Some people have an excellent natural meter. I've played with people who just have a great groove and others who are technically on the money but stiff as hell. I started on drums so it was always about the groove for me.
Repetition (Rhythm) also means the guitarist is NOT advanced enough musically taking the song somewhere else. They move chord changes up half step playing same rhythm. (This works) huge billboard top forty songs do it all time. I’m talking about changing keys smooth (how did you?) taking rhythm better place.
My timeline as a rhythm guitarist began on tubular bells at school, where I learned the foundations of timing and notes, move up to the snare drum and got into more complex rhythms, got into guitar, got overwhelmed by guitar, got into bass, got underwhelmed by bass, got back into guitar but with a focus on songwriting and strumming patterns. In 20 years of playing I have never played a scale on guitar 😂
So many Nashville Newbies show up in town thinking their solos are going to get them gigs and, more importantly, sessions. Wrong. Timing is everything, and every great guitarist I know here is a great rhythm player with a great pocket.
@@martinel2450Live, definitely nightmarish. Double and triple tracking when recording your own parts is where the joy is. It’s not easy, but sometimes magic.
More great advice. I grew up a student of Hendrix and frusciante and I loved funk when I was younger. Almost all of my songs nowadays are built from the fundamentals of rhythm and funk, even though the music sounds nothing like that at all
I realized not long into my lead playing journey that rhythm is more important, and harder in a lot of ways. The lead stuff always came naturally to me. I had to really woodshop on the rhythm chops for years. What helped me was walkups and walkdowns between chords, and figuring out which notes I could drop onto or lift off of chords, working on acoustic really helped with that.
You nailed it on this subject, Brad. I've always been the rhythm player and let the other guy jerk off for everyone. The last band I was in should have been a good band but the "lead" player did NOT understand what that was. He was a solo player and nothing more. I never could make him understand his role. He wanted to play rhythm too but he was always way too loud and somehow had it in his mind that a lead player was supposed to play louder than the rest of the band. It was so frustrating I finally walked away and the band collapsed because they finally saw what I was doing. I've got no respect for the fretboard masturbators that can't play rhythm. And especially a lead player that doesn't understand their role that they're supposed to play the notes between the chord changes.
.............Well damn...........😮😮😮 I aspire to be a strong rhythm AND lead guitar player (I play drums and bass reasonably well, so I understand the importance of rhythm and pocket). You're spot on in your take; rhythm and serving the song are paramount. But holy hell that was brutal. Lol. Granted, I can't fault you because you've had to deal with some nutballs frfr. Sorry you dealt with folks who didn't understand the assignment, and I hope you're in a better band or group now. But damn, I feel like this lead guy ruined it for the _rest_ of the fretboard masturbators!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This reminds me oof why lots of older bands replace their drummer on the road. Sabbath, Aerosmith… An older front man needs that forceful drive that many older drummers just can’t do. But yeah, it’s the spaces in between that make music, musical.
Preach! I grew up reading interviews of Keith Richards talking about rhythm guitar and I’m thankful I took it to heart. Repetition and space. Same goes for drummers. Who gives a hoot about rolls and all that?
Well said I agree with you 100% enjoy your playing as well as a drummer appreciate the dedication direct and to the point no excuses sometimes keep it simple that's all you need some people never get the simplest things it's all about the creative juices and how they are applied do your homework and dig deep down inside of your soul and play with your heart and this is why I love playing out of the box love playing funk soul and even disco just grooving some of the best music that don't need any words explicitly when you keep the business out of the game I can't tell you how many times or how wonderful it is to hear somebody on the same page as you we're on this video thank you for the hard work and dedication your throwing in right now because you're keeping it real
The swing feel and the push and and pull of it all. Being locked in with the drummer is the most important thing. I played rhythm guitar like my life depended on it.
That thing You said about the fills is actually 1 of the things that always bugged Me about EVH..He always filled every gap ..ffs just leave the space there Ed ..no need to throw in that same tap lick Youve done a million times on every space..great player sure but just cos You can doesn't mean You always should..Pete Townsend was a great rhythm player who knew the importance of spaces & created great pocket..very under rated player.Loved that bit of playing You did at the start there too Man..excellent stuff.
Great video BadBrad!! Yeah I learned long ago as the second guy or the rhythm player that it was my place to be!! Up to the point to where I ended up in a three piece..now saying that I also had chops as I learned long ago to WATCH and LEARN!! In the my mind playing guitar in a three piece band you better have it together and know how to chord and play a lead at the same time..I’m the first to say that I don’t shred, why would I want to, my roll is simple play the songs and use simple fills and with my bass players help fire into a quick lead. Plus I sing every third song or so, at 75 I’m still kicking it and never looking back!! I love this channel not only because of your life experiences in the business but the inside truths to the business..hey if it was easy everybody would do it, right, the hard part for me these days is playing a song and running a blank on where I’m at..that’s scary and I look at my bass player and he’s like “Oh it’s happening” that does suck it doesn’t happen very often but when it does in a three piece you have to recover quickly..anyways Thanks BadBrad!!
Great observations! Good rhythm playing is a must in a three-piece band. Shredding is not where it's at in most songs. My mind blanks have been forgetting what key the song is in for songs that I've never played or have rarely played before (lol).
IMO, and I am not a professional musician, one of the great rhythm guitarists came from an instrumental group, The Shadows from the UK. Name is Bruce Welch. There are videos on this site if you don’t know him. The interplay between he and UK guitar legend Hank Marvin was so critical to their overall sound.
