Pat's strum hand magik

[fede]

Could you go into some detail as to why fingers tucked in is good position... like advantages and disadvantages?

<---- Notice the blurred OPEN hand . . .

Is that ok or not???

I tend to open my hand and do some sort of more of a "flamenco" strum...guessing it isn't right..huh?

Fede

[littlefriend]

I don't tuck my fingers when I strum. I find it to be uncomfortable.

[Jenns4Ever9501]

I don't tuck my fingers when I strum. I find it to be uncomfortable.

Seriously, I've NEVER played with my fingers tucked in, in the 6 or 7 years I've played guitar. Anyone know why this is THE way to do it?

[dmbguitar718]

I don't tuck my fingers when I strum. I find it to be uncomfortable.

Seriously, I've NEVER played with my fingers tucked in, in the 6 or 7 years I've played guitar. Anyone know why this is THE way to do it?

I has to do with the balance of your hand. Watch any guitarist, you'll see they tuck their hand in. (Not punk rock guitarists, they don't count) Think of it this way (as explained by my guitar teacher): spin a top. ok? ok. now put some clay on one side of the top. now spin it. it won't spin right because it's being thrown off by the clay. Same thing with your hand. To play fast/accurate, you're going to have to tuck your hand in.

You may not agree, but you're going to want to get out of that habit as soon as possible.

[Jenns4Ever9501]

I don't tuck my fingers when I strum. I find it to be uncomfortable.

Seriously, I've NEVER played with my fingers tucked in, in the 6 or 7 years I've played guitar. Anyone know why this is THE way to do it?

I has to do with the balance of your hand. Watch any guitarist, you'll see they tuck their hand in. (Not punk rock guitarists, they don't count) Think of it this way (as explained by my guitar teacher): spin a top. ok? ok. now put some clay on one side of the top. now spin it. it won't spin right because it's being thrown off by the clay. Same thing with your hand. To play fast/accurate, you're going to have to tuck your hand in.

You may not agree, but you're going to want to get out of that habit as soon as possible.

Thanks Pat, I've never taken guitar lessons, I taught myself using my background in piano and sax and music/chord theory, and while yes, I'm sure I DO have bad form, I'm by no means a BAD guitarist, I'm fairly decent, I've just never tucked in my fingers. The wise, all-knowing Pat. Thanks dude.

By the way, LOVE your #34 cover on your website.

[dmbguitar718]

I don't tuck my fingers when I strum. I find it to be uncomfortable.

Seriously, I've NEVER played with my fingers tucked in, in the 6 or 7 years I've played guitar. Anyone know why this is THE way to do it?

I has to do with the balance of your hand. Watch any guitarist, you'll see they tuck their hand in. (Not punk rock guitarists, they don't count) Think of it this way (as explained by my guitar teacher): spin a top. ok? ok. now put some clay on one side of the top. now spin it. it won't spin right because it's being thrown off by the clay. Same thing with your hand. To play fast/accurate, you're going to have to tuck your hand in.

You may not agree, but you're going to want to get out of that habit as soon as possible.

Thanks Pat, I've never taken guitar lessons, I taught myself using my background in piano and sax and music/chord theory, and while yes, I'm sure I DO have bad form, I'm by no means a BAD guitarist, I'm fairly decent, I've just never tucked in my fingers. The wise, all-knowing Pat. Thanks dude.

By the way, LOVE your #34 cover on your website.

Oh, in no way was I saying you are a bad guitarist if you play that way. It's just a bad habit that's better off changed, that's all.

[brian_ok]

I keep my hand spread out. I find that it helps if my pinky is somewhat 'anchored' on the pickguard. Eh, just me. I have huge hands though, so if I tuck my fingers in, my knuckles hit the strings. I've never had a problem, and I can pick/strum accurately. Guess it's just me.

[Jenns4Ever9501]

I don't tuck my fingers when I strum. I find it to be uncomfortable.

Seriously, I've NEVER played with my fingers tucked in, in the 6 or 7 years I've played guitar. Anyone know why this is THE way to do it?

I has to do with the balance of your hand. Watch any guitarist, you'll see they tuck their hand in. (Not punk rock guitarists, they don't count) Think of it this way (as explained by my guitar teacher): spin a top. ok? ok. now put some clay on one side of the top. now spin it. it won't spin right because it's being thrown off by the clay. Same thing with your hand. To play fast/accurate, you're going to have to tuck your hand in.

You may not agree, but you're going to want to get out of that habit as soon as possible.

Thanks Pat, I've never taken guitar lessons, I taught myself using my background in piano and sax and music/chord theory, and while yes, I'm sure I DO have bad form, I'm by no means a BAD guitarist, I'm fairly decent, I've just never tucked in my fingers. The wise, all-knowing Pat. Thanks dude.

By the way, LOVE your #34 cover on your website.

Oh, in no way was I saying you are a bad guitarist if you play that way. It's just a bad habit that's better off changed, that's all.

lol. I know bro, I wouldn't think that anyone around here would take a shot at someone else's skills . I'm just sayin' in addition to bad form, I've picked up the habit of strumming with my hand wide open. I'll make it a point during practice to keep it closed. Thanks again dude.

[Kukini]

I started tucking recently and it has helped a little bit. I feel like I'm in more control.

[Alazais]

I keep my hand spread out. I find that it helps if my pinky is somewhat 'anchored' on the pickguard. Eh, just me. I have huge hands though, so if I tuck my fingers in, my knuckles hit the strings. I've never had a problem, and I can pick/strum accurately. Guess it's just me.

I'm the same way, but I don't use a pick. I use my thumb for every song on guitar, whether it be strummed or picked. I find I have more freedom in my writing.

[dmb66]

for stumming i see the whole hand tucked thing. Isn't correct fingerpicking form to have a pinky anchor on the pickguard (or am I nuts). I have never had lessons so I am interested to hear from someone who has.

[dmbguitar718]

for stumming i see the whole hand tucked thing. Isn't correct fingerpicking form to have a pinky anchor on the pickguard (or am I nuts). I have never had lessons so I am interested to hear from someone who has.

yep!

[fede]

And yet another thing I have to add to my "practise like shit" list.

Fede

[brian_ok]

I keep my hand spread out. I find that it helps if my pinky is somewhat 'anchored' on the pickguard. Eh, just me. I have huge hands though, so if I tuck my fingers in, my knuckles hit the strings. I've never had a problem, and I can pick/strum accurately. Guess it's just me.

I'm the same way, but I don't use a pick. I use my thumb for every song on guitar, whether it be strummed or picked. I find I have more freedom in my writing.

wait, you only use your thumb? do you use a thumb pick, or what? How would you play, say, Satellite?

[cruz610]

for stumming i see the whole hand tucked thing. Isn't correct fingerpicking form to have a pinky anchor on the pickguard (or am I nuts). I have never had lessons so I am interested to hear from someone who has.

yep!

NO! Anchoring is BAD. Stop it ASAP. You will become faster and more accurate. Just download a video of classical guitarists to see the proper form for good fingerpicking.