Taylor Guitars | 1 decade ago
Using the traditional G shape chord, down-up strumming, accenting the bass note, Nate Savage teaches the essential bluegrass pattern.
For more lessons with Nate Savage, please visit http://www.guitarlessons.com/
In this lesson series, Nate Savage from http://www.GuitarLessons.com covers some of the most important things to know in order to start playing bluegrass rhythm and lead guitar.
When I was growing up my dad would always take me to Bluegrass jams. I have to confess that it wasn't my favorite thing in the world at the time, but now I really look back and see just how fun those times were. I ended up learning a lot about Bluegrass music at those jams. If you are into Bluegrass music I really want to encourage you to look for jams that might be going on in your area of the world. They are absolute gold mines for learning how to play Bluegrass, and the people are usually pretty great.
Let's start off by learning about some of the most essential elements of Bluegrass rhythm guitar. If you get all of the concepts in this section down you should have no trouble showing up to a Bluegrass jam and joining in with everyone. We will cover things like common Bluegrass keys and some of the standard strumming patterns and fills used in Bluegrass music.
Bluegrass music typically uses a lot of open chords. Having said that, it makes sense that most Bluegrass songs are written in keys that accommodate a lot of open chords. For example, the most common Bluegrass keys are probably G major, C major and A major. Those keys make it easy to play a lot of open chords. Just keep that in mind as you listen to and learn Bluegrass tunes.
If you are going to play Bluegrass music you really need to learn the standard Bluegrass strumming pattern. The next few exercises will help you get used to using this strumming pattern with several different chords. Once you get this pattern down you can literally jump right in and jam with other Bluegrass musicians.
Example #1: the basic Bluegrass strumming pattern is a downstroke on one bass note followed by two full strums using a downstroke and an upstroke. Make an open G chord and play the 6th string with a downstroke. Follow that bass note up by strumming the entire G major chord twice using a downstroke and an upstroke. The TAB for this strumming pattern only shows the top four of five strings being strummed, but you don't have to strictly stick to that. It is just kind of what naturally happens when you use this strumming pattern.
The rest of this exercise simply alternates your bass notes between the 6th and 5th strings. It can be a bit difficult to hit the proper bass strings at first. Practicing this strumming pattern slowly will help your aim get more accurate over time.
Example #2 uses the basic Bluegrass strumming pattern on a C chord. The only real difference between this example and the last one is the bass notes that you are hitting. Notice that we are alternating between 5th and 4th strings this time.
Example #3 is basically a combination of the last two exercises. The first two measures use the standard Bluegrass strumming pattern on a G chord, and the second two measures switch to a C chord. Slow this exercise way down if you find that your bass note aim isn't quite right. Actually looking at your picking hand will help your aim.
Example #4 throws a D chord into the mix. Look at measures 3-4. You are playing a D chord using the standard Bluegrass strumming pattern. Notice that your bass notes are alternating between the 4th and 3rd strings.
Work on using this strumming pattern with your open chords until your bass note aim is accurate and the pattern sounds smooth. Don't be afraid to find a Bluegrass jam in your area and try your new Bluegrass rhythm guitar skills out.
- Nate Savage
Guitar Used: Taylor 814ce
