Losing the Pick
To begin, you must learn to strum without a pick. This technique will be useful when
you are required to strum during part of a song and pick during other parts. It also
enables you to do away with the belief that a pick is required to play your guitar.
- Place your thumb and index finger together so that your fingernails almost touch.
- Now, simply strum as you would with a pick, hitting the
strings with only your thumb and index finger. Do not use any other fingers;
they are not necessary.
- Try to use your index fingernail as the "pick" while strumming downward.
Do not use your fingertips; using them may cause severe pain.
- Use the inside edge of your thumb as the pick while strumming upward.
Be very gentle, because strumming too hard could be painful at first.
- Strum very gently at first, until you get a feel for the technique and
can do it without hurting your fingers.
- Proceed
only after you feel comfortable strumming without a pick.
Move on to the second lesson!
Go back to the introduction
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since 2-15-97
© 1997 Daniel E. Smith.