How to Strum a Guitar WITHOUT a Pick 

I'm here because I lost my pick

Me:copies his hand motions His guitar: *lovely strum* Mine: *racket*

An extremely well done lesson. I have been playing guitar for almost 70 years and use my thumb alone far more fequently than I use a pick. I am (was) a classical guitar player and all my guitars use nylon strings and have a wide flat fret board. I find the pick a little too harsh and since I play mostly to entertain myself, I like the soft sound of the thumb and the thumb gives you far more dynamic range from softness to loudness than I am able to achieve with a pick. When I first was learning as a child I had steel string guitar with a crowned narrow neck and I used just a pick for a couple years and then used the pinch method you mentioned where the finger nail of my index finger served as a pick -- either because I had misplaced my pick or just didn't want to take the time to get it because I only had a very short time to practice. I found that "fake pick" (I call it) method gave me more accuracy that the real pick because it gave me tactile feedback that you don't get with a pick. Then I saw a fellow who was using just his thumb alone without the finger. By the time I got a new classical guitar in my early teens I had started using the thumb alone unless I was playing just chords in accompanying my singing in which case I used a pick. As I got better at integrating chords with the melody I found that i needed to use the thumb exclusively. I experimented some with the thumb and finger style of strumming and then learned finger picking using the thumb mostly for the base notes. About ten years or so ago I got ET (Essential Treemors which effected my fingers more than my thumb and changed my style of playing where I used just the down stroke stopping on the melody note. Then my left hand became arthritic and I could no longer play up the neck and for two years I gave up guiitar and even gave my guitar as a graduation present to a cousin's son. About two years ago I got another guitar and started playing again and got my callouses back. I am going to try the the thumb and finger method that you demonstrated for strumming whenI am singing. I am 82 but one is never too old to try something new.

Love how you're just sitting there casually explaining whilst your fingers are IN A CHORD :D my fingers would be dead

Your videos are looking and sounding fantastic these days, Justin. I've been playing for 12 years but I still check out your beginner videos to make sure the foundations of my playing remain solid. Thanks for the many years of amazing free lessons. You're the best teacher on the platform, by a lightyear :)

Finger style strumming without a pick is hard... chords are bitching to strum. Thanks for letting me know what to do

uhh i literally zoned out and thought, "his voice sounds nice"

Hi Justin! 🙋🏻‍♂️ I learned from your beginner course. I started when I was 9. I’m 11yo now. It was challenging but you made it fun. Thanks! Check out how I’m doing!

I hope all your viewers fully understand the importance of this particular tutorial. Not only does it apply to players from beginner to advanced, but it can give hope to people recovering from hand and arm injuries. Until you have experienced a right arm nerve impingement, you can't possibly know how discouraging it is to find that after 30 years playing, suddenly you can't feel or hold a pick. That happened to my arm in 2004 (work injury). I stopped trying to play for almost 3 years. The doctor told me I might start to see improvement in 5 years or so. One day I picked up my Yairi and decided I would find a way to make music, and my whole musical world began to change. But, several years later I stumbled onto your videos and one day I was chasing rabbits looking up some ideas gleaned from your work, and found an interview of Stephen Stills. He described how he rarely uses a pick, but instead uses the thumb/index finger technique, which leaves 3 more fingers to do all kinds of other things. Watching Stills do Daylight Again, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Treetop Flyer, and countless others, along with Neil Young on Love and War, Deadman's Theme, and others, have inspired me to find a way to play. As a side note, in the spring of 2018, the feeling started coming back in my right hand. The doctor told me it was because I continued to find a way to use it. Still can't hold a pick, but I have discovered a whole new way to play in the meantime.

At 15:13, it sounds like you say, "to thumberize" instead of "to summarize", which is great considering so much of the lesson is about thumb use. Freudian pun? Great lesson! Super-interesting stuff.

From beggining i used only hands,never picks and no problem :D

I started playing guitar again after years of not touching one. Started again with an organization here in the States called Guitar For Veterans. They give Veterans 10 free classes and when you complete the course you are given a new guitar for free. My instructor recommended you to advance in my learning. I since have invested in your course and additional books. Thanks for making this available to beginners and advanced players.

14:14 the best guitar I’ve heard

Another great lesson perfectly explained. 4 months ago I had never picked up a guitar. With the help of your beginner lessons and 2 hours every day without fail, it's starting to come together! Thank you Justin!

This came at the perfect time for me. I'm only a few months into learning and I've just started experimenting with playing without a pick. Was good to get some guidance. Another great lesson Justin.

Thanks Justin. You said this was on your list and I’m so glad you posted it sooner than later. Have been searching high and low for a lesson like this. You’re the best.

Justin Sir, Thank you for your service to the world. May God bless you with great health! ! Love from India!

Ha ha, i was playing guitar more than 20 yrs by just fingers and now trying an electric guitar with a pick. i know there will be endless learning even the day i die and that´s why i love this man.

