Pluck or strum

Question

Could you help me distinguish these two words in playing the guitar?  Thanks.

Savvysavz · Accepted Answer

Hi Trombidu,

When you strum a guitar, you stroke the strings of the instrument.

When you pluck, you pull the strings and immediately detach. (Imagine plucking a fruit).

Savvy

MrPedantic · Answer

In its simplest form, "strumming" involves a broad movement of the thumb or a plectrum across the strings; while "plucking" involves a more precise movement of individual fingers or a plectrum against individual strings.

You can pluck either single notes or chords; but strumming involves only chords.

MrP

Julielai · Answer

MrPedanticYou can pluck either single notes or chords; but strumming involves only chords.

Do you mind elaborating on that for a non-musical dummy like me?

Davkett · Answer

Listen to one of these: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006B66L/qid=1130281694/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/103-3271885-3373449?v=glance&s=classical

Scroll down and click on 'listen'.

MrPedantic · Answer

Do you mind elaborating on that for a non-musical dummy like me?

When you strum, you touch several strings at once, which together make up a chord.

When you pluck (or pick), you touch individual strings, either separately or together. When you pluck strings together, it makes a chord.

The thumb characteristically strikes downward against a string, the fingers upward; while with a plectrum, or fingers pressed together, you can strike either way.

MrP

Julielai · Answer

Thanks a bunch, Mr. P. Gosh, I didn't mean for you to stay up this late to explain this for me!

Thanks! [8]

Pluck or strum

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