Tips & Techniques
Slap strumming basics (percussive rhythm technique)
Lesson #197
Video Overview
Get the PDF chord sheet (3 pages)
- Support me on Patreon.com to get access to this and 200+ other PDF chord sheets I've made, plus new PDFs I make going forward (1-2 added each week).
- The cost is $3/month (one month minimum, cancel anytime). Annual plans also available. Here's a free sample if you're on the fence. Thanks!
After clicking the button and logging in to Patreon, look for the PDF attached to the bottom of the post.
Editor’s notes
In today’s lesson I am excited to talk about the “slap” strumming technique – which is where you’ll add a distinct percussive sound to your strumming motion via muting the strings with your strumming hand. This is something I struggled with in my early years of guitar playing, as I was fundamentally doing it wrong. With this video, I’ll break down the technique: the motions required, how to step into it slowly, and explain some of the gotchas and pitfalls you might run into. If this technique does give you trouble, just remember to be patient! Often, as with many things on the guitar, getting your muscles to do what you want takes a bit of time. Best of luck - let me know if you have questions, and please send along any requests for technique videos like this!
Understanding the muting technique
The first step in learning the slap strum technique, I think, is to position your strumming hand upon the strings just off the saddle of the guitar. Keep it there. Then, use your pick (in that hand) and play all of the strings. If you’re muting correctly, none of the strings should make a ringing sound – instead, they’ll all sound deadened and “muted”. Play around with your hand position if you have trouble here, while referring to my video. Getting this core technique down is the first step you’ll have to master.
Next, bring in a slow-motion strum
From here, the idea is to practice a single strum - but do it super slowly. The goal is just before your pick hits the strings, you want your strumming hand to land in that “muted” position - and then bring the pick into the strings. The goal is to, with practice, be able to do this in one fluid motion. It is tricky! As your arm, wrist, hand, and fingers (the ones holding the pick) are all doing slightly different things. For example, your arm will need to nearly stop in the muted position - but your hand and fingers will need to keep the pick moving in the direction of the strum.
Adding extra percussive oomph with your arm
A final step in the core technique, which may be tough - is to use your full arm to dial up the force at which you’re hitting the guitar strings. This allows you to dial up the volume of the “slap” that is heard. As I show in the video, you want to get comfortable striking your strings in a controlled, yet forceful way. If this gives you trouble, come back to it after you’ve mastered some simple strum patterns.
Now, try a simple strumming pattern
Once you can do this, it’s a good idea to bring in a basic strum. One idea is to do all down strums, one on each count (1 2 3 4). The goal is to do the slap strum on the “2” and “4” counts. As shown here:
d = down strum X = "slap" (down) strum
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
d X d X
Spicing up the strumming pattern
Personally, I find the following pattern almost more natural to do (which makes it easier, somehow). You’ll want to move your strumming hand in continuous up & down strums on the 8th notes (down up down up down up down up). On the “2” and “4” counts, you’ll want do do a slap strum - note that these are both down strums.
d = down strum X = "slap" (down) strum u = up strum
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
d u X u d u X u
From there, you can apply this to all sorts of strum patterns - but note you’re typically going to use this strum on down-strums, usually on the “2” and “4” count.
Good luck!
I hope this was helpful for you. As always, it’s best to see my video lesson for reference. Please let me know what questions you have, and until next time - best of luck!
Enjoy my lessons? Buy me a beer!
If this and my other lessons have proven helpful to you, please consider making a one-time donation to my tip jar. Contributions of any amount help make this project possible (including the many, many hours I put into it).
You can also support me on Patreon. For only $3/month you'll get access to a print-friendly PDF of my notes for each new lesson (view free sample).
Thanks!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!
Recent video lessons:
📝 Print-friendly PDFs now available for all new lessons I make, including all those listed below. Get a free sample »
-
Wellerman (Sea Shanty)
by Nathan Evans
Jan 13, 2020 • Lesson #346
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Melody Notes in "Can't Help Falling in Love"
Warm-Up Exercise
Jan 10, 2020 • Lesson #344
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Blank Guitar Tab Templates
Free PDF (7-pages)
Jan 9, 2020 • Lesson #345
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Auld Lang Syne
traditional New Years song
Dec 30, 2020 • Lesson #203
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Sunday Morning Coming Down
by Johnny Cash / K. Kristofferson
Dec 28, 2020 • Lesson #98
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
O Holy Night
by Sufjan Stevens
Dec 24, 2020 • Lesson #343
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Nothing Compares 2 U
by Chris Cornell
Dec 12, 2020 • Lesson #339
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Cats in the Cradle
by Harry Chapin
Dec 5, 2020 • Lesson #341
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Sweet Virginia
by The Rolling Stones
Nov 29, 2020 • Lesson #340
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Last Christmas
by Wham!
Nov 28, 2020 • Lesson #200
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
You've Got a Friend in Me
Toy Story / Randy Newman
Nov 22, 2020 • Lesson #338
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Enough to Leave
by Billy Strings
Nov 15, 2020 • Lesson #337
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
by Bob Dylan
Nov 8, 2020 • Lesson #88
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
"Starlight" Riff in F#
Warm-Up Exercise
Nov 8, 2020 • Lesson #336
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Thunder Road
by Bruce Springsteen
Nov 1, 2020 • Lesson #335
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
G finger position guide
Tips & Technique
Oct 25, 2020 • Lesson #334
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Wish You Were Here
by Pink Floyd
Oct 23, 2020 • Lesson #65
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Father and Son
by Cat Stevens
Oct 18, 2020 • Lesson #333
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Layla (acoustic)
by Eric Clapton
Oct 11, 2020 • Lesson #103
Watch Video & Get PDF »