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Video Question: Upstroke Without a Pick

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Date: April 9th, 2009 | Length: 3.17 | Instructor: Jim Deeming

Domovoy asked "Hi guys! Question from a beginner about playing without a pick. I'm trying to figure out how to do down and upstrokes by hand (mostly for the chorus parts of songs / bridges where the usual strumming pattern gets boring). The downstrokes, where the nails of my fingers strike the strings, come pretty naturally. But on the way up, some of my fingers (pinky and ring finger mostly) get caught on the High-E and B strings. Are there any (1) hand positions/movements, and (2) exercises that you guys can recommend to fix the problem? Many thanks! -- Dmitry." Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.
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Other Video Responses:

Thumb Independence - April 21st, 2008 (3 minutes, 10 seconds)
Kenstyle asks, "How much is the thumb really independent during finger style and how much of it is super coordination with the right hand? thanks in advance!!! Love the lessons" View Response
new used guitar - April 28th, 2008 (2 minutes, 13 seconds)
Dallas says, "Bought a used schecter diamond series elite7 string.had esp ltd and still have. been playing 6months and I'm 48yrs old. Is this a good guitar to practice on or should i get more experience. neck is wider and i have to stretch more on chords plus i have to play up a string. makes me concentrate more.also is the 7th string tuned in B?" View Response
Chord Help Strumming Problems - August 2nd, 2007 (2 minutes, 50 seconds)
Berwin, "I am having a difficult time with the C chord. My fingers are positioned correctly and no dead sound is apparent, it just seems to out of tune and just doesnt sound correct while I am strumming it. I have used been using a tuner and everything seems to be in tune. What am I possibly doing wrong?" View Response
Nylon Strings on a Steel String Guitar - June 12th, 2009 (2 minutes, 31 seconds)
Dallendouglas asked "Thank You for taking my question! I would like to know if there is any problem with changing from Metal Strings to Nylon Strings on one of my Guitars. I have a Older "Harmony Seoverign"(1960) and have used it over the years as my practice Guitar and recently purchased a new Acoustic Electric. I have taken an Interest in Classical and would like to use Nylon strings on the Harmony. Is that a Problem?can I just change them over?? Thank You. Dennis Douglas." View Response
Slash Chords - October 10th, 2007 (3 minutes, 12 seconds)
Knoemee says, "Hi Steve, I was browsing the CHORD library, it seems quite limited. I couldn't find any slash chords. For example, C/E, E/G#, A/C# etc. Was quite disappointed. I just signed up as a member yesterday for 3 months. It's either what I see is what I from the Jamplay's Chord Library or did i missed out in any links in JAMplay website? Thanks! Dawn" View Response