Bluegrass Rhythm

[jon]

does anyone have any good pointers on how to be a better Bluegrass Rhythm guitar player .. iam currently playing with a banjo player we have a few songs down but iam always feeling i should be doing a little more ,, any help would be great thanks folks...

[Donald Leman]

Have you ever attended the BC Bluegrass Workshop? They usuall have classes on rhythm guitar.
Here is a link to their website.

http://www.musicworkshops.ca/Bluegrasshomepage/Bluegrass_home.htm

[Dan Miller]

I highly recommend Orrin's Star's "Rhythm Guitar Workshop". You can find out more about it here:
http://flatpickingmercantile.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&...

[Chris Davis]

I'd say to just listen to a lot of your favorite players who play rhythm with whatever element you may think you're missing. Imitate as much as possible and just play a LOT.

[Steve Blanchard]

Bluegrass rhythm and rhythm in general is a very overlooked thing, especially with the modern flatpickers. ..too many contests players. First learn the basics. Alternating bass and a fast snap on the 2 & 4 beats are essential. The brush stroke should get thru the strings fast and with a snap. There are many tutorial videos and books to explain this, but Chris Davis has a great point about imitating great rhythm players. Tim Stafford, Bryan Sutton, Blake, Barenburg, Hurst, just to name a few are good choices to start. Be sure to develop the drive in your rhythm because it is the most essential and a good rhythm player can make or break a band. Good luck.

[James Thompson]

Look at some of the instruction material. Choose the licks that you can do and practice until you can do them well. Listen to some good rhythm players, my favorite and Sonny Osborne and Del McCoury agree is best, is Jimmy Martin. Play along with a cd that is at your speed,level and things will get better and easier.

[Derek]

I got a lot out of Orrin Star's rhythm video...

[Brandon Adams]

I try to accent the one beat of the chord changes. I find that often putting a little push in your right hand rhythm when you change chords adds a sence of drive to a bluegrass tune. Dan Tyminsky and Tony Rice do this very well. Tony does a lot of alternate time bass line walks before changing a chord. While Dan keeps a consistant flow throughout a tune. Lineing up your rhythm pattern with the bass players beat is also a good idea. If you dont have a bass player a metronome is an excelent tool to use.

[Mike Bunting]

I'd add Jim Nunnally as a great rhythm worth studying.

[Dave Engel]

Hi Jon,

Reference/method material, I have lots of it, something worth the purchase price in every book or DVD. Sorry, about not recommending a workshop... unless you are rich, have the time and can travel at your leisure. (Sorry about the sarcasm).

Dave

[Doug Stuart]

Jon, First let me commend you for recognizing the importance of the rhythm guitar in a bluegrass band. I agree that there are a host of learning aids available, but no video or workshop will replace repitition when done correctly. I agree that you need to get the basics down of alternating patterns at a tempo that you can handle smoothly. Don't be to quick to play fast. You will develop bad habits that will only magnify at faster speeds. Once you have a solid rhythm at slow to medium pace, then step it up. I often use a tool that is left over from my days of playing rock and roll. I crank up my drum machine, find a pattern that is easily adaptable to a bluegrass 4/4 rhythm, set a good tempo and play. I find that the drum pattern is much easier for me to stay with than just the click of a metronome. Timing is everything. If you can't keep good time, then you can't be a good rhythm guitarist in any genre of music.

Just my two cents

Doug
www.crbluegrass.com