I was grinding so hard on keeping the right rhythm, I wasn't feeling the right rhythm. My instructor tells me that I can make things my own if I only trust it and you have emphasized that. Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge. You are keeping many people from quitting and you are helping them advance.