August 2026 Challenge Response – Mark T

[Mark T]

Dear AMers – For this month’s challenge, I’m revisiting one thing I continue to struggle with: Rapid strumming – particularly with a pick.

This is something I’ve mentioned before, but have I worked on it, or practised different techniques? Don’t be silly 😂😂; of course I haven’t – so the problem continues 😎😎🤣🤣

Some people advocate keeping the wrist stiff, and only moving from the elbow. Others say to keep the wrist loose and strum from there. Some folks maintain that the secret is to use a thin pick/plectrum – yet others firmly believe a thick/hard one is best for this. It all leaves me thinking that the advice depends on what works for the person giving it 🤓🤓

In reality though, the only advice needed is: Practice, practice, practice 😁.

I’ve avoided this by either strumming with my fingers – which I find much easier – or more often, flicking with 3 fingers.

Anyhoo – here is a demonstration of my struggles, using a small part of “The Beatles: Things We Said Today”.

I hope you enjoy it 😁🤞! Best wishes and I’m looking forward to seeing what other people struggle with (I’m not sure that is the right thing to say 🫤🤔) ♥️

[Michael Krailo]

Very good production Mark. I was kind of distracted by the way you hold those drum sticks 🙂

Root note patterns >>> CAGED shapes >>> TRIAD'S. Just put in the work and watch your guitar skills soar.

[Dieter]

I think everyone has to find their own solution.
Yours, in any case, fits this (great) song very well.
Personally, I try out the right pick before every time I play a new song; I get the best results with picks ranging from extremely thin to medium.
The position of the three remaining fingers—the ones not holding the pick—is also a point of debate. Brian, for example, makes a fist, but many, like me, keep them extended while playing.

Dieter

[charjo]

Really great production, Mark. Not sure which strumming style was giving you an issue there.
My problem is with the really fast strumming like the start of Pinball Wizard or the rhythm of Soul Man. For Soul Man I think the key is to limit the range of motion of your strum, ie maybe only forearm pronation. For Pinball Wizard I thik it’s more about relaxation of the wrist. All strumming requires a really light grip of the pick. That allows me to use a 1 mm for both strum and picking.
John

[JoeD1]

Nice production Mark. Your vocals were spot on! Strumming didn’t appear to be an issue at all!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Don Patton jr]

Hi Mark,
I am very impressed drums, vocals, electric and acoustic guitar input …very nice 💯
Sometimes I like to strum without a pic, using the back of my index finger..gives a softer sound and touch. 🎶🎵🙂

Don P

[Alan L]

Awesome, looks like you had a gas! 😊

[AndréM]

Wow! awesome Mark.
Nice to have Ringo join you.
For fast picking I let my wrist loose and sometimes I use a thinner pick.

AndréM

AndréM

[James B]

Great cover, Mark. Love that song. It all sounds good. Vocals and harmonies are spot on. There’s no time to practice your strumming when you’re playing the drums and the bass and singing too. 😀

[Michael L]

Hi Mark, wow! Really impressed with your video and putting those parts together. That’s a lot of work!
I can relate on the fast strumming… I generally avoid it altogether!!

[sciencefiction]

Nice playing, Mark! This was very cool–sounded great. There was so much going on (good!) that it’s difficult to comment just on strumming. However, I didn’t detect any strumming problems in this piece. It all sounded good including your singing.
Larry

[Author]

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