Acoustic Strumming #1: Basics

Welcome to the Beginner Acoustic Course #1 lesson!

First from the series. Dedicated for absolute beginners.

To make practise more efficient and pleasant, I've prepared 2 stages. First is to start learning by breaking down the whole rhythm and adding single strokes one by one, until you master the complete rhythm. Second stage is to add chords and start practising over delivered cajon track (for slightly more "life" than just a raw metronome).

As you can see, there is no pick being used, because I want to teach you at least some very essential hand mechanics of finger picking. At this point you need to trust me. Most of good tips prove their value with time passing on practise.
If you start by using your right hand fingers, you will have no problem missing the pick, you will have less difficulty mastering the hybrid picking technique and you will have great basis for becoming fingerstyle player (if you'll decide to
go for acoustic seriously). Adding a pick in the future will be easy. Most part of strumming technique comes from the wrist.

There is one more thing that often seems weird for beginners. Why to move your right hand all the time, if we don't hit the
strings that much. You need to understand the natural balance of human body - tension and release relation. Constant movement helps to set minimum strength, necessary to hit the strings, while "empty" moves are time for muscles to relax. We take an advantage of palm weight to literally through it through the strings. Adding the "fingers straightening" movement, helps to boost the attack.

Wise management of tension and release is the key...not only for strumming.


Gear used (in order of connection chain placement):

1. Martin DX1 RAE acoustic guitar (Elixir Optiweb Phosphor Bronze 11 strings)
2. Neuman TLM102 condenser mic
3. Presonus Firestudio Project firewire audio interface
4. Cubase 7.5 track EQ
- HPF = 50Hz / 24db slope
- LPF = 14 kHz /24 dB slope
5. Cubase 7.5 Roomworks SE (through track send = -13 dB)
- Pre-Delay = 50 ms
- Reverb Time = 1.00 s
- Diffusion = 50 (qual to 50%)
- Low = 100 (equal to 60%)
- High = 11 (equal to almost 0%)
- Mix = 100%


Tuning - Standard E

Backing track progression :

4/4

Am | Em | G | G | Dm | Am | G | G |
Am | Em | G | G | Dm | Am | G | G |
Am | Am | C | C | Am | Am | Em | Em |
Dm | Dm | Am | Am | G | G | G | G | Am ||


Tempo: Main song tempo is 120 bpm. There are also backing tracks available at 50, 60, 80, 100 and 120 bpm.

Time signature: 4/4