I've been playing and singing country songs for years Martin, and used, as you put it, the "incorrect" strum pattern regularly. A big space with no drive or forward motion. The idea of incorporating the 3 string upstrokes is a great revelation for me. For whatever reason, I have assumed a great interest in bluegrass music lately. So thank you very much for those excellent tips, and your very effective presentation. Just the very best.
Very much appreciated. Glad it helped. Bluegrass is a very particular style of playing and it's hard to get it just right. We are all still learning I think. Glad to hear you are playing bluegrass. It's a grear community of musicians. Keep pickin!
I’ve been playing my D-18 for over 50 years. I’m in a working bluegrass group. I play a solid 12 hours a week between practice, noodling, and gigs. Even so, you taught this old guy a few things. Thanks so much! Always learning.
Rock on! That's how it is with the guitar, there's always something else to learn.I love RUclips because there are so many great guitarists here sharing tips and secrets. Thanks for watching!
You have great teaching chops as well as guitar chops. As a new bluegrass player (but seasoned guitar player) I really appreciate how you explain what you are doing with brevity and spend more time demonstrating what to do and especially what not to do. In such a short video I learned a ton! Thank you!
I was playing for my wife while she was fixing breakfast. She said "you know any bluegrass"? No..I said. Too bad...she said. I like breakfast...so here I am.😊
Now THIS is a valuable lesson with a great teaching style! I’ve been a rock, folk, and country lead guitar player for over 40 years-and now I’m finally trying to play bluegrass rhythms. Hoo boy. Always loved it, never understood how to play it. Now I know a little more! Subscribed!
This is a really clear, concise and useful lesson. Thanks a whole lot! One question I have: When you play the rhythm (e.g. 9:00), I have the feeling, that the eights-notes still are not really swung, but not completely even, either. Is this the case, or should I listen again? :)
Great question! I don't really think about it as "swung" but there is a sort of "shuffle" to it. It comes more from accenting certain notes rather than changing the space between the notes. If you accent the strum on two and four and then play the up-stroke following the strum louder than the up-stroke that follows the bass note there's a short of shuffle that happens that sounds swung. But I'm not consciously swinging the beat. I think at that slower speed it seems more prominent than it really is at full speed. Hope that helps!
Hey thanks for all the tips, great video. Do you have a video doing this bluegrass strum really fast? Like Billy Strings On the Line fast? Any tips on that?
Martin, thank you, great lesson! Is that a Martin 000 or OM? I am considering getting one of those instead of a dread, have shorter arms, is that ok for bluegrass? I had heard not.
Thanks! It is an old 000-18. I love it and use it a lot for teaching and sometimes for solo performance. It definitely won't keep up in a bluegrass context. It doesn't have the volume or boominess of a dreadnought. It's hard to reach over a big dreadnought all day, but if you practice shifting it over to your other leg (when sitting) that might help. An OM has a longer scale so that might have a little more string tension and a louder sound as well. This guitar would be fine in a small jam, but not in a big one or on stage with a bluegrass band playing full-blast. Good luck!
I'm not sure what country you live in, but you're lucky that there are a lot of low end guitars that will keep a tune. When I was first learning, low end guitars wouldn't keep in tune long enough to get through a song. For starting out, a low end should get you by. Good luck saving & learning.
Great lesson for me because I was trying to unlock a rhythm for 9 #hammer but I didn't know what strings ti play on the up strokes until you described the mechanics. Tip of the hat to you.
Outstanding lesson...immediately improved my sound! Thanks...Can't wait for the lesson on bass lines and embellishments. I will be looking for that. Thanks Martin!
Thank you ... finally, someone was able to teach me exactly what I needed. All the other videos did not help me personally at my beginner level. Very good video.
I am using a Wegen TF140 in this video. I use those most often, but any pick thicker than 1mm would work. Really you just want a pick that doesn't flex so you can get the big volume required when you're backing up fiddles and banjos. I also use Bluechip picks, Toneslabs, and Dunlop Primetones from time to time, but I always have a Wegen in my pocket. Have fun!
