,#ffi

|:w

Jt
\

'r*

Brett G

,h

CHORD DAGRAMS

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#Chord

Sybol

Chords are learnt arith the help of chord diagram. This

, sh exactly vhere to place your left ha-nd fingers Jil
order to particular chord. chord diagram is 2nd
grid of horizontal and vertical lines representing the string, Fret
and frets of the guitar as shoryn belory. IiftHd
1

LEF HAND F,NGER,NG

Index Finger Ring Finger *-
Middle Finger Lile Finger

9:!,;

___]: S tne
Sg

,.,"

N..i,"b"'..

thickest

lst
\The
string is

the

thin nest

The black dots shory where to place your left hand fingers.The vvhite number elts
which finger to place the string just before the fret. lf there is d sring,
it as open (not fretted) string.
Other chord diagram symbols that ,rill appear the Progressiye C series are
summarised ryith the folloing two chord shapes.
Chord symbol for D
Dm7 #
Gm +chord symbo for G
minor seventh chord.

Nut

st
Fret

dotted

indicates

that
string is not to be
strummed. small
bar connecting
truo black dots
indicates they are
held d by the

2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

6543

Bar these

Do not | this
dotted stiing
I

string

notes

same finger. This is

called

bi.

Count 1

strums one bar

time.
"f ft
These are pair of eig!h note

strumS.
Each strum lasts for half beat.

There are eight eighth note

strums one bar of ft time.

the larger

2nd

Fret
3rd
Fret

strummed

654321

There are tvro half note

the
indicates
that string is to
dampened by
another finger
lightly touching it.
The string is still

strin9

Dampen this string vith the second

finger by lighiIy touching it.

This is half note strum.

lt lasts for t beats.

Count 1

st
Fret

RHHM sYMBots

major seventh chord.

Nut

Count 1

paft of the chord

not

but it is

heard.

time.
"f ft

broken strum symbol

indicates that the strings
are not to be strummed.

dorun\Mard strum

louder.

Count1 e

This is quarter note

strum. lt lasts for one
beat. There are four
quarter note strums

one bar
t
t
t,

as

These Strums are group of sixteenth

note strums. Each strum lasts for one
quarter of beat. There are sixteen
sixteenth note strums one bar of fttime.
the larger dovn\Mard strum louder.

Before commencing each lesson or practice session, make sure that your guitar is tuJe.
See 9 4 to learn h to tune the guitar.

C MAJOR CHORD

chord is

:i:",f

group of hree or more notes that are played together. Chords are used to

,m:*:**t*,;*:J:,,.:f,"J;":
. Chords are

ff
he mos common chords. The';;Fi;h;;Jii indicaed by the letter
ryritten chord diagrams as introduCed the previous page.

Chord Symbol

C Maior Chord

st
Fret

the C chord, place the

2nd
first finger of your left hand
Fret
just behind the first fret of the
3rd
second strin9, the second
Fret
finger just behind the second
fret of the foufth string and
your third finger just behind
the third fret of the fifth string he C chord, six srings ryith_the pick at the same time using dovlnvvard
..,.'. his is caIed ,.rn. Hold he pick Iightly and strum from the Vrist. KeeP
"
ris reaxed. If e buzzor sound deadened may have to press harder Vith the
(not too far back).
Ief hand fingers and make sure ht your fingers are just behind the fret

sTRUMM'No

This is whole note strum.

This is the symbol for
lt lasts for four beats"
dovn\Mard strum.
There is one vhole note
This is quarter note strum.
strum one bar of fttime.
lt lasts for one beat.
4
3
Count:12
There are four quarter note
Count: 1
strums one bar of ft time.
The
f
he fwg example here are four bars of the C majo1 chord.PlaYed
's placed 1 th9 ,time.
beginning
.. symbo *rie above he saff and chord symbol
of each bar. he chord h four quarter ote strums each bar. make the examPle
sound finished a;ways end vih one strum of the first chord ( Vhole note strum ).

