What does strumming mean?
Strumming describes the act of playing a stringed instrument by brushing or lightly striking its strings, usually with the fingers or a pick. It is most often associated with guitar playing, particularly acoustic accompaniment, folk music, and casual musical performance. As a gerund, strumming can describe either the physical action or the repeating rhythm and sound it produces. In phrases such as “strumming a guitar” and “strumming along,” it conveys an informal, often relaxed musical activity. The word can also be used more specifically to emphasize the movement of the hand across several strings rather than the melodic playing of individual notes. Because it is based on the verb “strum,” its use extends beyond guitars to other stringed instruments such as ukuleles and mandolins. In descriptions of recordings and performances, strumming may describe a characteristic accompaniment or texture.
Playing a stringed instrument by brushing or lightly striking the strings with the fingers or a pick.
"The musicians entered strumming their instruments as the audience began to clap."
Used as the present participle of strum.
The act of playing a stringed instrument in this way, or the rhythmic sound produced by it.
"The gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar filled the room."
The noun sense is less frequent than the gerund use, and the plural strummings is uncommon.
The plural is uncommon; strumming is usually used as a gerund or as an uncountable noun referring to the activity or sound.
"The evening's quiet strummings drifted in from the porch."
A gentle strum can turn a quiet room into a bandstand, even when no one sings a note.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strumming come from?
Strumming is the present participle and gerund of strum, a verb recorded in English by the early nineteenth century. The exact origin of strum is uncertain, although it is sometimes connected with earlier words associated with humming, muttering, or making a low continuous sound. The musical sense developed through the idea of moving the fingers across strings to produce a rhythmic sound.
Related word forms
How strumming is actually used
The word is informal but widely used in music criticism and everyday description. It is especially common for guitar, ukulele, and similar instruments; for other instruments, playing, picking, or plucking may sound more natural.
Easily confused with strumming
Strumming involves playing a stringed instrument, whereas humming means making a low musical sound with the voice.
Strumming is produced by brushing or striking strings, while drumming involves striking a drum or similar percussion instrument.