Rhythmic Variety

Varieties of rhythm, be they blues, waltz, or juapango, are introduced by the varied move-ments of the right hand. A good pattern to start with is the familiar “oom-pah-pah” of waltzrhythm.

Returning to the C chord, we will play first a single note, the fifth string, with the thumb.Then the index, middle, and ring fingers will play the top three strings together.

Here are the main points:

• First, find the notes with the left hand, and with the right handrest the thumb and three fingers on the strings to be played.
• With the thumb, don’t let the joint bend. Push forward andupward so as to clear the fourth string. Then bring the threefingers out to clear the strings, sounding the notes with the nailsas you move through.
• Once you can do the movement, play the thumb once and thefingers twice to a count of three. Emphasize the first beat (thethumb stroke) slightly more than the fingers, counting ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three, etc.

Tags: thumb, strings, fingers, notes