7
C
Strum:

Count:

C
repeat sig

help keep time the first quater note strum each bar louder. The t\Mo dots at the
end of the staff before the double bar lines are called repeat sign and mean that
thp pxAmole from the start.

5 cHoRD

Another tvpe of common chord is called the dominant seventh chord. lt is usually
referred t'as the "eventh" chord. The chord symbol for the seventh chord is the
number 7 nrritten after the alphabetical letter. The symbol for the G seventh chord is G7.

G Seventh Chord

G7

Nut

Chord Symbol

st
Fret

the G7 chord, place

2nd

the first, seond and third

fingers of your left hand as
shovn the diagram.
Strum six strings.

Fret
3rd
Fret

HALF sTRUM

Count:

This is half note strum.

lt lasts for tvro beats.
There are tvvo half note strums one bar of
ft time.

,a-fu

W8

the example belov there are four bars of the G7 chord. the G7 chord ruith to
half note stiums each bar. The bold numbers telI to strum the chord, the smaller
numbers indicate to hold it until the next strum.

Strum:

G7

G7

G7

Count:

cHoRD PRoGRE55oN5

chord progression refers the the sequence or order of chords throughout certain
amount of bars. chord progression can contain quanity of bars or chords. The
duration of chord can vary throughout chord progression.

9
The f9 chord progression contains the C and G7 chords.

Strum:VVVV
Cunt:

G7

G7

16

G Maior Chord

Nut

Chord Symbol

the G chord, place

the first, second and third
fingers of your left hand as
shovn the diag m.
Strum six strings.

2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

,/

st
Fret

----]F,_
,,:.fu

1,,, _

]ri",{fu

ffi,,ffi*
.ft**--./
\ffiHlill,

The f9 chord progression contains

G7

three chords have learnt so far.

z--lTfu

,1

]ffi.

fu,,ffi'ii,ffi
Wii,i;.,

,/

"sI-

11

The f9 chord progression contains t chords each bar. Each chord receives t
beats.

-C

G7CGC
'I',7

G7

CG7

RHyTHM PATERNs

lnstead of changing the strumming for each bar it is quite common to the same pattern
of strums throughout the chord progression.This is called rhythm pattern. lt is placed
above the staff and represents hh strumming pattern is played each bar of music.
Rhythm Pattern

,,.--fu^
1

&,

,,lilffi

ffi'",ffi

_/

12

CHORD SHAPES

The chord shapes given this lesson and throughout the remainder of this book are
called open chords because th"y contain open strings (i.e. finger is placed the fret
Another type of chord to learn is called bar chord. These are commonly used Country

"

D Maior Chord

Nut

Chord Symbol

st
Fret

the D chord, place

the first, second and third
fingers of left hand as
shovn the diagram, but
strum five strings. Do
not strum the th string (as
indicated by the dotted line).

2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

65432

Do not strum dotted strings

z*b.

Rhythm Pattern

The next example uses rhythm pattern that combines quarter

and half note strums.

D Seventh Chord

D7

Nut

,,

Chord Symbol

D,

st
Fret

the D7 chord, use the

first three fingers of your left
hand as sho\Mn the diagram,
but strum five strings. Do

2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

65432

not strum the th string

Do not strum dotted strings

./--.]IIh,ill#ffi

f:,|

];,

ffi;,,ffi

w#ii]i:.,

14

The next example uses t bar

rhythm pattern that combines quarter
and half note strums.

(as

indicated by the dotted line).

Rhythm Pattern

First

Bar

l-Secon

d Bar

F,NGER

When changing betveen the C and D7 chords, do not move your first finger as it s
common to both chords. The first finger acts as pivot around vhich the other finge,s
move. This make the chord changes easier. Practice slovly and evenly and count c,
tap your foot as to help keep time.
-/

/----Ifu
::*^.

::r;l]

:|,,,

ffi,,,ffi
ffii;j.,,
W$i;:ll

!'

