Rhythm Guitar For Intermediate To Advanced Players

Right, first a little bit of background. This is my first lesson I have ever written, and as such I can only hope it meets the standards people are looking for. I was searching around on UG and other such sites the other day for some information on advance guitar rhythms, being more of a rhythm than a lead guitarist myself. Having been unable to find much that was aimed at the more technically advanced guitarist, I decided to piece together the knowledge I have gained over my few years playing guitar. This article is as such aimed at an intermediate to advanced player, looking to strengthen their right hand, and left-to-right hand synchronisation. Those reading this article should already have a reasonable understanding of metres and timings, such as 16th and 32th notes. This is not a lead guitar lesson! Please don’t read this expecting an article on soloing techniques such as sweeps, alternate picking, legato, and vibrato e.t.c. If this article is received well I may consider other such lessons, but for know I’m going to stick to the rhythm side of playing.

Ok, now we’ve got that out the way, onto our first technique. A rhythm guitarist has a multitude of techniques out there for his use. The first of these, and in my opinion one of the most important and widely used, is the down-stroke (in this article the symbol for down-stroke will be “v”). The following exercise will help to improve your right-hand strength and stamina. Try to play this exercise cleanly and smoothly, with as little slipping or missing of the strings as possible. A metronome may help to keep you in time, but don’t set it too fast to play with, try to find a speed which is comfortable but still challenging, and just go until failure. Punching to far above your ability level will not help to increase your abilities faster, it may in fact hinder your progress.

Key:
C – 1/4 Note
E – 1/8 Note
S – 1/16 Note
T – 1/32 Note
v – Down-Stroke
^ – Up-Stroke

Exercise 1: The Down-stroke (Check out the middle section of Dream Theater’s “Pull Me Under”)

  E E E E E E E E   E E E E E E E E
|–––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––|
|–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–|–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–|
  v v v v v v v v   v v v v v v v v

So, the exercise above is designed to strengthen your right forearm in preparation for the more complex rhythms ahead. Once you can play this rhythm at around 180bpm for at least 2 minutes solidly without tiring, then you are well on the way to becoming a much better rhythm guitarist.

Exercise 2: Alternate Picking (Check out the intro of Trivium’s “Enter the Conflagration”)

  S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S   S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–|–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–0–|
  v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^   v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^

This second exercise introduces us to another technique commonly used in pretty much every style of music involving a guitar. Each note should be picked cleanly and evenly, alternating between down and up-strokes. I’m not going to insult you by explaining what an up-stroke is, ‘cause if you are reading this then you should already know, right? Anyways, try playing this technique with a metronome again, aiming at around the 180bpm mark for advanced players. Oh, and for those of you who are thinking “Yup, that’s me, I’m amazing, he called me advanced”, just shut up and go back to having no social life, or go for 250bpm, then you can happily boast your asses off. But not here. No one cares.

Exercise 3: The Gallop (Check out the Breakdown to Lamb of God’s “Black Label”)

  S S E  S S E  S S E  S S E   S S E  S S E  S S E  S S E
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––-–|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–0–0–0––0–0–0––0–0–0––0–0–0–|–0–0–0––0–0–0––0–0–0––0–0–0–|
  v ^ v  v ^ v  v ^ v  v ^ v   v ^ v  v ^ v  v ^ v  v ^ v

This third technique is widely used in death and speed metal, giving a sharp and aggressive feel to the rhythm of the music. This technique was first popularised by English metal band Iron Maiden, in particular verse and chorus rhythms in their songs involved high speed repetitions of the move. This move should create a one-two-three-rest one-two-three-rest feel to your rhythms. Perhaps start really slow, counting the beats in your head or out loud, to a metronome of course, and gradually up the tempo as you feel more confident. Yet again, do not go too far above your comfortable level, as the faster you go the sloppier you become, and you may develop bad habits. I know I did and so cannot stress this point enough.

