Rhythm Archives - Riff Ninja Academy

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Applied Strumming 4: Triplets

This is the third in a series of lessons that all tie together, spanning several different skill categories. In this one we’re looking at applying a triplet strum pattern to a jam track which is based off a traditional 12 bar in E. Don’t forget to download a copy of the jam track used in this lesson.

Jam Track
(Right click the links below and save to your computer)

The Rest of the Series:

  1. Quarters and Eighths
  2. Adding 16ths
  3. Dotted 8ths
  4. Triplets

Applied Strumming 3: Dotted 8th

This is the third in a series of lessons that all tie together, spanning several different skill categories. In this one we’re looking at applying a dotted 8th strum pattern to a jam track which is based off the progression for Simple Man. Don’t forget to download a copy of the jam track used in this lesson.

The progression is a very simple one:  C   G   Am

Jam Track
(Right click the links below and save to your computer)

The Rest of the Series:

  1. Quarters and Eighths
  2. Adding 16ths
  3. Dotted 8ths
  4. Triplets

Applied Strumming 2: Adding 16ths

This is the second in a series of lessons that will all tie together, spanning several different skill categories. Don’t forget to download a copy of the jam track used in this lesson.

In this lesson, we’ll be working with a chord progression from Don’t Think Twice – here are the changes in a very simple format:

Jam Track
(Right click the links below and save to your computer)

The Rest of the Series:

  1. Quarters and Eighths
  2. Adding 16ths
  3. Dotted 8ths
  4. Triplets

Applied Strumming 1: Quarters & Eighths

This is the first of a series of lessons that will all tie together, spanning several different skill categories. Being the first in the series, this lesson is aimed at beginner strummers. We’re going to be working with a few different progressions with the goal of helping you dial in your strumming to the beat of the song. To help this, we have a couple of simple jam tracks available at the bottom of this page.

In this lesson, we’ll be working with two chord progressions – here are the changes in a very simple format:

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door: G / D / Am / G / D / C

With or Without You: D / A / Bm / G

Jam Tracks
(Right click the links below and save to your computer)

The Rest of the Series:

  1. Quarters and Eighths
  2. Adding 16ths
  3. Dotted 8ths
  4. Triplets

Essentials of Strumming – Part 1

This is part 1 of 2 in the Essentials of Strumming & Rhythm course.

Return to main course page.

Chapter Times In This Section

00:00:00 Introduction
00:08:12 Stick Notation and Counting
00:32:47 Rhythm Fractioning
00:41:28 Strum Choices A
00:49:38 Strum Choices B
00:57:51 Strum Choices C
01:08:31 Strum Choices D
01:17:25 I-V-IV Theory Lesson
01:26:59 Chord Progression: Old School Rock and Roll
01:33:09 Bonus Strum
01:39:27 Chord Progression: Texas Flood
01:46:58 Chord Progression: Pride and Joy
01:50:41 Chord Progression: The Last Time

Essentials of Strumming – Part 2

This is part 2 of 2 in the Essentials of Strumming & Rhythm course.

Return to main course page.

Chapter Times In This Section

00:00:00 Chord Bass Notes Related to I-IV-V
00:17:30 E Minor and C Major Diatonic Scales Theory Lesson
00:22:25 A Minor and C Major Diatonic Scales Theory Lesson
00:27:13 E Minor, G Major, A Minor and C Major: Diatonic Scales Examples
00:39:19 Chord Progression: Octopus’s Garden
00:56:20 Chord Progression: Old School Rock and Roll Option 1 and 2
01:07:03 Chord Progression: La Bamba
01:16:17 Chord Progression: The Last Time

Rhythms: Triplet and Dotted 8th

When you’re playing bass, especially in the blues, you’ll run across triples and dotted 8th rhythms quite a lot.

In a 4/4 beat, if you’re playing triplets, you need three equal pulses to make up the space of a quarter note. We count this as “one trip-let” “two-trip-let” “three-trip-let” “four-trip-let” and then you’ve completed one bar.

The dotted 8th is also referred to as a shuffle. Basically what you’re doing here is playing the first note and the last note from a triplet group, skipping the middle one. When you’re counting the dotted eighth, you can count it like this “one-ah” two-ah” “three-ah” four-ah” where the “ah” is the short note, the last note before you start the next beat.

So it is quite a similar feel, but produces a different effect. The both line up together though.

Rhythms: Straight 8th Bass Pedal

The straight 8th bass pedal is one of the most common rhythms you’ll find on the bass, and it is a great place to start off. Later on of course, you’ll want to make things more interesting; however this is a good starting point. Some bands actually prefer bass players that are simple… but ROCK SOLID. So, get this down good, then we can build from there.

Roots, Pedalling, and Basic Rhythms

Getting to know your roots and fundamental rhythms on the bass will be a must if you want to make any progress. Here we will look at several popular techniques and rhythm styles that are used in a range of genres.