Lesson #10: Waltz Time in G (Guitar, Beginner)

Unlike common time, where four quarter notes make a full measure, in waltz time, three quarter notes make one bar (a measure and a bar are synonymous):

1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3...and so on...

That's known as 3/4 time. A faster waltz, 6/8 time, is six eighth notes per bar:

1 2 3 4 2 3, 1 2 3 4 2 3, 1 2 3 4 2 3, 1 2 3 4 2 3, and so on...

Let's try it on some chord progressions and imagine people dancing the waltz to your music:

G 2 3, G 2 3, Em 2 3, Em 2 3, C 2 3, C 2 3, D 2 3, D 2 3...and repeat...

Now try the same progression in 6/8 time, and you'll probably notice it has more urgency and more jangle in the strum:

D 2 3 C 2 3, G 2 3 4 2 3,
C 2 3 4 2 3, G 2 3 4 2 3,
C 2 3 4 2 3, Am 2 3 4 2 3,
Em 2 3 4 2 3, G 2 3 4 2 3...and so on...

Lesson #9: Common Time in G (Guitar, Beginner)

Did you learn the chords from yesterday's lesson? We're going to put those chords to use and start strumming in common time. In published sheet music, this is often stated as 4/4 time. Count it out!

In quarter notes: 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4... Four quarter notes make a full measure (and you thought this wouldn't be fractions and math class!).

In faster eighth notes: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and...

Got it? Let's try this chord progression:

G 2 3 4, C 2 3 4, G 2 3 4, C 2 3 4...and repeat...G 2 3 4, C 2 3 4, G 2 3 4, C 2 3 4...

Or this one:

G 2 3 4, D 2 3 4, G 2 3 4, D 2 3 4...

Or this one:

G and 2 and 3 and 4 and
Em and 2 and 3 and 4 and
G and 2 and 3 and 4 and
Em and 2 and 3 and 4 and...

Like juggling, let's try three chords:

G 2 3 4, D 2 3 4, C 2 3 4, C 2 3 4...

Now four chords:

G and 2 and 3 and 4 and
D and 2 and 3 and 4 and
Em and 2 and 3 and 4 and
C and 2 and 3 and 4 and...

Five chords?

G and 2 and D and 4 and
C and 2 and 3 and 4 and
Em and 2 and D and 4 and
Am and 2 and 3 and 4 and...

Get comfortable with fast chord changes!