Exercise 4 + 5: Adding Complexity (Check out Paul Gilbert’s “Technical Difficulties”)

 |–3–|    |–3–|   |–3–|   |–3–|    |–3–|   |–3–|    |–3–|   |–3–|
  S S S E  S S S E  S S S E  S S S E   S S S E  S S S E  S S S E  S S S E
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–0–0–0–0––0–0–0–0––0–0–0–0––0–0–0–0–|–0–0–0–0––0–0–0–0––0–0–0–0––0–0–0–0–|
  v ^ v ^  v ^ v ^  v ^ v ^  v ^ v ^   v ^ v ^  v ^ v ^  v ^ v ^  v ^ v ^

Yeah, it’s impossible to write triplets in the new version of Word that line up, which kinda sucks. Anyways, this exercise expands on the alternate picking idea, using a more complex rhythm note; the 16th note triplet. Try this at around 150bpm for advanced guys, or maybe 100 - 120bpm for less technically proficient players (Don’t worry, you’ll get there eventually).

  S E  S E  S E  S E  S S S S   S E  S E  S E  S E  S S S S
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–––––––––––––––––––––––––-–––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|
|–0–0––0–0––0–0––0–0––0–0–0–0–|–0–0––0–0––0–0––0–0––0–0–0–0–|
  v ^  ^ v  v ^  ^ v  v ^ v ^   v ^  ^ v  v ^  ^ v  v ^ v ^

This is out last technique I’m going to cover today. Don’t know what to call this one, so I’m going to call it the Up-Down Gallop, ‘cause that’s kinda what it is. This is one of my personal favourite rhythms, especially coupled with bouncing notes on the E-String on every 1st note of the couples. This in turn can be combined with hammer-ons and pull-offs, creating a really funky and syncopated rhythm, which sounds and look kinda cool, especially with the constant up-down drill of the right hand. This rhythm may look easy in theory, but is definitely not for the faint hearted, and only those completely secure with the other techniques I have covered should attempt this. Just go for this at any tempo you feel like. There was no tempo I could find which would prove a challenge enough for those who are able to complete all other challenges I have set throughout the text.

This concludes my “Rhythm Guitar for Intermediate to Advanced Players” lesson. I hope you have enjoyed this lesson, and it has helped to push you into new areas of playing and new styles of music. I know these techniques certainly gave me the edge I needed to create far more complex and interesting songs.

Comments

[smiledoc]

sparxzero,
This was some good information on how to get better at playing the rhythym parts. I did the downstroke for 2 minutes and my forearm was burning but I didn't loose tempo. I did notice though that I typically set the butt of my hand on the bridge, or whatever it is called where the strings come out at, and man there was no way I was going to make 2 minutes like this so I immediately took my wrist off and moved my whole forearm. This seems to be the proper way to pick notes.

FYI, In Mark Tremonti's new video he gives some instruction on how to become a better guitar player, or at least how he did. And, one of the first excercise he shows you is just what you told us and that is to set there and play a string for two minutes to strengthen the forearm and playing skills.
Smiledoc

[stealer42]

FINALLY someone focused on the rhythm side of metal =) thank you so much. I swear if I see one more lesson on sweep arpeggios i'm going to kill someone

[luv090909]

Good job

[David Blackbird]

Excellent lesson. The last figure sounds like a modified Blues shuffle to me. I agree with stealer42, there are too many lead lessons and not enough rhythm lessons. I guess people think rhythem is too easy to write about.

[24HRaDAY]

and this is for intermediate and adv.?? players>

[badassvinnie]

Yeah I never thought to just strum evenly for 2 minutes straight, the alternate pick ****ing kills, anyway thanks for the lesson man I never can find any rhythm lessons, good to see someone cares about the rhythm guitarist!

[sparxzero]

sparxzero,
This was some good information on how to get better at playing the rhythym parts. I did the downstroke for 2 minutes and my forearm was burning but I didn't loose tempo. I did notice though that I typically set the butt of my hand on the bridge, or whatever it is called where the strings come out at, and man there was no way I was going to make 2 minutes like this so I immediately took my wrist off and moved my whole forearm. This seems to be the proper way to pick notes.

