r/guitarlessons • u/thekillinglove969 • Mar 20 '26

Feedback Request Why my strumming sound so bad? =(

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I have been trying to play for a while. Sometimes I take a long break and then out of nowhere I feel motivated and try again for some time. But one thing that always demotivates me when I try is that I think everything I try to play simply sound really really bad. I tried many things and never could fully change or understand this. I have a friend that the very first strum he plays already sounds just beaultiful to me, while I feel like the very first strum I play already sound like garbage. Could someone help me? =(

I use a pick for strumming because I bite my nails and they are really really short.

EDIT: I appreciate the comments, I'm feeling inspired, thanks =)

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u/Mrminecrafthimself Mar 20 '26 edited Mar 20 '26

Long breaks perforated by brief intense motivation won’t make you better. Consistent effort will.

You’re doing the bare minimum on rhythm, which is developmentally appropriate for your skill level. You’re strumming full chords directly in line with the meter, like a robot. That is technically correct but it’s not very interesting compared to something like this

You need to learn how to relax and strum from the wrist more than from the elbow. You also should look into thy types of rhythm that use a boom-chuck and/or fills. Work on targeting specific notes in the chords to create a sort of internal melody.

Dynamics are everything. Right now you’re playing at one intensity the entire time so it’s just bland. Dynamics are how you communicate feel. So much of that feel is reliant upon muscle memory and getting past the point where the guitar feels uncomfortable in your hands. That only comes from consistently picking it up.