Topic: Playing the Melody vs Strumming

I know some strumming patterns. I can play a bunch of chords.  I'm learning music theory.  The problem I've been having is putting it all together.  When I sit down to strum a song like "Brown Eyed Girl" it sounds OK.  I just expect it to sound more interesting.  How do you mix playing the melody with strumming?  Any tips?

Re: Playing the Melody vs Strumming

Just mess around with it and do it.  You can get some tabs (which I find hard to figure out) and see how someone else has interpreted passages. 

- Zurf

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Re: Playing the Melody vs Strumming

Zurf wrote:

Just mess around with it and do it.  You can get some tabs (which I find hard to figure out) and see how someone else has interpreted passages. 

- Zurf

I second that. You really have to "feel" your strum pattern. I've always had a tough time following instructions on how to strum. Use your ear and figure out what sounds best. Create your own version of the song. Have fun with it and if it sounds good to you that's good enough.

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
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Re: Playing the Melody vs Strumming

try doing some hammer-ons and pull-offs or do a simple walk between chords. both of these techniques are fairly simple and can add to a song. just remember to keep your timing and don't get frustrated if you stumble around a little

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Re: Playing the Melody vs Strumming

Hi cotedmann
Welcome to Chordie.
Generally with strumming a song the melody is supplied with accompanying vocals.
Bass walks and small riffs etc in the strumming pattern add colour to the accompanyment but not the melody.
Melodies are usually played when finger picking this requires the learning of the tabs to the song and is a different ball game from strumming and usually the next step in learing the guitar as an instrument in it's own right.

ark

Re: Playing the Melody vs Strumming

Keep it simple at first.
If you find a gap in a song where you are not singing or strumming, pick out a little fill lick there, to fatten out your arrangement.

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