The Right Stuff, Part 2

More on developing solid strumming

- CORY WONG

LAST MONTH, WE delved into the all-important topic of developing solid pick-hand timing when strumming. To me, that’s where the groove is: the pick hand is the timekeeper, and I've spent a lot of time working on exercises designed to bolster my strumming competence. In this column, I'd like to share some more of these exercises.

One of the interesting things that I did to develop my strumming technique had nothing to do with my wrist motion or how to hold the pick. I actually had teachers in college tell me that my technique was terrible and say “you should hold your pick this way!”

I eventually realized that everyone's bio-mechanics are different and unique, in terms of works best and most efficiently. So, I don't swear by my technique; I swear by my ability to control my right-hand movement and the exercises I used to get there.