Been saying this for years. I've been in situations with other guitarists that couldn't produce two damns about playing rhythm with conviction, let alone, actually studying the craft. That's why I mainly started playing three piece. If I played with another guitar player, they had to be someone that at least cared about what they were doing. Great episode Brad. Laying it down like always. Btw, sweet rhythm chops.
Great rhythm video! It's the framework on which it all hangs, all the great songs have unmistakable guitar rhythm arrangements. I always marvel at EVH rhythm playing as much as his lead, was so seamless. When I noodle these days and recording for my daughter, it's instinctively building a series of layered rhythm riffs she can sample. I learned the importance of rests in multi part choir as a young kid, you nailed them nicely here.
Wow! Great mini clinic on rhythm playing! The great rhythm player is the unsung hero of a group. While the shredmaster is getting the glory, he’s holding that groove solid as a rock, along with (hopefully) the bass player and drummer. I’m SO glad I learned to play drums before I did guitar. I get everything you’re saying!
This is so great to hear you say. I have always felt this way. Eddie Van Halen said the same. Love what you said about Keith Richards. I heard a guitar teacher say that teaching timing was the hardest thing to do. There is a reason for that. Lots of respect for that funk intro as well. Well done!
Man! Something that changed my life, as a guitarist, was to play a little bit of bass. Playing bass made a better guitarist because it helped me understand what playing in the pocket is. And then I translated that lesson into my guitar playing.
This is great Brad, thank you. As a side note which I find fascinating, in the beginning the bass was playing f to a, and so the whole thing sounds has the vibe of F lydian to A7, which is great! :)
Good stuff... Playing rhythm in a funk band was always the most fun. You got to have the feel to do it well. I don't know how to describe "the feel". Even if the parts you're playing are more stiff, you gotta have that feel to make it work, like a drummer does with his fills.
@careyvinzant Plenty of "rhythm guitarists" say that, and other similar ridiculous things. It's a whole subculture. Also, it's just a really stupid saying. They're not cheering for rhythm guitar. They're cheering for the song. Imagine playing rhythm guitar and having that much of an ego, as to think they're cheering for THAT. Jesus.
Hello Brad ! Rythm, in general, was so important to me, that I ended up playing Bass in a few bands, and also learned the Drums ! It made me appreciate more the rythm guitar ! Btw, in 'my band', there was almost no 'lead guitar', except when you need to play the 'theme'. Rythm is the heart! Take care!
Tom Anderson. One of the great builders who has never compromised anything and is the nicest dude. One of those VERY rare brands where a "lemon" will never leave the factory.
Brad, that’s a nice Tom Anderson! I came close to getting one, but eventually purchased an Ibanez Satriani JS1200. Yes, rhythm guitar is so important! Even EVH, understood that and Townshend was the master!
Great video. A lot of guitarists know how to Rock but they can't Roll. You kind of grew up around a similar situation like I did in Fresno. We were kind of like it's either good or it isn't so we listened to Aerosmith and Curtis Mayfield and War and Rush and Jeff Beck if you will. My first cover band at 16 was a four piece. We were all about 16. Ambush, we had to cover everything from BTO to AWB Pick Up The Pieces to Smoke On The Water at a dance. I played Rhythm and sang. When we did Average White Band or Herbie Hancock Chameleon, I switched from Guitar to bass because the bass player also played sax. The first bass riffs I learned were Funk. People need to get out of that box of just chasing leads, practice riffs, Feel Your Love Tonight, Unchained, some Nile Rogers, Parliament, there were only a few lead guitarists that were completely seamless between lead and rhythm, Ed and Stevie Ray come to mind. Keith! Yep learn Midnight Rambler, Sway, Tumbling Dice, Honky Tonk Women. Maybe there ought to be rhythm teachers.
Yes ! Exact. I have played in bands 30 year’s and have always tried to play with the drummers ( okej , and bettet ) …. First 15 years just rythem Guitar , and very little solos… and later years tryin’ to play Moore lead , and singin’ .. you soo right Brad …thank’s!
Could listen to you play all day - really tasteful and interesting licks! I aspire to play like that, but I've stopped playing for like, 20 years and I'm rusty! You have this way about you that gives people confidence no matter what level they're at.
For those that don’t know of the genius of Leo Nocentelli, give a hard listen to anything by the Meters - the kings of New Orleans funk. Leo wrote some of the simplest, yet most catchy riffs ever! If you check out their studio stuff, you won’t hear much soloing, but listen to “ Uptown Rulers: Live on the Queen Mary” and you’ll hear the entire band really stretching out - funk at it’s finest! Leo does tend to overplay on his solos these days, but in the mid-70s, he was on top of his game.
Nice right hand, smooth. Any James Brown tune, Maceo Parker etc, & many other’s the guitar stays on the same groove for minutes at a time just like bass & drums lock in
Another great video. I feel the same there’s a lot of super fast double bass drum on insta. Which I’ve done as well to show the skills but I think Rhythm playing more important. Like Steve Jordan.
Your message is so On Point Brad. Some players are more focused on the 'right notes' than on the feel, placement, and accuracy of what they are playing. Players with great feel and ears for the total sound are the players that make great bands.
Coming from the ‘School of AC/DC’ as a budding musician, I always prided myself on my rhythm guitar skills. I got confirmation when drummers wanted me more dominant in their monitors rather than the bass player. 😂
Rythm is utmost important.. My buddy tought me.a ton him being just a.rythm guitar player. He's in 3 bands now. And had an accident at work rendering one of his fingers un useable.. 3 finger guitar player. Yup. Out there Killin it gigging every weekend working full time also.
