Lesson #17: Waltz Time in D (Guitar, Beginner)

Unlike common time, where four quarter notes make a full measure, in waltz time, three quarter notes make one bar (a measure and a bar are synonymous):

1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3...and so on...

That's known as 3/4 time. A faster waltz, 6/8 time, is six eighth notes per bar:

1 2 3 4 2 3, 1 2 3 4 2 3, 1 2 3 4 2 3, 1 2 3 4 2 3, and so on...

Let's try it on some chord progressions and imagine people dancing the waltz to your music:

D 2 3, D 2 3, Bm 2 3, Bm 2 3, G 2 3, G 2 3, A 2 3, A 2 3...and repeat...

Now try the same progression in 6/8 time, and you'll probably notice it has more urgency and more jangle in the strum:

D 2 3 A 2 3, G 2 3 4 2 3,
D 2 3 A 2 3, G 2 3 4 2 3,
Bm 2 3 4 2 3, D 2 3 4 2 3,
Bm 2 3 4 2 3, G 2 3 4 2 3...and so on...