Rhythm Guitar?

OnFireForGod · 03-21-2002, 02:49 PM

Ok, i've been playing the guitar for about a year and tonight i am playing rhythm guitar for my church. Evrey time i've played in the past its just been me leading. I've never played rhythm guitar before. So, my question is how do you play rhythm guitar. Is there anything different then playing lead? And what is the difference? Thanks for your help.

Laceratus · 03-21-2002, 03:00 PM

Lead guitar is mostly riffs and solos, while rhythm is keeping the rhythm

Rhythm guitar is mostly just playing the chords while someone else plays/sings the lead.

That probably was not much help...if there is anything else I cannot help you with, let me know

EJGam · 03-21-2002, 04:13 PM

Yeah, you're basically just playing chords. But furthermore, the rhythm guitar is responsible for following the rest of the group while instantiating a funky rhythm and therefore contributing with more than just CHORDS! That's why it's called a rhythm guitar

Rhythms come naturally with time and practice.

Rhythm_guy · 03-21-2002, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Evrey time i've played in the past its just been me leading. I've never played rhythm guitar before.

Does "just me leading" mean that you play and sing? If so, rhythm guitar will not be anything new.

Generally "rhythm guitar" is the guy playing the chords and the rhythmic pattern, and "lead guitar" is the guitar solo (if there is one).

Jael · 03-21-2002, 06:20 PM

Rhythm may sound fundementally simple, but it rtakes more than being able to strum. You should be able to play without sheet music, have a vast knowledge of chords and where they go, and other fundementals to be a GREAT rhythm player... as I have none of those qualitys, I ask, can anyone here do any of that paticularly well? I'm trying to get those qualites down and if any of you guys have any tips on how to play better by ear, and using different chord voicings in the right place, let us simple felows know!

Bryan · 03-21-2002, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jael
Rhythm may sound fundementally simple, but it rtakes more than being able to strum. You should be able to play without sheet music, have a vast knowledge of chords and where they go, and other fundementals to be a GREAT rhythm player... as I have none of those qualitys, I ask, can anyone here do any of that paticularly well? I'm trying to get those qualites down and if any of you guys have any tips on how to play better by ear, and using different chord voicings in the right place, let us simple felows know!

but the number one fundamental of being a good rythhm player is rhythm.

Aaron · 03-21-2002, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jael
Rhythm may sound fundementally simple, but it rtakes more than being able to strum. You should be able to play without sheet music, have a vast knowledge of chords and where they go, and other fundementals to be a GREAT rhythm player... as I have none of those qualitys, I ask, can anyone here do any of that paticularly well? I'm trying to get those qualites down and if any of you guys have any tips on how to play better by ear, and using different chord voicings in the right place, let us simple felows know!

Because I'm a drummer I'm really good at rhythm on the acoustic. Not trying to brag, it's just what i'm really good at. I can play weird stuff and stay on beat where other guitarists would get messed up. I really lack when it comes to leads and stuff like that. I can fingerpick okay and do picking patterns but when it comes to making my own I really suck. I also have very little knowledge of "chords and where they go." (I know minors and 7ths and all that jazz) You can ask any guitarists that know me that I'm great at rythem. I think Bryan hit it on the head.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bryan
but the number one fundamental of being a good rythhm player is rhythm

merrihew · 03-21-2002, 09:13 PM

Fretboard Logic is a good book for learning the CAGED sequences to vary chords from the standard first position.
Also, Dave Chumchal's video, Creative Worship Techniques from Vineyard has some cool rhythm techniques and tricks.
My advice is to relax, lock into the beat, and love the priviledge to worship.

Laceratus · 03-22-2002, 01:42 PM

I have no problem with keeping a beat, maybe it's cuz I started out playing rhythm bluegrass, I dunno.

Like Jael, my biggest issue is playing by ear, for the life of me I just cannot do it

shamster · 03-22-2002, 01:52 PM

I think knowing chords, and strumming properly to the beats are the basics.
But a great rhythm guitarist can do more than just that. He can fill in "holes" in songs with nice sounding strumming patterns, and I think a good rhythm guitarist can really get the music "moving".
I consider myself a pretty decent rhythm guitarist. I don't know every single not so common chord (things like diminished 6th, etc), but I just have a feel for music in general. I can really get into it, and I can strum to almost any type of pattern. For me, playing rhythm guitar is about feeling the direction of the music.