"/

Rhythm Pattern

The f9 chord pro9ression contains the C and D7

chords. Don't forget to use the pivot finger betveen these
--'l

t chords.

D7

stDE F'NGER

When changing betryeen G to D7, do not lift your third finger off the first string, but s
it d, to the second fret. touch the third string very lightly as do this. The s
of the slide make changing betveen G and D7 chords easier. Then the follovi,:
8 bar chord progression using the turo bar rhythm pattern as shonrn. Don't forget to s
the pivot finger bet,reen the C and D7 chords.
./'

-.-a-]R

:;&.
,,]]ffi.

ffi
w]:!
:
WiIjil:.::

,...
,/

Rhythm Pattern

First

Bar

l-Secon

D7

d Bar

D7

: When strumming, your vrist should move. Do not move your arm and keep ,,
forearm resting the upper edge of the guitar. Remember to keep your |eft hand finge"s
just behind the fret. lf place it top of the fret, the note , sound deadened. lf place it too far back from the fret the note buzz and have to press dharder to prevent it. If have acoustic guitar, pick the string over the sound ho|e :
this results the best sound.

19

Maior Chord

Nut

Chord Symbol

1st

Fret

the chord, place

the first, seond and third
fingers of your left hand as

2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

Strum
'.fu
/.--

fr;,, l.,,ffi
ffi*ffi'llffi
Wll.,:
I&a-{-tii]:
W;j::,
*,*j--l

j,a/

-/

,/

the chord, place

the first, second and third
fingers of your left hand as
shovn the diagram.
Strum six strings.

2nd

Fret
3rd
Fret

-:]h_

Chord Symbol

st
Fret

six strings.

Major Chord

Nut

diagram.

Rhhm Pattern

17

When changing betveen C and use your second finger

aS pivot.

the

shovn

Rhythm Pattern
1:]!dr

*'

'#*tiiii,.,

*---'-

',!

2
- First

34

Bar

l-Second

Bar

the following progression use slide finger the third string ,h changing betryeen
the D and chords. Use the first finger as pivot finger the third string ,lrhen changing
betureen the and D chords.
When bar has chord noted at the beginning repeat the chord the previous bar.
make the progression sound complete finish rvith one strum of D chord.

21

the previous progression the key of G, substitute the symbols , , and vith the three
basic chords the key of G (G, C and D), as shonrn the table the previous page.
the first example, use the suggested rhythm pattern.

/,",.%

Rhythm Pattern

W19

1234

Da)

G(I)

Da)

Ga)

Ga)

C(Iv)

G(I)

Da)

Ga)

the same progression the key of D, substitute the symbols , and vith the three
basic chords the key of D (D, G and ), as shovn the table the previous page.
Rhythm Pattern

ffi20

1234

D(I)

Da)

D(I)

Gav)

D-

D(I)

22

of the 16 bar Country progressiol. The first

As meed previously there are manY variations
bar and the 7 chord the Oth bar- Try the
of hese s inserts the 7 chord the sth
Rhythm Pattern
following example the key of G,

ffi21
Ga)

Da)
Ga)

D7(v7)

Ga)

G)

Cav)

Ga)

D7(v7)

Ga)

Seventh Chord

Nut

chord, 5
^7 and third
the second
fingers of your left hanC e5
shorun the diagram, ,
strum six strings.

1st

the

Fret
2nd

Fret
3rd

Fret

&

Chord $ymbol

22

the previous 'l bar Country progresslon

"r. ihe key of D 7 chord is needed.
Study the above diagram,

Da)

7(7)

Da)

D7(17)

Gav)
Da)

Pattern

23

G BAR coUNTRy PRoGREssroN

Another common C progression is he eigh bar Country

progression. variation of this
sequence is shoryn belov.

/--lL.

23

&r-

The.eightbar Country progression above is played

the key of G as folloars.