I’ve been in many metal bands as either a rhythm guitarist, a bassist, or doing death metal/black metal/metalcore style harsh vocals, and in many cases, the lead guitarists had such massive egos that were easily bruised. Very few of them haven’t tried to take complete control over everything, including the creative writing process. I’m a multi instrumentalist and vocalist, but these people always tried to tell me I didn’t know anything. Literally most of everything I do musically revolves around the grooves and rhythms. Most of them were one trick ponies. Chugged, did shreddy solos/riffs. Many of them seem to think they’re the start of the show and all the other members are there to make them look and sound better. I’ve gotten kicked out of s few bands for simply suggesting we actually try to find our own sound rather than copy what everyone else is doing. Apparently originality is out the door these days. Just copy the other 100,000 bands copying the top 10 bands leading the genre. Plus a lot of guitarists are trying to impress other guitarists rather than actually write something musical and different. I have my own home studio now where I do everything myself. I have a number of basses and guitars, electric and acoustic, have my keyboard/midi, my mics, and a drum set. I got tired of band drama and politics. Idc about fame, money or attention. I simply want to make music that I enjoy or feel inspired to make. The music is the reward to me. I didn’t spend years honing my skills for money and fame. I did it to be able to play music. Besides, I’m Autistic and hate social gatherings/settings and being around a bunch of people i dont know in a place I dont like with all kinds of lights, sounds, and smells overwhelming me. I hate attention. It’s simply about making music for me. It’s my passion and what makes me happy. I’m sure I’d play a gig or show under the right circumstances, but I dont want music to be a job. It would cease to be fun and enjoyable for me.
Totally with you . I play rhythm guitar mainly with a solo here and there and nothing crazy over the top like Steve Vai etc . I really love players and songs who only put in what a song needs no more . I have always loved Pete Townsend and his approach . When he had Entwistle and Moon you don't have to be so over the top wild on guitar . Don't get me wrong I love guys who can go wild and really get creative making all sorts of awesome sounds like a Vai . I just really love songs that flow well and don't have too much added for the sake of more than what is needed .
Absolute boss show today man, and bang on point. Rudy Schenker, Malcolm Young ,(rest his soul)James, and Scotty Ian, Joel 'O keefe from Airbourne, the Brewster Brothers from The Angels, ( I'm an Aussie representing here haha) ..and dudes like them know how to get a crowd moving and rockin' right down to the bone, and they all have that one thing in common, they can all keep great even rythym unaccompanied , and then lock in with the drums and bass and give the song total muscle , air , tension and drive. i cant play along with Mals rythym on 'Up to my neck in you' or 'Bedlam in Belgium' and not have a big shit eating grin and goosebumps , or Scorps' 'loving you sunday morning' , 'The Zoo' or 'Cant live without you ' or 'Axe to the Wax' by johnny Crash , or 'Black Shuck' by The Darkness, without going nuts,. man, that is the shit! And just on Dokken for a sec, i always reckoned they should have added a second guitarist to the band or for the live shows anyway, since there was no keyboardist, or backing tracks from the records making George work extra hard covering all that soundscape, and only jeff on bass doing his best , anyway Cheers and have a great weekend mate.
Jeff Beck used to say that Freddie Stone of Sly and the Family Stone was his favorite guitar player.. When I was young I didn't understand what Jeff meant because Freddie didn't solo that much. Having matured musically I completely understand now that Jeff wasn't listening for solos ,Freddie's rhythm guitar chops were undeniably great! I also have to mention Jimmy Nolen who played guitar on a lot of James Brown's recordings.. If you want to build your rhythm chops try learning some of his stuff.
I always audition guitar players with AWB/EWF/Chic, etc. If they can play that I never worry about their soloing (that's always there.) Its the guitar players that can drive the bus like a drummer/bassist can that are all too rare. Great clip of your band playing that Chaka tune.
I play mostly Rhythm in my current band with some short leads here and there. We have a very good lead player however when its time for me to do my thing he seems to have a hard time transitioning from lead to the only rhythm guitar and he has a issue with not bringing his volume down
Although my assigned duty is to be the lead player in my band, my untold secret desire is to play rhythm whenever possible. A good rhythm section drives me more than lead pyrotechnics. It's a conflicting world I live in. By the way, I noticed the "BoyElroy" poster in the background. Suddenly it occurred to me the homage to the line in the "Jetsons" theme song "His boy Elroy.....".
Lynch is KILLER! Burning Like A Flame/ Prisoner/ Into The Fire/ Breaking The Chains/ Alone Again/ Jaded Heart/ Back For The Attack/ WALK AWAY yeah no rhythmic groove, passion nor feeling at ALL in THAT song.😂 Jaded Heart/ Without Warning - Tooth and Nail/ Cry of the Gipsy/ You'll never master the art of the solo until you master the emotion of the GROOVE like.....LYNCH.Oh and don't even get me started on the art of mastering.....TONE!
I started out on drums and then switched to guitar and played with a great drummer early on. We had a band in Jr High . A three peice. And me and him would often jam , guitar and drums, hour after hour, young bucks sweating it out working on stops and endings etc. And of course the bassist when we were all together. We/I honed our rhythm skills. We played everywhere and anywhere ala VH. We were young and tight, if you will. But we were in the wrong part of the country. Rhythm is key btw.
I prefer funky rhythm from guys like Nile Rodgers of Chic that worked so well with bassist Benard Edwards and drummer Tony Thompson. Or Carlos Alomar when he played rhythm guitar with bassist George Murray and drummer Dennis Davis on those great Bowie albums from the second half of the 70's. Especially his album 'Station To Station'. And give me the groove of Reggae as well.
