Girls Got Rhythm: Constant Flow

By Lisa Lim

Dream of being a solid rhythm guitar player? Constant motion in your strumming hand equals amazing rhythm guitar playing. It equally applies to your soloing chops as well. Holding a guitar pick with a relaxed grip and keeping the pick parallel with the strings, tip of the pick sweeping across the strings. using a thin or medium gauge pick with some flex is great to start out with. This will all factor into you developing solid rhythmic guitar chops.

Your strumming hand is a built-in metronome. Constant down-up motion… never stopping, even when the pick doesn’t have to connect to the strings on that particular part of a rhythmic pattern. I’ve found this to be the downfall and shortcomings of some guitarists, when they do not allow that constant flow. Starting and stopping, hesitating. This will inevitably throw your timing off. A very vicious cycle any player can fall into.

Conditioning your strumming hand to be steady and constant is essential. You’ve got to start with the basics and be realistic about doing this at a reasonable tempo. I encourage you to tap your foot, as well, when you