[SashimiOishi]

Ok I was wondering... If perhaps... Someone could maybe give me some tips on improving my rythem lol... I can't clap right, but I can pickup a beat... But I have been slowly (ok maybe not that slowly) noticing it affects my playing... Like I can't seem to strum right, cause I am always off... So any tips?

[metropolis4]

The short answer: Metronome

Getting some sort of book to teach you to read different rhythm's is a good thing too. Learn note values and tempo markings and time signatures and all that fun stuff. There are a lot of good books for learning to read rhythm and they're a good way to go because they are graded and will push you to get better. MIT has a good music reading book for guitar out there. You may even find a good beginning snare drum book with different rhythms you could play. Doing this with a metronome will help you immensely. Your metronome should become your best friend (and worst enemy) as a guitarist. You should have it going at all times. Every time you pick up the guitar, every time you run through a scale, every time you play a song have the metronome going right there. Not fun, but worth it in the long run.

[SkidMarkJohnson]

I've found that it is infinitely helpful to record myself. When it comes to rhythm have you analyzed your timing? Are you speeding up? Slowing down? Both? Recording yourself will tell you what your strengths and weaknesses real quick and help you pinpoint what you need to work on the most.

[SashimiOishi]

Any metrenome suggestions... or are metronomes like rubber bands... All the same thing

[metropolis4]

Basically all the same thing. I personally like the ones with a digital screen so I can set it specifically to each tempo.

[Rainer.]

You can also use www.metronomeonline.com for now.

[SashimiOishi]

Yeah i love that thing... But I don't have my guitar near my comp and really can't bring it up... lol... Maybe I will get the cellphone metronome they offer... Anyone know anything about it...

[gtrdave]

Originally Posted by SashimiOishi

Yeah i love that thing... But I don't have my guitar near my comp and really can't bring it up... lol... Maybe I will get the cellphone metronome they offer... Anyone know anything about it...

Do you need a digital tuner?
If so, Sabine offers a combo tuner/metronome that works pretty well for about $35.
Also, more interesting yet just as solid a timekeeper as a metronome would be drum loops or a drum machine. Loops give you a little more candy for your ears and can get you used to playing in-time with how a drummer might play.
Regardless of what you choose to use, it'll be to your (and everyone you ever play with) benefit to practice your timing.

[SashimiOishi]

Ok... I don't need a tuner... have one with my effects pedal...

I will look into a drum machine...