FYI, In Mark Tremonti's new video he gives some instruction on how to become a better guitar player, or at least how he did. And, one of the first excercise he shows you is just what you told us and that is to set there and play a string for two minutes to strengthen the forearm and playing skills.
Smiledoc

heya smiledoc, yeah i knew bout the mark tremonti DVD, that is one of my main sources as to why i did this in the first place as for technique of the action itself, whatever feels most comfortable is always best , but most professional guitarists take their rhythm movement from their wrist alone, and only use there forearm during incredibly fast tremolo passages

and this is for intermediate and adv.?? players>

24HRaDAY, do u mean this is too easy or too hard? id be happy to try a beginners version of this article, or you could simply increase or decrease the tempo to change the difficulty accordingly

FINALLY someone focused on the rhythm side of metal =) thank you so much. I swear if I see one more lesson on sweep arpeggios i'm going to kill someone

tis true, there are far too many lead lessons and nowhere near enough lessons for the poor old rhythm guitarist but...thats what i wrote this for! glad taht someone else shows as much appreciation for the heavier side of music check these for serious rhythm: Lamb of God, Trivium, DevilDriver, Arch Enemy, Bury Your Dead, and of course the mighty SlipKnot cheers all

[fagelamusgtr]

24HRaDAY wrote:

and this is for intermediate and adv.?? players>

Are you playing to a metronome and to the correct speed? That is the challenging part.

[odtpdriver]

nice lesson dude. simple and easy to understand, just the way it should be.

[FiendForce]

i been wantin a lesson like this for weeks now, you ought to continue this into a series

[Georginaguitar]

I'm really stupid!!!! I don't get what the key means!!?

[deluded_reality]

stealer42 wrote:

FINALLY someone focused on the rhythm side of metal =) thank you so much. I swear if I see one more lesson on sweep arpeggios i'm going to kill someone

+1. I'm so tired to going through a truck load of lead guitar lessons. Thanks so much for the lesson!

[David Blackbird]

Georginaguitar wrote:

I'm really stupid!!!! I don't get what the key means!!?

The key is the relative legnth of the notes, where each note is held half as long as the one above it. ie whenever you see an s in the tab, the note below it is half the legnth of a note with an e above it.

-e-s-s-
-0-0-0-
however fast you play the first note, the second and third are half as fast

[David Blackbird]

sorry, I meant twice as fast

[HeatMaster22]

do you play 2 notes per beat on the down stroke thing?

[killtrend]

HeatMaster22 wrote:

do you play 2 notes per beat on the down stroke thing?

yea, there 8th notes, so its:
one-and-two-and-3-and-4-and

make sure to use a metronome!

[HeatMaster22]

Sorry that was a stupid question.

[braineater.]

with 8th notes you count 1 and 2 and etc., so what do you count when playing 16ths?

[TonyIommi2557]

For the last one, I guess you could check out the verses of "E.vil N.ever D.ies" by Overkill.

[DSchmitty]

Bad lesson, it's pretty much telling you, practice and you'll get better, which is obvious, lessons are supposed to offer insight and additional resources, and you call different open string patterns resources? Come on, get creative.

[rememberthename]

braineater. :
with 8th notes you count 1 and 2 and etc., so what do you count when playing 16ths

1-a-no-ther-2-a-no-ther-3-a-no-ther-4-a-no-th er? or
1-and-then-a-2-and-then-a3-and-then-a-4-and-then-a? =]

[rememberthename]

braineater. wrote:

with 8th notes you count 1 and 2 and etc., so what do you count when playing 16ths?

1-a-no-ther-2-a-no-ther-3-a-no-ther-4-a-no-th er? or
1-and-then-a-2-and-then-a3-and-then-a-4-and-then-a? =]

[guitartony567]

that was the best lesson i was looking for a good right hand lesson my picking is fast but now it will a lot faster rhank you

[xM3GAD3THx]

do you strum twice per beat when you use a metronome?

[ProgFanDave]

Ignore the negativity from some users, this lesson is really good.

I've been looking for a good rhythm guitar lesson, especially since my tutor only ever teachers me either chromatics and rhythm parts for genres such as Blues and Jazz. I play Heavy Metal mainly, especially Symphonic Metal, so stuff like this is more suited for me.

[holbrook]

nice lesson. Dont listen to DSchmitty, he forgot his meds.

As for your trouble lining up triplets in Word you want to use a monospaced font (Courier New) and turn off all autocorrection options (in case it is reading |-3-| as one charatcer.