I’m looking for a gimmick that makes me look like a better guitar player than I really am like how do those vocoders work? It’s something I heard about aunt Peter Frampton just got inducted into the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame and he does the the voice box. Can you tell us anything about any of those or tell me I’m a god I’m gonna see if I can find one of those and try it out.
When you're playing and you cannot keep yourself from juking with the rest of your body especially the shoulders, you know you're getting somewhere. *Edited a typo bc I was juking to the video intro.
If all holes were filled we couldnt breathe, our hearts would stop, we would have no swiss cheese or air conditioning, filling all holes and clogs kills things and prevents them from thriving, music included. When a hole is filled it needs to be opened up again in order to make room for what may happen next.
If your jamming with a solid rythm section, guitar player., people notice when the leads run off and don't match up.. Even a non musician is gonna catch it.. Mistakes happen it's the human element of mperfection.. But the art of it to me is being able to cover up theustake so People.dont notice it... That is an art.. Timing.. Rythm is timing, bass n drums timing.. If a rythm section sucks the band sucks..
Rythm is harder than solo but if you don't know te rythm the solo isn't gonna lock in also. It's two different modes. Thing of yourself as a bass player.. Got lock in with the drums. Luckily , playing bass in an original band for 5 years ultimately made me a better guitar player. My arthritis is Killin me I'm having a tough time on guitar but my bass playing is still on top. Maybe I'm a ass player but everyone wants me on guitar. Ugh.
I figured this out years ago . The guitar center endless solo won’t get you in a band and gets old real fast . I can’t stand playing with someone who never stops soloing over the vocals and other solos . My audiences respond way better to a tight rhythm than endless solos
What you're playing is RHYTHMIC guitar, imo...I'm currently working on either a book or podcast about the lost art of Rock rhythm guitar, what I refer to as electric straight rhythm. The likes of guys like Paul Kantner, Malcolm Young, Tom Fogerty, etc. Nevertheless, yes, rhythm is 90% of our playing, indeed
The things that all good rhythm players have in common is use of space, blatant repetition, and loyalty to the pocket. It's beautiful.
It is indeed
There speaks a good rhythm player
Some people have an excellent natural meter. I've played with people who just have a great groove and others who are technically on the money but stiff as hell. I started on drums so it was always about the groove for me.
Repetition (Rhythm) also means the guitarist is NOT advanced enough musically taking the song somewhere else. They move chord changes up half step playing same rhythm. (This works) huge billboard top forty songs do it all time. I’m talking about changing keys smooth (how did you?) taking rhythm better place.
My timeline as a rhythm guitarist began on tubular bells at school, where I learned the foundations of timing and notes, move up to the snare drum and got into more complex rhythms, got into guitar, got overwhelmed by guitar, got into bass, got underwhelmed by bass, got back into guitar but with a focus on songwriting and strumming patterns. In 20 years of playing I have never played a scale on guitar 😂
Nothing wrong with focusing on the rhythm ...Rock on.
the major, honestly, you can fk around in there forever - and have it work!
I’m always watching the rhythm guitar, like you said with Malcolm he’s relentless
A machine!
So many Nashville Newbies show up in town thinking their solos are going to get them gigs and, more importantly, sessions. Wrong. Timing is everything, and every great guitarist I know here is a great rhythm player with a great pocket.
Heck these days most songs don’t even have solos. Thanks Roy!
And most guitar players rush like a mofo too lol
Little Feat. Nuff said........
👆
pocket?
Thanks Brad! One of my favorite rhythm guitar players was Malcolm Young.
He is awesome!
Rhythm is what drives the song and holds it together.
Absolutely
Foundation….And there’s nothing worse than 2 the guitar roles playing over each other, trying to play the same parts….it can be a nightmare
@@martinel2450Live, definitely nightmarish. Double and triple tracking when recording your own parts is where the joy is. It’s not easy, but sometimes magic.
Drums, bass and rhythm guitar = band.
Maybe...but that lava lamp pulls the room together.
More great advice. I grew up a student of Hendrix and frusciante and I loved funk when I was younger. Almost all of my songs nowadays are built from the fundamentals of rhythm and funk, even though the music sounds nothing like that at all
That is awesome!
I realized not long into my lead playing journey that rhythm is more important, and harder in a lot of ways. The lead stuff always came naturally to me. I had to really woodshop on the rhythm chops for years. What helped me was walkups and walkdowns between chords, and figuring out which notes I could drop onto or lift off of chords, working on acoustic really helped with that.
That's the way to do it!
You nailed it on this subject, Brad. I've always been the rhythm player and let the other guy jerk off for everyone. The last band I was in should have been a good band but the "lead" player did NOT understand what that was. He was a solo player and nothing more. I never could make him understand his role. He wanted to play rhythm too but he was always way too loud and somehow had it in his mind that a lead player was supposed to play louder than the rest of the band. It was so frustrating I finally walked away and the band collapsed because they finally saw what I was doing. I've got no respect for the fretboard masturbators that can't play rhythm. And especially a lead player that doesn't understand their role that they're supposed to play the notes between the chord changes.
You get it!
Miles Davis said, "What you don't play is just as important as what you do.🤔🤫
.............Well damn...........😮😮😮
I aspire to be a strong rhythm AND lead guitar player (I play drums and bass reasonably well, so I understand the importance of rhythm and pocket). You're spot on in your take; rhythm and serving the song are paramount.
But holy hell that was brutal. Lol.
Granted, I can't fault you because you've had to deal with some nutballs frfr. Sorry you dealt with folks who didn't understand the assignment, and I hope you're in a better band or group now.