This was very helpful. Thank you for your content! :)

That was some of the best 17 minutes of guitar tutorial I’ve ever watched. A lot more sound information than just about not using a pick, too. I never use a pick, much to the dismay of couple of guys I jam around with. This is sort of vindication, lol. Thanks!

This is great! Thank you. For years I have played with bands and also sing solo using a pick, but when I'm not hooked up to a PA, my guitar overpowers my voice when playing with a pick. It has been 40 years since I have played with one. Now I have to do gigs without an amplifier to sing so I have to learn how to do this again. I can't believe I forgot how. It used to come natural to me. Thanks again. God bless!

Hi Justin, great video. I am a beginner on your course, just at stage 2 now, and enjoying it, I tend to move towards finger strumming, so this has been a helpful session. Loving the beard mate suits you a treat!!

WOW, another Class 1A lesson 🙏. Top quality!!

Hey Justin just wanted to say thank you from a fellow Tasmanian. I appreciate the amount of detail and the time you have put into these videos.

A really great lesson, Justin. This topic is very rarely covered. Thank you.

Great job on this video, Justin. Awesome production quality. You pretty much single-handedly taught me how to play guitar over the last three years. Keep up the great content :)

Top lesson as per usual Justin, cheers. Very useful.

You’re an amazing teacher. You explain things very well, are VERY knowledgeable, and you emphasize individual preferences, exploration and having fun. Thank you

Great lesson! I've just picked up my first acoustic and the timing for me is perfect. Thank you!

great lesson Justin! thank you

Im trying to learn the guitar again and these videos help me a lot!! Thank you!!! ❤️

One combo you didn't mention that I use quite often is a variation of the invisible pick pinch style where I use the nail of my index finger on the down strum, and the thumbnail on the up stroke. It's a bit louder and brighter than the fleshy parts of the fingers, but still quieter than a pick. I've never really used a pick well, and I find it easier to be accurate with my fingers because I just know where they are. It just feels more natural to me.

Excellent. I'm just starting out, and I thought I was weird for liking strumming but not liking the pick. Now I feel more 'in contact' with the guitar, and even more glad that I opted for an OM instead of a dread. Many thanks.

loved this one, dude, thank you!! been struggling the last few days, been tryna learn guitar somewhere before i start looking for courses cause my mom is not so well financially rn (i mainly play piano, so i already know intermediate/advanced music theory) but it's been a real pain in the ass to find useful free help, your website it's been the most help i've had yet, so thank you

3:43 Me: *laughs in short nails*

Thank you so much for your videos! They are extremely helpful!!

Thanks Justin. I love your emphasis on developing a technique that feels comfortable and sounds good to me vs pressing myself to imitate what some instructors, as you pointed out, “insist” is THE proper technique. My dad once told me that Arnold Palmer had one of the most in-orthodox golf swings possible, and he ends up being golfing legend. Again, many thanks. Your relaxed style of teaching is simply wonderful. You have a gift.

Great lesson Justin! Very helpful for a beginner like myself. Thanks...........

Find your own way, your own path, in the musical journey.. Thanks for the inspiration Justin

I saw various youtubers making us learn Guitar but Justin guitar is my favourite..Timeless teaching style. ❤️

Thank you ... you r so precise yet lots of flexibilities with your method. You make a very good tutor 👍🏻

Thank you so much! This was so helpful! x

Appreciate this and I share with many other folks. Cheers!

Although your list of beginning lessons were over a year ago, I found you. I’m 75 years old and was teaching myself. When I lost my husband, I stopped learning. Now I’m starting over and found you. Thank you! I’m continuing your lessons now.

Awesome video Justin. You have a way of explaining thing's really well. I joined your website.

Coming from a ukulele background, using a plec is most definitely alien to me. Watching your vid made me remember when I was learning anything new, even though I kept going, ‘I’m never going to be able to do this.’ Then at some point in time I’d think, ‘Why was that so hard.’ Thanks for the reminder and keep up with the great lessons.

Awesome course! Thanks for the content!

Love this tutorial. Will keep following your videos. Thanks a lot.

I was looking for this for a long time. Excellent to have your channel in my subscribed channel list. Thanks a lot Justin 👍👍👍

awesome dude, this gives me a lot of confidence! thanks!

Thanks Justin, as always very helpful.

Very helpful, thanks bro.

Thanks for the video! It was just what I needed!

Hes the only youtube guitar tutorialist that read my mind and complications i was using my finger and thumb individually and wondering why nobody has made video on those options then he comes outta left field and breaks it down..well done chap youve earned my subscription

Was waiting for this tutorial..thank uh so much..u r d best

Thank you! Wonderful lesson, simply and clear!

