Dulcimer Lessons Lesson 3c
D Studies Waltz Timing
by Mickey Cochran
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by Mickey Cochran
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Copyright ©1998-2004 Mickey Cochran
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In continuing our strumming studies within the DAA ionian tuning we will now focus on 3/4 timing...or waltz timing. Our previous chordal studies were all performed in 4/4 timing...3/4 timing differs in that there's now only 3 beats per measure as opposed to 4 in 4/4 timing.
This will assist you in establishing good rhythm techniques...and timing the heartbeat of music. You'll want to follow the same procedure as you did in the last lesson. Once you become familiar with the chording techniques and the single downbeat strums, you might want to start experimenting with adding an upbeat (up-strum) as follows:
1 2&3 or 1 2 3& and so on...
Whereever you see the and, in between the numbers, strum upwards...this will vary your rhythm patterns and add more flow to your chordal progressions.
Be careful to follow the 3 beats as indicated below the tablature...To start, try counting to 3 repeatedly while tapping your foot. This will establish your innate sense of rhythm. Keep the tempo even such as when you clap your hands to a song. Now, let's do this while strumming the dulcimer on every count one down beat to one strum. To apply this to a chord progression, follow the chords indicated by the diagrams above the standard notation, and indicated by the finger positions on the tablature...each slash, in the standard notation, represents a down-strum...the "D" also indicates a down-strum--3 strums within each measure (divided by the vertical lines) equaling 8 strums for each chord.
Note: For waltz timing, be sure to emphasize the first beat of every 3 beats...this puts an accent on the first strum while the following two strums are played with less emphasis.
Hold the pick steady and strum near the right position of your dulcimer...above or within the strum well.
Click here for the Video/Sound Sampler D Chordal Study #4 Waltz Rhythm
D Chord Progression using the first lesson in strumming and keeping rhythm:
Click here for the Video/Sound Sampler D Chordal Study #4 Waltz Rhythm
Copyright ©1998-2004 Mickey Cochran
