Having Big Strumming Problems

I have played for 20 years and I always miss the bottom note on the upstrum  -I don't think its uncommon, not least, because the upstrum is often the is the offbeat- but may be its just me

Hello Kendo
it's is to early  to get discourage I have like 4 months trying to play  and some times I get it and then lose it ,, my advice in my own experience is to get a very ligth  plectrum that way you going to be able to sound a bit better ,, and motivated to continue playing
I know Im going to sound like a skipping record but :
PRACTICE MAKES THE MASTER''  any  way I would suggest to check youtube for strumming patters , there's a lot of good stuff and very useful instruccions

don't get discourage and keep trying 

Pardon My english since it's my second lenguage:-)

take care and keep playing

i have problems strumming as well. Like for instance, what a common l strumming pattern? I like alot of old folk music; donovan, cat stevens, dylan. . . what are their usual strumming patterns for this type?
thanks guys!

i have beeen playing for 18yrs,my advise, try a pick.
fingers in my opinion are not for srumming  but are used for fingerpicking.
picks are made for strumming and picking,also you are just getting started,be patient.

Hey Old Doll,

I'm 43 yrs old and just started playing the guitar a year ago.  I  found the strumming part very frustrating at first too.  I wanted it to sound like the recording but I was too "busy" with my strumming.  All I could hear was the entire band in my head and I was strumming like mad to make it sound rich and full like that.  Doh!  My teacher really helped.  He started me out with simple strumming patterns and chords on songs and I've really progressed.  I've always used a pick, even for picking styles of songs.  Sometimes the pick feels really foreign in my hand but I just try to keep at it.  I use Fender Medium picks.  Good luck to you.

I'm with MaverickMel on this one--I think consentrating on the pattern makes the music sound wooden...feel the music...what is it telling you to play?

And I think light pics are nice and forgiving & you'll get an even sound...problem is if you're really digging into a piece, they'll break.  I like the tortex lights--they're only .5, but feel a little thicker and you can't break 'em to save your life.

Hey thats not advice it's your opinion. Maybee you can stick your ego head where the sun don't shine.

Vampsfang you must have started somewhere.
Have some respect for the people learning how to play the guitar.

You are probably one of those people who are always whining about Learner Drivers too.
You sound like you are too good for this site, maybe you should start your own "Experienced Guitar Players Only" site.  You also seem to be able to play more than just the guitar, too much organ playing.  Stop it you'll go blind!

The right to free speech is wasted on you.
Pull your head in, Loser.

Well, I am trying to learn finger-picking, too.  And I'm doing a little strumming with a pick.  When I tried strumming with my finger and thumb nails it just sounded like mud.  So, I don't do it now.  When I want a chord instead of a note when finger picking, I just pluck the top three strings with my fingers and one of the bass notes with my thumb.  It's not a strum and it doesn't sound exactly like the guy on the record, but it's the right chord at the right time and that's good enough for me.

Remember, you've got ONE MONTH of playing and the guys on the records started, improved, became intermediate, went pro, got a contract, and THEN recorded what you're trying to mimic.  Thinking you can strum like a pro on a record after a month of playing is like thinking you can do open heart surgery because you dissected a frog in biology lab.  Be patient, do your best, add some more patience, and keep practicing.  I guarantee you those guys that sound so good on your records sounded like crud at the end of their first month of playing. 

Good luck, keep a smile on your face, and if it gets too frustrating for you just set the guitar aside for a bit until you're calm again.  Pick it back up.  You can't play well if you're all stressed out about how it's sounding.  If you're the sort of person who gets stressed over progress, maybe record yourself once a month.  At the end of a month, listen to how you sounded last month.  You'll hear the improvement if you're practicing.  But my advice would be to remember that you're doing this for fun and not to get stressed out over something that's supposed to be fun.  Just an attitude improvement can improve your playing and it will definitely allow you to progress more rapidly.

All the best,
Zurf