But damn, I feel like this lead guy ruined it for the _rest_ of the fretboard masturbators!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This reminds me oof why lots of older bands replace their drummer on the road. Sabbath, Aerosmith… An older front man needs that forceful drive that many older drummers just can’t do. But yeah, it’s the spaces in between that make music, musical.
Oh ya!!!
Truth! Great playing! Steve lukather got hired for his Rhythm guitar for sessions 90% of the time!
Absolutely
Preach! I grew up reading interviews of Keith Richards talking about rhythm guitar and I’m thankful I took it to heart. Repetition and space. Same goes for drummers. Who gives a hoot about rolls and all that?
Well said I agree with you 100% enjoy your playing as well as a drummer appreciate the dedication direct and to the point no excuses sometimes keep it simple that's all you need some people never get the simplest things it's all about the creative juices and how they are applied do your homework and dig deep down inside of your soul and play with your heart and this is why I love playing out of the box love playing funk soul and even disco just grooving some of the best music that don't need any words explicitly when you keep the business out of the game I can't tell you how many times or how wonderful it is to hear somebody on the same page as you we're on this video thank you for the hard work and dedication your throwing in right now because you're keeping it real
I heard isolated tracks with Alex and Ed . Man Ed was a great in the pocket Rythmn player too !
He was indeed!!!
Bad ass brad, cooking up breakfast.
Thanks Man!
The swing feel and the push and and pull of it all. Being locked in with the drummer is the most important thing. I played rhythm guitar like my life depended on it.
Man you know!!!
@@badbrad all the work and none of the credit. Am I right
That thing You said about the fills is actually 1 of the things that always bugged Me about EVH..He always filled every gap ..ffs just leave the space there Ed ..no need to throw in that same tap lick Youve done a million times on every space..great player sure but just cos You can doesn't mean You always should..Pete Townsend was a great rhythm player who knew the importance of spaces & created great pocket..very under rated player.Loved that bit of playing You did at the start there too Man..excellent stuff.
Thank you! I hear ya. I always liked the way Ed combined lead and rhythm like two players.
Great video BadBrad!! Yeah I learned long ago as the second guy or the rhythm player that it was my place to be!! Up to the point to where I ended up in a three piece..now saying that I also had chops as I learned long ago to WATCH and LEARN!! In the my mind playing guitar in a three piece band you better have it together and know how to chord and play a lead at the same time..I’m the first to say that I don’t shred, why would I want to, my roll is simple play the songs and use simple fills and with my bass players help fire into a quick lead. Plus I sing every third song or so, at 75 I’m still kicking it and never looking back!! I love this channel not only because of your life experiences in the business but the inside truths to the business..hey if it was easy everybody would do it, right, the hard part for me these days is playing a song and running a blank on where I’m at..that’s scary and I look at my bass player and he’s like “Oh it’s happening” that does suck it doesn’t happen very often but when it does in a three piece you have to recover quickly..anyways Thanks BadBrad!!
You are very inspiring my friend. Thank you so much for tuning in. I’ve had those moments where my mind goes blank….
Great observations! Good rhythm playing is a must in a three-piece band. Shredding is not where it's at in most songs. My mind blanks have been forgetting what key the song is in for songs that I've never played or have rarely played before (lol).
IMO, and I am not a professional musician, one of the great rhythm guitarists came from an instrumental group, The Shadows from the UK. Name is Bruce Welch. There are videos on this site if you don’t know him. The interplay between he and UK guitar legend Hank Marvin was so critical to their overall sound.
I’ve got to check those guys out.
Been saying this for years. I've been in situations with other guitarists that couldn't produce two damns about playing rhythm with conviction, let alone, actually studying the craft. That's why I mainly started playing three piece. If I played with another guitar player, they had to be someone that at least cared about what they were doing. Great episode Brad. Laying it down like always. Btw, sweet rhythm chops.
Thanks bro!
I’m a just ok rythm player. You’ve convinced me to move this to the top of my list for practice time!
Right on!!!👍🏻
Great rhythm video! It's the framework on which it all hangs, all the great songs have unmistakable guitar rhythm arrangements. I always marvel at EVH rhythm playing as much as his lead, was so seamless. When I noodle these days and recording for my daughter, it's instinctively building a series of layered rhythm riffs she can sample. I learned the importance of rests in multi part choir as a young kid, you nailed them nicely here.
That’s a great way to think about it. Thank you Jimmy!!
Hey Brad, really cool funky guitar at the beginning & ur right about rhythm guitar. The groove of the song is key 🎸😎
It is indeed!!
Wow! Great mini clinic on rhythm playing! The great rhythm player is the unsung hero of a group. While the shredmaster is getting the glory, he’s holding that groove solid as a rock, along with (hopefully) the bass player and drummer. I’m SO glad I learned to play drums before I did guitar. I get everything you’re saying!
You’re exactly right!
This is so great to hear you say. I have always felt this way. Eddie Van Halen said the same. Love what you said about Keith Richards. I heard a guitar teacher say that teaching timing was the hardest thing to do. There is a reason for that. Lots of respect for that funk intro as well. Well done!
Yeah, I've always felt the same way.
Man! Something that changed my life, as a guitarist, was to play a little bit of bass. Playing bass made a better guitarist because it helped me understand what playing in the pocket is. And then I translated that lesson into my guitar playing.
Niiiice
I’m constantly switching from bass to lead
This is great Brad, thank you. As a side note which I find fascinating, in the beginning the bass was playing f to a, and so the whole thing sounds has the vibe of F lydian to A7, which is great! :)
Good stuff... Playing rhythm in a funk band was always the most fun. You got to have the feel to do it well. I don't know how to describe "the feel". Even if the parts you're playing are more stiff, you gotta have that feel to make it work, like a drummer does with his fills.
