Using ties can really make your rhythm guitar playing sound natural and free. Before you start on this lesson make sure that you have got your basic rhythm guitar down - especially the Bar 4 from the earlier rhythm lesson. Maybe have a quick brush up on it before you look at these. Always try to count along when you start and and be sure you are getting it right and keeping your hand moving!

 

FirstDownload the PDF File HERE

 

TiesTies are written as small curved lines that join two notes together. The effect of them is that the first note is sustained for the duration of itself and the note it is ties too.

These examples are using a common variation of G with two notes on the thin strings, a kinda pop rock version. Use your 3rd and 4th fingers. The video uses E as an example, you should be able to do both.

 

RevisionLook at this first example. Same as Bar 4 from the earlier lesson.

All the eighth notes are played, the count is 1 2 3+4+. The strumming should be Down, Down, Down Up, Down Up (remember to play it very evenly).

 

The rhythm in Example 4 should sound like this...

 

Miss the Down Strum...

In this second example the 4th and 5th notes are tied together. These are on the + after 3 and the 4. The note on 4 (being the second note) is not played, instead just let the note sustain through it. This will result in the strumming pattern Down, Down, Down Up, Up. There is a down missing.

Make sure that you keep your hand moving evenly but just don't let the pick touch the strings for the down strum (4).

 

It should now sound like this - try to play along:

This may feel a bit weird at first but it really adds life to your rhythm guitar. Make sure that you continue to tap your foot evenly, and still on the beat 4 even though you will not play the note. Your foot should always tap on 1 2 3 and 4.

 

Move it to the middle

Once you have the first example down try this one, it is essentially the same but just starts in a different place.

Look at the example and then listen and try to play along.

 

Two Ties

Once you feel you have that one down (and not before) have a go at this one which has two ties in it. You will miss two down strums in a row. Down Up, Up, Up, Down.

Listen and play along:

Other Important Stuff

Be sure to use a metronome with all the patterns that you practice. Always start very slowly and try to not only to get it right, but to make it sound good. Make sure that you are not hitting strings that you should not play (for certain chords, like say D) as this can form a bad habit and check too that your chords are clean and ringing out clearly.

It is important at this stage that you try to experiment more with your strumming. The technique shown here (strumming down on 1, 2, 3, 4 and up on the ands) is completely natural and you should aim to use it for everything you play. It is also used for many skills you will learn in the future. It is not my way, it is the way that everyone playes that is any good. Really.

I hope that has helped your rhythm playing. Apply these patterns to some songs you have learnt already and try to listen out for simlar patterns in songs that you hear. Only when you have got that really solid should you move on to the next lesson. If you only got a few chords and some great rhythm guitar down, you can play songs and make them sound good. There are some very famous pop stars and songwriters who can only do that, but they make it sound good, and that's what counts!

Next, time for some more chords in BC-009 • Blues 7th Chords

 

Video Lesson

 

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