10 Ideas For More Effective Rhythm Guitar Tones - That Pedal Show

Are you struggling for somewhere to sit in the mix? Are you and the other guitar player clashing sonically and/or harmonically? If so, young Daniel and I offer up these 10 ideas for you try when playing ‘rhythm’ guitar.
As we have opined many times, ‘rhythm’ guitar is a bit of a catch-all term. To us they're just parts in songs, nevertheless this show isn’t about how to nail your Nile Rodgers funk chops, or achieve seamless synchronicity like Malcolm and Angus. Moreover it’s about some tonal suggestions that will bring interest and separation to parts in a song. We talk about volume, EQ, modulation and delay for the most part, to act as springboards for your own perfect dive into the music. Wow, that was cheesy.
If you like backing track in this episode you can buy it at That Pedal Show Store. www.thatpedalshowstore.com/co...
Enjoy the episode!
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Life too short for long KZbin videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.
Pedals & stuff in this episode…
• Boss GE-7 EQ Pedal
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2knaVDw
USA: bit.ly/3dyPnAr
• Keeley D&M Drive
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2oTblU1
Australia: bit.ly/2pUDUAE
USA: bit.ly/3E2Eqmw
www.thatpedalshowstore.com/pr...
• Keeley Filaments Overdrive
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2PTsOrQ
Australia: bit.ly/2A2HmjZ
USA: bit.ly/3rR4WM4
• Fender Engager Boost
UK & Europe: bit.ly/31dSDZE
USA: bit.ly/2CZo7Ja
• Stone Deaf Syncopy
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2L3KX4t
Australia: bit.ly/2YFLKTs
• Fender The Pinwheel
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2MB94vc
USA: bit.ly/2D2ag4U
• Walrus Audio Monument - Link to new version
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2UJhOVh
Australia: bit.ly/2IzUgLf
USA: bit.ly/31IjlQb
• Diamond Vibrato
www.diamondpedals.com/products...
• Original MXR Phase 90 (link to the new ’74 Vintage Phase 90)
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2mcZUYI
USA: bit.ly/3sb7xAF
• The Gig Rig QMX-2
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2yyw2uB
Australia: bit.ly/31fprll
www.thegigrig.com/quartermaster
• Thorpy Warthog
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2ELIE48
Australia: bit.ly/2MLINum
USA: bit.ly/3qWCTK7
• Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe
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Australia: bit.ly/2Ovelqa
USA: bit.ly/3y8xIZY
• Supro Tremolo
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2pZrAkZ
USA: bit.ly/2OuxOEy
• Jam Pedals Waterfall
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2MifNem
USA: bit.ly/3EJaCeI
Australia: bit.ly/3nb8JzN
www.jampedals.com/waterfall/
• TheGigRig Three2One
www.thegigrig.com/three2one
• TheGigRig G2
www.thegigrig.com/g2
* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: www.thatpedalshow.com/partners
- Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing…more blimmin’ jamming!: 0:00
- What are we talking about today?: 02:30
- Thing 1: Be part of the rhythm section: 03:35
- Working with the bass and drums and learning to listen: 05:00
- Thing 2: Play something different: 06:15
- What gear are we using today?: 06:40
- Dan plays something different! (With inversions): 07:45
- Mick plays something different! (With rhythm): 09:40
- Thing 3: Using EQ :to compliment the band: 12:06
- Dan’s annoying nasal frequency: 12:29
- The role of the bottom end: 14:38
- Thing 4: Boost as underdrive: 19:15
- Thing 5: Using a heavy overdrive as a pad: 24:22
- Turning down is that simple!: 26:40
- Thing 6: Use tremolo for rhythm: 27:42
- …and with a different waveform? 30:52
- Trem isn’t that easy to use!: 31:28
- Thing 7: Tremolo as a non-rhythmic effect: 32:03
- Crazy tremolo: 34:30
- Thing 8: Make it move with modulation:35:40
- Thing 9: Syncopated delay: 40:10
- Thing 10: Textural delay as a pad with swells and feedback: 43:40
- Thank you!: 47:50
Guitars in this episode:
• Fender Custom Shop 1963 Telecaster - watch Dan’s video at bit.ly/2dlZJ6K
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster - watch Mick’s video at bit.ly/2cQv3yT
Amps in this episode
• Vox AC15C1 with Celestion G12M Greenback
UK & Europe: bit.ly/36BSfrw
USA: bit.ly/3E0H1Qs
• Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III with Celestion G12P-80
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2KBwMWc
USA: bit.ly/2KyoJcX
We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel.
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/ thatpedalshow
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USA: That Pedal Shop www.thatpedalshop.com/

[@davidtomkins4242]

“Guitar players need to understand the role of bottom end”. Absolutely, It makes the rockin’ world go round.....

