As much as I love funky rhythms, this is one of my all time favorites…

In blues, we don’t get to use these funky rhythms as often, and therefore they often get played incorrectly, or without much feel.

So what I tried to do here was to break this down into levels – start simple, get more complex as you get more comfortable.

I hope you can give it a shot and don’t mind the buzzing low B (I’ve fixed it now 🙂


    21 replies to "The Funky Tightrope Rhythm"

    • Jeff Kuttenluler

      And, SRV is probably my favorite blues player. When I first heard him ( probably was Pride and Joy) it just grabbed my ears. Like OMG who is that?

    • Mike

      Really I was gone for a few days and SRV sale is up…… what in a day. Wow he would roll over in his grave

    • Jim Cinnater

      Hey neighbor!! Next door to you over here in Denton……..very appropriate you now feature Texas rock stars on your vintage 1969 Strat! Can’t get enough SRV!!

      Jim C.

    • Jim

      I wasn’t able to do it consistently. I need some kind of graphic to help. I get tired replaying it over and over. Then I tried to make my own little graphic with arrows and ended up running out of time for this morning.

      • ACE DRAGON

        YOUR E STRING IS BUZZING. YOU’ER NEAR THE 7TH FRET. NECK RELIEF??
        EASY CORD, BUT I DISLOCATED MY LEFT SHOULDER AND I CAN’T PLAY SQUAT. 71, I HOPE IT HEALS.

    • Doug Roberts

      Hi Griff, I ordered the acoustic blues guitar version of your teaching course, what can I do to fix this? Thnx.

    • Darryl Manire

      Hay,that’s my(walking)theme music, better send me some royalties..

      • PAUL DRAGOTTO

        MEMBER OF BMI ? NO? NO ROYAILTIES !

    • Bob K

      Fun lesson Griff. I commandeered my son’s Squire Strat and have two issues. First, 16th note patterns in general, especially with a scratch involved. Second, I keep knocking the damn selector switch out of place!!!! Love how you handled both beautifully

    • Alexander

      This is a cool lesson, it’s making me more conscious about my hand work in so far as muting strings and I really want to get that counting down. Great lesson!
      Thanks Griff
      Alexander

    • roy aiken

      I will try hard to digest this rhythm my friend. thanks for sharing. stay safe.

    • Bob

      It’s true, Griff, if I don’t count I can’t hit the the right groove . After all these years, I understand. Thanks

    • jeffrey s mcdonald

      Hi Griff. Thank you so much. I love this rhythm as well, but haven’t been able to crack it. Thanks for this! Stay safe.

    • Ken L

      Thanks, Griff. I am in the same boat as Kathleen. I will be playing this today.

    • tony

      I like SRV always have always will . I told You to take care of that strat . A buzz like that I think has a neck issue. Not enough bow to it . peace

      • Griff

        The saddle had come down a little, no big deal. The guitar is still getting used to its new home and is adjusting a little here and there, but overall doing great 🙂

    • Keith

      Why didn’t you demo the entire 1-4-5 using that chord structure? Would be nice to see to show the changes.

      • Griff

        this particular song isn’t a I IV V, and the point is the right hand work. If you can play this as I demonstrated it, you’d have no trouble moving it.

    • Vic betten

      Play that funky music white boy.

    • Vic betten

      In the groove with funk.great stuff.keep it coming, no mask needed, unless your the lone ranger.kemosabi means soggy shrub.tonto in spanish means stupid. Guess they really liked each other to call each other names.or they were just funky.

    • Kathleen Lujbli

      Thanks for the lesson Griff. I have always loved this song and have always struggled getting the rhythm right. Thanks for breaking it down. Can’t wait to try again.
      GibsonGirl

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