Rythm

I play by ear. Often I am told I am good at lead. Obstacle is keeping a variety of rythm not your normal rock n roll and blues basic songs. I know I am messing up sometimes...What do you recommend? Is there a kit that shows me timing, beats. etc? I've tried the Metronome our drummers. During a gig the average person could not tell (guess having to much fun), Better musicians remind me that sometimes I'm not in rythm, eventually I catch up...enough to survive. Help guys/gals. Thanks Ediboy

Hi Ediboy,

I would take a look at when you find yourself out of time. Is there a certain type of rhythm that throws you off? Or maybe a certain drum beat? Then focus on that particular area, practicing it with a drum machine or metronome until you feel comfortable and in time again.

If your musician friends are noticing you are off time, maybe they'll have some advice for you? Sometimes it's easier for others to see where to improve than we can.

Learning more about music theory may help too. If you know in your head how notes are counted out, this may help you execute your playing technique.

I recommend Christopher's lesson on music theory as a good start:
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10272&c_id=2&ch_id=13&s_id=271

A metronome can be difficult because often you can struggle to feel the pulse over the sound of your guitar. A drum machine can allow you to lock in with the beat much easier.

Its also a good idea to take a few minutes to get used to the rhythm. Clapping or tapping along with the beat before you play is a good idea.

Originally Posted by: Stephen QuinnA metronome can be difficult because often you can struggle to feel the pulse over the sound of your guitar. A drum machine can allow you to lock in with the beat much easier.

Its also a good idea to take a few minutes to get used to the rhythm. Clapping or tapping along with the beat before you play is a good idea.

I like this too...playing along.

There are some tools out there where you can play along with songs, others that allow you to play to a beat.

Key is, to practice playing in step/rhythm and being able to hear yourself doing it too.

Originally Posted by: Stephen QuinnA metronome can be difficult because often you can struggle to feel the pulse over the sound of your guitar.

Someone told me one day: " when you play with a metronome, if you dont ear it, it means your on the beat ".

Kinda makes sence but I agree that a good looping drum beat is awesome. It's a lot more fun to play too. Its less "robotic".

I have a Boss DR 880 Drum Machine that I really like for jamming along with. Its got a pretty decent built-in guitar effects unit, and has bass sounds as well, so you feel more like you are jamming with a band. Not the cheapest thing out there, but you might be able to find a used one.

I've seen it happen with students I've taught. I find a tempo they're comfortable with, count them in then they're ahead of the beat before two bars have passed. So I end up spending a bit more time explaining the function of rhythm and the metronome, but often its because they can't hear the beat over their instrument. So a drum programme is a great alternative.

I feel that having great rhythm as a guitar player is all too often overlooked. I spent most of my guitar playing life focusing on that as opposed to being a lead guy. That practice came much later in my playing.

The best thing I can recommend is practicing daily with a metronome, and also make sure you are playing with other people that have good time. A great drummer can really show you a thing or ten about playing in time. It sounds like you are in the company of some good musicians, so why not join them if you can?

Drum machines also helpful too. There are a wealth of programs and apps, free and paid, that can help with this. Make this a part of your daily routine and it will come together.

If reading rhythms is something that you think will help (which it does), I recommend this book. It's for drummers, but can be used by any musician. Good luck! :D

Encyclopedia of Reading Rhythms