guitar lessons onlineWelcome back to great guitar lessons online. Today I would like to discuss the importance of being a great rhythm guitar player. All you lead guitar players, listen up because even if you are the “lead guitarist” in a band, you still spend about 90% of your time playing rhythm. You could have the fastest, loudest solos, but if you can’t cut it on rhythm, no one will listen very long. If you are auditioning for a new band, you will NOT get the gig if your rhythm playing sucks.

One of the best things to do when you decide to focus on your rhythm playing is to put your guitar down and start listening. This is one of the easiest guitar lessons you will ever get. Start developing your ear and constantly listen to the rhythms. If you can hum it, you can play it. When you become a songwriter, some of your best ideas will come when you are not limited by your guitar playing abilites. When you do pick the guitar up to practice your rhythm playing,

there are a couple of things that are very important. With most guitar lessons online, you are focusing on your left hand and where you put your fingers on the fretboard. For rhythm playing, you need to focus on your right hand. It’s best to lay your palm at a ninety degree angle on the bridge of your guitar, using your pinky finger to anchor your hand. It is better to keep your pick parallel to the strings, to get the most speed. The weight of your pick will also define your playing style. A heavier pick will give you a fuller, chunkier sound.

Okay, so the next time you want to practice your rhythm playing, stop, put down your guitar, turn up your MP3 player and start humming. Until next time, here at great guitar lessons online, I’d like to hear some of your thoughts on guitar playing and feel free to ask me any questions and I will answer it to the best of my ability.