You sound great! I am just starting to learn BG guitar. When I try to play this Bass up down up bass it just does not sound like you. So when do you use this Bass up, down, Bass or do you switch back and forth? Thanks
Great question. I don't do the down-up-down-up strum all the time. Usually I just use it to "punctuate the phrases". Lyrics can be broken down into phrases which are usually represented by lines on a lyric sheet. For instance: I lost all my money but a two dollar bill [phrase 1] Two dollar bill boys, two dollar bill [phrase 2] I lost all my money but a two dollar bill [phrase 3] I'm on my long journey home [phrase 4] When the singer is singing the words of the phrase just play bass-strum-bass-strum. But when they reach a long note or the end of the phrase you can add in the extra up-strokes to fill the space. In "Long Journey Home" the best place to add the down-up-down-up strum is at the end of the second phrase, when the word "bill" lands. Then when you go on to the next phrase go back to just bass-strum. Most of the time I just play bass-strum-bass-strum, and only some of the time do I play the down-up-down-up strum. I always play the upstroke after the strum on the down-up-down-up strumming pattern. Keeping it steady and even is what gives it the bluegrass drive. Hope that helps. Keep it up!
Thanks! That's my old 000-18. It's been refinished and is kind of a mess inside, but it sounds good. I use it a lot when I'm teaching so I don't have to reach over my dreadnaught all day.
Hey Martin, I love your lessons, they are absolutly incredible. I wanted to ask if you have considered to play some Bob Dylan tunes from his early years. I am really drawn to his guitar playing in some tunes but struggle to understand what he is actually doing. And somehow your lessons and strumming/picking style reminded me of his playing. Would love to hear your opinion on his style and if this is like the bluegrass you demonstrated. I added some songs/links I really dig. Thanks and best regard ruclips.net/video/ZKs4I8qjo8k/видео.html ruclips.net/video/gNMyOFJJgMs/видео.html (here I really love the G6 G7 shift between verses but dont get how he is doing it. ruclips.net/video/5DfJsJFtbHo/видео.html ruclips.net/video/OYHdqYiZ0pU/видео.html
![KAYTRANADA - Witchy (feat. Childish Gambino) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jGK3YVmGZ3Y/mqdefault.jpg)
I've been playing and singing country songs for years Martin, and used, as you put it, the "incorrect" strum pattern regularly. A big space with no drive or forward motion. The idea of incorporating the 3 string upstrokes is a great revelation for me. For whatever reason, I have assumed a great interest in bluegrass music lately. So thank you very much for those excellent tips, and your very effective presentation. Just the very best.
Very much appreciated. Glad it helped. Bluegrass is a very particular style of playing and it's hard to get it just right. We are all still learning I think. Glad to hear you are playing bluegrass. It's a grear community of musicians. Keep pickin!
Brother, this space of strum embelishments is incredibly undertaught on youtube. SO helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
This is the best Bluegrass lesson on the world wide web.
Much appreciated!
+1 Love the clear, uncluttered explanation that even a mandolin player can understand!
Tremendous stuff
Thanks so much!
Mannnnn! Best lesson on the tube so far! Very thankful!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for tuning in!
This is a fantastic video and taught me a lot as a 39 yr old that kind of put down a guitar for 15 yrs and wants back in
Glad you found it! Keep pickin'!
I’ve been playing my D-18 for over 50 years. I’m in a working bluegrass group. I play a solid 12 hours a week between practice, noodling, and gigs. Even so, you taught this old guy a few things. Thanks so much! Always learning.
Rock on! That's how it is with the guitar, there's always something else to learn.I love RUclips because there are so many great guitarists here sharing tips and secrets. Thanks for watching!
As a beginner bluegrass and old country picker I really appreciate the lessons, thank you
Very welcome! Lots of great music to play. Have fun!
You have great teaching chops as well as guitar chops. As a new bluegrass player (but seasoned guitar player) I really appreciate how you explain what you are doing with brevity and spend more time demonstrating what to do and especially what not to do. In such a short video I learned a ton! Thank you!
I appreciate that! Glad it helped!
Brilliant little video well done I've just subscribed
Awesome, thank you! Glad you got something out of it!
I was playing for my wife while she was fixing breakfast. She said "you know any bluegrass"? No..I said. Too bad...she said. I like breakfast...so here I am.😊
Ha ha! Glad to help! Best of luck!
