--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you play guitar and strum, you're…" description: "\"When you play guitar and strum, you're using biceps and triceps to move up and down. I realized you could just turn your wrist, your forearm, using sma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/jake-shimabukuro-17874_arm_when-you-play-guitar-and-strum-you-re-us_1986017.jpg" --- # When you play guitar and strum, you're using biceps and… ![“When you play guitar and strum, you're using biceps and triceps to move up and down. I realized you could just turn your wrist, your forearm, using smaller muscles in your arm that are much more efficient and much quicker.” quote by Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/jake-shimabukuro-17874_arm_when-you-play-guitar-and-strum-you-re-us_1986017.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/jake-shimabukuro-17874_arm_when-you-play-guitar-and-strum-you-re-us_1986017.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/jake-shimabukuro-17874_arm_when-you-play-guitar-and-strum-you-re-us_1986017.jpg) > “When you play guitar and strum, you're using biceps and triceps to move up and down. I realized you could just turn your wrist, your forearm, using smaller muscles in your arm that are much more efficient and much quicker.” [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The guitarist describes a more efficient way to play by using wrist and forearm muscles instead of larger arm muscles. **In simple terms:** Use smaller muscles for faster, efficient guitar playing. Key Takeaway Adopt wrist‑focused technique for speed. Themes muscle efficiency guitar technique practice Mood practical educational Type instructional technical When to use this quote - solo performances - practice sessions - live shows - recording Key Concepts kinematics motor control learning strategies Questions to Reflect On - What exercises can strengthen wrist muscles? - How does this change affect tone? A Different Perspective Transitioning may require relearning and patience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arm/) [Biceps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biceps/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down/) [Efficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficient/) [Forearm Using](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forearm-using-3417906/) [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Guitar Strum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar-strum-3417904/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Move](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Muscles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muscles/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Quicker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quicker/) [Realized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realized/) [Smaller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smaller/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Strum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strum-1554904/) [Strum Using](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strum-using-3417903/) [Turn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turn/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Up and down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up-and-down/) [Using](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/using/) [Using Biceps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/using-biceps-3417905/) [Wrist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrist/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [I love playing acoustic guitar because I strum with my hands to feel more connected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananya-birla/i-love-playing-acoustic-guitar-because-i-strum-with-my-hands-to-feel/) [Ananya Birla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananya-birla/) > [I can play rhythm guitar. I know how to hold a guitar and strum it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-can-play-rhythm-guitar-i-know-how-to-hold-a-guitar-and-strum-it/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [I don't sing. I played guitar for a while. I'm not great, I'm not Lenny Kravitz by any means, but I do like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-hemsworth/i-don-t-sing-i-played-guitar-for-a-while-i-m-not-great-i-m-not-lenny/) [Liam Hemsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-hemsworth/) > [“There are many ties that bind, and as many walls that divide. Music and madness. Love and unending time. Race and war. Strum weaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-young/there-are-many-ties-that-bind-and-as-many-walls-that-divide-music-and/) [Nancy Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-young/) > [But that guitar is the perfect companion to the human voice. You rest it against your gut, against your heart, and when you strum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/but-that-guitar-is-the-perfect-companion-to-the-human-voice-you-rest/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [“The multiple choices and possibilities of daily life are the music we dance to. They are like strings on a guitar. Strum and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-multiple-choices-and-possibilities-of-daily-life-are-the-music-we-3/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Lay down the song you strum, And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings No voice can hope to hum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/lay-down-the-song-you-strum-and-rest-yourself-neath-the-strength-of/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [People have learned how to strum a guitar, but they don't have the soul. They don't feel it from the heart. It hurts me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lightnin-hopkins/people-have-learned-how-to-strum-a-guitar-but-they-don-t-have-the/) [Lightnin' Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lightnin-hopkins/) > [I don't have a very disciplined approach to practicing or anything, but I do tend to have a guitar around most of the time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gilmour/i-don-t-have-a-very-disciplined-approach-to-practicing-or-anything/) [David Gilmour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gilmour/) > [I saw the Bangles before I was in a band. I really liked their rhythm. That was right when I was trying to learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-shattuck/i-saw-the-bangles-before-i-was-in-a-band-i-really-liked-their-rhythm/) [Kim Shattuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-shattuck/) > [For offensive line play, it all starts from the ground up. Being able to use your strength in your legs, your hips, it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-kelce/for-offensive-line-play-it-all-starts-from-the-ground-up-being-able/) [Jason Kelce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-kelce/) > [“Gone are the days when 19-inch biceps would once command respect. A Jedi doesn’t walk around with their arms flexed and with a thousand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/gone-are-the-days-when-19-inch-biceps-would-once-command-respect-a/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [ I've always liked walking; that's one of my favorite things to do, and I try to walk every day. \[In Washington, D.C.