Ultra Tight Rhythm Guitar Playing - The Key to Sounding KILLER!

George-Engelbrecht

I recently had an eye opening experience. I thought I could play rhythmically tight but I was mistaken. I spent a lot of hours working and grinding to get my playing tighter and it has been a very rewarding experience and also end goal in and of itself as my whole level of musicianship improved significantly by just focusing on this specific element in music.

You can read it here.

http://www.georgeshredking.com/articles.html

Tokai-SA

Agree 100%

Everyone seems to spend far more time practising lead and scales and sweep picking and legato, etc, etc, and far less time working on rhythm.
And, the vast majority of 'online' lessons ignore the art and skill involved in rhythm playing, especially old fashioned classic rock style.

The best guitarists I've watched in Joburg gigs are all great rhythm players, Peter Hanmer, Mark Beling, Gavin Morein, Dave Sharp...they're great lead players as well, but they can turn an average band into a killer band just with their rhythm playing skills.

vic

+1 Lance.

Playing "Rhythm guitar" is an art and many playes ignore this aspect......"it's all in the wrist" and it takes a lot of practise . Just think of all the rhythms in music......from waltzes to bosa nova to rock to tango....to "boere-musiek"....... ?

George-Engelbrecht

Glad you guys agree ?

When I started working on my Rhythm all other aspects of my musicianship improved as I mentioned and it really blew my mind to realize how such a standard skill was so neglected.

That's the beauty of being into music, we learn and grow in the finer things as we progress ?

vic

George Engelbrecht wrote: Glad you guys agree ?

When I started working on my Rhythm all other aspects of my musicianship improved as I mentioned and it really blew my mind to realize how such a standard skill was so neglected.

That's the beauty of being into music, we learn and grow in the finer things as we progress ?

Agree.

Playing rhythm on an electric guitar and make it sound good can be challeging....not exactly the same as strumming an acoustic. Plectrum choice, the attack on the strings, tone settings on the guitar and all that need to be carefully considered and executed.

evolucian

Yeah.. getting one's rhythm to be mindblowing is essential in nailing any groove anytime. The best part about it is that if you can nail the rhythm, you begin to understand that your lead work can use the same rhythmic principles. Your soloing takes on a new lifeform and you become a musician. Or artist... whichever means more to you.

AlanRatcliffe

Agree 100%. Without tight rhythm, you are not a good player, IMO. You spend 90% of your time playing rhythm and 10% soloing, but most guys practice solo technique 90% of the time and rhythm only 10%.

guitarbyquintin

=

This is Ross Bolton, he was my Funk teacher at school, the best Rhythm player i've ever seen.
He played for Al Jarreau, but unfortunately passed away a few weeks ago.
He was a hell of a guy.

Q

George-Engelbrecht

That is AWESOME!

evolucian

I agree 100% with the Ross Bolton clip as I use that exact principle in teaching rhythm and soloing to students/people in general. Its so liberating when the student begins to actually participate and land up progressing much quicker than those who think their peers are watching and will deride them for whatever reason.

Very cool thread George... thanked.

George-Engelbrecht

evolucian wrote: Very cool thread George... thanked.

My pleasure, glad I can contribute here ?

Attila

nice mini lesson by Ross .... thanks Quinton

tbone

guitarbyquintin wrote: =

This is Ross Bolton, he was my Funk teacher at school, the best Rhythm player i've ever seen.
He played for Al Jarreau, but unfortunately passed away a few weeks ago.
He was a hell of a guy.

Q

That's incredibly sad, I didn't know about this until now... terrible news. RIP, Ross, and thanks a lot for the good vibes!