Beginner variation
Quarter notes to eighth notes
How to play it
- Mute the strings lightly with the fretting hand.
- Play four quarter-note downstrokes, then eight even eighth notes.
- Return to quarter notes without changing the underlying pulse.
Read this pattern in words
Play four muted quarter-note downstrokes, then eight muted eighth notes with alternating down and up strokes.
Focus points
- A steady foot tap or internal beat
- Equal spacing between eighth notes
- Light, controlled muting
Common mistakes
- Treating the eighth-note section as a tempo increase
- Pressing hard enough to sound fretted pitches
- Make it easier
- Use one open string instead of muted strums.
- Make it harder
- Alternate down and up strokes through the eighth notes.