1 (bass) – & (chord) – 2 (rest) – & (chord) – 3 (bass or rest) – & (chord) – 4 (rest)

1 (bass) – & (rest) – 2 (chord) – & (chord) – 3 (bass) – & (chord) – 4 (rest)

Understanding the Samba Feel, Syncopation, and the “One-Bar” Pattern

Most bossa nova guitar patterns are played over one 4/4 bar and are built on the clave concept. Here is the classic pattern (using a simple C major chord as an example):

The Essential Guide to Bossa Nova Guitar Rhythm Patterns

| Bar 1–2 | Fmaj7 | | Bar 3–4 | Gm7 | | Bar 5–6 | G7sus4 | | Bar 7–8 | Gm7 / C7 (last two beats of bar 8, walk to next chord) |