\] I can't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bush/i-ve-always-liked-walking-that-s-one-of-my-favorite-things-to-do-and/) [Laura Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bush/) > [For my workout, I'm up at 4am. I say my prayers, count my blessings, and I work out right away. I just get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/for-my-workout-i-m-up-at-4am-i-say-my-prayers-count-my-blessings-and/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [I see the most change in my body through exercise. They say diet determines your weight, and exercise determines your shape - I find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-bronfman/i-see-the-most-change-in-my-body-through-exercise-they-say-diet/) [Hannah Bronfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-bronfman/) ## More by Jake Shimabukuro > [I'm not the kind of person that can do the same thing over and over and over, so that's why touring, playing in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/i-m-not-the-kind-of-person-that-can-do-the-same-thing-over-and-over/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [I thought I'd grow up to be a teacher, or maybe run for political office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/i-thought-i-d-grow-up-to-be-a-teacher-or-maybe-run-for-political/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [Classical music presents some of the world's most challenging pieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/classical-music-presents-some-of-the-world-s-most-challenging-pieces/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [I always feel a little funny being in front of a lot of people trying to show them my approach to the ukulele, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/i-always-feel-a-little-funny-being-in-front-of-a-lot-of-people-trying/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [You know, I think music is very interactive. It's a - it's a language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/you-know-i-think-music-is-very-interactive-it-s-a-it-s-a-language/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [Most of my ukulele heroes were traditional players from Hawaii, like Eddie Kamae and Ohta-san. There may not be uke stars in popular culture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/most-of-my-ukulele-heroes-were-traditional-players-from-hawaii-like/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [When you go into the studio or get up on the stage with people who have more experience or knowledge, you learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/when-you-go-into-the-studio-or-get-up-on-the-stage-with-people-who/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [You know, Leonard Cohen is amazing, just a mastermind, and really one of the great geniuses of our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/you-know-leonard-cohen-is-amazing-just-a-mastermind-and-really-one-of/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [Growing up, the ukulele was always a respected instrument. It's a big part of our culture. It wasn't until I started traveling outside of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/growing-up-the-ukulele-was-always-a-respected-instrument-it-s-a-big/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [Now I know what a dulcimer is supposed to sound like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/now-i-know-what-a-dulcimer-is-supposed-to-sound-like/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [Because if everyone played the ukulele, this world would be a much happier place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/because-if-everyone-played-the-ukulele-this-world-would-be-a-much/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [I love the fact that people don't see the ukulele as a serious instrument. A lot of people see it as more of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/i-love-the-fact-that-people-don-t-see-the-ukulele-as-a-serious/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [You get older, you start meeting girls, you want to impress them. And if you happen to know an instrument, what you do is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/you-get-older-you-start-meeting-girls-you-want-to-impress-them-and-if/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [I think everyone should feel like they can make music, they can create music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/i-think-everyone-should-feel-like-they-can-make-music-they-can-create/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) > [Jazz is an art that takes decades to appreciate and understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shimabukuro/jazz-is-an-art-that-takes-decades-to-appreciate-and-understand/) [Jake Shimabukuro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) [Explore all 36 Jake Shimabukuro quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shimabukuro/) ## More Arm quotes > [We immerse ourselves in escapist mass entertainment, such as 'reality T.V.' programs. We support fanatical politicians and preachers. Our politicians, in turn, support dictators…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-myers/we-immerse-ourselves-in-escapist-mass-entertainment-such-as-reality-t/) [Brendan Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-myers/) > [Some people aren't touchy-feely, but I grew up in a family where you'd walk into the family room and there'd be five people on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-o-donnell/some-people-aren-t-touchy-feely-but-i-grew-up-in-a-family-where-you-d/) [Chris O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-o-donnell/) > [Our covering ministry is Challenge for Christ ministries, and Travel the Road was solely our mission arm, designed to expose people to what missions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scott/our-covering-ministry-is-challenge-for-christ-ministries-and-travel/) [Michael Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scott/) > [You wouldn't walk into a music store and walk out with a piece of music under your arm. So why would it be acceptable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/you-wouldn-t-walk-into-a-music-store-and-walk-out-with-a-piece-of/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [Sometimes I have to compromise my views, but I never compromise on issues like the death penalty and the arm trade laws, despite what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-shapiro/sometimes-i-have-to-compromise-my-views-but-i-never-compromise-on/) [Jonathan Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-shapiro/) > [I became an inventor by accident. I was out of the Air Force in 1956. No, no, that's not true: I went in in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-norris/i-became-an-inventor-by-accident-i-was-out-of-the-air-force-in-1956/) [Woody Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-norris/) > [If the arm got sore, we went out and pitched until the soreness left - we had to, or we would have been dropped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-nichols/if-the-arm-got-sore-we-went-out-and-pitched-until-the-soreness-left/) [Kid Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-nichols/) > [Because I don't produce insulin, I have to put insulin into my body, which means that I have a pen with a needle on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-cutler/because-i-don-t-produce-insulin-i-have-to-put-insulin-into-my-body/) [Jay Cutler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-cutler/) > [I like to be approachable but I also like... I like to keep people at arm's length.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-grassi/i-like-to-be-approachable-but-i-also-like-i-like-to-keep-people-at/) [Mitch Grassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-grassi/) > [Something went wrong with my right arm. I no longer could throw hard, and it hurt like the dickens every time I threw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dazzy-vance/something-went-wrong-with-my-right-arm-i-no-longer-could-throw-hard/) [Dazzy Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dazzy-vance/) > [Monet was like a conductor. He painted with quite a straight arm and used bold strokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/monet-was-like-a-conductor-he-painted-with-quite-a-straight-arm-and/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [In judo, you get your arm broke. You get choked. You can tear your ACL.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-fournier/in-judo-you-get-your-arm-broke-you-get-choked-you-can-tear-your-acl/) [Evan Fournier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-fournier/) > [Being Jewish has always been important to me. I now have 6M tattooed on the inside of my left arm. It's only a half-inch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/being-jewish-has-always-been-important-to-me-i-now-have-6m-tattooed/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I guess I set a world record for errors. I had a pretty good arm, see, but I didn't have much control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mordecai-brown/i-guess-i-set-a-world-record-for-errors-i-had-a-pretty-good-arm-see/) [Mordecai Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mordecai-brown/) > [You never make fun of anybody with a club foot or a withered arm, but it's open season on anybody who stutters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/you-never-make-fun-of-anybody-with-a-club-foot-or-a-withered-arm-but/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) [Browse all 167 Arm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arm/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you play guitar and strum, you're using biceps and triceps to move up and down. 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