It's all about the groove!
I tell my students, "People will cheer for lead guitar for about a minute, but they will dance to rhythm guitar all night long."
Oh ya!
That's not a reason to not learn both.
PS: Nobody dances to the rhythm guitar. They dance to the bass and drums.
@aaizner847 Of course it isn't. Nobody said that.
@careyvinzant Plenty of "rhythm guitarists" say that, and other similar ridiculous things. It's a whole subculture.
Also, it's just a really stupid saying. They're not cheering for rhythm guitar. They're cheering for the song. Imagine playing rhythm guitar and having that much of an ego, as to think they're cheering for THAT. Jesus.
@@aaizner847 With No Rhythm guitar there is no Riff without a good riff..you got melody and lyrics....but nothing to propel the song....
Listen to Lukather's rhythm work on Human Nature. That's a lesson right there. The music was written by Toto and John Bettis.
Textbook
Hello Brad ! Rythm, in general, was so important to me, that I ended up playing Bass in a few bands, and also learned the Drums ! It made me appreciate more the rythm guitar ! Btw, in 'my band', there was almost no 'lead guitar', except when you need to play the 'theme'. Rythm is the heart!
Take care!
Thanks for sharing! Pedro you rock!
Tom Anderson. One of the great builders who has never compromised anything and is the nicest dude. One of those VERY rare brands where a "lemon" will never leave the factory.
Indeed!
Brad, that’s a nice Tom Anderson! I came close to getting one, but eventually purchased an Ibanez Satriani JS1200. Yes, rhythm guitar is so important! Even EVH, understood that and Townshend was the master!
I hear ya on that one!
you are an absolute legend on the guitar ☝️
Thank you!!!🙏
Great video. A lot of guitarists know how to Rock but they can't Roll. You kind of grew up around a similar situation like I did in Fresno. We were kind of like it's either good or it isn't so we listened to Aerosmith and Curtis Mayfield and War and Rush and Jeff Beck if you will. My first cover band at 16 was a four piece. We were all about 16. Ambush, we had to cover everything from BTO to AWB Pick Up The Pieces to Smoke On The Water at a dance. I played Rhythm and sang. When we did Average White Band or Herbie Hancock Chameleon, I switched from Guitar to bass because the bass player also played sax. The first bass riffs I learned were Funk. People need to get out of that box of just chasing leads, practice riffs, Feel Your Love Tonight, Unchained, some Nile Rogers, Parliament, there were only a few lead guitarists that were completely seamless between lead and rhythm, Ed and Stevie Ray come to mind. Keith! Yep learn Midnight Rambler, Sway, Tumbling Dice, Honky Tonk Women. Maybe there ought to be rhythm teachers.
Totally agree, Rhythm is King!
Well said and done!I'm in a power trio,heavily rhythm based!!! I get it!!!
You know it!
All great solos have great rhythm!
Yes
Yes ! Exact. I have played in bands 30 year’s and have always tried to play with the drummers ( okej , and bettet ) …. First 15 years just rythem Guitar , and very little solos… and later years tryin’ to play Moore lead , and singin’ .. you soo right Brad …thank’s!
Rock on!
Could listen to you play all day - really tasteful and interesting licks! I aspire to play like that, but I've stopped playing for like, 20 years and I'm rusty! You have this way about you that gives people confidence no matter what level they're at.
Thanks Man!!! 🙏
For those that don’t know of the genius of Leo Nocentelli, give a hard listen to anything by the Meters - the kings of New Orleans funk. Leo wrote some of the simplest, yet most catchy riffs ever! If you check out their studio stuff, you won’t hear much soloing, but listen to “ Uptown Rulers: Live on the Queen Mary” and you’ll hear the entire band really stretching out - funk at it’s finest! Leo does tend to overplay on his solos these days, but in the mid-70s, he was on top of his game.
Excellent example!
Great job man.😎
Right on!
Nice right hand, smooth. Any James Brown tune, Maceo Parker etc, & many other’s the guitar stays on the same groove for minutes at a time just like bass & drums lock in
That's the key, staying in the groove!
Thank u Brad .great work and so true .I always try to play a aggressive on time rythym. I salute you!!
Rock on!
Another great video. I feel the same there’s a lot of super fast double bass drum on insta. Which I’ve done as well to show the skills but I think Rhythm playing more important. Like Steve Jordan.
It's all about the groove!
Your message is so On Point Brad. Some players are more focused on the 'right notes' than on the feel, placement, and accuracy of what they are playing. Players with great feel and ears for the total sound are the players that make great bands.
Man you know!
Coming from the ‘School of AC/DC’ as a budding musician, I always prided myself on my rhythm guitar skills. I got confirmation when drummers wanted me more dominant in their monitors rather than the bass player. 😂
Niiiice!!!
Rythm is utmost important.. My buddy tought me.a ton him being just a.rythm guitar player.
He's in 3 bands now.
And had an accident at work rendering one of his fingers un useable.. 3 finger guitar player. Yup.
Out there Killin it gigging every weekend working full time also.
Wow! Inspiring!
I’ve been in many metal bands as either a rhythm guitarist, a bassist, or doing death metal/black metal/metalcore style harsh vocals, and in many cases, the lead guitarists had such massive egos that were easily bruised. Very few of them haven’t tried to take complete control over everything, including the creative writing process. I’m a multi instrumentalist and vocalist, but these people always tried to tell me I didn’t know anything. Literally most of everything I do musically revolves around the grooves and rhythms.
