Strumming Up

[GoWaldo]

Hey, so how do you strum up without using a pick? I want to learn to play classical music so is there really a need to learn to use a pick? I know you can strum down with the side of thumb. Does anyone else think that strumming with a pick just doesn't sound as good?
Thanks for the help!
-Andrew

P.S. I read Chord Strumming 101 and it's great! Just like all the other articles on cyberfret.

[FritzP]

I'm sitting here playing air-guitar tring to figure out how to answer your question!!
Can't you just use the thumb to strum back up? Or your first (pointer) finger...
I use picks, myself, just to get enough volume.
If you don't like picks, or don't want to learn to use one, you could let your finger nails grow on the strumming hand. That's what lots of Classical players do.
Another trick is to put those fake nails on the strumming hand, and trim them down to a managable size. They are stronger then real nails. Players use them while waiting for their own nails to grow, too.

[cyberfret]

When I strum with just my right hand fingers..... I strum down with the fingernails of my 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers (they are not long, I just strum with surface of my short nails, and when I strum up I will use mostly my index finger (the flesh side, not with the nail). This is very similar to a flamenco technique. This is a folk guitar technique that I learn from my Dad in the early days. Strumming with your finger nails like this is called a brush stroke. I really do not strum with my thumb.

--Shawn

[FritzP]

Hi! I don't use my thumb either, but it seemed like GoWaldo wanted to!
When not using a pick, I use the the strum stroke you are speaking of, as I am a product of the 'folk' movement of the sixties (am I dating myself now, or what!) as it sounds like your father was, also! I tried to imitate the styles of Paul Simon and Paul Stookie (or was that Peter Stookie? I always got them mixed up! From Peter Paul and Mary fame!)
But mostly I use a pick. With practice you can do everything with one, as long as it is the right gauge and you're comfortable with it.
This is a great forum! I'm glad I found it! Thanks for your response and all the hard work you put into this!