Guitar: Lesson 6
Introduction to Basic Strumming
By Zack Cart
Prerequisites:
You should be able to understand and perform the concepts and techniques outlined in the following lessons before attempting this lesson:
Guitar: Lessons 1-5
Music Theory: Lessons 1-7
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In the previous lesson, we explored creating, fretting, and plucking chords of up to five notes. In this lesson, we will look at the basic technique of strumming the guitar. Strumming is the most commonly practiced method of guitar playing among many beginners, as it is easy to learn, and allows the player to swiftly beginning accompanying her or himself or others in familiar songs. However, there are vast possibilities often unexplored when it comes to "merely" strumming the guitar. Aside from the precision and nuance often lacking from many players' strumming technique, there is a plethora of unrealized techniques to be used as well, from the Gitano rasqueado, in which each finger strums independently, to the composite drumming and strumming techniques, to gentle brushing techniques, we will eventually look at a great deal of strumming methods. For now though, the most common and simplest.
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To perform the most basic strum, begin with your right hand in its relaxed position, the one which you have become accustomed to through the preceding linear and harmonic picking lessons. There are two opposing strums possible from here, the upstrum, and the downstrum.
We will begin with the down strum. As we perform this technique, do NOT swing your arm up and down from the elbow! This is a common mistake among many budding guitarists. Doing so will slow down your strum, wreck havoc with your aim, and lessen your ability to control the force and volume of the strum. Instead, leave your forearm in place, and rotate your hand at the wrist. Rotate your hand upwards, so that your fingers and palm, are facing up. From here, twist your wrist down so that the palm is facing the floor; do this with a gentle but swift flick, keeping the hand and fingers loose, and allowing the backs of the nails of the middle and ring fingers to simultaneously strike the strings of the chord. The hand should not actually point directly up or down, but only twist enough so that the strumming of the strings can be accomplished.
That's it, the downstrum! Repeat this gesture ad naseum, until it starts to feel some what natural. experiment with different rhythms, and try to keep a steady tempo with a metronome.
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The upstrum is the reverse of the downstrum. Beginning in the relaxed position, twist your right hand downwards so that the palm faces the floor, and then twist it upwards to face the ceiling with a gentle flick, allowing the back of the nail of your thumb to strike or strum all the strings of the chord. Again, the hand need not face completely up or down, and should only twist just enough to completely strum the chord.
This is the upstrum. People often find control to be a bit more difficult in this direction, so a little extra practice may not be out of line.
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Once both the Upstrum and Downstrum are comfortable, try alternating them. For example, Strum down, up, down, up, down, and so forth. Also, experiment with various patterns and rhythms, such as down, down, up, down, up, up, repeat. Play around with what ever rhythms and patterns you like, and get used to syncing to the metronome.
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When strumming, there are two more things to keep in mind, once the basic movements are complete.
First, the strings which you intend to play should all be strummed, and no other strings should be touched at all! Obviously, one can only strum groups of adjacent strings. Once you have become comfortable with the movements of the upstrum and downstrum, practice rhythms aiming to hit certain sets of strings. Begin with aiming to hit all six strings on every strum. Next, try for all and only all of the bottom four strings. Then try the top four strings. Then the bottom three, and then top three. Try to hit only the middle four, then the set of strings A, D, G, and finally the set D, G, B.
Also, make sure that you are strumming all the notes evenly, so that no string or string rings out unduly loud.
Once you are comfortable with the upstrum, downstrum, the two in combination, and can hit specific string sets with a controlled volume, you may consider yourself a fairly decent strummer!
This lesson has been brought to you by:
WWW.CANTONVILLAGEME.COM
Canton Village
Chinese Restaurant
Established 1985
Dine-In, Take Out, Bar
428 Water Street
Gardiner, Maine 04345
Tel: (207) 582-1396
or (207) 582-1421
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Please Call (646) 269-6414
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Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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All you can Eat buffet!!
