The Shuffle
The term "shuffle" means a constant stream of swing eighth notes. The shuffle is one of the most common thythms in Blues and is also used in related styles such as Gospel, Soul and Rock. All the examples on the previous page are shuffles.
Staccato
All the rhythms played on the previous page were played smoothly (called legato). Another way of playing notes is called staccato. In staccato playing the notes are played short and separate. This is indicated by a dot placed above or below the note e.g.
In many rhythm guitar parts, the use of staccato notes can add extra drive to the rhythm. The example below is written the same way as the previous example, except that the note on each beat is played staccato. Play the two examples one after the other and listen to the difference the staccato ntoes make to the rhythm.
To play a note staccato, lift the left hand finger off thefret (but not off the string) as soon as the note has sounded. Listen to this example on the CD to hear the effect of staccto.
