Mastering the is a rite of passage for any guitarist looking to move beyond standard strumming. Emerging from the streets of Rio de Janeiro in the late 1950s, this "New Way" (the literal translation of Bossa Nova) blended Brazilian Samba with the cool harmonic structures of Jazz .
The use of (9ths, 11ths, and 13ths) provides the sophisticated, "breathless" quality synonymous with legends like João Gilberto. 4. Common Variations
A rhythm pattern is only as good as the chords beneath it. To get that "cloud-like" Brazilian sound, you must move away from standard Major and Minor shapes. Instead, focus on: Minor 7th (m7) Dominant 9th (9) Minor 7b5 (Half-diminished) bossa nova guitar rhythm pattern pdf
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To get the authentic feel, use your index, middle, and ring fingers to pluck the (usually) D, G, and B strings simultaneously while the thumb handles the E or A string. 3. Essential Bossa Nova Chords Mastering the is a rite of passage for
If you are looking for a , this guide breaks down the essential mechanics you need to internalize before you hit "print." 1. The Anatomy of the Bossa Nova Groove
While there are dozens of variations, the "standard" Bossa pattern is a two-bar phrase. In a 4/4 time signature, the syncopation usually looks like this: Pluck on the 1 , the "and" of 2 , and the 4 . Bar 2: Pluck on the "and" of 1 , the 3 , and the "and" of 4 . Instead, focus on: Minor 7th (m7) Dominant 9th
Starting with the second bar of the standard pattern to create a different "push" into the phrase.
Set it to a "2" and "4" click to simulate a hi-hat.
Mimic the Tamborim . They pluck the top strings in a syncopated, "stuttering" fashion that creates the rhythmic tension. 2. The Basic 2-Bar Pattern