Micro Lesson 268: "G Major" Bossa-Nova Groove


Welcome to... "Micro-Lesson 268"

This Micro Lesson takes a run through the Latin style's, "Bossa Nova," groove with a short progression from the key of "G Major." 

This Bossa groove functions around the tonal center of a "G Major 7th" chord built from off of the 6th string at the 3rd fret. The color of this chord changes from the major 7th into the major 6th in measure one. It applies quarter-notes up front on beats 1 and 2 with eighth-notes applied to beats 3 and 4. 

In measure two, we flip the rhythmic pattern with the eighth-notes coming up front and those quarter's falling on beats 3 and 4. The harmony also changes. The new chords here are that of "Am7" and the "Am6." They operate to produce a shift away from our tonic chord and bring in the third measure. 

In measure three we return once again to the same groove and harmony found from the first measure. In measure four we switch things up for the arrival to the end of the piece and proceed to wrap-up with the keys V-chord to bring around the progression back once again to the top. 

This entire progression revolves around the Bossa-Nova groove and that should be the initial focus once the chord types are fully understood. The performance can be done with finger-style or by way of hydrid picking. The application of a strictly flat-picked style is not recommended. 

Take your time developing this groove if it is new to you. The chords and technique for the rhythm may be foreign to some players who have little to no exposure to Latin groove. Use a metronome to develop speed. Enjoy!

Micro Lesson 268: "G Major" Bossa-Nova Groove