GUITAR
Jeff Gunn is the author of the Hidden Sounds: Discover Your Own Method on Guitar series, guitarist/musical director for Emmanuel
Jal, and composer of his latest album, 2017’s All the Roads We Take. www.jeffgunn.ca.
By Jeff Gunn
Sounding Accents
Reshaping Familiar Soundscapes
Part 1
EX.1
A
ccents dramatically shape the
sounds we create. An essential
component in creating the feel
in different time signatures, em-
ploying accents is equally paramount when
performing in various genres, from jazz to
bossa nova to reggae. As well, displacing ac-
cents opens seemingly endless possibilities
for reimagining commonly used notes and
progressions. Like an actor who adds nuance
to familiar lines, we can do the same as guitar-
ists, resulting in a fresh sound.
EX.2
Time Signatures
Time signatures require that some notes be
emphasized over others. Ex. 1 demonstrates
that in 4/4 time, beats one and three are
emphasized. Ex. 2 explores playing chords in
6/8, with accents on beats one and four. Ex. 3
demonstrates that in 2/2, beats one and two
receive equally heavy accents.
EX.3
Displacing Accents & Syncopation
Ex. 4 shifts accents in a common progression
in measures three and four. Ex. 5 displaces
accents in 6/8 time, and Ex. 6 applies syncopa-
tion in which an entire accented run is shifted,
creating a sense of urgency.
EX.4
Part 2 will look at combining accents with
legato and staccato picking and applying
accents in different genres of music.
EX.6
EX.5
W W W. C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N . CO M
C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N • 25
Ou