Chopping 101
The rhythm style developed by Bill Monroe
Learn to play on the back beat, add authentic Bluegrass rhythmic embellishments, and articulate your chop by controlling left hand release. Exercises for each of these techniques will be used, and then applied to the song "I'll Fly Away".
- 6 Video Lessons
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FreeOverview, and What is the Chop
A Summary of what's ahead and an explanation of what you'll be studying
In this lesson path you’ll learn basic bluegrass chord shapes, and will slowly be introduced to the proper way to articulate the chord to get the sound and feel of a real bluegrass chop. You’ll le...
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FreeBasic Bluegrass Chop Shapes
Fret Hand Basics
The Bluegrass chop. Let’s start by mastering the chord shapes. Bill popularized a four finger version of the G chord. For many it's too much of a stretch and painful. Here we present you with two a...
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Playing on the Backbeat
Wait a Click
Playing the chop chord on the “backbeat” is one of, if not, the most crucial elements of chopping in Bluegrass. A single note is played on the downbeats of 3 and 4, while the rest of the chord is p...
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Learning Articulation
Letting Go
In the last lesson you finished by playing back beats on 2 and 4. This was done so you could have the metronome and band to confidently count the beat and play in the right spot. Now we will remove...
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Playing Between the Beats
Almost There
In the previous lessons all notes and chords have been played on numbered beats. This was so you could easily keep track of when you were supposed to play. Now a new challenge is added: playing bet...
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Rhythmic Embellishments
Gettin' Fancy
Rhythmic embellishments are another important element to an authentic bluegrass chop. They help to fill space and move the music along. Bill Monroe used them all the time. Listen to Bill Monroe’s “...
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I'll Fly Away
Goin' Legit
In I’ll Fly Away we combine all we have learned thus far: playing on the backbeat, articulation, and rhythmic embellishments.The basic arrangement is chop only, master this before adding the rhythm...
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Where to Now?
The Beat Goes On
Now that you have got a handle on the basic chop, let’s put it to use. Everytime you learn a new melody make sure you are also practicing rhythm. Chop along with the band in Tunefox. You can use th...