C(

/-'&,

|{
C'
*_-/
Da)
Da)

As

Gav)

234

Da)
D(v)

he,next example is same progression as previous b

the key of D.

Gav)

Ga)

Ga)

G(I)

Rhythm Pattern

G(I)

Rhyth

m Pattern

1234

Da)

Da)
8

ryith

the bar C.oultrY progression there are several

he 8 bar Counry
Some

Progression,
the 7 chord.

of 'Vhich will appear throughout the book. The ftg

incorporaes
Rhythm Pattern

1234

Ga)
G(I)

C(ry)

G(I)

Ga)

D7(v7)

D7(v7)

Ga)

G RHrHMs

involved 9 dorunurard strum (

he firs, second, hird and fourh beat. make rhythm patterns more interesting
eighh e rhyhm e can be used. eighth note rhythm is combination of
do*n and srum th one beat. The d strum " the beat" is played louder tha
the strum ryhich is "off the beat".
srum is indicaed by , and is played the "and" section of the count.
srum he srum at the first string (the thinnest string) and strum the first 3strings .
There are t eighth note strums per beat.
There are 8 eighth note strums one bar of
music ft time.

The dovn strum ", the beat" is played louder

+
1
Count:
than the strum \Mhich is "off the beat" (the
one
and
Say:
'+' section of the count).

he rhyhm e have played so far

G RHYTHM PATERNS

Here are some eighh e rhythm patterns f time. rhythm pattern can be used
chord progression.
praice tie tllowing eighh note patterns h_olding G chord and then thes
and .
e he chord-progressions Lessons One
r'.illEfu_

,",:,fu
1, aa*,ii#ffi

ffi'ffiffi
W,-/ 26
fti,;

a---/

2+3

2.

3+

,-'

4.

2 +3+4

7.
1+2

0.

5.
1 + 2 +,3 + 4

8. +3
1+2

11.
1+ 1
2

3+4

12.

25

Nut

Seventh Chord

Chord 9ymbol

1st

Fret

the 7 chord, use

the first nd seond
fingers of your left hand as
shovn the diagram, and
strum six strings.The
7 chord shape is just the
chord shape vith the
hird finger lifed off.

2nd

Fret

3rd
Fret

The f,g chord progression contains 7 chord and uses eighth note rhythm pattern 1.
When changing between the and D chords use your first finger as pivot. When changing
betryeen D and 7 slide your first finger 9 the third string.
Rhythm Pattern

ffi,ffi,
\s:]:

]]
./
_*--l

27

2+3

Practise chord changes using basic rhythm pattern first. Once are confident ,th
the progression then use the eighth note rhythm pattern. can ,| rhythm pattern
to chord progression. This chord progression uses eighth note rhythm pattern 5.
Keep your first finger the third string throughout this example. slide finger can be used
betrueen each chord change
pattern
,,a--h
#,

"ffi

Rhythm

28

3+4

12

This chord progression uses eighth note rhythm pattern 2. Use your second finger as pivot
\Mhen changing betveen and C chords. Finish \Mith one strum of the first chord (G).
Rhyth

m Pattern

,,,-,

./
/'

]];"1l_}&,
':;;l6
]

fu,'ffi
Wt;;.,;
%;]] / /
--.,

29

2 +3+4

26
Try applying eighth note rhythm pattern to the fg bar Country progression.
Rhythm Pattern

-4fu

/jliffi

ffiw'm
. /
qffi*r--l
W*ft#;

2+3

D7

G7

The next example uses t bar rhythm that combines eighth note rhythm patterns 2 and
Rhythm
RhWhm Pattern
/

.--IEh-

| .

::

,li;ii:ffi,

,;]liiJiSffi

-#,;.l]W

ffiffi,,m
IffiM}jl]

.:..
enl#,j--l

,/
,!

