The song above includes many of the intermediate techniques that we’ve learnt so far. We have bass notes, slides, hammer ons and flick offs. We also have the dynamic idea introduced in the bass note lesson of not playing all the strings when strumming a chord.
This song also introduces a new intermediate technique called percussive strumming. This is when you hit the guitar so it makes a slap sound. Essentially turning the guitar into a drum.
Percussive guitar is a whole genre of guitar by itself. It first came to my attention with this incredible song by Andy McKee in 2006
This song has inspired a whole heap of guitarists like Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews, John Mayer and Newton Falkner. If this genre really interest you then check out the Intermediate Advanced Course Page
For this lesson we’re exploring adding a rhythm “chuck” or “slap” into the rhythm pattern. To get started just play the full chords with the rhythm pattern. Once you’re comfortable with this add in the chuck beat. This is written as a series of x’s on the TAB. This technique takes time to master. Aim for a consistent sound that doesn’t contain any tone or ringing strings.
Songs That Contain The Percussive Rhythm Technique
Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson
More Than Words – Extreme (I don’t have a song lesson for this but there’s a great TAB here)
The Heart Of Life – John Mayer (I don’t have a song lesson for this but there’s a great TAB here)