Rigorous strumming-hand and forearm technique is at the heart of John’s driving accompaniment. Most of you use your right hand and arm for strumming and picking, but because John is left-handed, you’ll be seeing a mirror image of your own setup. In these first lessons, John introduces you to his very specific approach to choosing a pick, holding it, and using his forearm to power his strumming patterns. Once he’s shown you the foundations of his approach to rhythm guitar, he’ll give you some additional tips for accenting your steady strums to create more complex grooves.
In this video, John delves into the mechanics of his strumming style, beginning with his choice of picks:—a Dunlop nylon .73MM—and why that’s important. He also demonstrates his idiosyncratic grip, which balances his thumb against the index and middle finger in a way that prevents the pick from rotating or tilting, and ensures a consistent angle in relation to the plane of the strings. He continues with a detailed look at how he coordinates his forearm and wrist to build an efficient rhythm machine. You’ll also learn the fundamental chords John uses for playing in the key of D.
