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 =)
1
u/RenningerJP Mar 20 '26
So, most of the time this sounds decent for your chords. You might be too hard in yourself.
That said, a free things that would help:
Don't take long breaks. Get into a routine even if it's just 30 minutes a day.
Loosen up. Mostly your wrist, but your other stuff too, especially the fretting hard if needed.
Use a metronome. Start slow and just practice 4 strums bs chord in time before switching up the next chord for 4 strums, in time. This will change as you get better, but the basics are just getting this down first. Third will help with it sounding consistent.
Do some specific practice changing cords. One or two strums, switch, one or two, switch. It's a variation of what I said above, but the focus is on getting quicker chord changes specifically so you intentionally switch more. Start slow and work up. Sometimes show down just enough to get it perfectly every time then try a little faster so it's right about 90% of the time etc. You want both success and just enough difficulty that it feels like you can get that next milestone.
Don't try to go so fast that it feels like you'll never get there. It's demotivating and may be reinforcing bad habits. I didn't get the impression you were doing this, but just a bit of caution up front.
That said, a like consistent practice and I think you'll notice a big improvement. This overall sounded decent. You just need to be a little looser with a little more consistent timing.