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.
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.