Polyrhythmic Fingerpicking Etude

Hey guys!

In this lesson, we will play a sequence of patterns based on the 3 over 4 polyrhythms.

Basically, if you divide each movement into 4 sixteen notes and you accent the first one in every group of three, you will obtain the correct rhythmical sound that we are developing.

This particular rhythm is developed through a chord melody played using the fingerpicking technique.




Guitar : Ibanez AT100

Equipment : Kemper + Apollo Twin Duo

Tempo : 110 bpm

Time Signature : 4/4

Chord progression


|| Dm C/E | F |

| Bb D/F# | Gm Asus4 |

| Dm C/E | F |

| Bb | Gm A7#5 |

| Bb | % |

| G | % |

| Bb | % |

| Gm | Gm6 |

| D A | Bm D/F# |

| G D#dim | Em Asus4 |

| D | Bm B/D# |

| Em D/F# | G |

| D/A | D ||



Key signature : Dm


Techniques used :

- Hammer On/Pull Off
- Fingerpicking
- Legato


Have fun and stay tuned for the next lesson! ;)