Does Everything Always Sound The Same?
It's the same vibe all the time...
Do you wish you could sound different...
There are a few easy ways to break the cycle of the same sounding rhythms...
This article is based on a live stream I did with my friend Diana De Cabarras from SongWritingLessonsOnline.com. I was a guest on her stream when the topic of expanding your musical and chord vocabulary as a rhythm guitar player arose.
I began the discussion by suggesting combining simple patterns to create a more complex sound. By taking basic strumming patterns and using different combinations of them, whether two simple patterns consecutively or by alternating simple patterns every time you change chords, you can create more complex and interesting-sounding rhythms.
Diana noted that many songwriters might overlook this approach because they typically focus on chord choices, lyrics, and song structure. She believes approaching rhythm guitar from a rhythmic perspective can lead to a more musically enriching experience. You can create a musically rich effect with four solid but uncomplicated strumming patterns. This approach encourages deeper thinking about your performance and arrangement, ultimately leading to a richer outcome.
Starting with rhythm before considering harmony can be especially beneficial for songwriters. Focusing on rhythm or pulse first can shape the song’s feel from the outset. Instead of trying to create a specific mood after the fact, begin with the desired feeling and build upon that from a rhythmic perspective.
I’ve seen students struggle significantly with rhythm to the point of frustration, prompting some to take drum lessons. Although they only studied briefly, it helped them greatly improve their rhythmic skills. While I’m not suggesting that everyone should take drum lessons, the important takeaway is the shift in perspective. They could apply that understanding to their guitar playing by learning to see rhythm differently.
As Diana pointed out, many musicians often treat rhythm as an afterthought when it should be a primary consideration from the start. If no one has suggested viewing rhythm this way before, please take this as your suggestion.
Remember always to have fun with your guitar, and I’ll see you next time…
If you are looking to learn another excellent rhythm guitar skill, you can check out my FREE lesson on how to weave lead guitar melody lines to your rhythm guitar playing here: https://rhythmguitarlessons.net/Pro
Have you ever heard extra notes played between chords and wondered, "Why do THESE notes sound good?" or, "How can I do that?".
Most guitar players struggle to find the right notes to play between chords to make their songs sound better.
The fact is, it's easy to do once you learn how. And the result is your guitar playing sounds much more complex than it is...
This is good news for you:
I've created a brand new eGuide (yes, it's free), where I show you an easy way to connect chords with single-note melodies to sound like a pro.
The best part is it's 100% FREE (no strings attached)!
Download your copy instantly so you can instantly make your rhythm guitar playing sound better. https://rhythmguitarlessons.net/Pro
About Mark Turko: Mark Turko is a professional guitar player and instructor with over 30 years of experience and teaches guitar lessons online.