I always thought I was doing it wrong because I strum with my thumb! It's comforting to not feel like I'm doing it all wrong

I can't wait to try out every method. You are a gifted teacher and you make it fun. I'm a beginner enjoying every moment as i plod along

Well explained Sr 👏 thank you very much 😊

This video will really help me to get much more comfortable in playing the guitar without a pick, thank you Justin, I'm a big fan of your amazing Videos :)

Thank you for this! First video I found that thoroughly explains different options and doesn't say that one is better than the other-just for different types of songs or whatever. I've somehow taught myself to strum with mainly my middle finger and partly my ring finger and pinky. I'm now trying to unlearn that habit and do it with my pointing finger (don't know the English word lol) because the sound seems clearer. But I'm also just gonna worry a bit less about it now that I've seen this video. :D

The best. As always, great content!

Thanks for the video. This helps me a lot

Oh my godddd Justin this helped me alottt thank you do muchhhh I literally needed thiss ahh god bless youuu 🥺💜💜💜

Thank you!!!! This is very helpful in learning the guitar

Thanks Justin,great lesson

Extremely helpful. Never found something as informative as this video 💜💜

I would love a similar video on how to get hybrid picking to sound consistent between the pick and the fingers.

Really helps. Cheers

Very interesting. Thank you

I've always strummed like how he's doing it at 09:55 In fact almost all of the time when I'm playing an acoustic guitar, I'll play using this method. I don't move my whole arm, but rather do a pivot twist at the rist to creat my up and down strumming motions. I'm also able to do 16th or even 32th beat strums using this method as it gives me more speed

Thank you Justin

His explanations are very clear and concise.

Very helpful and clearly explained, thanks very much😀😀😀

Wow I didn't though much of this lesson when I saw the title but I'm very happy that I listened to it completely!

Thank you, this was a really great lesson!

So helpful

thank you so much great lesson.

A very nice and informative lesson. Thanks for doing this.

Very good ,Sir..thanks

thanks sir for sharing your ideas. appreciated so much

Very useful information! Thank you😊👍

I first ditched the pick when i started performing at the open mic sessions at my local pub and found that, due to my relatively quiet signing voice, the guitar would drown out my vocals if I used a pick. Using my thumb resulted in a much better balance between guitar and vocals and saved me or the host having to twiddle around with volume levels. I've never bothered with a pick since.

This is wonderful, thank you kindly!

I’ve always strummed without a pick because I found it difficult to get the pick strumming sounding nice. I just got your strumming techniques dvd out again today and I’ve started it with a pick, also started doing scales with a pick. After 5 year playing I think it’s time I learned to use one

Thank you for the tips! My finger always gets stuck the up strum, but now I know how to fix it!

Another great lesson Justin. In a good way you are like my comfy jandels. I’m so used to your teaching I learn fast. Because you have a great manor and lesson are structured similar. I have your first guitar book for beginners. Maybe I need to buy another. Cheers Brent

Very very nice and effective lessons. Thank you so much Sir.

That's the best video you can find on the youtube, who legit knows how to teach finger picking.. ❤️

Great video! I spent the entire 17 minutes trying to learn while simultaneously seeing Toy Caldwell in my mind.

OMG, this was so helpful, thanks a lot! I never knew what I was doing with my right hand until now!

About 45 years ago I wanted to learn how to play guitar but with no money and no formal instruction I lost interest. In the meantime a lot of my friends took lessons and learned how to play. Then around 3 years ago we had an outdoor event and some of those same friends I hadn’t seen in all those years showed up and jammed outside and I marveled at what they had accomplished over the years. It literally sparked a fire inside me to pick up where I left off so many years before. But where to start? Of course! The internet which didn’t exist all those years ago. But then there were so many choices. I checked out quite a few but finally settled on your courses. I started at the beginning and stuck with it thru the intermediate courses..I learned so much from your courses and I refer back to them on occasion. I still use the one minute changes routine when I run into a chord change that can be challenging when learning a song. I’m glad you posted this video. I struggled with a pick when starting out and although I learned to use them, I still prefer using my thumb and fingers. There’s just something about the feel on the strings that makes it more satisfying. I truly believe that I was gifted a dexterity in my hands that lends better to this style. My musician friends say to do what is comfortable and create your own style. And it seems to work just fine. I will never get to their level as they have been in bands and have done some recording. But I’m fine being a campfire guitar star. All I ever wanted to do was learn how to play and I have, thanks to you!

Great video Justin, thanks!

Thank you for this playlist.

I started guitar only a few weeks ago and 14:14 looks like crazy! I can’t wait to figure out how to do something like that

This is very useful. Thank you sir.

After not using a pick for 40 years solely for the agility, I’ve made a wire finger pick and self adhesive surgical tape. It affords me all options, love it! 22 gauge stainless steel wire, perfect for me.

Here's it for what i was looking for tq sir for all the efforts n time to teach for PPL like us🥺😍tq so much sir God bless you

Thank You very much! After listening this Your Video I've a bit relaxed, as I can see I was not playing so wrong, and there are many ways, anyone should just find his own style! 👍

这是我看过最好的，最细心的教学❤