Blugrass-Rhythm & chops 101

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

What strum patterns do you use when playing bluegrass?

1. Chopping on the &’s (i.e. 1 & 2 & 3 & 4)
2. Striking the G strings on the 1 & 3 and chopping on the 2 & 4

What pattern does Chris Thile use usually when playing rhythm? #I can’t seem to figure it out definitively.

Thanks,

Chris

[phizban]

Thile's most basic chop is chopping (No notes) on the off beat (2 & 4). He also occaisonaly will play the 1 &3 with chords


example- chord /chop /chord /chop


His chords are not so much chords during bluegrass songs as they are the root and 5th. his chops usually are only hitting the g and d string.


Lastly, don't try to focus too much on how to chop and back up, just play and practice different rhythms and see what comes to you and what sounds neat. =-D