tips on picking out rhythm

[tam]

hello everyone

just looking for some advice on sussing out rhythm parts.I find it really
hard to hear what the rhythm guitar parts are doing on a lot of the recordings i've got.I tend to keep playing along with the mandolin rhythm
anybody have the same problemThe cd player i've got isn't that great
and where i stay (plains.scotland) i don't know any other players i could
get some help.I can read music, so a book wouldn't be problem to
understand.

cheers

Tam Reilly

[Bill Jensen]

In bluegrass, the guitar usually plays a 2,4 rhythm, which, as you already saw, often doubles what the mandolin player is doing.

I suggest that you pickup Steve Kaufman's DVD on playing bluegrass rhythm guitar. It is available on Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Bluegrass-Rhythm-Guitar-Kaufman/dp/B000...

Hope that helps.

[Christopher J. Davis]

Tam

Are you talking about hearing the chord changes to a given tune, or are you talking more about learning bass runs and strumming patterns. The basic rhythm pattern is easy, I'm sure you've heard the term "boom-chick" getting thrown around. Learn some bass runs, either by ear (the best method, no matter what ANYONE tells you) or if you must get a book/dvd/whatever. You should practice with a metronome to develop your sense of time. One thing that gets overlooked a lot - in my opinion - is dynamics with respect to rhythm. Know when to really play loud, know when to back off, etc. It makes ALL the difference in taking the sound of your guitar playing from "eh" to "all right!"

[Dave Engel]

Go to the FGM Catalog tab (over to your right) and order Dan Miller's 1st of 8 installments which is rythm guitar, everything you could ever want to know.

Cheers.

[Jim Wing]

Try some slow-down software. Windows Media Player has it, but it works only on files in your computer, not CDs. There are slow-done programs available on the net that work on CDs as well. Do a search. Some are free. Lots of people like Amazing Slow-Downer, which is not free. ASD has a equalizer feature so you can reduce the high and low tones, or emphasize the mid-tones, in effect making the guitar louder.

[Peter Lucas]

In many recordings even the best rhythm guitar is difficult to hear even with the best sound equipment. When the guitar can be heard, say on a G run (assuming that you're listening to bluegrass), latch on to the sound of the run and try to follow the sound of the guitar as it fades back in the mix away from the mic.
What are you listening to by the way? For good bluegrass rhythm try the Country Gentleman. Charlie Waller played impeccable rhythm and the sound of his guitar was upfront in the sound mix. Sometimes he would play only the bass notes (the booms without the chucks) but in such perfect steady timing. Tony Rice and Tim Stafford for a couple more. Also Jim Nunally's rhythm playing can be heard in front of the mix.
Rhythm guitar, good rhythm guitar, in a band is like exotic sub-atomic particles: you can't see them directly but you know that they are there on account of what everything else around them is doing. Same with rhythm guitar, sometime you know it's there because the band is playing well and in time.

[Jim Williams]

"Rhythm guitar, good rhythm guitar, in a band is like exotic sub-atomic particles: you can't see them directly but you know that they are there on account of what everything else around them is doing."

That is the best description I have ever heard about rhythm playing!!!!!

[Steve Fisher]

I would second Peter's comments and the guitarists he mentions as players to listen to.

In a addition to being an excellent rhythm and lead guitarist, Jim Nunally is also a very good teacher. He has a DVD out entitled 'The Art of Rhythm Guitar' that I found very helpful.

[Sandy Munro]

I have been teaching bluegrass rhythm guitar (and lead) for many years and have two videos out at the below listed website. The first is rhythm strums in 4/4 and 3/4 time, and the second includes runs and fills when switching chords. I like to think that they are well presented and of immediate use to the beginning to intermediate player, or the advanced player who is just getting into flatpicking. I've also taught for 20+ years at the RockyGrass Bluegrass Academy. Feel free to email me from my homepage at my website or my page at Flatpicking Guitar Network.
Two Lessons: http://www.ivideosongs.com/songs/tutorials/acoustic-guitar/sandy-mu...
My website : http://sandymunromusic.com