Stringband Guitar 1A: What is Stringband Guitar?

In a traditional stringband, each of the various instruments are tasked with fulfilling specific roles within the mix. There are three essential elements that need to be covered: namely, the melody, the rhythm, and the bass. Every instrument has it's job covering aspects of this mix.

In order to understand the job of the guitar, it is helpful to also understand the role being played by the other instruments.

In most cases, the fiddle, mandolin, or banjo will take the job of playing melody. Typically, they will take turns being the featured melody instrument during one repetition of the tune.

For instance, if the fiddle plays the melody in the first run-through of the tune, the other melody instruments may hang back, play a bit more quietly and rhythmically, allowing the fiddle it's moment in the spotlight.

In a subsequent repetition, the melody may be taken up by a banjo or a mandolin, as the fiddle hangs back.

What is the guitar's unique job?

The guitar has two important roles to fulfill in a stringband lineup.

As the melody is being covered by the higher-toned instruments, the guitar inherits the important job of holding down the other essentials in the mix: namely, the rhythm and the bass. The guitarist does this by playing the chord progression that accompanies the repeating melody.

As for the rhythm, the guitarist maintains a bold and steady beat using a strong hit of the bass note of the chord, followed by a hit of the remaining strings in the chord. This style of guitar playing is sometimes referred to as "Boom Chick" strumming.

To create interest and movement in the bass end, the guitarist will also frequently link the chords together with "Bass Runs" a short series of connecting notes leading from one chord to the next.

By taking responsibility for emphasizing and reinforcing the rhythmic and bass-end components of the music, the guitarist creates a solid foundation on which the other instruments can weave their melodic magic.

What skills does the Stringband guitarist need?

Basic stringband guitar is a fairly accessible style, and not all that technically difficult. It is possible for an advanced beginner to intermediate player to play good steady back-up guitar in a stringband.

A majority of stringband music is played in the keys of G, A, D, and C, so you should be comfortable with playing the chords in a these keys.

You'll want to have a handle on the concept of "Boom Chick Strumming", a strongly rhythmic technique which singles out the bass note of the chord, followed by a hit of the remaining strings. Typically, this pattern would be played twice in one measure of music in 4/4 time.

If this is new to you, you can find a complete tutorial on it here:

LET'S GET STRUMMING
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=761

With those basic skills, along with the ability to follow a chord chart or memorize a sequence of chords, you should be in good shape to try your hand at stringband guitar.

For extra flavor and fun, learn to play alternating bass, and bass runs that connect one chord to the next.

If this is new to you, you can find a complete tutorial on it here:

STRUM IT UP, ADD SOME GOODIES
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=764


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