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

The opening jam goes with the montage scene, where the hard-drinking detective starts getting himself back in shape, ready to take on the Big Boss, single-handed.

[@stewmcleod7315]

Gerry James Edwards ah nice comment. Ah yeah.

[@stewmcleod7315]

For some reason I’m still chortling at this comment. There’s a hard-drinking detective...and he’s getting himself back in shape...disclaimer: I’ve had a gin.

[@CharlesFreck]

@@stewmcleod7315 Agreed, when does the hard-drinking detective get back in shape xD He just stops drinking long enough to sober up aha.

[@matiasarrala3447]

Just did a 6 episode binge of the wire and can confirm this.

[@stewmcleod7315]

Matias Ärrälä ken-a ha.

[@davidevans3175]

When Dan gets into his zone, I could watch and listen for hours.

[@BeardedBack]

When I first started getting my feet wet in mixing, I was told "cut to make things sound better; boost to make things sound different." The idea of listening while you are playing and understanding where you sit in the band cannot be overstated.

[@JeffStarr]

The section on EQ and rolling off the bottom end is so spot on. This is why I love Reverend guitars and their bass contour knob allowing you to roll off bottom end directly from the guitar. The rarely used Fender TBX tone knob is also great for doing this. I don't know why more guitar makers don't switch to a bottom tone roll off instead of the standard treble reduction. I've almost never needed less treble in a live situation and it's always the low frequency that get in the way.

[@geoffnightingale9290]

Thumbs up .. Vote more TPS backing tracks here, just maybe suggest telling chord progression as well as key. 👍

[@geoffnightingale9290]

jeff during spot on, if you go to the store it says the Key.. I wanna know the chords.. need all the help I can get! 😆

[@colehartel7206]

Just work it out by ear with trial and error. It might take you a while at first, but with practise it becomes easier. Start by finding the root notes, then fill out triads. Major and minor chords are pretty simple, but eventually you can learn to quickly recognise even complex jazzy chords.

[@benbutterworth7584]

Check out guitar George, he knows all the chords.

[@Glicksman1]

@@benbutterworth7584Mind, it's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing.

[@pabcrane]

At around 38:00 was possibly the best sounding bit (to my mind) ever on TPS. "It's the parts baby!"

[@gnerd99]

Yes, more backing tracks please! Your thoughts at the end about dispensing with “lead/rhythm” distinctions is spot on. Swervedriver from Oxford are masters at using two guitars and effects to create brilliant textural and dynamic guitar interplay. They have also been doing wet-dry for decades. If you were ever able to get Adam Franklin and/ or Jimmy Hartridge on the show it would blow my tiny mind. They are likely a major inspiration to many pedal-heads out there.

[@TauRiOneill]

Greatest show opener ever. Very creative and inspired. More “in context” content please. Much ❤️.

[@nigelvonshredman]

Who was it that said 'rythm guitar should sound like the drummer is playing chords' ? I like this!

[@gnerd99]

I agree, whoever said it, likewise with bass-the drums are the rock thrown into the water, the bass is the ripple and the guitar is the splash. That’s how I like it anyway.

[@bassmandudge]

Great video...As a bassist I spend a lot of time trying to convince guitarists to lose their bottom end...it's just not needed...especially Les Paul players.....I have some lovely sounding OD's that I use with my strat ( when pretending to be a guitarist!) that sound awesome in the bedroom and not so good in the mix. My boss OS2 sounds less good in the bedroom but great in the mix...horses for courses and the use of backing tracks works so well demonstrating this.

[@petergraham9267]

bassmandudge you are SO right! There’s a world of difference between the home player and the gigging player......everything I do is aimed at gigging, but so much stuff on the inter web is aimed at the home player...........these two numpties, sorry, geniuses get it right for both! Love it 😊👍

[@ChrisHendrix117]

As a sound engineer and a (usually rhythm) guitar player, I’ve been saying this kind of thing for years! Great work as usual

[@ThatPedalShow]

So awesome on many levels Chris. :0)

[@AaronAnderson323]

Dan is full of useful methods to extract unique and sonically satisfying sound from the guitar. Mick is always there with a solid and complimentary sound that contributes to the magic of That Pedal Show. Cheers to both for the lovely content.

[@dariusliadon]

As a sound engineer the comment about the 200Hz to 300Hz low midrange frequencies and room resonance is so important. These are frequencies that pile up very easily and muddy up a mix extremely fast, and in both live and studio mixes I will cut some of these from almost every track, often very drastically. A lot of microphones have a natural resonance around 300Hz which really doesn't help! Also, that backing track sounds killer and I had to go and buy it. It's gonna be a lot of fun improvising some stuff over it

[@DavidDyte1969]

That "overdrive as pad" thing is more or less what I do with my slide playing when with a band, or even acoustically with a singer-songwriter folkie artist, which I've been lucky to do on stage a few times now. Just quietly fill out the chords with long, sustained slides. It's dead easy to do, which is perfect for someone of my limited ability, and sounds great.

