Chris explains a key technique that enables a player the ability to perform ‘Belly Beats’ on the guitar.
Key learning points
In-depth look into the exact movements to perform the crucial ‘bass drum’ sound on the body of the guitar
Take the first steps into combination playing, by performing the ‘bass drum’ sound, while simultaneously strumming
The ‘Belly Beats’ and specifically, the ‘bass drum’ sound uses a unique movement which is not common on the guitar and does not really resemble more common movements such as, ‘down-strokes’, ‘up-strokes’ and even ‘snare’ slaps.
Exercise 1 - Bass drum over sound hole
The heel of the hand moves independently for this technique (‘kinking’ down motion)
Keep the elbow and fingers level so that the heel of the hand can work independently
Aim roughly above the sound hole (and strings), but find the best placed area for your guitar's sound
Start gentle and build the volume to a suitable and consistent level
Following the steps from Exercise 1, the ‘bass drum’ movement can now be combined with a flick of the fingers to strum the chord simultaneously.
Exercise 2 - Bass drum & Strum
On beat 1, use the heel of the hand and flick of the wrist to perform the ‘bass drum’ sound and strum the chord at the same time
Try this motion as many times until it feels consistent
Then, apply this motion to Beats 1 & 3 with beats 2 & 4 being a simple ‘snare’ slap to complete a full bar of percussive finger-style playing!