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Reservations Available
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We Use 100% Vegetable Oil in Cooking
Most of our dishes are prepared without
MSG. However, a small number of
Items do contain small amounts of MSG
Not Responsible for Lost Articles
* Indicates Hot & Spicy
Pu Pu Platter- for 1 & 2 or 3
Beef Teriyaki, Boneless Ribs, Chicken Teriyaki,
Egg Rolls, Chicken Fingers, Chicken Wings and Crab Rangoon
Served for One $15.25
Served for Two $25.95
Served for Three $32.95
Specials: Get 50% OFF large fried rice of your choice with purchase of Pu Pu two OR three not including Young Chow Fried Rice Substitutions (Including Fried Shrimp)
Pu Pu Platter 1& 2 Substitutions: $1.00 Each
Pu Pu Platter for 1 without Fried Rice - $14.75
Pu Pu Platter for 2 without Fried Rice - $24.95
Pu Pu Platter for Three without Fried Rice - $32.95
Egg Rolls------------------(1)---$
Spring Rolls---------------(1)--$2.95---(2)---$5.75
Fried Wontons-------Large--$5.50
Fried Dough-----------(10)--$4.50—(
Chicken Teriyaki---------(3)--$8.25---
Beef Teriyaki-------------(3)--$8.95---(6)---$14.25
Fried Jumbo Shrimps---(3)--$7.50---(6)---$10.75
Boneless Ribs-------Large $12.95
Chicken Wings -----(4)----$9.95-----(8)
Buffalo Chicken Wings-Small-$11.95-Large-$18.95
Honey Barbecue Chicken Wings Small-
Scallion Pancake-------Large $7.95
Fried Baby Shrimps----------------------$8.95
Chicken Nugget------------------------
Onion Ring ------------------------------
French Fries-------------------------
Mini Crispy Roll (10) -----------------------$7.50
Wonton Chip ------$5.50
APPETIZER COMBINATIONS
Appetizers (each substitution Extra $100)
1. Egg Roll, Beef Teriyaki, Chicken Fingers
2. Egg Roll, Chicken Wings, Fried Shrimp
Wonton Soup-------------Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Egg Drop Soup-----------Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
* Hot and Sour Soup----Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Noodle Soup w/Chicken------Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Noodle Soup w/Pork----Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Noodle Soup w/Wontons---Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Chinese Vegetable Soup---Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
FRIED RICE
Meatless Fried Rice--Small-$7.75--Large-$9.25
Vegetable Fried Rice--Small-$8.25--Large-$9.95
Mushroom Fried Rice-------Small-$8.25--Large-
Pork Fried Rice-------Small-$8.25--Large-
Chicken Fried Rice---Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Beef Fried Rice-------Small-$8.95--Large-
Shrimp Fried Rice---Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Ham Fried Rice------Small-$8.95--Large-$
Subgum Pork Fried Rice------Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Subgum Chicken Fried Rice----Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Subgum Beef Fried Rice-----Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Subgum Shrimp Fried Rice----Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
House Special Fried Rice---Small-$9.50--Large-$10.50
Young Chow Fried Rice-----Small-$9.95--Large$11.95
(Fried White Rice with Egg, Pork, Ham & Shrimp.)
*Szechuan Spicy Fried Rice-Small-$9.50—Large $10.95
CANTONS PARTY PLATTER $89.95
80 Piece Hors d'oevres includes:
FREE LG Pork Fried Rice
FREE (20) Fried Dough
FREE LG Wonton Chip
6 Beef Teriyaki
6 Chicken Teriyaki
10 Small Egg Rolls
6 Pork Dumplings (Fried or Steamed)
13 Crab Rangoon
13 Chicken Fingers
8 Chicken Wings
(Cannot be comined w. any other coupons)
Fried or Steamed Dumpling
Pork Dumpling------$8.55
Vegetable Dumpling----$8.55
Chicken Dumpling-----$8.55
LO MEIN