Great lesson and explanation. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely brilliant sir, thank you for taking the time to share
My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in!
THANK U! Thanks for ur time this was a BIG BIG HELP!!
You're welcome! Glad it helped
Thank you this is such a helpful video
You're so welcome!
New to learning bluegrass and also recently started Bryan Sutton's course in Artistworks. This was helpful as well and will check others.
Awesome! Bryan Sutton is a great player and teacher. Thanks for tuning in to my lessons. More to come soon!
Sounds mint mate👍
Thanks!
So, so outstanding. Finally an articulate instructor who instructs with clear, concise direction. I have been searching for you for years. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Now THIS is a valuable lesson with a great teaching style! I’ve been a rock, folk, and country lead guitar player for over 40 years-and now I’m finally trying to play bluegrass rhythms. Hoo boy. Always loved it, never understood how to play it. Now I know a little more! Subscribed!
Rock on! Thanks so much! Bluegrass is a great community of musicians, and a lot of fun!
This is a really clear, concise and useful lesson. Thanks a whole lot! One question I have: When you play the rhythm (e.g. 9:00), I have the feeling, that the eights-notes still are not really swung, but not completely even, either. Is this the case, or should I listen again? :)
Great question! I don't really think about it as "swung" but there is a sort of "shuffle" to it. It comes more from accenting certain notes rather than changing the space between the notes. If you accent the strum on two and four and then play the up-stroke following the strum louder than the up-stroke that follows the bass note there's a short of shuffle that happens that sounds swung. But I'm not consciously swinging the beat. I think at that slower speed it seems more prominent than it really is at full speed.
Hope that helps!
Hey thanks for all the tips, great video. Do you have a video doing this bluegrass strum really fast? Like Billy Strings On the Line fast? Any tips on that?
Not yet!, but I will try to put something together!
Martin, thank you, great lesson! Is that a Martin 000 or OM? I am considering getting one of those instead of a dread, have shorter arms, is that ok for bluegrass? I had heard not.
Thanks! It is an old 000-18. I love it and use it a lot for teaching and sometimes for solo performance. It definitely won't keep up in a bluegrass context. It doesn't have the volume or boominess of a dreadnought. It's hard to reach over a big dreadnought all day, but if you practice shifting it over to your other leg (when sitting) that might help. An OM has a longer scale so that might have a little more string tension and a louder sound as well. This guitar would be fine in a small jam, but not in a big one or on stage with a bluegrass band playing full-blast. Good luck!
Thanks for the tutorial man. When i have enough money i buy a guitar and i think your video will gonna help me. ♥️♥️♥️
Rock on! Keep saving that $$$!!!
I'm not sure what country you live in, but you're lucky that there are a lot of low end guitars that will keep a tune.
When I was first learning, low end guitars wouldn't keep in tune long enough to get through a song.
For starting out, a low end should get you by.
Good luck saving & learning.
@@jupitercyclops6521 thx man
You're an excellent teacher
Thank you!
great lesson man. Thanks
My pleasure!
Can i have online class, sir❤
Send me a message through my website www.martingilmore.com and we can see if we can work it out!
From a country-loving drummer trying to learn acoustic, THANK YOU! Great stuff.
My pleasure! Glad it helped! Best of luck!
Great lesson Martin
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the visit!
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽thank you
You are so welcome
Great lesson for me because I was trying to unlock a rhythm for 9 #hammer but I didn't know what strings ti play on the up strokes until you described the mechanics.
Tip of the hat to you.
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!
Thanks!
You bet!
Thank you
You're welcome!
Outstanding lesson...immediately improved my sound! Thanks...Can't wait for the lesson on bass lines and embellishments. I will be looking for that. Thanks Martin!
Great to hear! Yes! More lessons to come.
Thank you ... finally, someone was able to teach me exactly what I needed. All the other videos did not help me personally at my beginner level. Very good video.
You're welcome! Glad it helped!
I'm jusr learning, and rhis is the first video thats really made sense to me! Thank you so so much. I'm ready to watch and learn more!👍😄
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks! What pick are you using?
I am using a Wegen TF140 in this video. I use those most often, but any pick thicker than 1mm would work. Really you just want a pick that doesn't flex so you can get the big volume required when you're backing up fiddles and banjos. I also use Bluechip picks, Toneslabs, and Dunlop Primetones from time to time, but I always have a Wegen in my pocket.
