5 Techniques to Strum like a Professional Guitarrist
Have you ever listened to a song and felt like the music was speaking directly to you? Chances are, the guitarist behind that song used dynamics to bring the music to life. In this blog, we’ll explore how to strum with feeling by incorporating dynamics into your playing. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to add some soul to your strumming, these tips will help you make your music more expressive.
What Are Dynamics and Why Do They Matter?
Dynamics refer to the changes in volume and intensity in your playing. Instead of strumming every chord with the same force, you learn to vary your touch to match the mood of the song. Here’s why dynamics are essential:
- Emotional Impact: Changes in volume can highlight the emotions in a piece. Softer strumming might evoke a tender, reflective mood, while louder strumming can build excitement.
- Musical Contrast: Dynamics help differentiate sections of a song, like the verse and chorus, keeping the listener engaged.
- Personal Expression: By varying your strumming, you bring your own style and personality to the music.
Techniques to Add Dynamics to Your Strumming
1. Vary Your Strumming Force
Try experimenting with how hard or soft you strum. For example, start a chord progression with a gentle touch and gradually increase your strumming force. This creates a natural swell in the sound, much like a wave rising and falling.
2. Play with Rhythm
Even if you’re using the same chord progression, changing the rhythm can make a big difference. Try alternating between long, sustained strums and quick, percussive ones. This not only adds texture but also emphasizes the dynamic shifts in the music.
3. Use Your Picking Hand
Your strumming arm plays a crucial role. Experiment with different parts of your hand or pick. Strumming closer to the edge of the pick can give you a lighter sound, while hitting closer to the tip can produce a more defined, crisp sound. Practice with both to understand how they affect the dynamics.
4. Practice Accents
An accent is when you intentionally play one chord or note a bit louder than the others. Try marking a particular beat in your strumming pattern and make it stand out. This can be as simple as letting one chord ring out longer or adding a little extra force to that beat.
5. Experiment with Tempo
Slow down and pay attention to the dynamics of each strum. As you become more comfortable, try increasing the tempo while still maintaining control over your volume. This helps develop muscle memory and ensures your dynamics remain consistent even in faster passages.
Practice Exercises for Dynamic Strumming
Here are a few simple exercises to incorporate dynamics into your strumming:
- Volume Waves: Choose a simple chord progression and start by strumming very softly. Gradually increase your volume over a few measures, then decrease back to soft. This exercise helps you get used to controlling your strumming force.
- Accented Beats: Play a chord progression and designate one beat per measure as an accent. Focus on making that beat noticeably louder without disrupting the flow of the rest of the pattern.
- Dynamic Rhythms: Combine different strumming patterns in one exercise. For example, strum softly for two measures, then switch to a mix of soft and accented beats for the next two measures. This will help you adapt dynamically to changes in musical structure.
Bringing It All Together
Adding dynamics to your strumming isn’t about playing louder or softer all the time—it’s about using those changes to tell a story. When you master this skill, your playing will naturally become more expressive, engaging, and true to the emotion behind the music.
Remember, practice is key. Take your time with each exercise and be patient with yourself. Over time, your ability to incorporate dynamics will become second nature, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in how your guitar playing communicates emotion.
Happy strumming, and enjoy the journey of adding that extra spark to your music.
Interested in taking your guitar skills to the next level? Click the below and book a free lesson with us! We’re committed to helping you express yourself freely on the guitar without endless scales and theory. Happy playing!
Author: Daniel Powers Jr, the founder of Real Brave™, serves as the chief inspiration to thousands of students in the Real Brave music instruction program. He’s also the visionary behind PracticePad™, an online platform for live one-on-one online music lessons, lesson tracking, and scheduling. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Daniel leads a non-profit organization that provides formerly homeless children with access to music education, making a profound impact on their lives. His unwavering dedication to music, innovation, and education continues to inspire individuals to reach their fullest potential while creating positive change in communities. Follow Real Brave on all the socials:
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