Lo Mein------Small--$9.50--Large-
(Chicken, Pork, Vege or Ham)
Lo Mein------Small--$9.95--Large-
(Beef or Shrimp)
House Special Lo Mein----Small--$9.95--Large-$12.95
Pan Soft Noodle--Small--$7.95--Large-$
*Szechuan Spicy Lo Mein-Small-$9.95-Large-$12.95
Plain Lo Mein------Small--$7.95--Large-
PORK
Pork with Vegetables-------$11.25
Szechuan Pork-------$11.95
Lobster Sauce------------------
Chicken or Beef
Pepper Steak-------------------------
Beef with Broccoli----------------------
Beef with Mushrooms-------------------$
Beef with Pea Pods----------------------$14.25
Beef with Vegetable---------------------
Beef with Cashews----------------------$14.25
*Curry Beef with Onion---------------$14.25
*Curry Chicken with Onion---------------$14.25
* Chicken with Peking Sauce-------------$14.25
* Szechuan Chicken------------------------$14.25
Moo Goo Gai Pan---------------------------
Chicken with Vegetable---------------------
Chicken with Mushrooms---------------------
Chicken with Broccoli---------------------
MEI FUN
(Thin Rice Noodle)
Vegetable Mei Fun----Small--$9.95---Large--
Chicken Mei fun-----Small--$9.95---Large--$11.95
Pork Mei Fun-----Small--$9.95—Large-$11.95
Shrimp Mei Fun----Small---$10.50----Large-
Beef Mei Fun---Small---$10.50---Large---
House Mei Fun---Small---$10.50---Large---
Singapore Mei Fun with Curry
(Chicken, Pork, Shrimp)---Small---$10.50----
CHOW
(Flat Rice Noodle)
Vegetable or Chicken or Pork or Ham-----$12.50
Beef or Shrimp or House Special------$13.50
HOUSE SPECIALTIES
Small or Large Order are Served
(With White Rice or Pork Fried Rice)
(No rice with H2, H6, H18, H19)
H 1. LOBSTER SHRIMP KEW
Lobster Meat and Shrimp Sauteed
Expertly with Chinese Vegetables.
$20.95
H 2. GAI POO LO MEIN
Chunks of Chicken Fried in Batter,
Blended with Slices of Beef, Ham,
Shrimp and Chinese Vegetables,
Served on a Platter of Lo Mein.
$20.95
H 3. BLACK PEPPER CHICKEN
Strips of Chicken Grill with Onion,
Green Pepper.
$16.50
H 4. DIAMOND HEAD
Lobster, Shrimp, Pork, and Chicken
Sauteed with Peapods, Mushrooms,
Water Chestnuts and
Chinese Vegetables
$20.95
H 5. FOUR HAPPINESS
Roast Pork, Beef, Shrimp,
Chicken Meat sauteed with
Chinese Vegetables.
$20.95
H 7. TREASURE ISLAND
Beef, Jumbo Shrimp, Pork,
Mushrooms, Water Chestnuts,
and Chinese Vegetables sauteed with
Golden Chicken Fingers.
$20.95
H 8. SEAFOOD ISLANDER
Jumbo Shrimp, Lobster and
Scallops sauteed with
Chinese Vegetables and Our
Special House Sauce.
$20.95
H 9. HO YO GAI POO
Golden fried Chicken Fingers
Served with Lobster, Ham,
Beef, Chinese Vegetables and
Oyster Sauce.
$20.95
H 10. * GENERAL CHICKEN
Chicken sautéed with Green Peppers,
Onions and our Chef’s Special Sauce.
Small $13.95
Large $17.50
H 11. SESAME CHICKEN
Chicken and Sesame served with
Our Homemade Sauce.
Small $13.95
Large $17.50
H 12. * ORANGE CHICKEN
Morsels of Tender Chicken,
Sautéed with Orange Peel to
Import a Subtle Taste.
Small $13.95
Large $17.50
H 13. MONGOLIAN BEEF
Beef, Green Peppers, Peapods,
Onions and Mushrooms in a
Special Mongolian Sauce.
Small $14.50
Large $17.95
H 14. MONGOLIAN BEEF AND CHICKEN
Beef, Chicken, Green Peppers,
Peapods, onions and Mushrooms
in a Special Mongolian Sauce.
Small $14.50
Large $17.95
H 15. MONGOLIAN CHICKEN
Chicken, Green Peppers, Peapods,
Onions, Mushrooms in a Special
Mongolian Sauce.
Small $13.95
Large 17.50
H 18. SEAFOOD LO MEIN
Lobster, Scallops, Jumbo Shrimp
and Chinese Vegetables served
on a bed of Pan Soft Noodles.
$20.95
H 19. BALI ISLAND
Beef and Jumbo Scallops
Sautéed with Peapod,
Water Chestnuts,
Mushrooms and
Chinese Vegetables
Served on a bed of
Soft Noodles.
$20.95
H20. SESAME BEEF
Crispy Slice Beef with
Sesame Sauce
Small---$14.50
Large---$17.95
EGG FOO YOUNG (With white rice.)
