Strumming is an essential technique for playing the cavaquinho and is used to create a rhythmic accompaniment to melodies. This lesson will provide some basic strumming exercises to help you develop your skills and improve your cavaquinho playing. These exercises are designed to be easy to follow, fun to play, and can be done at your own pace. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these exercises will help you master the basics of strumming and take your cavaquinho playing to the next level. Let’s get started!
EXERCISE #1
The first strumming exercise will be at 80bpm, move your hand downwards and upwards with a natural wrist movement and try to follow the tempo.
EXERCISE #2
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of strumming, it’s time to move on to a slightly faster tempo. This second strumming exercise is set at 120 beats per minute (bpm), which is slightly faster than the first exercise. As you play this exercise, focus on maintaining a steady tempo and using a natural wrist movement to produce a smooth, even strumming pattern.
EXERCISE #3
Once you’ve mastered the first two strumming exercises, it’s time to move on to a more natural speed for cavaquinho players. This third strumming exercise is set at 160 beats per minute (bpm), a more typical tempo for playing cavaquinho tunes. As you play this exercise, focus on maintaining a steady tempo and using a relaxed, fluid motion to produce a smooth, even strumming pattern. With practice, you’ll be able to increase your speed and control, and soon you’ll be strumming along to your favorite cavaquinho tunes at this comfortable tempo. Let’s get started!
EXERCISE #4
Now that you’ve mastered the first three strumming exercises, it’s time to take on the fastest tempo in this lesson. This fourth strumming exercise is set at 200 beats per minute (bpm), which is the fastest tempo covered in this lesson. As you play this exercise, focus on maintaining a steady tempo and using a relaxed, fluid motion to produce a smooth, even strumming pattern. With practice, you’ll be able to increase your speed and control, and soon you’ll be strumming along to your favorite cavaquinho tunes at this fast tempo. Once you’ve mastered this exercise, you’ll be ready to move on to the next lesson and continue developing your cavaquinho playing skills. Let’s do it!
With practice, you’ll be able to increase your speed and control, and soon you’ll be strumming along to your favorite cavaquinho tunes at this faster tempo. Let’s get started!
