October 2009 \ Premier Clinic \ Jazz \ Bossa Nova Rhythms: Common Two-Measure Patterns

Bossa Nova Rhythms: Common Two-Measure Patterns

Carlos Arana

Several of the most commonly played bossa nova patterns, in their most basic form
Premier Guitar October 2009

from Carlos Arana's Bossa Nova Guitar
Bossa Nova often uses two-measure patterns, crafted from a virtually unlimited combination of rhythm cells. In this lesson, I’ll show you several of the most commonly played bossa nova patterns, in their most basic form. Accompanying each example is its rhythm-cell makeup and its graphic representation. Note the use of staccato markings to indicate where chords should be muted. On the tracks, I will first play the version without the muted notes, in measures 1 and 2, and then play the version with them, in measures 3 and 4.




Pattern 1: (Rhythm Cell 5 + Rhythm Cell 9 + Rhythm Cell 2 + Rhythm Cell 17) + (Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 9 + Rhythm Cell 2 + Rhythm Cell 17)




Listen



Pattern 2: Rhythm Cell 2 + Rhythm Cell 5 + Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 8




Listen



Pattern 3: (Rhythm Cell 5 + Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 12) + (Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 12)





Listen




Pattern 4: (Rhythm Cell 2 + Rhythm Cell 17) + (Rhythm Cell 12 + Rhythm Cell 9)





Listen



Pattern 5: (Rhythm Cell 3 + Rhythm Cell 8) + (Rhythm Cell 2 + Rhythm Cell 17) + (Rhythm Cell 10 + Rhythm Cell 8) + (Rhythm Cell 2 + Rhythm Cell 17)





Listen
   

Pattern 6: (Rhythm Cell 3 + Rhythm Cell 10 + Rhythm Cell 10 + Rhythm Cell 10) + (Rhythm Cell 10 + Rhythm Cell 10 + Rhythm Cell 10 + Rhythm Cell 10)





Listen

     

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Comments

 (4 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Len Hurst
on 05/06/2011 		A superb application.I'm not a guitar player(I play saxes)but will find your examples so useful when arranging. con fuoco Len Hurst
saeed
on 07/08/2010 		so useful,tnx
Marcello
on 01/19/2010 		It's very easy to understand now! Thanks. Very well done.Marcello
Geoff
on 10/17/2009 		Very cool exercise. It highlights the subtly of the concepts, that small changes can make a huge difference in feel, and so how players will approach the given rhythm. Placement of accents moving ever so slightly, or highlighted in slightly different ways creates some very nice tension and interplay. Sweet.



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