9 Strumming Techniques That Make Your Guitar Playing Sound More Pro
by Simon Candy
Aren’t you sick of sounding like a beginner every time you strum guitar?
If your guitar strumming sounds stiff or robotic, this lesson will fix it. Most players think strumming is just about memorising patterns.
But here’s the truth: The pattern is the least important part. To actually sound good, you need strong rhythm, strumming dynamics, tone, and articulation.
In this lesson, you learn 9 powerful strumming techniques — from targeting specific strings, adding groove with muted and percussive strums, to using palm muting.
These are the exact skills that turn flat, mechanical strumming into something full, expressive, and musical.
You’ll also hear famous song examples so you can instantly recognise and apply each technique.
Watch the video below to learn more:
9 Strumming Techniques for Guitar
Below are nine techniques that will immediately improve your strumming.
We will be applying each of these to the following chord progression:
Be sure to watch the video above to see and hear them in action.
1. Targeting Strings (Strumming Dynamics & Control)
Most beginners strum all the strings, all the time.
This makes everything sound flat and one-dimensional.
Targeting strings means choosing which part of the chord to hit for more light and shade — a key part of good right-hand technique.
This is one of the fastest ways to make your strumming sound better.
Songs that use this technique: (most of them)
• Time Of Your Life – Green Day
• Horse With No Name – America
2. Sparse vs. Dense Strumming
A common beginner mistake is strumming with the same intensity all the time.
Sparse vs. dense strumming teaches you when to pull back and when to fill out the sound — a core part of expressive rhythm guitar.
Songs that use this technique:
• With or Without You – U2
• Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
• The Scientist – Coldplay
3. Bass Note Pick (Adding Shape & Groove)
Adding bass notes before or between strums gives your rhythm playing more shape by emphasising the low end.
This is one of the most practical strumming exercises for beginners and intermediates.
Songs that use this technique:
• Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s
• Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
4. Bridge vs. Neck Strum (Tone Control)
Where you strum matters.
Closer to the bridge = bright, sharp, twangy
Closer to the neck = warm, mellow, round
This single adjustment can completely change the mood of your playing.
Songs that use this technique:
• Breathe – Pink Floyd
• Horse With No Name – America
5. Strum + Pick (Texture & Musicality)
Combining single-picked notes with strumming adds melodic texture and creates more musical movement.
You can add some single notes to your strumming, or add some strumming to your single notes for a great sound.
Songs that use this technique:
• Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
• Time of Your Life – Green Day
• Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
6. Pick + Fingers (Hybrid Technique)
Hybrid picking is when you use both the pick and your fingers to pluck notes.
This is great for players who want expressive strumming without switching fully to fingerstyle.
Songs that use this technique:
• Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
• Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
7. Palm Muting (Groove & Tightness)
Palm muting turns your strumming into a punchy, controlled, almost percussive sound.
It adds groove, tightens your rhythm, and helps you avoid muddy chords.
Songs that use this technique:
• Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
• Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
• Mrs Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel
8. Percussive Strumming/Hits
Using your hand or pick to create a muted “chick” sound turns your guitar into both a harmonic and percussive instrument.
This falls under the broader umbrella of percussive strumming — one of the most fun ways to add groove.
Songs that use this technique:
• Proud Mary – CCR
• Stuck in the Middle with You – Stealers Wheel
9. Embellishments
Instead of holding a static chord, you can add small movements that make the chord feel alive and expressive.
These are known as chord embellishments.
This is the point where strumming stops being “just rhythm” and becomes part of the song’s melody and feel.
Songs that use this technique:
• Norwegian Wood – The Beatles
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
• Patience – Guns N’ Roses
Final Thoughts
You’ve now learned nine techniques that will dramatically improve your strumming technique and transform your rhythm guitar playing.
Combine these approaches where appropriate, and your strumming won’t sound like a beginner anymore — it’ll be musical, expressive, and pro.
Other Lessons You’ll Love
Explore these related lessons to continue building your guitar skills:
Learn the essential patterns every acoustic player needs. This lesson breaks down rhythm, feel, and movement, so your strumming becomes smooth, confident, and musical.
Combining Strumming with Picking on Guitar
Discover how to blend strums and individual picked notes for richer, more expressive accompaniment. Perfect for adding texture and movement to your chord progressions.
Open Chord Embellishments on Guitar
Add colour and expression to your basic chords using simple hammer-ons, pull-offs, and melodic movements that instantly make your playing sound more professional.
Acoustic Guitar Rhythm Techniques 5 Day Minicourse
Learn foundational skills for acoustic guitar, including timing, groove, and feel, that will transform your rhythm guitar playing.