Rhythm chunking

By chunking I mean taking a chunk out of a rhythm you’ve made, and using it as the main action.

 

You can create chunks from a longer rhythm, say 4 or more bars.

 

 

 

Three chunks

For now, take chunks of 3 to 5 beats from this longer rhythm. Here’s a 4-beat chunk.

 

Where did I find this chunk in the 4 bar phrase above? What beat does it start on?

 

Here’s another one.

 

 

Here’s one that doesn’t start with a rest. It’s not 4 beats long, either. Remember to experiment with different lengths.

 

Strumming

Make that last chunk a strumming pattern…

 

Riffs

…or change the notes and create a riff.

 

Solos

You can also use this idea to create part of a solo.

 

 

So the basic idea here is to take a longer rhythm, take a chunk out of it, and then repeat that chunk to create chord progressions, riffs, and solos.  The range of possibilities is endless.  I’ll look at using this idea in a chord progression in the next post.