Introduction to strumming

Strumming is a vital & basic skill for guitarists. Learning to be a good rhythm player (a good strummer) is a primary goal of guitarists. It can be the rhythmic engine of a song. Strumming is the 'brushing' or 'scratching' of the strings [as a block]. Like a pendulum, the hand continues to move, always keeping time. The strumming hand is the motor hand. The fretting hand is the steering wheel.
To strum, you can use a pick, or the thumb, or thumb/fingers.
When starting to play guitar - when learning to strum- never stop the motor hand until the end of the song or progression.
When you jam with drummers, you may notice them watching your strumming hand. It is a visual timekeeper.

Quarter Note Strumming

Start with strumming just down - use open strings (don't touch with fretting hand):

To Keep in Mind

• Range = how many strings you hit per strum. You don't have to hit all of the strings all the time - when strumming down, focus contact with lower 3 or 4 strings (low is towards the sky - upside-down).
• Realize that you are missing on the way up.
• Drivers: the primary motion for strumming is a combination of twisting your forearm & wrist [from the elbow and wrist] with a slight chop from the elbow. If strumming with your fingers, the fingers can move as drivers on their own, but a slight turn/chop will give it a little more weight.