“Goodnight Irene” and 3/4 Time, Part 1: Picking Patterns in 3/4

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The driving sound of the banjo is at the heart of many styles of roots music. Get started with basic chords, strums, and fingerings, along with simple bluegrass rolls, accompaniment patterns, clawhammer style, and more.

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“Goodnight Irene” and 3/4 Time

“Goodnight Irene” and 3/4 Time, Part 1: Picking Patterns in 3/4

“Goodnight Irene” and 3/4 Time, Part 2: “Goodnight Irene”

“Goodnight Irene” and 3/4 Time, Part 1: Picking Patterns in 3/4

You’ll learn to play in 3/4 time (also called “waltz time”) in this lesson, using the folk classic “Goodnight Irene.” Songs in 3/4 time are common in folk and bluegrass jam sessions. 3/4 time is a lot like 4/4 time, but, yes, you guessed it, 3/4 time has three beats instead of four. Bill starts by showing you how to modify some simple 4/4 patterns so you can play them in 3/4, including some 3/4 versions of the pinch pattern, alternating thumb roll, and forward reverse roll.

Patterns in 3/4 (Available to subscribers)

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← Vamping, Part 2

Next Lesson

“Goodnight Irene” and 3/4 Time, Part 2: “Goodnight Irene” →

Previous Lesson

← Vamping, Part 2

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“Goodnight Irene” and 3/4 Time, Part 2: “Goodnight Irene” →

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