Rhythm Guitar Lesson 1a: Note divisions, terminology and practice ideas

Guitar Lessons with Tune in, Tone up!

This is the first lesson in our new mini-series on the topic of rhythm. R.I.P. Jeff Beck :( Dan and I, in our first lesson look over the basics of rhythm: Firstly, covering what the difference between a quarter note, eighth note and sixteenth note along with the synonyms of crotchet, quaver and semi-quaver. Next Dan talks about staccato, dotted notes, tied notes, off-beats and counting; along with guitar strumming techniques which work for him. Finally, we look at some reggae and funk examples – although the funk examples will be reserved for next installment of the podcast when we will release the second half of the first lesson. Stay tuned for some brilliant reminders for your practice and how to play 16th funk strumming patterns with confidence and so that they sound groovy – all coming up in Rhythm Guitar Lesson 1b. I have been adding to my own new practice regime lots of metronome work based on what we will discuss next time. Timings for the SoundCloud audio version 00:01:25 A few words on Jeff Beck 00:04:45 Intro to rhythm and a reminder about how important it is to work on 00:05:32 Quick bit on EarMaster and how Gary has been using it in his practice 00:07:22 Look at the real basics of note values and rhythmic divisions in a bar 00:08:27 Dan's breakdown of rhythmic values and basics of music reading 00:14:22 Stacatto notes 00:14:52 Extending notes with dots or ties 00:15:34 Using the spider gym for warming up, rhythm and playing without tension 00:16:01 Variations of Spider Gym finger patterns - see notes 00:16:51 Funky and reggae rhythms and use of syncopation and off-beats 00:18:40 Keeping track by using down and upstrokes to help your rhythmic work 00:20:21 Reggae: focussing on the offbeat on the high strings I have always struggled with rhythm playing: it doesn’t come very naturally to me. Recently, I have been coming to the realisation that this aspect of my playing, while I have already worked hard to really improve it, needs a lot more work and practice. I remember having a discussion with a musician friend of mine and we were discussing ‘groove’ and ‘being in the pocket’ and he mentioned a person who he played with sounding so professional and being of the mind that it is because her rhythm playing is so strong and well-rehearsed. This rings true for me and I can hear that same level of precision and expertise in Dan’s playing. Spider Gym finger patterns: 1234 2134 3124 4123 1243 2143 3142 4132 1324 2314 3214 4213 1342 2341 3241 4231 1423 2413 3412 4312 1432 2431 3421 4321