Lesson 4 - Strumming and Rhythm Guitar
In this lesson we will get some basic rhythm training and learn a cool strum pattern.
Training Information
Video Time: 9:20
This 4th part has us exploring sixteenth note rhythms and how to strum them. The information to go with video is below and marked with the reference times!Open G Power Chord (G5)
Chord Used in Video
This is the chord I am using through this lesson.
A lot of people don't think of this shape as being a power chord but it is. A power chord is only made up of a root and 5th. In order for it to be a major or minor chord, it needs to have a 3rd.
Quarter Notes
Worth 1 beat in 4/4
0:36 - 0:43
The quarter note worth one beat each in 4/4. So we play 4 in on measure.
Eighth Notes
Worth 1/2 a beat in 4/4
0:44 - 0:47
Next up is our eighth notes worth half a beat each in 4/4. So we will play 8 notes in one measure and count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. In the video example I only play down strokes. You could however alternate as we did in the previous lessons.
Sixteenth Notes
Worth 1/4 a beat in 4/4
0:48 - 0:50
So now we will play sixteenth notes which means we would need 16 in to fill one measure. One 16th notes by itself in 4/4 time would be worth 1/4 of a beat. Now we are playing a note in between the 1 and the & and we are calling them the e and a. So we will count one beat as 1 e & a.
Let's Work on Sixteenth Note Patterns
1:05 - 1:30
Let's play 4 sixteenth on beat 1 and then rest for 3 beats before repeating. Stop the strings from ringing by dropping your pick hand onto the strings right on beat 2. Focus on your hand dropping down right with the click. So instead of hearing the click you will just hear your hand stopping the strings. You can do it gently or with a bit of force however, you will probably find yourself making a percussive sound if you drop it down hard enough.
1:31 - 2:21
Now let's put 4 sixteenths on both the 1st and 3rd beat. Note that you are not resting on beat 2 and 4. The same beats you used in strum lesson 2 to create a percussive sound.
2:22 - 2:51
We are now leaving out the 'e' of beat 1 and playing an eighth with 2 sixteenths. In other words we are leaving out that 1st up.
2:52 -
