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Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:05 am
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I used to play guitar with a lot of traditional Irish musicians (fiddlers, pipers and whistle players). I never wanted to play the tunes because supplying a steady, interesting rhythm was so satisfying. It also added a nice depth to the sound and good fiddlers always like to play against a good rhythm.

One thing that always amazed me was that musicians would always say "You're really good: you actually listen to the tune". Amazing because so many guitarists just bash out a load of chords, rather than react to the way a tune is going and following the melody.

All good lessons for other musical genres: listen to the tune and follow it and be flexible in your rhythm timing and emphasis. Chopping from the on- to the off-beat is a neat trick, as is substituting chords or using unusual open shapes etc.

Good thread, BTW, and good luck on your quest!


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Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:34 am
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Check out "Basic Jazz Rhythm Guitar Comping in the Freddie Green Style". There's a DVD to accompany the book as well.


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Post subject: Confused
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:07 am
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Hello, I suck at rhythm guitar. I've been playing for twelve years too. It is like golf or something. The only sounds I hear in my head are lead type sounds. Not blazing metal either. Just lead accents. I need rhythm as a base to build off of before I even play a note. I'm curious is this common? I want to get better at rhythm, but mentally don't crave it or have anything to say with it. Is there a way I can learn to embrace rhythm guitar?


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Post subject: Re: Confused
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:23 pm
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CyanSunday wrote:
Hello, I suck at rhythm guitar. I've been playing for twelve years too. It is like golf or something. The only sounds I hear in my head are lead type sounds. Not blazing metal either. Just lead accents. I need rhythm as a base to build off of before I even play a note. I'm curious is this common? I want to get better at rhythm, but mentally don't crave it or have anything to say with it. Is there a way I can learn to embrace rhythm guitar?


I had that experience too! :shock: Don't know if it is common or not. :?: At that point I decided to take lead lessions just to see where it would lead me :lol: Well, my teacher (and myself) decided I could play lead if I wanted :D but it was going to take me away from lead vocals/front man role :oops: and well, that is really my thing :) , the rhythm guitar and other instruments are just the icing for me, writing tools. :) I decided that the thing to do was to go ahead and record those little mini lead ideas when I was writing a song and then pass them on to the the lead player to help get their ideas flowing when writing the lead part for the final arrangement of the song, so it worked out pretty well for me. 8) Also, gave me a greater respect for all the work and practice the lead players have to endure to become so excellent. :) It don't come easy whatever instrument part you decide to play. :!: Anyway, maybe your a lead player. :wink: Check it out! :) Ya never know until you try :lol: good luck with it whatever you end up doing :)

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:38 pm
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Martian wrote:
From what I've seen over the years, a truly good rhythm player is almost extinct. Back in the day when I was learning, it was required of you to be an excellent rhythm player first before you could even be considered as a lead player.

My advice (after over 40 years of playing and formal training):

First, close all the instructional books, DVDs and whatever else; put away the metronome. It's time to trade mechanics for dynamics.

Next, choose a song with a catchy beat and learn the chords and the changes well. In other words, learn the song well. Select for example, a simple Beatles song. It doesn't have to be the Beatles per se, but you get the idea.

Now, once having learned whatever song you've chosen. Sit there and start playing it as if you had to hold the whole song together just by your strumming. That doesn't mean to overplay either. You'll find that you have to create accents here and there simply by following the singer. Yes, following the singer, NOT trying to lead the singer. Your objective is to make the singing sound great. Once you are comfortable that you are truly supporting what the singer is doing, listen deeper into your chosen song for certain accents that the instruments are doing and try to mimic them in your strum.

In terms of the big picture, what you are trying to do is to convey the essence of the entire song through your strumming. There are many tricks to help you with strumming such as NOT pausing with your strumming hand while playing. Rather, you mute the strings with your fingering hand when you feel for example, that you might be on the verge of over playing What this muting business does is that it keeps the beat strong and believe it or not, makes you sound like you're doing something really complicated. Oh, and to pull off the essence of the entire song through just your rhythm playing alone, do NOT try to clone the strum of the actual record. Remember, that person has the backing of an entire band to convey the song. You on the other hand, have to come up with it all by yourself.

Build on the above and you should really start to take off.

I wanted to give this Response another Kudo. It's advice can be applied to singing and Playing at the same time. I've always struggled with Singing and Playing at the same time. After a couple of days internalizing this advice, I can do it with confidence. Thanks again Martian.

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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:17 am
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This was one of the more enjoyable post that I have read. Informative and motivational. Thanks everyone :D


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