Most of them were one trick ponies. Chugged, did shreddy solos/riffs. Many of them seem to think they’re the start of the show and all the other members are there to make them look and sound better.
I’ve gotten kicked out of s few bands for simply suggesting we actually try to find our own sound rather than copy what everyone else is doing. Apparently originality is out the door these days. Just copy the other 100,000 bands copying the top 10 bands leading the genre. Plus a lot of guitarists are trying to impress other guitarists rather than actually write something musical and different.
I have my own home studio now where I do everything myself. I have a number of basses and guitars, electric and acoustic, have my keyboard/midi, my mics, and a drum set. I got tired of band drama and politics. Idc about fame, money or attention. I simply want to make music that I enjoy or feel inspired to make. The music is the reward to me. I didn’t spend years honing my skills for money and fame. I did it to be able to play music. Besides, I’m Autistic and hate social gatherings/settings and being around a bunch of people i dont know in a place I dont like with all kinds of lights, sounds, and smells overwhelming me. I hate attention. It’s simply about making music for me. It’s my passion and what makes me happy. I’m sure I’d play a gig or show under the right circumstances, but I dont want music to be a job. It would cease to be fun and enjoyable for me.
I hear ya.
Pete Townsend is a great rhythm player as well, although he had a lead drummer and bass player. Ditto on Dokken.
Pete is awesome!
Awesome work Brad ! Keep it up man
Thank you!! 🙏
Fantastic siwng and swagger
Thank you!!!🙏
Glad I started as a bassist and learned this early on.
Man you know
same
JB said it "it's GOT to be funky"
You know it!
Totally with you . I play rhythm guitar mainly with a solo here and there and nothing crazy over the top like Steve Vai etc . I really love players and songs who only put in what a song needs no more .
I have always loved Pete Townsend and his approach . When he had Entwistle and Moon you don't have to be so over the top wild on guitar .
Don't get me wrong I love guys who can go wild and really get creative making all sorts of awesome sounds like a Vai . I just really love songs that flow well and don't have too much added for the sake of more than what is needed .
Amen
Absolute boss show today man, and bang on point. Rudy Schenker, Malcolm Young ,(rest his soul)James, and Scotty Ian, Joel 'O keefe from Airbourne, the Brewster Brothers from The Angels, ( I'm an Aussie representing here haha) ..and dudes like them know how to get a crowd moving and rockin' right down to the bone, and they all have that one thing in common, they can all keep great even rythym unaccompanied , and then lock in with the drums and bass and give the song total muscle , air , tension and drive. i cant play along with Mals rythym on 'Up to my neck in you' or 'Bedlam in Belgium' and not have a big shit eating grin and goosebumps , or Scorps' 'loving you sunday morning' , 'The Zoo' or 'Cant live without you ' or 'Axe to the Wax' by johnny Crash , or 'Black Shuck' by The Darkness, without going nuts,. man, that is the shit! And just on Dokken for a sec, i always reckoned they should have added a second guitarist to the band or for the live shows anyway, since there was no keyboardist, or backing tracks from the records making George work extra hard covering all that soundscape, and only jeff on bass doing his best , anyway Cheers and have a great weekend mate.
Cheers!!! Man you reminded me of that Darkness tune… that guitar part is pure rock and rock solid. Great references. Thank you!🙏
RG is the glue that helps hold the melody in place ......you channeled some Cory Wong there very nice Brad !
Thank you
Jeff Beck used to say that Freddie Stone of Sly and the Family Stone was his favorite guitar player.. When I was young I didn't understand what Jeff meant because Freddie didn't solo that much. Having matured musically I completely understand now that Jeff wasn't listening for solos ,Freddie's rhythm guitar chops were undeniably great! I also have to mention Jimmy Nolen who played guitar on a lot of James Brown's recordings.. If you want to build your rhythm chops try learning some of his stuff.
Yes indeed.
Hendrix and Eddie were incredible rhythm players,
Yes indeed!
Lotta cats can’t do that, Brad. And you make it look easy which means you put hella time in. School’em my brotha.
Thank you! I spent a lot of time on gigs doing it. Play till the people start dancing and focus on that groove.
@@badbrad 💯 oh you can easily tell. We call it “food on the table” chops.
that's what i''m talkin' 'bout
Thank you!!!
I can play rhythm, but I'm tragically white and can't dance. Lol 😂
Lol
Lol.
Damn it man! BadBrad is effing BadAss
Thank you!🙏
I always audition guitar players with AWB/EWF/Chic, etc. If they can play that I never worry about their soloing (that's always there.) Its the guitar players that can drive the bus like a drummer/bassist can that are all too rare. Great clip of your band playing that Chaka tune.
Yes! That’s what it’s all about, laying down the foundation for the band
I play mostly Rhythm in my current band with some short leads here and there. We have a very good lead player however when its time for me to do my thing he seems to have a hard time transitioning from lead to the only rhythm guitar and he has a issue with not bringing his volume down
Man I hear you. I generally like to play in a one guitar band for that reason.
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Top man Brad! There’s me beating myself up for being a shit lead player but loving rhythm too 😂🫡
Man it’s all about the groove.
Although my assigned duty is to be the lead player in my band, my untold secret desire is to play rhythm whenever possible. A good rhythm section drives me more than lead pyrotechnics. It's a conflicting world I live in. By the way, I noticed the "BoyElroy" poster in the background. Suddenly it occurred to me the homage to the line in the "Jetsons" theme song "His boy Elroy.....".
Yes you got it!
