My biggest influence in this department has been finger picking.
Once I learned how to play with only my fingers and learnt the little palm slap thing, it completely changed how I looked at rhythms.
I guess it's part of what Alan said, becoming a part of the rhythm section. Actually having to make the beats myself (by "slapping" the strings with my right palm) has helped me to understand where my melodies fit in around the beats, and hence, the ability to create somewhat more advanced patterns.

I'd get a looper,learn to harmonize your rhythm,harmonize your leads,improvise the same looping riffs keeping in time...hours of fun..right?

Take a listen to Bruce Welch from the Shadows.

IMHO one of the best examples af rhythm guitar playing.

exsanguinator wrote: I'd get a looper,learn to harmonize your rhythm,harmonize your leads,improvise the same looping riffs keeping in time...hours of fun..right?

what does harmonize your rhythm mean?

selbydoodl wrote: Take a listen to Bruce Welch from the Shadows.

IMHO one of the best examples af rhythm guitar playing.

+1

PeteM wrote:

selbydoodl wrote: Take a listen to Bruce Welch from the Shadows.

IMHO one of the best examples af rhythm guitar playing.

+1

Agree. He normally used an acoustic for their recorded music.

I would suggest using a soft plectrum for rhythm playing on an electric guitar.

Squonk wrote:

exsanguinator wrote: I'd get a looper,learn to harmonize your rhythm,harmonize your leads,improvise the same looping riffs keeping in time...hours of fun..right?

what does harmonize your rhythm mean?

could it mean..."synchronise" your.......? ?

+1 on Bruce Welch.

Listen (and watch) Keith Richards - one of my favorite rhythm players.

Vic wrote:
I would suggest using a soft plectrum for rhythm playing on an electric guitar.

I wouldn't suggest this at all

Here are two very good books I was fortunate to pick up a while back, you don't really find any books that focus on actual rhythm, from standard strumming to articulate picking rhythm patterns.

http://www.loot.co.za/product/steve-trovato-steve-trovato/cyvd-133-g890
http://www.loot.co.za/product/joachim-vogel-masters-of-rhythm-guitar/mdgg-124-g030

True Thrash Metal rides on the rythm guitar and the double bass drumming. The speed and precision involved can be mind boggling and quite taxing physically.
Mustaine was voted best Metal guitarist based on his insane rythmic ability coupled with his lead skills. Never underestimate the skill involved in being a good rythm guitarist.

Sadly many of us get lumped with an amateur acoustic guitar player (or two) who has an electric guitar and who thrashes it in the same way as his Gallo - no feel for light and shade and no concept of listening to any other member of the band. ie bass, drums OR other rhythm guitarist. Another forumite mentioned practicing and harmonizing rhythm playing with a loop. This is the crux of the matter as a rhythm guitarist (IMO), irrespective of the composition of the band - compliment the rhythm section, play in a different voicing, play a different rhythm, pluck, pick, strum. Just don't sjambok your guitar with a pale blue or red sharkfin, especially if there are two of you sjamboking your guitars - even slightly out of phase!!

Chabenda wrote: Sadly many of us get lumped with an amateur acoustic guitar player (or two) who has <snip...>
<unsnip> no concept of listening to any other member of the band.

That's a common folkie thing. They are used to percussionists following them, rather than the other way around. They are playing, you are playing with them. Even those with good basic timing often tend to drop beats coming into or going out of choruses or add an extra one to fit a particularly difficult vocal phrase.

I played at an unplugged jam evening on Thursday and for once found myself playing with a singer/guitarist who could keep time well. Nice change and it lets me mess with the timing and accents and try develop some actual grooves. Only problem was the percussionist, who was trying to follow me instead of following her own internal clock - but she started getting it by the end of the evening.

This is the crux of the matter as a rhythm guitarist (IMO), irrespective of the composition of the band - compliment the rhythm section, play in a different voicing, play a different rhythm, pluck, pick, strum.

I used to keep a high-strung guitar around for those times when I had to follow someone - lets you follow them and play the same thing they are, but still add a different dimension.

Interresting thread here!
I find that when the lead guitarist really gets settled into his/her solo dissertation my rhythm should be flexible enough to either strengthen the lead with a chord or vary the rhythm ever so subtly to lend more colour to the song. I like to go offbeat on the rhythm and an octave higher where possible. Here pinky finger rule!