Strumming is the most popular guitar-playing technique, and for a good reason. It is the easiest and fastest way to start playing guitar–and it sounds terrific too. However, there are many other techniques that you can use to play guitar without strumming, and learning these techniques will help you become a much better guitarist.
Here are seven tips on how to play a guitar without strumming:
- Learn all the different picking techniques.
- Teach yourself to play percussion.
- Guitar tapping is an interesting technique to learn.
- Slide guitar is fun and sounds really cool.
- Learn how to use hammer-ons and pull-offs.
- Single note rhythm as an alternative way of playing guitar.
- Shredding is difficult to learn but worth it.
In this article, I will discuss each of these guitar-playing techniques in more detail so that you can have a better understanding of all the different ways you can play guitar without strumming.
Related: how to tune your electric guitar without an amp and 11 finger stretching exercises to do without a guitar. New to this topic? Start with our complete guide to teaching yourself guitar.
1. Learn All the Different Picking Techniques
You might be a strumming expert looking to learn a new way to play guitar, or you might just want to learn a variety of techniques. Either way, picking is one of the best techniques to learn. There is an array of different picking styles, and although they might not be easy to learn, it will definitely be worth it for you in the end.
Picking can be done with your fingers or with a pick, depending on which technique you are learning. When using your fingers, you can alternate between the fleshy part of your finger and the nail to create different sounds. This style of picking is also known as fingerstyle.
Then there’s the picks. There are many different kinds of picks, which also create different sounds,depending on the material they are made from and their thickness. You even get a thumb pick which is pretty cool as it leaves your other fingers open so that you can easily switch between playing with your fingers or with a pick.
Let’s look at all the different picking styles you can learn:
- Plucking. When plucking, you can create different sounds, such as tremolos and arpeggios. Plucking the string near the center of the sound hole creates a softer sound, whereas plucking it near the bridge creates a harder sound.
- Fingerpicking. You must arch your wrist and keep it still when fingerpicking. You will have to practice the muscles in your fingers as they will be working hard.
- Alternate picking. When learning to play guitar, you might only use downstrokes. However, to create a more full sound, you can use alternate picking. When alternate picking, you will use both up and down strokes to play.
- Sweep picking. Sweep picking is a challenging but fun style of playing. You have to be fast as you sweep your pick across the strings, playing single notes on them. You will only fret one string, and it is essential that you mute the other strings, or it will sound like you are strumming.
- Economy picking. This is a combination between alternate picking and sweep picking.
- Gypsy picking. When gypsy picking, you pick the string super hard, and then instead of moving to the following note, you rest the pick on the string below.
- Anchoring. When fingerpicking, you can use your pinky finger to anchor your hand. To do this, you place your pinky finger of the hand you are picking with on the guitar’s body below the strings.
- Tremolo picking. This is a style of picking that you can do with your finger or a pick. You play the same note repeatedly for a certain time, which requires speed and accuracy.
- Hybrid picking. This is a combination between fingerpicking and flat-picking, so you will have to master both of the techniques and switch between them.
- Flat picking. This is the same as finger picking, but instead of using your finger, you use a pick.
If you are used to fingerpicking or just looking to add some new picks to your collection, you can get these MOREYES 42PCS Guitar Picks (available on Amazon.com). You will get 42 picks in seven different thicknesses and colors as well as two pick holders so that you never lose your pick again. These picks are perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals and will ensure you get the sound you are after.
Mastering these different styles will give you various picking methods to incorporate into your playing without ever having to strum.
2. Teach Yourself How To Play Percussion
Percussion is a super exciting guitar style to learn. It sounds incredible if you can master it, and you will have a lot of fun integrating it into your songs. Percussion is not the easiest technique to teach yourself, though. But, with enough practice and dedication, it is possible!
You can use your fingers or a pick when playing percussion, but the idea is to pick the strings aggressively. I suggest using your fingers instead of a pick as it will make it much easier.
Percussion works best when playing on an acoustic guitar as it creates a really intense drumming sound.
When playing percussion, you pick the strings as you usually would. You then add the percussion sound by tapping the guitar’s body between notes. You can use the palm of your hand to slap against the strings or above the strings, next to the sound hole.
You can also use the fingers you are not picking with to tap on the body of the guitar while playing, or you can flick the pickguard area with one of your fingers.
3. Guitar Tapping Is an Interesting Technique To Learn
Guitar tapping sounds excellent and can be used while playing solos to make them sound unique and exciting. Tapping can be done when playing an acoustic or electric