-)

The last example this lesson is 8 bar Country progression that uses eighth note rhythrn
pattern 3.
Rhhm Pattern
,r--,,fu

ffi,ffi:,ffi
W.,,
*tcij,/

32

+2+3+4+

7
2

-,

MNOR CHORDs

There are three main types of chords: Major, Seventh, and Minor. The chord symbol for
the minor chord is small 'm' placed after the letter name. Here are Some mm used
open minor chord shapes.

Minor Chord

Nut
st
Fret

Chord Symbol

Am
Tc the Am chord, use
the first, second and third
fingers of your left hand as
shovn the diagram.
Strum six strings.

2d
Fret
3rd
Fret

/'
,, ,ffi
.--: ]]
:".
],]j

._-/

33

Rhythm Pattern

the following progression use pivot fingers the second

and fourth strings ruhen changing betveen C and Am. Finish
alith one strum of the C chord

Dm

Nut
st
Fret

D Minor Chord

2 +3+4

Chord Symbol

the Dm chord,

2nd
Fret

use the first, second

3rd
Fret

654321

and third fingers of your

left hand as shovn the
diagram. Strum five
strings.

Do not strum dotted strings

Rhythm Pattern
,-Ifu

2/

.],]l!flffi,

,,. e,,:-ffi

ffi.,ffi"'"ffi
#;,;
**---l

,/

34

1+2+3+4

28

Chord Symbol

Minor Chord
Nut

the Em chord, s
the second and third finge-s

1st

Fret

,of your left hand as shovn

the diagram. Strum si
strings. The Em chord sha
is just the chord shape :,he first finger lifed off.

2nd

Fret
3rd
Fret

ffi35

Rhythm Pattern

The Em is introduced the folloruing example. Finish

Em chord.

2 +3

Em
G7

Am

ffi3
W

ballad sound. Th's

The f9 example uses the minor chord to create Country
Rhythm Pattern
progression should be played slowly. Finish G chord.

2 +3

Am

Am
12

Am

29

Bm

Nut

Minor Chord

st
Fret

Chord Symbol

the Bm chord,
use the first, second,

2d

Fret

third and fourth fingers

3rd
Fret

of your left hand

as

shovn the diagram.

Strum four strings.

The foIlowing progression is the key of G and contains the Bm chord.

/

a|

Rhythm Pattern

,//':]fu:]1l]ttft"
, ffi

]]:!ffi

*$,j

r'

*{

2 +3

THREE FOUR SGNATURE

3
4

"-This time signature is called the three four time signature. lt

indicates there are three beats each bar. Three four time is
also knorun as t time. There are three quarter notes
one bar of fl time.

The following chord progression is written f time. help keep time, accent (
louder) the first strum each bar. Use your first and second fingers as pivots h
changing betryeen C and Am. Use your first finger as pivot ,rhen changing betveen Dm
and G7.
Rhythm Pattern
,

,/'

-----,'
:'::lliffi

,::jffi

ffiww 38
Wjji',::]
#;]'
ft

',!|

123

30
?_

ER 5

praaise h f9 fl time rhythm Patterns hoding C chord shape. of tl'rese

e he previous chord Progression.

ffi39

2+

2.
1+2

5. 1

4.
1+2+3

+3+

minor chords inroducec

The folloving chord progression is f me and uses he hree
G7. Use your secold
Use your first finger as pivot *,"* changing beween Dm and
Rhythm Pattern
finger as pivot h changing betveen G7 and Em.

The next example is 16 bar Country progression

1

time,

Rhythm Pattern

.-:]%^

":,,,,

],',{.ffi.

Jliffi

ffiffiffi 41

G
G7
]0

D7

]2

2+

55 RHYTHM PATERNs

Bass notes are the notes the th, 5th and 4th strings. lnstead of srumming he
complete chord for every beat, try picking the bass note of the chord the firs bea and
then strum the first three or four strings of the chord the 2nd and 3rd beas. he
chord shape,
Bas e Rhhm e
:,:.""'^:_l:_""_d"g
Pick the Sth string bass note

he firs b of

tie pattern.

