Lesson 4

Summary: Adding The Groove!

In this lesson we build on our 16th note strumming skills by starting to add in some ghost notes! These are subtle rhythmical slaps, pops and crunches that bring the groove to life!

Theory: What Are Ghost Notes

Put simply, a ghost note is a percussive hit on the guitar with no pitch. So, when you mute the strings with your fretting hand, and strike them with the plectrum, that is a ghost note. You can take ghost notes to a very advanced style, but in this lesson, we will be integrating simple 16th note strummed ghost notes into our rhythm. Once we have the basics mastered, we can progress.

You see all those ‘x’ markers on the tab above? They are ghost notes. You strum the strings shown, but don’t actually fret a chord. To achieve this effect you will mute the strings with your fretting hand.

Tab: Funky Triads with Ghost Notes

We will take the tune we did in the last lesson, and add the ghost note rhythm pattern shown above. Here is the tab that you loop. if you would like to understand more about these chords and rhythm, please see the previous lesson here.

Audio: Full Track

If you would prefer to just dive straight in and play along with the audio tracks, they are here below. If you're really feeling confident, try with the backing track!