Andy and Chris explore decorative, creative and ornamental percussive ideas, to combine with everything that has been learnt so far in the course.
Andy and Chris explore decorative, creative and ornamental percussive ideas, to combine with everything that has been learnt so far in the course. Once a full bar of percussive finger-style playing is comfortable to us in a 4 beat pattern, with ‘bass drum & strum’ and ‘snare slap’ highlighting the beats. This is where, much like a drummer will perform a drum fill, a player can add rhythmic ornamentation to elevate their playing and really look to stretch the creative boundaries of percussive playing.
Key learning points
Learn a specific ornamental phrase to add to your own playing
Look at the finer details of how to create each sound clearly and in a controlled way
Add ’percussive finger rolls’ to the repertoire of techniques
Exercise 1 - Ornamental phrase
Tap 3 times with the tips of the fingers - this motion starts on the scratch plate or below the sound hole
Slap the shoulder of the guitar with the fret hand
Finish with a string slap using the thumb
Many percussive fingerstyle techniques are improvised initially and then refined into a technique. The improvisation element is important as usually the off-the-cuff ideas happen quickly, and tend to be more comfortable and economic (in terms of how the movements flow together). In order to keep the playing in time and to not overcomplicate the movements, it is essential to look at what movements actually make sense and feel good to use.
Exercise 2 - Percussive Finger Rolls
Grip the strings with the thumb, 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers
Use the wrist to lead the ‘roll’ by turning the wrist away from the body
Allow each string, with use of the fingers, to sound out in a ‘fanned’ motion