42

The best bass note to pick is the lo,lest note of the chord that has the same name
of the chord. This is called the root note.
When playing , Am or 7 chord, pick the 5th string note ( note).
When playing D, Dm or D7 chord, pick the 4th string note (D note).
When playing , Em or 7 chord, pick the th string note ( note).
Pratise this rhythm technique each chord separately at first, and remember hold
the full chord shape even though are not playing the strings.

AAm^7

Am

..-
Strum these

Strut-m^Ee 3

,trings
Pick this bass string

strings
Pick this bass string

(5th string)

(5h sring)

\--,./'

Pick this bass string

(th strin g)

strings

strings

g^_/+_/

strings

Strum these 3

Strum these 3

Strum these 3

strings

Pick this bass string

(4th string)

Strum these 3

Pick this bass string

(5th string)

Dm

Strum these 3

r..-

strings

Pick this bass string

(4th string)

..-Strum these

Pick this bass string

(th string)

strings

Pick this bass string

(4th string)

S.u^frr"

Pick this bass string

(th string)

43

th e chord progression beloru using the bass note rhythm pattern.

strings

Bass Note Rhythm Pattern

44
the bar Country progression be using the bass note
rnythm pattern. I bar nurb"r 2 lVm (Dm) chord is introduced as
variaion he sandard bar C progression.

Dm

z-L.
&

Wh hdg

45

3-"
J

h following bass rhythm patterns th

incorporate strums.

2+

2.

4.

G chord

5.

1+2+3

j
1+
J
1

+3+

',l]ffi

--_--lfu,

Bass Note Rhythm tt

ffiw 46
ffi,#.!]]]
w}Iil]j]]
*Il]:j::i

"

3.

|:\
./

Try the folloving progression that uses bass note rhythm pattern.

D7

G7

D7

J1
2 +3+

33

4
4 55 RHYTHM PATERNS

The previ_ous bass note rhythm patterns \^/ere fl time. When playing progression
f,
time the fg bass note rhythm patterns al.e common|y usd. Pick the bass note of the chord the first beat and strum the first three or four strings
of the chord the 2nd,3rd and 4th beats. the folloving bass note rhythm pattern

holdingaGchordshape.

Bass Note

ffi47

J,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

,,

The best bass note to pick is the loruest note of the chord ha has he same ee name
of the chord. This is called the root note.
When playing G type, pick the th string note (G note), eg. G and G7 chords
When playing D type, pick the 4th string note (D note), eg. D, D7 and Dm chords
When playing C type, pick the Sth string note (C note), eg. C chord
When playing type, pick the Sth string note ( note), e9. , 7 and Am
When playing type, pick the th string note ( note), eg. , 7 and Em chords
Practice this rhYthm technique each chord separaely firs, remember hod he fuII
chord shape even though are not playing he srings. , D and ype chords
have the same bass note as sh, at the beginning of this lesson. G and C chord e
are shon b,ll.

..
Strum these

strings
Pick this bass string
(th string)

r..--

4
I

..
Strum these

Strum hese 3

strings
Pick this bass string

strings
Pick this bass string

(th string)

(5th string)

the f9 progression using bass note rhythm pattern .

first beat of each bar.

the root note of the

Bass Note Rhythm Pattern

48

D7

34

incorpo'a:
Whist hoding G chord try the fg bass rhythm patterns that
strums.

ffi49

4.

7.

0.

+ 3

2.

2+3+4

1+

F
2

1+2+3+{

+ 4

5.

1+2+3+4+

8.

j
+2+

L+2

+4

12.

50

+ 3

+ 3

Bass Note Rhythm Patyn

bar C progression belo using he

rhythm pattern shorvn.
he

1+2+3+{

j
1. 1+ 7

bass e

G
3

G
C

G7
0

D7

11

+ 3

35

variation to the bass note rhythm pattern is to the bass note the first and third
beats and strum the second and fourth beats. the following bass note strum
rhythm pattern, holding G chord shape. the root note of the chord the first and
third beats of the bar.
Bass Note Rhythm Pattern

Variation 2

51

J
1

Try the following 8 bar Country progression that uses bass note rhythm variation 2.

ffi52

-)

the above variation to the following

53

bar Country chord progression.

