When does less equal more? When you subtract to add to your rhythm…
Confused? Me too… so just watch the video 🙂
Download this video here (MP4)
When does less equal more? When you subtract to add to your rhythm…
Confused? Me too… so just watch the video 🙂
Download this video here (MP4)
56 replies to "Subtractive Rhythm"
Why do you stress that we should strum down on each beat, but in this video, you strum up on the best?
I strum down on the down beats, and up on the up beats. Unless you saw something I didn’t, there’s no point in the video where I strum down on an upbeat or up on a downbeat.
Like Keith Richards once said, “It’s not about the notes you play; it’s about the ones you DON’T!”
Looks like you need to play barre chords to make muting work when “pulsing” in the silenced strums. Otherwise fingers need to change to mute the open strings (thumb over the top for low E, but fingertips on other strings. Is this a correct interpretation?
You don’t need to press a barre down, but it’s often helpful to have a finger or two rest on those strings you won’t be using to help with muting. Muting is a huge part of guitar playing.
You are one helluva teacher. Wish I was exposed to you 50 years ago!
The audio track included with BluesGuitarUnleashed Lesson 1 contains the rhythm guitar strumming that you teach in that lesson – D U rest U on the 1 and 2 beats. Where can I find the backing track without the guitar strumming?
I spent 10 years keeping rhythm with my left hand. Yes, I’m a natural lefty playing right handed. Its been great for just playing chords. So, now as I am beginning to play riffs and lead, I’m forced to keep the rhythm with my right hand. It’s a subtle change. And, a change that I really struggle with. But has everything to do with timing. So I appreciate this video.
Griff : I am surprised you still have electricity with all of the millions being out in your area. I am in Louisiana and it is a big mess here as we have set new records for the coldest temperatures and snow accumulation. Keep warm and stay safe. P.S. Pray for warmer weather.
still practicing different rythums in Strumming and Mastery…you said” as long as you land on 4 and then yer right”…that helped me in counting so much. I really have learned alot but those tyes are a little confusing…….Thanks Griff..
Thank you for reminding me how important basic rhythm is. As a beginner, I get caught up chasing distracting leads and melody’s.
This is something I am working on and struggling with. In the beginning of the video, is Griff’s arm going down on the beat because he is playing quarter notes. If so then his arm is coming up on the “and” – 1 (down – strum) and (up – no strum). Is that what is happening?
So basic, yet so advanced in counting. It amazes me how much I take this for granted, and how we often struggle to keep time with the band. I’d rather hear a good tight band than slick solos without good timing. This is the key.
Thank you again for your timely lessons.
Great rhythm lesson. Really great reminder that “if you can hum it you can play it”!🌺
Thanks for reminder on this one, Griff.
6/19/19
Griff,
What pick do you use? what size and what gauge? I am having a hard time getting the same sound that you are getting and I think it is the pick that I am using. I would appreciate your help on this issue. I am using a 73 mm and an 88mm pick and I think I need a different gauge. HELP
Thanks
Ron Duke
rduke@peoplescom.net
I like your videos although I play classical guitar style no picks.
I am always wondering about the strumming you do. You you start with 4 beats per measure with the downstroke (1,2,3,4). so thats 4/4 time. 1/4 notes getting one beat. But you play the strings on the upstroke. You count it as one and two and three and four and. Now you have added 1/8 notes so each beat is getting two sounds. total of eight notes within 4/4/ time. So when you count should you be counting one and two and,ect. not one two three four? I can see it but maybe some younger or beginners can’t.
Oh, so that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 50 years. Never knew that.
Great lesson (as always)! I focus too much on learning how to solo and not enough on rhythm technique but I’ll try and spend at least 20% of my practice time on this. Thanks for the reminder!
Jerry what you may want to focus on besides solos ,is how and where they come from and why.every decent musician knows having the ability to do and play both,especially at the same time is nearly always a winning combination,however just focusing on rhythm is always a game changer in more ways than we can count ( this is also important). once everyone gets on the same page of the same book,even if not in a band and just another guitarist,generally speaking things go a lot smoother in the communication department,and it shows by listening and yourselves and how others perceive what we are doing.
I hate spellcop,it should read to yourselves not and but the cop has a mind of its own.
Can you please tell me the model of the Egnatr head behind you in video?
Great lesson Griff, thanks !
Am I going crackers or is Griff’s strumming hand out of synch with the soundtrack?
Yes – very frustrating to have the sound out of synch with the video.
Thanks Griff, this a great lesson that I definetly need as I have a hard time counting
SO MANY STRUM PATTERNS. THIS WAS ONE THING HAD TROUBLE WITH WHEN I WAS UNDER A RECORDING CONTRACT WITH A&M RECORDS RECORDS. THEN I HAD TO PRACTICE FOR AN HOUR ON THE STRUM PATTERN. BY THE TIME THE RECORDING SESSION BEGAIN I HAD IT DOWN YET I SCREWED UP A FEW TIMES. I LIKE THE LAST STRUM PATTERN. GREAT STUFF GRIFF.