Meatless Egg Foo Young----------------------$9.75
Pork Egg Foo Young-------------------------
Beef Egg Foo Young-------------------------
Chicken Egg Foo Young-----------------------$
Shrimp Egg Foo Young------------------------$
Ham Egg Foo Young-------------------------
Mushroom Egg Foo Young--------------------$10.75
Vegetable Egg Foo Young----------------------$10.75
House Special Egg Foo Young----------------$11.25
SWEET AND SOUR
(With white rice.)
Sweet and Sour Pork--------------------------
Sweet and Sour Chicken----------------------$
Sweet and Sour Shrimp-----------------------$
Sweet and Sour Combination---------------$13.95
SEAFOOD
Shrimp with Lobster Sauce----------------$14.25
Shrimp with Mushrooms-------------------$14.25
Shrimp with Broccoli----------------------
Shrimp with Peapods-----------------------
Shrimp with Vegetables--------------------
*Shrimp with Garlic Sauce------------------$14.25
Baby Shrimp with Cashews-----------------$14.25
*Szechuan Baby Shrimp---------------------$14.25
*Shrimp with Peking Sauce-----------------$14.25
VEGETABLE
Mixed Vegetable------------------$10.95
Snow Peapods with Broccoli--$10.95
*Broccoli with Garlic Sauce--$10.95
*Bean Curd Szechuan Style--$12.25
Family Style Bean Curd------$12.25
Deep Fried Slice Bean Curd with Pork
and Mix Vegetable
*General Tso's Bean Curd--$12.25
LO MEIN COMBINATION PLATES-ALL DAY
Appetizers (each substitution Extra $1.00)
L 1. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Chicken Fingers $10.25
L 2. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Chicken Wings $10.25
L
3. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Egg
Roll
L 4. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Beef Teriyaki $10.95
L 5. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Fried Shrimp $10.25
L 6. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Boneless Ribs
$10.25
L
7. Shrimp Lo Mein, Egg
Roll
L 8. Beef Lo Mein, Crab Rangoons
L 9. Mushroom Lo Mein, Chicken Wings
L 10. Chicken Lo Mein, Egg Roll
L 11. House Lo Mein, Crab Rangoons
L 12. Ham Lo Mein, Chicken Fingers
CHILDREN’S PLATES
E
1. Egg Roll, Fried Rice or French
Fries
$6.95
E 2. Chicken Fingers, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
E 4. Beef Teriyaki, Fried Rice or French Fries $7.95
E 5. Chicken Teriyaki, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.50
E 7. Chicken Nugget, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
E 8. Crab Rangoons, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
E 9. Onion Ring, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
CHOW
MEIN
OR
CHOP SUEY
(Served with Noodles) (Served with
Steamed Rice.)
Meatless Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$8.55----Large---
Pork Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Beef Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicken Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Shrimp Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$
Vegetable Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Pork Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Beef Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Shrimp Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Chicken Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Pork Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Beef Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Chicken Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Shrimp Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
LUNCH SPECIALS-Served All Day with Pork Fried Rice
APPETIZERS (Each Substitution Extra $1.00)
1. Pork Chow Mein, Egg Roll-------------$9.95
2. Subgum Pork Chow Mein, Egg Roll--$9.95
3. Pork Egg Foo Young, Chicken Wings-$10.95
4. Beef Chop Suey, Chicken Wings-------$10.95
5. Pork with Mushrooms,
Chicken Fingers-----------------------
6.Peppers Steak, with Onion Chicken Wings-$10.95
7. Lobster Sauce, Egg Roll------------------$9.95
8. Sweet & Sour Pork, Chicken Wings-----$10.95
9. Sweet & Sour Chicken, Egg Roll---------$10.95
10. Pork Chow Mein, Chicken Fingers------$9.95
11. Beef Teriyaki, Chicken Fingers----------$10.95
12. Fried Shrimp, Chicken Wings------------$10.95
13. Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Roll------------$9.95
14. Chicken Chow Mein, Chicken Fingers---$9.95
15. Chicken Chow Mein, Fried Shrimp-------$9.95
16. Pork Chop Suey, Beef Teriyaki------------$
17. Shrimp Chop Suey, Egg Roll--------------$10.95
18. Beef with Mushroom, Egg Roll-----------$10.95
19. Moo Goo Gai Pan, Egg Roll---------------$10.95
20.Shrimp w/ Lobster Sauce, Crab Rangoon-$10.95
21. *Szechuan Pork, Chicken Teriyaki-------$10.95
22. *Szechuan Chicken, Egg Roll--------------$10.95
23. *Szechuan Beef, Egg Roll------------------$10.95
24. *Szechuan Shrimp, Crab Rangoon--------$10.95
25.*Pork w/ Peking Sauce, Chicken Teriyaki-$10.95
26.*Chicken w/Peking Sauce, Crab Rangoon-$10.95
27. *Beef with Peking Sauce, Egg Roll--------$10.95
28. *Shrimp with Peking Sauce, Egg Roll----$10.95
29.*Pork with Garlic Sauce, Chicken Fingers-$10.95
30.*Chicken w/ Garlic Sauce, Boneless Ribs-$10.95
31. *Beef w/ Garlic Sauce, Crab Rangoons----$10.95
32.*Shrimp with Garlic Sauce, Egg Roll-------$10.95
33. Chicken with Broccoli, Egg Roll-----------$10.95
34.*General Tso’s Chicken or Sesame Chicken$9.25
(Sesame Chicken is not Hot and Spicy.)
