Rhythmic Studies

Introduction

Ok, Are you now ready to add some groove to your playing? Today, we're diving into eighth notes. Trust me, this is where your rhythm skills start to shine!

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Understand the concept of eighth notes.
2. Apply eighth notes to open strings or chords.
3. Recognize the two eighth notes and beam combo.
4. Play a riff in the style of Nirvana, focusing on alternate picking.

What Are Eighth Notes?
Eighth notes are like quarter notes but twice as fast. Instead of counting "1, 2, 3, 4," you'll count "1+2+3+4+." When tapping your foot, the numbers will coincide with your foot hitting the floor, and the "+" will be when your foot comes back up.

The Right Hand Connection:
Remember the right-hand exercise we worked on earlier? Those were all eighth notes! Make sure you're practicing that exercise and applying the alternate picking.

The Two Eighth Notes and Beam Combo:
When you see two eighth notes connected by a beam, that's your cue to play them in quick succession. Quick but also even.

Staff Lines and Rhythmic Combos:
You'll see a bunch of staff lines with different rhythmic combos of quarter and eighth notes. Make sure to play through these exercises to get a feel for how they mix together.

Interactive Challenge: A riff in the style of Nirvana NEED TO CHANGE
Ready to dive into some grunge? This riff, in the style of Nirvana, combines eighth notes and quarter notes. Keep a close eye on your alternate picking, especially when moving between the E and A strings. Fun fact: Nirvana's drummer, Dave Grohl, went on to form the Foo Fighters.

When you're ready, jam along with the backing track to really get into the groove.

Quiz Time:
1. What is the counting pattern for eighth notes?
2. What does the beam connecting two eighth notes signify?
3. When tapping your foot to eighth notes, when does your foot come back up?

Practice Routine:
Pick a one-measure rhythmic pattern from the exercise sheet and spend a few minutes applying it to an open string.
Switch to a power chord you're comfortable with and apply the same one-measure rhythmic pattern as you jam for a couple minutes.
Choose another rhythmic pattern from the exercise sheet and repeat steps 1 and 2.
Mix up and combine different chords and have fun. Basically, pick a pattern and jam!
Work on the Nirvana style riff, focusing on accurate alternate picking!

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