Silent Strums and Continuous Rhythm
The basic * rhythm pattern learned in Lesson One consisted of four down strums, i.e.:
After playing the first strum, your right hand moves upwards in preparation for the second strum. The strings are not played on this upward movement. This upward motion can be represented by a broken upward strum symbol (]) which indicates that the strings are not strummed (a silent strum).
So this basic rhythm could be written as:
The previous two rhythm patterns sound exactly the same. If you watch your right hand you will notice that it actually moves up and down in a continuous motion but it only makes contact with the strings on the down strum.
Also when you play eighth note rhythms you will see that your right hand also moves up and down in a continuous motion sometimes making contact with the string and sometimes not.
Silent Strum Symbols
When an upward strum is made without contacting the strings it can be represented by ]. When a downward strum is made without contacting the strings it can be represented by [.
Some very useful and interesting rhythm patterns can result by incorporating eighth note rhythms with silent down strums. [
Try the following rhythm holding a C chord.
This rhythm is the same as eighth note rhythm pattern 4 (exercise 17) in Lesson Three, except the down strum on the third beat does not make contact with the strings. Practice this rhythm until you perfect it. You can apply it to any chord progression you like. This is a very important rhythm and will be the basis of many other rhythms.
Apply this rhythm pattern to the following chord progression. Use pivot and slide fingers where possible to make the chord changes easier.
Rhythm Pattern
Rhythm Pattern
Try a variation of this rhythm pattern on the following turnaround progression in the key of G. To make the chord changes easier, use the Em shape found in the
section on alternative chord fingerings.
When changing between C and A7 use your second finger as a pivot.
