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Technique week 15 - Bo Diddley Rhythm
Welcome to week 15 of the weekly Technique challenge!
This week, we look at 3 levels of the Bo Diddley Beat, which at it’s simplest is a syncopated rhythm just a little more complicated than a rock style beat, perfect for a beginner but can be elevated to an intermediate skill by introducing 16th strums!
Level 1 (Beginner) - Down Strum & Mute
Strum, mute, strum, mute, strum, mute, strum, strum, mute
Down-strum 5 times an open A chord
After each strum, mute the strings with the outside of the palm (palm muting)
Except for strums 4 and 5 which happen directly after each other
Remember this is syncopated, so follow the video to get that rhythm!
Level 2 (Intermediate) - Chord Playing Hand Mute
Strum an A barre chord and relax the chord playing hand after to mute the strings
The difference to level 1 is the use of 16th notes (1-e-&-a-2-e-&-a…)
Strum the chord on the right beats to get that Bo Diddley rhythm
As the strumming hand is moving constantly to 16th’s, there are naturally ‘ghost notes’ which are beats when we aren’t actually strumming at all.
Level 3 (Advanced) - Mastering The Mute
With 16th’s, strum every beat muted with the chord playing hand
Have the A barre chord ready (muting by relaxing the hand)
Press down the chord on the right beats to get the Bo Diddly rhythm!
