Home | Ex. 1: Triads | Notes on Ex. 1 | Ex. 2: Chord Shapes | Ex. 3: I-IV-V Patterns

3. Try the following rhythmic variations. (Each one is linked to a MIDI clip.) For each one, do one shape for four measures then go on to the next shape without pausing. After the last shape work your way back down to the first shape. Repeat, this time changing shapes every two measures, then repeat again changing shapes every measure.

4/4 Arpeggios: Play quarter notes in a 1-2-3-2 pattern, e.g. lowD, A, highD, A for the first shape, for one measure in 4/4 time.

3/4 Partial Arpeggios: Play eighth notes in a 1-2-3-2-3-2 pattern, e.g. lowD, A, highD, A, highD, A, for one measure of 3/4 time.

4/4 Boom-Chuck: Play one quarter note, 1, e.g. lowD, with the right hand (boom), then another quarter note, 2 and 3, e.g. A and highD, simultaneously with both hands (chuck). Two boom-chucks make one measure of 4/4 time. For another variation, skip the second boom, e.g. play boom-chuck-pause-chuck for each measure.

6/8 Jig Pattern: Each measure of 6/8 jig time has two triplets of eighth notes, adding up to six beats. For the first triplet in each measure, play eighth notes right-left-right in a 1-2-3 pattern, e.g. lowD, A, highD. For the second triplet, play eighth notes left-pause-left in a 2-pause-2 pattern. For another variation, play the second triplet left-right-left in a 2-3-2 or 2-1-2 pattern.

4. Lefties: Try these four shapes instead, using a left-right-left hammering pattern. I've named them "flat-bottomed," "open," "centered," and "long-sided," but you can call them whatever you want. Because your exercise starts with the chord the righty exercise ends with, it'll sound a little different, like this.

For the same reason, when you do Notes 2 and 3, your versions will be different. You can still use the righty MIDI clips in Note 3, to hear the rhythm of the variations, but use your own chord shapes and opposite hands.

Home | Ex. 1: Triads | Notes on Ex. 1 | Ex. 2: Chord Shapes | Ex. 3: I-IV-V Patterns

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