Combining Both Hands To Create Rhythms

Welcome to of Volume 2 of Chris' Percussive Fingerstyle Course.

In lesson 1 we are looking at sharing the rhythm with the picking hand and the fretting hand.

Exercise 1 - Method

• Play the open E and D string with the thumb and first (index) finger

• Hammer-on fret 2 of string 3, with the first finger (fretting hand)

• Then, string slap aiming at the low E string (leave hammer-on note ringing)

• Pull-off the hammer-on note

  Bring the rhythm back into the picking hand

• Use the thumb to play open E

• Finish with a string slap to complete the pattern

Focus on the consistency of volume in the notes played with the picking hand and the notes played with the fretting hand.

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are quieter compared to picked notes at first, so focus on experimenting with the volume to find the consistent level in your own playing.

Exercise 2 - Experiment with volume

Repeat method in exercise 1

• Try lowering volume of string slaps but keep each other element at the same volume

• Try find the consistent level for picked notes to match the hammer-on volume level

Experiment with volume changes throughout in order to find the most consistent level of volume and to develop more expressive dynamics in your playing.