I GUESS YOU KNOW, ERIC CLAPTON IS PLAYING AT THE FORUM. SEPT. 11TH- 14TH. HIS LAST CONCERT. I JUST HOPE HIS HANDS HOLD OUT. HE HAS NERUOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.
Great lesson, thanks so much 😎
My son is a plays rhythm in his band he told I suck, i needed this badly
Always trying to beef up the rhythm playing. Grt job. Thks.
Great lesson I’ve been needing. Been struggling with “I Believe” from “Blues Gig in a Box” where you skip those strums but keep the hand moving.
Hey Griff, This is something I love doing! Been doing it for years and it’s a blast trying different strums and syncopations.[sp?] Thanks for your most excellent refresher!
Hey Griff,
What a great lesson…For Beginners, Intermediate etc..As you said Rhythm is 90% of all blues songs and only 10% Solos so we have to practice more on Rhythym..being an ex Drummer of the 60’s no problem but need to know the Guitar side of things and this lesson is fantastic.. thks Griff.
Michael-Sydney-Australia Sept 2016
Your teaching style is a little bit unorthodox but it fits with the way my brain is wired. I’m an Electrican by trade so as per load calcs missing a few strumming movements or beats makes perfect sense to me I do feel like I think outside of the box in a lot of areas. Everything I’ve learned on the guitar wheather it’s blues solos or strumming I’ve really had to think and figure it out then apply it. Until recently it has been mechanical and head but you’ve actually got me feeling the music more and more and these lessons are coming to me faster because of your teaching style I’ve renewed my want thanks for giving it to me with a bit of a twike now I want more and more. I’ve bought several coarses from you and are just now getting into them with more zeal thanks again brother please keep them coming
P.S. Little brother if you ever make it to Vegas my invite is always good. You and who ever is with you are more than welcome to stay with us it at least helps with costs and I might be able to get you show tickets anywhere from cost to free depending on the show and time of show. Just give me as much time as possible so I can give back to you considering how much you have given me and others. Be blessed see ya
Griff…I am a pro guitarist but still check in ….
Your teaching style is good…the idea of strumming silently along to develop that strum is great well done…
My thing is ..get a coffee ..do i have time to watch your videos….yep….
So i sit down and watch
Love and power to you from England
David
That’s exactly how I try and do it Griff – The big plus for me is that you have taught me to think about missing/ delaying beat 1 as well as keeping my right hand moving constantly up and down.
I’d heard about that before – but now I do it and combined with counting out loud and my rhythm is really getting so much better and tastier thanks to you.
I just joined the BGU Forum. Great!
Jules
I like your method and your teaching. Everything. Thanks.
I echo Tony’s comments
This is certainly a new way of getting in the rhythm mode but it really makes a lot of sense. I will definitely give it a try. Thanks Griff.
Exactly what I thought the lesson would be. Great refresher for me Griff. Keep up the great work, and best wishes.
T.J. James
Thanks for the mechanics, Grif. If you can imagine it you can play it. I like that – thanks.
How come the strumming hand speed on-screen doesn’t correspond to the sound?
Perhaps a streaming issue. Looked right to me.
Thanks Griff
Getting into the Rythum is what it’s all about! It’s the secret to playing & singing songs! You can get Music & Cord’s from Guitar tab’s, it doesn’t tell how to put the puzzle together! There’s no strumming pattern, no Beat count, cord changes or what position it’s played in! Just like this video, it’s trial & aire. I just don’t want to spend 6 months getting a song down. Just wish I new someone that would sit in my living room & go over a song with me! Guitar players just don’t want to share their success. The 12 bar blues is still the greatest way, because you know when the cords change!
Have a great weekend Griff
Excellent rhythm and perfect timing with one two three four beat per measure technique just like learning the piano Thanks Griff.
Fantastic Griff
Another good lesson Griff. From a different perspective. Thanks
Hey Griff,
Two of my greatest fear in music is Ear training & Rhythm and Time keeping. No matter how hard I try I cannot work at them. That’s the only thing that’s holding me back from playing in a band. Maybe, lets hope someday the light will shine on me. eh!
One of the best things to do in learning and practicing. Playing to the radio is all time plus. As you say if it is your head it will get to your hands sooner or latter.
Nice lesson, Griff! Your emphasis on rhythm and timing in music is really an eye-opener. I always wondered what made a pro guitar player sound different than an amateur…it’s ALL in the timing! It’s important to hit the right note or chord, but way more important to hit it at the right time! Thanks, Griff!
Great stuff, Griff. Addresses what is probably my biggest challenge.
This is a good example of rhythm playing and how to create patterns . I find it is better to watch music videos rather than radio or whatever. this is only to observe what the guitarist is doing . That is the player is constantly keeping time with the music moving the arm up and down to the beat. It is not always viewable so thats when the ear takes over. This is only if your attempting to play something you really like and want to be able to reproduce the same sounds . C YA
Just what I have been working on and that made a big impact!
Spit it out!
Hey Griff! This was a excellent lesson on rhythm technique. If you can hum it, you can play it! Great lesson! Thanks!