Right Hand Patterns in Bluegrass Rhythm

Now let's talk about some right hand patterns. We're going to do some very simple rhythm patterns.

Basic Bluegrass Rhythm

The basic bluegrass rhythm is:

Boom Chick Boom, Chick Boom Chick Boom.

So that's the first thing we'll learn. Notice I played a single note followed by a pinch.

What is a Pinch?

• A pinch is the fifth string and the first string played together.
• It could be different strings, but usually, it's the fifth and the first string.

This gives us our simple rhythm pattern of a bass note followed by a pinch. We can use different bass notes if we want; for example, we could use the third string and the second string.

Another Rhythm Pattern

Let's learn another rhythm pattern that's a little more complicated, but not too bad.

This one is: Chicka Boom, Boom, Chicka Boom, Chicka Boom.

Important Aspects of Rhythm

There's a really important aspect about this:

• You want to ensure that it really has the sound of Chicka Boom.
• The way notes connect up is crucial to how the banjo sounds.

This concept is true across all kinds of music, but it's especially important with the banjo. If your notes don't connect properly, the rhythm won't sound right, and nothing you play will sound quite right.

Troubleshooting Timing

If you've been playing for a while and having a hard time getting your songs to sound like they're in time, this may very well be the problem.

• You need a connected sound like that.
• If you separate the notes, it just doesn't flow.

Understanding Music Notation

When you look at the music written on the page, it will appear separated by bar lines. This is one of the challenges in how music is written.

• Just to clarify: it ends up being divided by its bar lines.
• Keep this in mind as you're learning tunes, especially when you learn tunes by tab.

This principle applies to nearly every instrument.

If you treat the bar lines as your points of separation, the elements you're learning will never come together. Therefore, ensuring those connections are in place is vital.

Conclusion

So, that's some basic rhythm to focus on as you develop your skills!