Percussive Licks in DADGAD Tuning

In this penultimate lesson of Vol. 2, we are learning a percussive strumming pattern in the tuning of DADGAD.

Exercise 1 - Method

16th notes feature heavily in this strumming pattern, which we have become familiar with in the last course.

The main difference being that our fretting hand is helping produce parts of the rhythm.

First bar

• Strum down all the open strings

• Hammer-on with the first finger, 2nd fret of the G string (allow strumming hand to up-stroke silently)

• Strum down and up, all the open strings

• String slap

• Strum through the chord, allowing strings to ring out

Second bar

First finger, 2nd fret of the G string already placed down

• Strum down all the open strings

• Hammer-on with the second finger, 3rd fret of the low E string (allow strumming hand to up-stroke silently)

• Strum down and up, all the open strings

• String slap

• Then, move the shape created with both fretted notes up two frets (add the third finger to fret 5th fret on the B string) as shown in the lesson video

In both these bars above, we play a percussive kick and then a snare sound on the guitar body, after the strumming pattern

Final two bars

Move chord shape above up two frets (starting on 7th fret for 3rd bar, and starting on 9th 4th bar)

Start without second finger fretting low E string

• Strum down and then hammer-on with second finger to complete the chord shape (allow strumming hand to up-stroke silently)

• Strum down and up, all the open strings

• String slap

Repeat this twice to complete bar 3, however the final string slap is pushed forward a small amount, with a slight rest between strumming and slap

The same exact process in bar 3 for bar 4, except starting on the 9th position. We then can loop the whole exercise round!