Downstroke and Upstroke

Dear Sir / Mam,

I have started practicing the chords G, A and D. When I am playing the G major chords, all the strings are played; for A major chord only 5 strings are played and for D major chord 4 strings are played.

My question is : When I am strumming the D major chord, all the 4 strings needs to be played while doing both the downstroke and upstroke; for A major chord - all the 5 strings needs to be played while doing both the downstroke and upstroke?

I am having difficulty playing the upstroke accurately and correctly when switching from G to A (playing from 6 strings to 5 strings when doing the downstroke and upstroke) or from G to D (playing from 6 strings to 4 strings doing both downstroke and upstroke).

Please advise. Thank you.

Originally Posted by: indra.mazumder89

My question is : When I am strumming the D major chord, all the 4 strings needs to be played while doing both the downstroke and upstroke; for A major chord - all the 5 strings needs to be played while doing both the downstroke and upstroke?

[p]Yes, it is best to aim for that as the ideal. But in a practical sense it's not always necessary to get all 5 strings in on every single strum. Sometimes it's enough to get most of the lower strings on the downstrum, then most of the upper strings on the upstrum.

But practice slowly with the ideal in mind. Use minimal motion, don't strum harder or wider than you need to clear the strings. Strum lightly & graze over the strings, don't dig in too much.

Keep practicing & try to enjoy the process. Hope this helps!

Hi Christopher,

Thank you so much for the advice.

It helps a lotttt.....Really appreciate it. :)

Originally Posted by: indra.mazumder89

Thank you so much for the advice.

It helps a lotttt.....Really appreciate it. :)

You're welcome!