Play the C major chord on the guitar or piano. A basic understanding of measures is required to play song accompaniments. Play the chord and count 1, 2, 1, 2 strumming downward, for guitar, in every count. Conversely, on a piano, play bass note C with left hand in the first beat and the entire chord with the right hand in the treble part. This is called a "2/4" measure. Measures are based on steady pulses. In this example, the accent goes in the first of every two beats.
Listen to examples of 2/4 measures in traditional march, polkas, Brazilian samba and Argentine tango among others. A classic song written in this time meter is The Beatles' "When I'm 64/." Try combining C and G7 chords several times for a feel of the "traditional style."
Try the C, F and G7 chords. The accent will go as follows: ONE, two, three, ONE, two, three in every measure. This is the 3/4 measure. The bass note should be played in the first beat only. Listen to examples of this style. You can hear this rhythm in any waltz, or songs such as "Amazing Grace," "Down in the Valley." or "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley.
Play the C, Am, Dm, and G7 chords now. (We are working with primary and secondary chords). Count one TWO three FOUR, one TWO three FOUR as you play every chord. This is the 4/4 measure, one of the most commonly used meters in music. One of the possible variations for this measure is to divide each beat in half. As you play, count "1& 2& 3& 4&," always in a steady beat. Don't speed up and don't slow down. These are called eighth notes. Keep the stress in the second and fourth beat. A guitarist would strum this by alternating downward and upwards. A pianist would play the bass note every time he counts the beats, and the treble notes every time he counts the "&.. Examples of this measure are found in rock, pop, blues, jazz, country, and many other styles.