I'm trying to figure out how some guys get a certain rhythmic sound when accompanying in 6/8.
In the basic ...1-2-3-4-5-6...
The best way i can describe this rhythm is it sounds almost like a snare drum on the 4th beat.
I've seen a few guitarists do it and i can't see them dampening the strings, i'm sure they can do it on an open chord too. To me i could see any dampening by either hand so i'm just trying to figure out how it is done.
If what you're describing is what I think it is, you actually do sort of dampen the strings.
It's done by striking the strings whit the pick while placing the heel of your hand on the strings to mute them. It can be a bit tricky to get the timing just right, but it is an interesting effect.
I describe it as more of a "chuck" sound.
Most trad guitarists use a down-up-down down-up-down strumming pattern most of the time on jigs to get a punchier rhythm, as opposed to the more natural down-up-down up-down-up. It's a difficult change to get used to, since you're not being the most efficient ( a wasted stroke between the two downs on 3 and 4) but it's easier in the long run to keep a consistent 6/8 jig that does'nt turn into an awful shuffle beat! Easier to watch and show than to explain.....
Most interesting guitarists don't use strumming patterns at all, they accompany the tunes instead. Strumming on every beat is certainly not advisable, unless you're playing for players who are so lost on rhythm they can't count to three on their own, or for audiences who enjoy a very fast version of Chinese water torture.
(wow, now I'm starting to sound like Michael!)
I damp by slightly releasing the pressure of the fingers of my left hand when playing the chord [I'm right handed]. It's hard to spot.On an open chord you would have to damp with one of your hands,I don't know of any other way to do it.
All guitarists use strumming patterns, trad or not. Whether or not you're hitting any or all of the strings on each strum is a different matter. I don't think it's fair advice to say that most "interesting" guitar players don't use them. If you don't learn the correct patterns at the start, your technique will be flawed and you'll have problems later.
It's a technique like bowing for fiddlers and breath control for flute players. It's important to learn.
Out of curiosity, which guitarist would you say don't use strumming patterns?
True, Dennis Cahill doesn't strum much at all when he's accompanying tunes. But i assure you that he CAN whether he chooses to or not. That's my main point, as the original post was a fairly specific question of technique.
jig strumming question
jig strumming question
I'm trying to figure out how some guys get a certain rhythmic sound when accompanying in 6/8.
In the basic ...1-2-3-4-5-6...
The best way i can describe this rhythm is it sounds almost like a snare drum on the 4th beat.
I've seen a few guitarists do it and i can't see them dampening the strings, i'm sure they can do it on an open chord too. To me i could see any dampening by either hand so i'm just trying to figure out how it is done.
Thank you
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by achisholm
Re: jig strumming question
If what you're describing is what I think it is, you actually do sort of dampen the strings.
It's done by striking the strings whit the pick while placing the heel of your hand on the strings to mute them. It can be a bit tricky to get the timing just right, but it is an interesting effect.
I describe it as more of a "chuck" sound.
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by CleverName
Re: jig strumming question
Most trad guitarists use a down-up-down down-up-down strumming pattern most of the time on jigs to get a punchier rhythm, as opposed to the more natural down-up-down up-down-up. It's a difficult change to get used to, since you're not being the most efficient ( a wasted stroke between the two downs on 3 and 4) but it's easier in the long run to keep a consistent 6/8 jig that does'nt turn into an awful shuffle beat! Easier to watch and show than to explain.....
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by chrysophylax
Re: jig strumming question
Most interesting guitarists don't use strumming patterns at all, they accompany the tunes instead. Strumming on every beat is certainly not advisable, unless you're playing for players who are so lost on rhythm they can't count to three on their own, or for audiences who enjoy a very fast version of Chinese water torture.
(wow, now I'm starting to sound like Michael!)
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: jig strumming question
Thanks
I googled "jig strumming" and in first position it is this thread (!) then in 2nd place a youtube video that has a pretty good example around 1:40...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DCQC8GnhNLA
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by achisholm
Re: jig strumming question
I definitely side with Jon K above, Strumming on every quaver is too much.
Even on a 'zouk.
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: jig strumming question
...every SEMI-quaver......
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: jig strumming question
I damp by slightly releasing the pressure of the fingers of my left hand when playing the chord [I'm right handed]. It's hard to spot.On an open chord you would have to damp with one of your hands,I don't know of any other way to do it.
# Posted on January 5th 2009 by dafydd
Re: jig strumming question
All guitarists use strumming patterns, trad or not. Whether or not you're hitting any or all of the strings on each strum is a different matter. I don't think it's fair advice to say that most "interesting" guitar players don't use them. If you don't learn the correct patterns at the start, your technique will be flawed and you'll have problems later.
It's a technique like bowing for fiddlers and breath control for flute players. It's important to learn.
Out of curiosity, which guitarist would you say don't use strumming patterns?
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by chrysophylax
Re: jig strumming question
As a bouzouki player I tend to listen to other zouk players more, but Dennis Cahill is certainly worth a listen for non-strumming accompaniment.
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: jig strumming question
True, Dennis Cahill doesn't strum much at all when he's accompanying tunes. But i assure you that he CAN whether he chooses to or not. That's my main point, as the original post was a fairly specific question of technique.
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by chrysophylax
Re: jig strumming question
John Doyle has a DVD in which he describes this damping technique. Check out Homespun Tapes.
# Posted on January 7th 2009 by Youbetter