[@ryanwhitley5427]

As a guy that plays primarily in a modern praise and worship context I think that learning different chord voicings and thinking about where I sit in the mix has opened new worlds up to me. Great episode !!!

[@gregantonowicz2818]

Opening jam was my favorite thing I’ve ever heard you guys play. Awesome layering and listening, brilliant.

[@MorleyRobertson1975]

Honestly brings to mind Angus and Malcolm Young. Some of the rhythm layers they created were simply brilliant. Shoot to thrill, Have a Drink On me, For Those About to Rock, and many, many more. They all used that method. Makes the sound broader and fuller. Great tips lads. It's amazing what effective tidbits you always bring to light. Keep it up!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers M :)

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

From about 33 min. to around 40 min was pure bliss. Such awesome sounds and awesome playing guys. Big bravo to whoever made that backing track for you too.

[@seanhmltn]

So this is the episode you guys decide to bring in at under an hour? I could have watched that all day.👍

[@patriotpizzaman]

So many GREAT ideas and suggestions in this video! I will be watching and rewatching this one for years to come! You've really done us all a service with your channel but, you've outdone yourselves today! Thank you, mates!

[@hairychris444]

Coming from a metal background, locking in with the drummer and having a picking hand like a metronome has always been important!

[@ulfdanielsen6009]

Dave Weckl once said you should be able to play in time and with consistency to a metronome,- then turn it down, not lose the beat, turn it back up and still be just as much in time as before. Being a metal rhythm guitar player is very much about that. Steady as a rock even in the midst of headbanging, windmilling, jumping from monitors etc.,- you shouldn´t lose a single sixteenth. If you do you´re just not good enough. Back to practice. With a metronome going mind you.

[@davidozab2753]

My favorite guitarists have metronomic right hands Except for Jimi -- that was his left😉

[@lunchpin403]

The bass on the opening track is awesome

[@ThatPedalShow]

That’s Fraser. New boy. He made this. Very talented chap!

[@lunchpin403]

@@ThatPedalShow has he got any music out anywhere?

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Wow - you guys are getting more & more creative. Great intro & playing together. Love how you both Leave Space for each other, to sit in the mix. Makes me want to purchase a Tech 21 Q-Strip.

[@hatuliko2009]

YAY! The reason KZbin exists! TPS!!!!!

[@steveplace4703]

With reference to your first point - best piece of guitar tuition I ever had, was when I joined a previous incarnation of my current band. We had just finished rehearsing a pretty basic soul classic and I was feeling quite pleased with myself. I turned to receive the thumbs up from the others, at which point I noticed the drummer (a brick-layer in the local steelworks) glaring at me. "Just listen to the f*@^ing snare" he snarled, as he proceeded to count us in again. I have done ever since and we are regularly congratulated on how tight our rhythm section is!! Once again, thanks for some more great advice that (this time), doesn't cost a fortune!

[@gnerd99]

You’ve hit gold with Fraser by the way, great backing track.

[@ThatPedalShow]

He’s a talented young man for sure. Has a Tonmeister degree. Serious.

[@SirVicc]

The backing tracks really helped clarify what you were wanting to convey.

[@thjamaica09]

LOVE that bass riff and all that it can lead to. I think that's in my head for a while now.

[@turbomoogle]

Excited for this episode, and you did not disappoint. The heavy 90s feel when talking about point 8 was on point.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Having "big ears" is so very important when playing in a band. Carlos Santana came to mind as I watched this. His rhythm guitar work from the early years of the group was simply perfect.

[@tomz1989]

This is one of the best episodes I've watched. Super useful! Many of the things you talk about, I found out myself through years of playing in bands and jams. Magic begins when you start to connect brain, ears and heart.

[@tituschalk]

Recently moved from Berlin to Kentucky - and got to bond with new friends over TPS. Thanks for bringing us together guys. Awesome playing - look forward to playing more here and putting this all into practice. :)

[@mkcclub]

Malcolm here. A couple of things, absolutely loved the underboost bit. Mick, fan noise and hum are rock and roll, they tell me the digital world is silent...who wants silent? Top episode 😎👍

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers Malcolm! You look great in Lycra mate! :0)

[@ionobelisk]

Excellent intro, loads of interesting sounds and commentary, Dan's "helicopter" tremolo at 34m-ish, the ambient swells at the end: guys, you smote it into the stands this week!

[@dmac-333]

TPS has evolved to become so much more than a pedal show, which is awesome in my opinion, always something cool to watch and learn. Cheers guys, keep em coming.

