Play all six strings with the pick at the same time, using a downward motion. This is called a strum. Hold the pick lightly and strum from the wrist. Keep your wrist relaxed.
If any notes buzz or sound deadened you may have to press harder with the left hand fingers and make sure that your fingers are just behind the fret (not too far back).
This is the symbol for a downward quarter note strum.
It lasts for one beat.
There are four quarter note strums in one bar of * time.
This is a whole note strum.
It lasts for four beats.
There is one whole note strum in one bar of * time.
In the following example there are four bars of the C major chord played in * time. The chord symbol is written above the staff and is placed at the beginning of each bar. Play the chord with four quarter note strums in each bar. The two dots at the end of bar 4 are a repeat sign, telling you to play the piece again from the start. To make the example sound finished always end with a whole note strum d of the first chord.