Have fun!
@@martingilmore same 3 pick brands I use👍. Fwiw, I find Dunlop Primetones compare well to the other two name brands for about 1/10th the price.
You sound great! I am just starting to learn BG guitar. When I try to play this Bass up down up bass it just does not sound like you. So when do you use this Bass up, down, Bass or do you switch back and forth? Thanks
Great question. I don't do the down-up-down-up strum all the time. Usually I just use it to "punctuate the phrases". Lyrics can be broken down into phrases which are usually represented by lines on a lyric sheet. For instance:
I lost all my money but a two dollar bill [phrase 1]
Two dollar bill boys, two dollar bill [phrase 2]
I lost all my money but a two dollar bill [phrase 3]
I'm on my long journey home [phrase 4]
When the singer is singing the words of the phrase just play bass-strum-bass-strum. But when they reach a long note or the end of the phrase you can add in the extra up-strokes to fill the space. In "Long Journey Home" the best place to add the down-up-down-up strum is at the end of the second phrase, when the word "bill" lands. Then when you go on to the next phrase go back to just bass-strum.
Most of the time I just play bass-strum-bass-strum, and only some of the time do I play the down-up-down-up strum.
I always play the upstroke after the strum on the down-up-down-up strumming pattern. Keeping it steady and even is what gives it the bluegrass drive.
Hope that helps.
Keep it up!
Nice, straight-forward instruction at my approximate skill level
I'magonna try those strumming patterns for sure
You can do it! Thanks for tuning in!
Hi Martin, great lesson. Really like the playing enhancements you illustrate. What Martin guitar are you playing, sounds very nice.
Thanks! That's my old 000-18. It's been refinished and is kind of a mess inside, but it sounds good. I use it a lot when I'm teaching so I don't have to reach over my dreadnaught all day.
That’s a great tip about your pinky on the c chord. Sometimes that open E string sounds so jarring to me lol
Yeah. A lot of times I play chords differently to make changes more efficient. Good luck!
When you added the singing to illustrate your point, everything clicked. Great video! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Great , love that lesson. Just stumbled accros Martin's channel. But so pleased I have. Top man.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for tuning in!
Amazing! Super helpful. Thanks for the video!
You're very welcome!
Thanks Martin! I've subscribed so I'll see you often!!!
Thanks for being here!
Thank you for such a useful and complete lesson - with excellent theory included!
Glad it was helpful!
You’ve really helped me have a breakthrough, great work. Thankyou 👍
Great to hear! Have fun!
I never imagined in my life that strumming is hard until now
I remember learning that down-up-down-up strum and how tedious it was to practice it slowly. Best of luck!
@@martingilmore thanks mate
Your suggestions are very welcomed . Yes more lessons thanks.
More to come! Working on ideas now!
Great! Exactly what I needed! Thank you!!!
Glad it helped!
This lesson was very clear, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely God sent to me, thank you Martin.
You are very welcome!
Really like your voice and teaching style.
Thanks very much!
Terrific lesson. Thanks very much.
My pleasure!
Thanks so much, from sunny South Africa
My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in!
Really, just great!
Very much appreciated!
Great lesson thank you
Glad you liked it!
Nice. Thank you
You're welcome 😊
Great stuff. Gracias.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for listening!
Great lesson!
Thanks!
Hey Martin, I love your lessons, they are absolutly incredible. I wanted to ask if you have considered to play some Bob Dylan tunes from his early years. I am really drawn to his guitar playing in some tunes but struggle to understand what he is actually doing. And somehow your lessons and strumming/picking style reminded me of his playing. Would love to hear your opinion on his style and if this is like the bluegrass you demonstrated. I added some songs/links I really dig. Thanks and best regard
ruclips.net/video/ZKs4I8qjo8k/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/gNMyOFJJgMs/видео.html
(here I really love the G6 G7 shift between verses but dont get how he is doing it.
ruclips.net/video/5DfJsJFtbHo/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/OYHdqYiZ0pU/видео.html
I will check these out and see what I can do with them. Thanks for asking!
GEAT LESSON!
Thanks!
Excellent
Thank you! Cheers!