https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:00:31 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/paged/2/#post-200738 Wed, 27 Sep 2006 06:37:29 +0000
It's hard for me to explain, but I think about it as if it's my voice. If I want to adjust my voice, I respond to what I hear and make adjustments based on my ear. I don't consiously think about the mechanics of my voice (I'm not speaking to method singers) I just adjust on the fly.

Relax and don't be so mechanical. Try to google "guitar strumming" and find video clips of people strumming. I find it helps for me to see someone do it well and that allows me to better visualize what it should look/feel like.

Good Luck!]]> Guitar Players Discussion MrJonesey https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/paged/2/#post-200738 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200306 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 19:34:59 +0000
1. Move to a thin pick if you are not using one already. It makes strumming easier than with a thick pick.

2. Use a metronome! Lets say you are trying a simple strumming pattern: D D Du Du - I would set the metronome for every eigth note beat (a click for one, and, two, and, three, and, four, and) - 8 clicks per measure. Then say the down/ups to the metronome WITHOUT having a guitar in your hands. Practice strumming in the air with your right hand, until it is very comfortable for you. Get the guitar ONLY when you have mastered the pattern in your head.

Nobody I know was born with perfect rythym - it takes dedicated practice.]]> Guitar Players Discussion ColoradoFenderBender https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200306 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200230 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:05:40 +0000
If you can get ahold of some Ramones videos, check out Johnny Ramone (John Cummings). He used this technique of resting his hand on the bridge with wrist strumming and was unbelieveably fast. You can sort of see this technique in this video (he is on the left)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkUcqVKkIS0&mode=related&search=]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200230 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200228 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 06:49:43 +0000 Wes,

Thanks, your method with the palm behind the bridge is something that I have not thought of it makes sense and I will give it a try..

I know this has been said before, but you really have a way of making things sound simple, you should think about writing some articles. Thanks Keith. The reason I make things sound simple is that I am very simple-minded. :D

All the advice here is good. What probably helped me most was joining a band when I was very young. We had another guitar player named Sam Kijis who was an unbelieveable rhythm guitarist. He was just so relaxed when he played, he made it look so simple. He couldn't play a lick of lead guitar which I was pretty good at. So I picked up strumming from him and he picked up some lead licks from me. But I have yet to see someone as relaxed as Sam.

So I also learned to relax. You just have to go with your feelings as others wrote. I have always felt strumming a guitar is similar to playing drums. If you just keep playing the same beat it is monotonous and boring. So you have to play with dynamics, soft and hard. So like others also said, just strum and put your own accents and feelings into it. This helps a lot. This is how my friend Sam played. And while some say you should strum from the elbow, Sam strummed from the wrist. He was truly great.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200228 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200222 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 05:23:41 +0000
Many times doing that I had revalations..and noticed...alot without thinking about just doing it.. it sounded pretty good. And then the chord changes slowly started to come automatically.....and I knew where I was on the strings with my picking had, well.....cuz I'm watching the TV and feeling the guitar..

Maybe I'm just weird... :roll:]]> Guitar Players Discussion Dagwood https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200222 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200219 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 05:08:08 +0000
Thanks, your method with the palm behind the bridge is something that I have not thought of it makes sense and I will give it a try..

I know this has been said before, but you really have a way of making things sound simple, you should think about writing some articles.

Thanks

Keith]]> Guitar Players Discussion kblake https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200219 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200212 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:29:52 +0000 also, play whatever feels unnatural, too. as long as it has some sort of rhythm or pattern. doesn't have to be 4/4. the more ideas you go through, the better you'll be, and the more ready you'll be when you have to play something new.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200212 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200208 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 02:54:49 +0000
Ie, strum 'dudududu' and get it as smooth and even as you can. When you're happy with that, then put some accents in, ie 'DuduDudu' and try to keep it smooth. Then when you're happy with that, go back to 'real' strum patterns and you've got a better base to work from.

YMMV, of course :)]]> Guitar Players Discussion Misanthrope https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200208 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200199 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 01:44:30 +0000
I can strum well, but I have always had a little difficulty going from a strum to playing lead. When I strum I tend to hold a pick by the end. If I choke up on the pick it is very hard to strum without it sounding clanky. Moving back on the pick is more flexible and smoother sounding. But when I go to lead I like to choke up on the pick. I have learned to quickly adjust the pick position in my fingers when making this change.

So don't feel bad, strumming well is difficult.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200199 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200197 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 01:26:20 +0000
Thanks

Keith]]> Guitar Players Discussion kblake https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/is-any-one-else-here-heavy-handed/#post-200197