I can't up strum on multiple string?
 

Angle your pick towards the direction of the strum. That means if you're up-strumming then the tip of your pick should be slightly behind your fingers, and the back of your pick should be the closest to your face (that isnt really clear but I hope you get the idea). If you can do a decent downstrum, just angle your pick in the opposite direction. I'm not sure if that is the correct way, but it works for me.

PRACTICE!!!!

Sorry dude. That is the only correct answer.

When I first started out my strumming sounded horrible. I stayed away from open chords for just the reason lol. I found that just lose the pick for a while and just strum with your thumb. It will feel more natural and when you get used to it bring back the pick. I always slightly angle my pick when I strum, but their is no right or wrong way, just whatever your comfortable with.

Try using a thinner pick. I'm going to guess you are using one that is pretty thick.

It's not the pick, you're just not very good at it that's all. Also, the strings aren't going to snap, you can really beat the shit out of a decent set of strings and they won't break unless they were going to anyway.

THanks for your input, how would you suggest I practice, I have been searching for a video showing how to do it right and just cannot seem to find one?

I would suggest that you just practice. Strumming up on multiple strings isn't a hard thing you just need to get used to the feeling. Unless you're doing something absolutely horrific I really think it's hard to get this wrong.

Unless you're doing something a little more demanding than you're letting on like trying to play Emperor or something...

Nobody should be "beating the shit out of the strings" strumming. If it feels like you're going to break the strings, you're obviously strumming way too hard.

I didn't say you should, I said you could.

Besides, if you've never beaten the crap out of the strings you've never been on stage :p:

As someone else said a thinner pick MIGHT help. I use Jazz 3's which have no give but I do hold the pick somewhat loosely when strumming (especially open chords and acoustic). There's a natural balance between holding the pick like a vice grip and dropping the pick every other stroke. You just have to find it. It also sounds like you may be using "too much pick", you really only need a few mm sticking out from your finger and thumb.

The other thing I do is keep my three other fingers curled in like a loose fist or just like you hold a pencil. It's not completely unique but I know a lot of people hold those three fingers out straight.

I'm slightly confused here, cuz you mentioned alternate picking and strumming in that paragraph as if they were related. Are you trying to alternate pick across 2 or more strings? :eek:

Or is it literally an upward strum across all 6 strings that you're having trouble with?

Review the position of your forearm down to your wrist to see how it lies in relation to the guitar body.

Also, how tightly or loosely are you gripping the pick?

I can alternate pick on one string but I can't do a upward strum of 2 or more strings, I have tried using a thinner plectrum and it does help quite a bit but I think I just need to practice more with a thinner pick and then work my way up to a thicker plectrum?

Its always been my one gripe but I kinda just ignored it ( :devil: ) I know thats the wrong thing to do so thats why I am trying to get it sorted now!