J
1

Dm

F Maior Chord

Chord Symbo#

Nut
st
Fret

the F cho.:
the first, second
third fingers of }c-;hand as sho\vn'"diagram. Strum j

2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

strings. The first ;

bars across the firs:
strings. This is quite difficult at first. The F chord is eas']ry
play_if position your third and second before positic--

the first finger.

ffi54

Remember that can uqe rhyhm

e like
chord progrbssion as long ,, iey have he Same time
signature e.g. 1, time.
_

Nut

Em

G7

C Seventh Chord

Chord Symbol

1st

Fret
2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

Tc the C7 chord,
the'for fingers of -r
hand as h tt-e
diagram, and strum LI
strings. The C7 chord is C
chord arith added &
note played by the fouf

tnger.

ffi55

Use your second finger as pivot h changing betryeen the

F and Dm chords. Use your first and secondJinlers as pivots
nrhen changing betureen Am and C7.

1+2+3+4+

37

Nut

Seventh Chord

Chord Symbol

st
Fret

the 7 chord,
use four fingers of

2nd
Fret
3rd
Fret

your left hand as shovn

the diagram. Strum
five strings.

Some guitarists deaden the th string by Iightly touchin9 it vith the left hand thumb
vhich reaches over the top of the neck. The th string then be strummed but it
\/on't
sound as it is deadened. This technique can to chord vhere the th string
note
is not part of that chord shape.

ffi5

2+3+4

ffi57

#,ffi
ffi.
Wi# 58

j
1+2+3+4+

The folloaring progression contains both 7 and Bm.

srtENT sTRUMs AND coNTrNUoUs RHYTHM

The basic f, rhythm pattern learnt lesson One consisted of four dorun strums, i.e"

1234

After 9 the first strum, right hand moves up\Mards preparation for the s--'
strum. The strings are not played this up\Mard movement. This up\Mard motion ca- :,
represented by broken up\Mard strum symbol ( ) vhich indicates that the strings
not strummed ( silent strum).
So the basic rhythm above could be \Mritten as:

+2+3+4

The above tnro rhythm patterns sound exactly the same.

lf ryatch your right hand wiII notice that it actually moves and doyn
continuous motion but it makes contaat vith the strings the d strum.
Also ,h eighth note rhythms wilI see that your right hand also moves
and don continuous motion sometimes making contact vlith the string
sometimes not.

5IENTsTRUM sYMBots
When doyrnvrand strum is made ithout contacting the strings it can be represented by

Some very usefuI and interestin 1hlhm patterns can result by incorporating eighth
rhythms \Mith silent d strums.
,/
]

---:],fu]ililffi.

:]iii;]s]ffi

l,

"ffi

ffi;,ffi'*ffi
W]:

,,

ft],
-SEjr--..-

59

Try the folloving rhythm holding C chord.

1.

2+3+

This rhythm is the same as eighth note rhythm pattern 2 Lesson Four, except the donll
strum the third beat does not make contact ruith the strings. Practice this rhythm -:]
perfect it. can it to chord progression like. This is very importar
rhythm and , be the basis of many other rhythms.
| this rhythm pattern to the following chord progression. Use pivot and slide fg
nrhere possible to make the chord changes easier.
Rhythm Pattern
/'
,
/|,

--,,,-]]
']';ffi
:].ffi.
:,ri;ffi

ffiW*,ffi
W#,E: /
ftL--'

2+3+{

39

/,---lfu

',
.;;;ffi.

The next pro9ression applies silent strum

rhythm to bar Country pro9ression.

__-./

1+2+3+4

D7

The following silent strum rhythm includes bass note the first beat of he bar.

