Lesson #11: Fingerpicking Patterns in 3/4 Time SignatureYou’ve made it to the final lesson in Part II of Fingerpicking Tricks. So far, you’ve discovered the world of rhythmic fingerpicking on the ukulele and how you can use fingerpicking patterns to pluck in rhythm the chords of a song.

For this lesson, you look at fingerpicking patterns in 3/4 time signature, where there are three counts per measure rather than four, like in 4/4 time signature.

In this lesson, learn:

• To fingerpick in 3/4 time signature• A variety of different picking patterns in 3/4 time signature• To fingerpick and sing My Wild Irish Rose

Chords Used In This LessonThis lesson makes use of a handful of different chords:

To play a G major chord, place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the bottom A-string, index finger on the 2nd fret of the C-string, and middle finger on the 3rd fret of the E-string. Let the top g-string ring open.

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

1

To play a D7 chord, use your index finger to barre the 2nd fret. This means you use your index finger to press and hold down all four strings at the 2nd fret. Then, place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the bottom A-string. Alternatively, you might use your middle finger to barre the 2nd fret and use your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the bottom A-string (I prefer this way).

To play a C major chord, place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the bottom A-string. Let the top three strings ring open.

To play an A7 chord, place your index finger on the 1st fret of the C-string. Let the other three strings ring open.

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

2

3/4 Time Signature Fingerpicking PatternsSo far, the fingerpicking patterns and songs you’ve learned have been in 4/4 time signature, where there are four beats per measure. This means you count: 1, 2, 3, 4. In 3/4 time signature, there are three beats per measure.

You can identify songs that are in a 3/4 time signature because they tend to have a “waltz-y” feel. In a 3/4 time signature pattern, think about stressing the first beat over the second and third beats.

Coming up with fingerpicking patterns in 3/4 time signature isn’t much different than 4/4 time signature – just take out the fourth beat. The following example demonstrates a simple fingerpicking pattern in 3/4 time signature:

In the following examples, try your hand at different 3/4 time signature fingerpicking patterns. Some of them make use of syncopation and simultaneous pinched notes. Be sure to count out loud and tap your foot to the beat as you practice these patterns.

Practice Pattern #1

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

3

Practice Pattern #2

Practice Pattern #3

Practice Pattern #4

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

4

Play “My Wild Irish Rose”The classic Irish song My Wild Irish Rose is played in a 3/4 time signature. To start, just practice the fingerpicking pattern shown in the first measure of the song. When you’re ready, practice fingerpicking through the songs chord progression without humming or singing. Once you can do that, attempt to sing out the melody to the song.

The most difficult aspect of this song is the frequent chord changes, so be sure you’ve practiced those positions.

Once you have a knack for the song, try using one of the other 3/4 time signature patterns above to fingerpick the chords of this song. You might even try coming up with your own fingerpicking pattern that’s played to a count of three to play this song.

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

5

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

6

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

7

Practice ObjectivesAs you work on this lesson, aim for the following:

1. Practice the fingerpicking patterns in 3/4 time signature 2. Try coming up with your own patterns in 3/4 time signature3. Fingerpick and sing My Wild Irish Rose4. Use the other fingerpicking patterns in 3/4 time signature or ones you’ve

created to play My Wild Irish Rose

Congratulations on completing the rhythmic fingerpicking section of this course! Hopefully your fingers are starting to feel a little bit more limber. In the next section, we look at arpeggio-based fingerstyle to create intricate and beautiful sounding fingerpicking rhythms and melodies.

Part II: Pattern-based FingerpickingLesson #11

8