35. Beef with Broccoli, Egg Roll----------------$10.95
36. Crab Rangoons, Chicken Finger-----------$10.95
37. Chicken w/ Cashew Nuts, Crab Rangoons-$10.95
38. *General Tso’s Bean Curd--------------------$9.25
HEALTH FOOD with White Rice
Steamed Mixed Vegetable---------------------
Steamed Chicken w/ Vegetables or Broccoli--$11.95
Steamed Shrimp w/ Vegetables or Broccoli--$12.95
COMBINATION DINNERS
Served all day with Pork Fried Rice
Appetizers (substitution Extra /$1.00)
D1. Egg Roll, Chicken Wing, Beef Teriyaki $12.75
D2. Egg Roll, Chicken Fingers, Beef Teriyaki $12.75
D3. Egg Roll, Boneless Ribs, Chicken Wings $12.75
D4. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Wings, Beef Teriyaki $12.75
D5. Boneless Ribs, Fried Shrimp,
Chicken
Wings $12.75
D6. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Fingers,
Beef
Teriyaki $12.75
D7. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Fingers,
Chicken Wings $12.75
D8. Sweet & Sour Pork, Boneless Ribs,
Egg
Roll
$12.75
D9. Sweet & Sour Chicken, Egg Roll
Chicken
Wings $12.75
D10.
Sesame Chicken, Egg
Roll
D11. *General Tso’s Chicken, Chicken Wings
$
D12. *Orange Chicken, Crab Rangoon
$11.95
D13. Mongolian Chicken, Chicken Fingers
$11.95
D14. Mongolian Beef, Crab Rangoons
D15. Mongolian Beef and Chicken, Egg Roll
$11.95
D16. Chicken with Broccoli, Egg Roll,
Crab
Rangoon $13.25
D17.
Boneless Ribs, Egg Roll, Chicken
Teriyaki
$12.75
D18. Egg Roll, Wings, Chicken Fingers,
Boneless Ribs, Chicken
Teriyaki
$12.75
D19. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Teriyaki
D20. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Wings
D21. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Fingers
D22. Beef with Broccoli, Egg Roll, Chicken
Fingers $13.25
D23. Chicken with Peapods, Egg Roll,
Chicken Fingers
$13.25
D24. Moo Goo Gai Pan, Chicken Teriyaki,
Egg
Roll
$
D25. Pork or Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Roll
Crab
Rangoon $13.25
D26. Chicken or Pork Lo Mein, Crab Rangoon
D27. Shrimp or Beef Lo Mein, Chicken
Finger
$11.95
D28. Pork or Chicken Egg Foo Young,
Egg Roll, Chicken
Finger $13.25
SIDE ORDERS
Duck
Sauce-Small
75 cents-Medium--$1.50-Large-$3.
Sweet and Sour Sauce Small
75 cents-Medium--$1.50-Large-$3.
White Rice—Small $3.75----------------------
Gravy-------------------------
Dry Noodle------------------------
Dumpling Sauce-------------------------------------75 cents