Keep up the good work.

[tangled]

Good article but I think this article is for beginner to intermediate players. I think advanced rhythm would cover odd time signature perhaps?

[yM.Samurai]

Nice article. I agree with the above - time signatures, please.
Also think about developing the left hand for rhythm (eg. Lamb of God - Hourglass). Nice article though

[Metalfan41]

this is more of a beginer lesson, not so much intermediate, and in no way advanced.
advanced would be something along the lines of Meshuggah or Necrophagist

[BrainScan]

stealer42 wrote:

FINALLY someone focused on the rhythm side of metal =) thank you so much. I swear if I see one more lesson on sweep arpeggios i'm going to kill someone

couldn't agree more! lol

[killinois]

keep up the good work, & I think we all agree that it would be nice to see more from you, so... FEED US MORE LESSONS!!

[Talonwolf]

These are very similar to the exercises I did myself in order to build up my rhythm abilities

It's also a very good idea to alternate (as in combine) between exercises 3-5. Useful for death metal.

[sparxzero]

First things first: Thanks for all the positive feedback guys nd gals, nd thanks for all the negative stuff as well i'll take it into consideration

Odd Time Signatures, well i suppose i could do something on Meshuggah, but theyre more polyrhythms than odd time signatures, i wouldn't really no where to start explaining time signatures, but i could explain how times divide and cross rhythms can interlink etc...honestly dunt no guys if u could give a lil bit more info id b only too happy to rite anuther article

tangled wrote:
Good article but I think this article is for beginner to intermediate players. I think advanced rhythm would cover odd time signature perhaps?

yM.Samurai wrote:

Nice article. I agree with the above - time signatures, please.
Also think about developing the left hand for rhythm (eg. Lamb of God - Hourglass). Nice article though

I could probably do something on lamb of god or devildriver or something like that, stuff that requires left ahnd co-ordination as well, eg. more stuff like the final exercises, except with the left hand included in the workout perhaps?

[[Azrael]]

DevilDriver turned into a rhythm lesson would be amazing

[LukeElliff]

Nice lesson dude, perhaps you should have thrown in some challanges at the end though, like
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
|-0-1-2-1-0-2-3-2-0-0-0-0-0-1-2-1~|
v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^

[dark__echoes]

Man, that triplet 16 rhythm is HARD.
Gota keep practicing...

[ibanezboy1992]

I agree. There is no sycronization of the left and rght hand because your right hand isn't doing anything.

[Crovo717]

Excellent, kinda like a metalcore breakdown lesson, but more general, you should try to write a lesson about open note breakdowns, and the patterns incorporated, some of them have really intricate timing, and I know a lot of people that have trouble with it, I think it'd be helpful for some people =]

[JD Close]

I Don't Think the name is right, it's not rhythm guitar at all, it's picking orders and techniques, but, great lesson anyway.

[panterafever]

The best songs to practice downpicking is anything by Slayer usually Kerry King downed picked most of the time and very fast.. Like right after the intro riff to Raining Blood is all downpickedll

[zorbozate]

your first lesson? ... good work i enjoyed it ,i,ve been playing rhythm for over 20 yrs, theres always something to learn in music weather some believe or not, it,s true!!! thanx !rock on rock hard!

[hanselrocks1]

could you make a part 2 involving good chord/fret speed, great lesson though keep em coming

[SteveHeyn]

good lesson to show what great possibilities there are in rhythm play. It's good to show something that goes further than downstrokes only. I like you "updowngallop" a lot.
Oh, and for the good challenge on that particullar rhythm: try it with your pink only :P

[sparxzero]

sorry folks, have been very busy at college nd havent really had a chance to write up part two...i will try n get started durin the up comin half term i have been takin all ur comments into consideration, cheers people im thinkin sumfin on time signatures? nd perhaps some pedal-note rhythms?n just general left ahdn incorporation into rhythms?

[guitarmaniac182]

Great lesson. I'm don't play a lot of rhythm parts, but I like to expand on my playing and this really helped. Thanks a lot!

[woodenbandman]

I never realized just how much my downpicking sucked until now. I alternate pick pretty much everything. Gotta work on that downpicking now.