| Learning how to strum is one of the most basic | | | | an awkward looking position. This is acceptable |
| steps in guitar playing. After a beginner learns to | | | | because beginners will always look at the fret |
| do the basic 4/4 strumming, he can then move | | | | board, put their heads closer to the left hand, etc. |
| on to learning the 3/4 strumming technique. | | | | But when you want to get serious about learning |
| If one wants to play a 3/4 song using a guitar, he | | | | further things about guitar playing, he needs to be |
| must first know what 3/4 means: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4 | | | | able to play the instrument using the right position. |
| are what musicians call time signatures. The time | | | | Here are some few tips for playing the guitar in |
| signatures are usually placed beside the clef sign. | | | | the proper position: |
| The upper number (or numerator) indicates the | | | | -position the body, legs and arms in so that |
| number of beats per measure and the lower | | | | tension is avoided -if tension is present, reassess |
| number (or denominator) indicates the kind of | | | | the playing position -tilt the neck of the guitar |
| note that will receive one beat. | | | | upwards and never tilt it downwards -keep the |
| 3/4 Chord pattern | | | | body of the guitar as vertical as possible -avoid |
| In playing a 3/4 guitar riff, one has to count 1-2-3 | | | | slanting the top of the guitar so that you an see |
| and use this count as a guide when strumming | | | | better |
| the guitar. In practicing the 3/4 guitar strumming, | | | | Holding the pick |
| one can use the chord pattern: D- A7- G. | | | | If you are using a pick to strum the guitar strings, |
| This is a variation of the 4/4 chord pattern | | | | hold the pick in such a way that the hand is |
| D-A-G-A. Again, this pattern is recommended | | | | stress-free. So do not hold it too tight or too |
| because of the playability of the chords. This | | | | loosely. The pick should make good contact with |
| allows the player to be able to concentrate on | | | | the strings but should be done in a moderate |
| strumming and chord formation simultaneously | | | | way. |
| without prioritizing one above the other. | | | | Reading tablatures |
| The strokes in practicing the 3/4 strumming | | | | When you are comfortable with playing some |
| pattern can be varied, depending on the player's | | | | chords and chord patterns, you can then shift into |
| preferences. He can practice the pattern using | | | | reading guitar tablatures. Tablatures or tabs are |
| only downward strokes, or upwards strokes or | | | | great tools in learning how to play the guitar as |
| he can use both alternately to get the feel of the | | | | they translate the musical notation into readable |
| guitar. | | | | symbols that reflect the way to play a musical |
| The traditional song "Down in the Valley" can be | | | | piece using a guitar. The lines that are in guitar |
| used by beginners to practice strumming the | | | | tabs represent the strings of the guitar. If you |
| guitar with a 3/4 time. Another song which could | | | | place the guitar adjacent to the tabs, you can see |
| be used in 3/4 strumming is the song "Time is on | | | | what this is all about. The numbers in the lines |
| my Side" by Jerry Ragovoy. | | | | represent the fret number which is to be pressed |
| Chord Shifting | | | | by the player. This is basically all you have to |
| Another important thing that a beginner must | | | | know to be able to start reading tabs. Tabs are |
| learn in 4/4 strumming is chord shifting. This | | | | comprised of symbols and signs other than lines |
| becomes an even harder thing to do in 3/4 | | | | and numbers. More advanced tabs also indicate |
| strumming but it is not impossible to learn; it just | | | | the type of plucking or string bending technique |
| takes time and patience. Don't let frustration get | | | | that should be used for striking each note. |
| into the learning process. | | | | Learning how to play the guitar is an arduous |
| Let's go back and review some of the important | | | | process, but it's also fun. One must take it |
| basic things one has to know in guitar strumming. | | | | step-by-step and must not rush to learn more |
| Playing position | | | | techniques if he still can't master the preceding |
| When a beginner first holds the guitar and tries | | | | technique. Have fun! |
| out some chords, he usually does these things in | | | | |