Supplemental Material for Page 3 (Chapter 1)

Strums/Rhythms
Whole notes, half notes, & quarter notes

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Related audio: CD Track 1 (Intro); Track 2 (Tuning Notes); Track 4i (Audio for Page 3)

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General info about page 3:
For the vast majority of students, page 3 is much, much easier than page 2. Working on simple rhythms for the right hand is not as demanding as forming chords with the left. Therefore, I recommend practicing the exercises on page 3 only as much as necessary. In most cases, working on these exercises for a minute or two a few times a week is ample. (Conversely, it will take hours & hours of practice to become adept at quickly switching chords.)

A few reminders:
Refer to track 4 on the CD (or the audio file here) if you wish to hear these exercises.

For exercises 1-4, be sure to play a chord with your left hand; don't just strum the open strings of the guitar. (Exercises 5 & 6 ask for an E chord.)

Developing good right-hand technique is critical. Not all teachers agree on the best way to strum the guitar; there's more than one "correct" way. My recommendation (which I discuss in detail here) is basically to keep your right wrist straight as you play. Stay loose & relaxed, and be sure not to bend the wrist inward toward the guitar.

In case of poor strumming technique:
Do spend lots of time on this page if there's a problem with the right hand technique. Bad habits can be tough to break, so these simple rhythms must be practiced repeatedly using proper form to "unlearn" an ill-advised manner of strumming.

Regarding exercise 6:
I often skip this one with younger beginners. If the technique of "resting" (dampening the strings with the side of the right hand) is clumsy for a youngster, it's really no big deal. Skip it, move on, and come back later.
Conversely, I have found exercise 6 especially helpful for some students who tend to bend their wrists inward. The act of "resting" is often naturally done with better technique, as students straighten out the wrist to dampen the strings with their hand. They can then be advised to strum with the same hand/wrist/arm position with which they "rest".

Extra practice:
Try writing in additional chord changes above the staff for any of the exercises. Use various combinations of the A, D, and E chords. Use pencil, so you can erase and create new combinations. Later, as more chords are learned, review this page, incorporating the newer chords.

Apply these rhythms (or other combinations of half notes, quarter notes, and quarter rests) to exercises 1-4 on page 2, and later, the exercises on pages 4, 6, & 10.

In closing:
If you have a question or concern, or suspect you may be doing something "wrong", please seek out a teacher, or email me with a question. ~C.C.

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