Here are a few things to keep in mind as you play the above pattern:
- If you are playing an acoustic guitar, make sure to strum directly over the sound hole
- On electric guitar, strum over the body (different locations will give you different sounds), not over the neck
- Make sure all strings are ringing clearly
- Make sure the volume of your downstrums and upstrums are equal
- Be careful not to strum too hard, as this often causes strings to rattle, and produces an undesirable sound
- Be careful not to strum too softly, as this will produce a "wimpy" sound.
- Listen again to the audio example to hear how your strumming should sound. Your pick should be striking the strings with a relatively firm, even stroke
- Think of your elbow as being the top of a pendulum; your arm should swing up and down from it in a steady motion, never pausing at any time.
- Rotate your wrist down slightly while strumming down. Rotate your wrist up slightly while strumming up. Be sure not to keep your wrist stiff when strumming.
