upstrokes

Upstrokes are a term used in music to describe a stroke of a plucked or strummed instrument performed with an upward movement of the picking hand, the opposite of a downstroke which moves downward across the strings. The term is most commonly associated with guitar technique but applies to other plucked instruments such as ukulele, mandolin, and banjo.

In guitar playing, upstrokes are produced by lifting the pick or finger motion from the lower-pitched strings toward the higher-pitched strings. They are typically used in alternating picking patterns and in strumming to achieve a lighter attack on the upper strings. For rhythm guitar, players often combine downstrokes and upstrokes to create a driving or dynamic feel, with the upstroke helping to bridge chords and maintain momentum between movements.

In strumming, upstrokes are useful for completing rhythmic patterns and adding variety to velocity and texture. They are commonly emphasized on offbeats in genres such as reggae and pop and can be combined with palm muting or partial chords to achieve a percussive effect. In single-note picking, upstrokes contribute to smoother transitions when used with proper timing and technique; many players alternate directions to optimize speed and efficiency.

Technique and tone considerations: Upstrokes generally produce a brighter, lighter tone than downstrokes because of the attack and contact with the string. Effective upstroke technique involves a relaxed wrist, a controlled angle of the pick, and muting of unused strings to avoid extraneous noise. Practice with a metronome on simple patterns, then gradually increase tempo.

In other string instruments and pedagogy, the concept of upstrokes is similarly tied to rhythm, articulation, and the alternation with downstrokes to shape musical phrases.