Sam Bush Style Rhythm 101

Learning to Chop with Open-String Chords on the Mandolin.

This lesson will teach you some of the basics of Sam Bush Style rhythm. We'll Use "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" as a vehicle to study the unique chopping technique. We'll start by learning to use the fret hand to mute strings in time. From there, we'll work up a basic bluegrass chop using a well timed fretting hand mute. Finally, we'll sprinkle in some funky Sam Bush goodness to really make the rhythm pop and move.

1

Overview

Put on Your Sailin' Shoes

We fixin' to boogie. Before we call forth the funk, we must learn some basics. We'll start by developing some timing with our fret hand muting. Next we'll learn to chop with the open chords. Lastly...
2

Fret Hand Muting

Whatever You Do, Do It in Time

When you stop a note is as important as when you start a note. Think about that for a second. Timing is everything. Sam Bush is a master of it. In this exercise our goal is to stop the strings from...
3

Unbreak that Circle

Using the Fret Hand Mute in a Song

We're using what we learned in the exercise and applying it to a song. That's it. There's also three new chord shapes. The main goal here is TIMING! Stop the notes as precisely as when you start th...
4

Backbeat

Learning to Chop - Sam Bush Style

Now we're getting down to the Nitty Gritty(pun intended). We were muting on beats 2 & 4. We're now muting quickly, the moment after we strum, and we're doing it on the back-beat(the beats between 1...
5

Someone Please Un-break that Dang Circle

Chopping on the Backbeat in a Song

Taking what we learned in a short exercise, and putting it to a song. It's almost like...We've done this before. You can do this. For an extra challenge, try to sing the words as you play!
6

Sammm, Sammm, Sammm

A Sam Bush style Rhythmic Figure

This, my good people, is the Nitty Gritty. This rhythmic figure adds a lot. That's why we're going to spend a lot of time practicing at a speed we can handle, right? If we get frustrated, we will n...
7

Unbreaking that Dang Circle

Sam Bush Style Chop in a Song

When it comes to this lesson series, friends, this is the Nittiest of the Grittiest. Sam Bush style chop on, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
8

Hot Licks

A Spicy Variation in the Style of Sam Bush

Sometimes, all you need is a pinch of salt to get just the right flavor. Same goes with a good lick. It doesn't take much to "set it off". One extra note is all we're adding, and it sounds like so ...
9

Whoa Pick It, Whoa Pick It!

Another Lick, Most Definitely in the Style of Sam Bush

Very nice! Again, the big key is timing the lift and drop of your muting fingers. Watch the video and take it slow.
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Heen!

Another Great Rhythmic Variation

Watch the video, take it slow etc. You know the drill.
11

All Together

Playing the Variations in Context Using the Lick Switcher

Have fun with this friends! Use the lick switcher to add in a couple of those cool rhythmic variations.
12

Where to Next

Some Ideas on What to Check Out

I know, I know, you could chop Sam Bush all day and be happy. But there's more to life than rhythm? Yeah maybe so. Here's some other things to check out for the avid Sam Fan. See y'all on the flip ...

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