Lynch is KILLER! Burning Like A Flame/ Prisoner/ Into The Fire/ Breaking The Chains/ Alone Again/ Jaded Heart/ Back For The Attack/ WALK AWAY yeah no rhythmic groove, passion nor feeling at ALL in THAT song.😂 Jaded Heart/ Without Warning - Tooth and Nail/ Cry of the Gipsy/
You'll never master the art of the solo until you master the emotion of the GROOVE like.....LYNCH.Oh and don't even get me started on the art of mastering.....TONE!
I love Lynch’s soloing and rhythm chops.
Dokken’s “ In my dreams”.. great combo of rhythm and lead by George Lynch.
Yes!!👍🏻
@@badbrad That intro riff is sick!!
Good to see a chef cooking.
You know what? I love that!
Carlos Alamar is an astounding rhythm guitarist.
Yes he is
❤nice Brad❤
Thank you!!🙏
Awesome, tasty playing. I'm burnt out on guitar solos. Too many solos are bends and scales. I'd rather hear interesting rhythms over solos anyday.
That’s a great point.
Thanks
You're welcome!
Hey Brad you got tabs for that piece you played 😂 just kidding.
You rock man…
lol thanks!!🙏
I started out on drums and then switched to guitar and played with a great drummer early on. We had a band in Jr High . A three peice. And me and him would often jam , guitar and drums, hour after hour, young bucks sweating it out working on stops and endings etc. And of course the bassist when we were all together. We/I honed our rhythm skills. We played everywhere and anywhere ala VH. We were young and tight, if you will. But we were in the wrong part of the country. Rhythm is key btw.
That's a great way to learn rhythm.
Rythm has always been my jam..thank God im good at it because its the only thing im good at on guitar..lol..nice playing and grear stream!
Thank you
I think it has a lot to do with the bands as a whole. VH could shuffle and swing, Dokken's rhythm is so strait.Guitarist get with a funky drummer.
You know!
Agree.........
🙏
I prefer funky rhythm from guys like Nile Rodgers of Chic that worked so well with bassist Benard Edwards and drummer Tony Thompson. Or Carlos Alomar when he played rhythm guitar with bassist George Murray and drummer Dennis Davis on those great Bowie albums from the second half of the 70's. Especially his album 'Station To Station'. And give me the groove of Reggae as well.
Right on.
"95% of what you play is rhythm guitar"..Eddie Van Halen. Prince, Nile Rodgers, Malcolm Young, Keef, etc knew this too. Great video B.B.!
Yes, those are some great examples!
A good rhythm player is worth their weight in gold..
Yes indeed
Damn!! Subscribed!!!
Thank you
I know what you mean by young You Tube shredders. You've got 6 strings to play with. The possibilities are endless.
Indeed
I like to see a shred I've never seen you shred.
Everybody has a different definition of what shred is.
Show em how its done 🤪 Good game, hit the shower. Nailed it.
Thank you!🙏
Want to see shredder do the Crunge by Zeppelin 😴😂😂
Yes!!
I’m looking for a gimmick that makes me look like a better guitar player than I really am like how do those vocoders work? It’s something I heard about aunt Peter Frampton just got inducted into the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame and he does the the voice box. Can you tell us anything about any of those or tell me I’m a god I’m gonna see if I can find one of those and try it out.
Just be you! Every day you play you win!
When you're playing and you cannot keep yourself from juking with the rest of your body especially the shoulders, you know you're getting somewhere.
*Edited a typo bc I was juking to the video intro.
Awesome!!!😎
Killer riffs
Dude!
Herr Mick Taylor is/was also ein most underrated rhythm spieler.
Ya volt
Good lead guitar is good rhythm guitar and visa-versa.
The truth!
Thank you!!!🙏
Rhythm guitar is one of the main reasons people still talk about EVH and Hendrix
True
If all holes were filled we couldnt breathe, our hearts would stop, we would have no swiss cheese or air conditioning, filling all holes and clogs kills things and prevents them from thriving, music included. When a hole is filled it needs to be opened up again in order to make room for what may happen next.
Yes!!!
If your jamming with a solid rythm section, guitar player., people notice when the leads run off and don't match up..
Even a non musician is gonna catch it..
Mistakes happen it's the human element of mperfection.. But the art of it to me is being able to cover up theustake so People.dont notice it... That is an art..
Timing.. Rythm is timing, bass n drums timing.. If a rythm section sucks the band sucks..
Man you know it!
Rythm is harder than solo but if you don't know te rythm the solo isn't gonna lock in also.
It's two different modes.
Thing of yourself as a bass player.. Got lock in with the drums.
Luckily , playing bass in an original band for 5 years ultimately made me a better guitar player.
My arthritis is Killin me I'm having a tough time on guitar but my bass playing is still on top.
Maybe I'm a ass player but everyone wants me on guitar. Ugh.
my toe is doing this strange repetitive lifting motion
Lol
I figured this out years ago . The guitar center endless solo won’t get you in a band and gets old real fast . I can’t stand playing with someone who never stops soloing over the vocals and other solos . My audiences respond way better to a tight rhythm than endless solos
You are absolutely right!
You just described a lot of harmonica players. #notall
What you're playing is RHYTHMIC guitar, imo...I'm currently working on either a book or podcast about the lost art of Rock rhythm guitar, what I refer to as electric straight rhythm.
The likes of guys like Paul Kantner, Malcolm Young, Tom Fogerty, etc. Nevertheless, yes, rhythm is 90% of our playing, indeed
Yeah this is not rock rhythm and I could do a demo of that maybe next time.
@@badbradglad to see someone mention Tom Fogerty as a straight rhythm guitar player of note. Definitely an influence of mine.