Originally Posted by: tung858Is there a difference in sound between these two types of strings? If so, could someone explain it?

I've got steel strings on my acoustic and when I tried to play a song similar to what I hear on the CD, it sounds totally different like my guitar has a much more metallic higher pitch sound to it.

Also, on my acoustic, what's the proper way to strum with your fingers? When I strum with my thumb, it sounds different than when I strum with my index fingernail.

well, ive always gone for the steel strings. probably because i like that clear, treble sound. nylon (ive never used them) but i believe they have a lower, not as clear tone.

if your trying to play an electric song on your acoustic it wont sound the same. expect that. but if your playing an acoustic song a number of things can affect how it sounds...
1 where you are strumming- you can get a higher sound playing more towards the bridge, lower playing on the soundhole
2 pick/no pick - with a pick it will be louder and clearer
3 some other things dealing with how your guitar was made/made of

when you strum with your fingers theres really no proper/not proper way to do it- its just however it works for you. when i strum with my fingers, i usually strum down with my index up with my thumb- just like how i would with a pick.
hope that helps