The Time element in more detail ... continued from previous lesson
The previous example shows time broken down into regular fractions. This example shows how those fractions are mixed together to make music. Remember that each measure must add up to 1.
The first is a whole note -- 1.
The second introduces a '
dotted' note. If you add a dot to the note, it means its duration is increased by one half. So, in this case, it's a half note + half again, which is a quarter, so its full duration is 3/4. The next note is a quarter note, so measure 2 adds up to 1.
The next is a whole note again.
Next measure is two eighth notes, a quarter note and a half note -- adds up to 1.
Next is another whole note.
Next is half, then a triplet cluster (3/12s = 1/4), then two 8ths ... they all add up to 1.
It ends with another whole note.
Listen to a midi file of this
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Here is C major scale. It is the only major scale that uses all 7 natural notes, in other words, no sharps or flats. I've written the note names above the tab. I use it only as an example of single note lines. The timing is very straight forward: 4 quarter notes per measure.
Listen to a midi file of this
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Here is an example of a
chord progression. The chords are from the key of C. The diagrams show the chord shapes (put your fingers where the black dots are) and below are small numbers indicating which fingers to use.
1 = index; 2 = middle; 3 = ring finger; 4 = pinky (not used in this example).
Below the numbers are the names of the chords.
Timing wise, you can see that it's half beats for the first two measures, then a whole beat.
Listen to a midi file of this
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Here is an example of a simple finger picking pattern. The chord is a C chord with a low G note added to it. Just get your fingers around that chord and hold it there. The blue letter show which right hand fingers to use. I've shown 4 measures, but they're all the same.
T = thumb;
I = index;
M = middle;
R = ring.
Timing wise, as you can see, this pattern consists of a steady stream of 8th notes. The thumb alternates between the two bass strings, the other fingers just keep repeating the pattern over and over.
Listen to a midi file of this
I'll add more to this when I get a chance.
