A “walk” is a single note line on the low strings that connects one chord to another. Essentially, it allows the guitar to take on the role of the bass player for a moment and lead the music forward into the next chord. Bass players refer to “walking” lines, which use notes from the chord […]
Strum secrets 2: percussion and tonal quality
Guitars are percussion instruments that you strum. Like drums, we hit them to make a sound. Even a light touch has an “attack”: the way the finger or pick hits the string. The attack is the beginning of what we might call the “envelope” of the sound. If you’ve ever looked at audio waveforms on […]
Strum secrets 1: power vs finesse
Getting a good sound when you strum a guitar is all about how you hit it. The more your arm swings when strumming, the more force you apply. Strumming with a straight wrist and forearm creates the most power, but without some finer control it can sound brash and stiff. Relax the wrist and forearm, […]
