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Question: When playing an electric guitar how do you know how many strings to strum!?
How do i know how many strings to strum when playing the guitar!?

here's a good example
e| |---------------------------------|-----!.!.!.
B| |o--------------------------------|-----!.!.!.
G| |---------7-7-7-7-------------2-2-|-----!.!.!.
D| |-9-9-9-9-7-7-7-7-5-5-5-5-4-4-2-2-|-9-9-!.!.!.
A| |o9-9-9-9-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-4-4-0-0-|-9-9-!.!.!.
D| |-9-9-9-9---------5-5-5-5-4-4-----|-9-9-!.!.!.
would i strum all six strings!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
You only strum or pick the strings with the fret positions (numbers)!.

The first power chord you have there you would only strum the bottom three strings!. The 2nd one you would only strum the A, the higher D (4th string) and the G!.

Unless a chord is represented like this:

|---0------|
|---0------|
|---0------|
|---2------|
|---2------|
|---0------|

You would strum all the 6 strings because '0' on the a tab line means open!. But on the example you have given you only strum the strings with the fret positions on them (numbers!.) If a line is blank (has no opens '0' or fret positions: eg!. 9) don't strum or pick it!.

also the little 'o's you have at the start aren't opens!. That just means repeat that bar!. Two 'o's at the start usually stand for repeat!. Don't get confused between opens '0' and repeat symbols (two 'o's at the start of the bar)

Hope I've helped or at least not confused you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

/ All the strings above are strummed (The e is an 'open string' note)!.

Basically, use your ear to know when you need the bass strings emphasized, and when you need the high strings emphasized!.

Some chords sound better with full strings, or just the high or low sounds!. also, some chords sound better strummed slowly upwards from the bottom of the guitar to the top!.

You can even muffle the sound by lightly covering the bottom of all the strings with the area of your right hand nearest the pinky, while strumming!.

It is all a matter of personal preference, and there is no real set rule!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

no!. only DADGB!. there arent any notes on the e!.Www@QuestionHome@Com