--:fu

".;.fu

ffiW,*'m
#si.,,;

,./

62

2+3+4

Dm

RHYTHM Rrs

Try the following rhythm variations and make your \/. The bass note the firs b
of the bar be substituted for normal do,un strum. AppJy these rhythms to chord
progression like. these suggested variations are 4 time b h same principle
can. be applied to fl time. Also t that these rhyths your right hand ,.,
and d continuous motion. These rhythm patterns can sound "off the beat". This

is called syncopation.

----
"ffi,
:1;$j
/,/
! ,..
,];:;ii]nisfts$
fiir,,., *li!]#ffi

3
ffiffi'.
%ililj /
*--
J
1

21

-,

3+

l-;j
1+2+3+1+

] j

+]+3+1+

] -

1+2+3+4+

.r'

1+2+3+4+
J

1+2+3+4+

t
40

sUsPENDED CHoRD5

The chord symbol for suspended chord is the major chord symbol plus h r.uor s
sometimes sus4).The suspended chord is quite often used add es :
Progression if there is long section of music containing one chord.

D suspended

Nut

Chord Symbotr

Dsus

1st

Fret

HoIdaDmajorc*

2nd
Fret

shape then place

3rd
Fret

fourth finger the

fret of the st string

The open circle the chord diagram indicates that hold he major chord shape

add the suspended note with your foufth finger. Suspended hords are nearly ,
Played just before or just after the major chord so it is easier change beureen he-,
the major chord shape is held position.
Rhythm Pattern

.'-lfu
ffi* 64
/

2+3+{

Dsus

Asus

Hold major ci,"

shape then p|ace }

2nd

3rd
Fret

fourth finger the t

fret of the 2nd string.

Rhythm Pattern

,---fu.

Chord Symbol

Fret

ffi*

Dsus

st
Fret

.',,%

suspended

Nut

] r'
1+2+3+{
Asus

Asus

41

suspended

Chord Symbol

Nut

Esus

st
Fret

Hold maior chord

shape then place

2nd
Fret

foufth finger the second

fret of the 3rd string.

3rd
Fret

Rhhm Pattern

/--i

W66

2+3+4+

Change here

The f9 progression is t bars !ong. Change to the sus chord (i.e. add fourth
finger) the '+' after the 3 count.

Esus

Esus

Rhythm Pattern

-&.
/

W
,
!w"r 67

the next progression change to the sus chord

the '+' after the 2 count.

Asus

+2+3+4+

Asus

Rhythm Pattern

l&jY 8

The following eight bar progression makes use of

Dsus and Asus.

2+3+4+

Dsus

Asus

ALERNATE 55 PrcKrNG
he previous examples h same bass note (the root note) is picked the first and tt''
beas. Anoher way of 9 bass picking is to alternate the bass notes. This rh'
is common;y used Counry music. can alternate betrueen bass notes that are m
.fr'
he chord ,."r. As 9 .r hold the chord shape ,h picking the bass notes it
sound correc. Cerain bass notes sound better ryith certain chords. The best notes:
f:-fr
use are he ones h sound good to your ear. lt is usual to pick the root note the

be fed by differen bass note the third beat. Use alternate bass note Pick
he fwg chord progression. can also experiment 9 different bass :

than the ones suggested.

Rhythm Pattern
,.-]lfu
:.,ifffi

/
!:||

]];iliffi.

ffiw'ffi
W;;;.
,/

69

,,

jij.

C
C

G7

Dm
G7

G7

For the C and C7 chords

alternate the bass from
the 5th string to the 4th
string.

j
1

the

5th string
bass note

the

4th string
bass note

For the F and Dm chords

alternate betveen the 4th
string bass note and the
5th string bass note.

j
1

the

4th string
bass note

the

5th string

bass note

For the G and G7 cho]a

alternate betveen the
string bass note and tile
4th string bass note.

the

th string
bass note

the
4th string
bass note

Practise each chord shape separateIy at first and experiment usin9 alternate bass c: