Re: OT strummin' on the old banjo

In guitar-playing circles, at least IME, "strum" is a technical term
referring to multi-string sweeps, regardless of implement or lack
thereof.  True "plucking" is done with the fingers, while "picking" is
done with the plectrum (hence its popular name "pick"), although the
latter distinction is somehat blurred by the use of finger picks
(which are worn as rings on the tips of the fingers), which are
especially popular with steel strings.
Then there's "tapping" (striking a still string forcefully against the
fretboard to yield sound without an accompanying pluck/pick/strum),
"hammering on" (similar to tapping but taking advantage of an
established vibration of the string from plucking/picking a lower
note), and "pulling off" (the inverse of a hammer-on, lowering the
note without a new onset).
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FWIW, AHD definition of 'strum': tr. To play i...

On 9/8/07, caeruleancentaur <caeruleancentaur@...> wrote:
> >>R A Brown <ray@...> wrote:
> >>But as I understand it, 'strumming' does not involve the use of a
> >>plectrum.
>
> >"Mark J. Reed" <markjreed@...> wrote:
> >That's not my understanding at all.  If you sweep the pick across
> >multiple strings, that's just as much "strumming" as if you do so with
> >your hand.  I personally find it easier to pluck with my fingers and
> >strum with a pick than vice-versa, in fact.
>
> FWIW, AHD definition of 'strum': tr. To play idly on or as if on (a
> stringed musical instruement) by plucking the strings with the
> fingers.  Also intransitive.
>
> Charlie
>

--
Mark J. Reed <markjreed@...>