[@KanalEchse]

Fantastic intro jam, well played! And a great episode all around. Keep up the backing tracks

[@dwayneratliff1142]

Been watching and listening for about 4 months. All great. This one really hits home for me as a guitarist. Love it. Keep up the good work fellas!

[@GilCarelli]

Great show, guys! As usual! Nice idea with the backing track, well done!

[@chrisfrank9288]

Love the intro this week. Fantastic example of two-guitar playing. Beautiful stuff!

[@scottw9732]

Man, loved those swells with the delay!! That's going to make some really fun stuff to loop and jam over. Thanks so much for explaining that! You guys are great, thanks for all the love.

[@theo5580]

Yes.. was waiting for this for a long time - putting these sounds / techniques into context ... and we get to hear some playing ... well done guys!

[@nightwishlover8913]

What an excellent episode!! Well done lads. Great info and fabulous playing!

[@spruce_goose_]

KEEP USING MORE BACKING TRACKS! 💪🏼 It’s a really effective way to learn about tone techniques. Great job guys.

[@ginoames]

Bravo guys. Really enjoyed this. The opening jam was really cool. Lots of great advice.

[@francisdimarzio]

Great Show, Very inspiring. It is nice to hear in context with backing track. Thanks guys keep up the good work!

[@stuartbowlerwell2845]

Dan, Mick and Fraser: that was great (again!) this week. The tracks and the playing - especially at the trem and modulation parts - were so good. Could have listened to that for hours.

[@daveolsen3903]

Chaps, once again you knocked it out of the park. Great advice, great playing, great sounds, great fun.

[@weschilton]

Killer show guys! Love your playing over the backing tracks!! Smiling the whole time :)

[@RandomButtonPusher]

We rhythm players really appreciate this episode. I've been experimenting more with modulation in recent months and it's fascinating and rewarding. The Walrus Monument V. 2 is a great pedal, but I'm even happier with my EQD Aqueduct vibrato.

[@joewilliams3204]

Great topic! Very helpful and it gets our creative juices flowing. Watching this show I’m taken back to your episode with Ed O’brien and all the creative soundscapes he adds to the Radiohead sound.

[@iainbrighton7847]

Barely 2 minutes and already I know this is going to be an epic show. Fantastic. Please do more pedal show's with backing tracks. Let us hear how they sound in a mix.

[@briggszj]

Thank you! I love videos where you are teaching with an authoritative voice.

[@fishmank27]

How you only have 200k subscribers is beyond me:) should be another 500k plus.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ha! We’re too complex and long winded for most people. Most people just want answers, and we’re here week in week out saying there really aren’t any. :0)

[@JYelton]

@@ThatPedalShow This is true of so many things. There are no answers, just better questions. And nuance. And complexity. Very much appreciate the TPS formula.

[@Reyvil777]

I'm actually watching this one after watching the last q&a you did and it's great, this is something that comes with time unless both players have experience, a few things that I would like to point out is definitely communication like you said in the q&a is key, FEELING your playing and the others guitar to me this is a big part, learning the songs is another thing so that both know where to do their own things, another thing is get your own tone even if the other person don't like it, you be you.

[@slmcmorris7902]

I thought this subject was something that I was pretty good at. The reason why I watched was a.) I'm a huge fan of the show, and b.) I thought it would help me explain these concepts to my students better. Thank you for reminding me that I know nothing (which is always good). This whole thing was awesome, and I learned some cool new tricks. This is hands down my favorite episode. Much respect to both of you!

[@fenderjeff]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! There is so much wisdom and advice in this video and I’m so glad you’re doing more of these videos on rhythm guitar. More please! One side note, I learned the lesson about not being in the singer’s frequency range when my band got rid of our singer, a guy, and got a new one, a woman. With her on the mic, there is so much more room for the guitar - it’s amazing how that works!

[@paultwiselton1996]

BRILLIANT SHOW! So much musical stimulation it's AWESOME and that backing track is simply magical.

[@davidhaxton7930]

Fantastic episode. Loved it, thanks guys.

[@NB5468464]

2:20: “That was fun”, “Yeah I think so” - gents, that was bloody incredible!!

[@robdownes5159]

One of my favourite of your recent episodes (not that any of them have been bad) some really cool sounds, and a couple of ideas I hadn't really thought about, especially the underdrive with the boost.

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

Guys, that intro jam was epic. More of that please!

[@tonybrooks476]

What a cracking start. Absolute gold.

[@matthewhackett3429]

This was not only the most informative episode you guys have done but you also quick easy techniques for achieving these rhythmic tones. Thanks

[@SebCB]

Great show. Some really cool ideas and very musical playing.

[@DavidWilliams-iq3eu]

Loved the show and looks like you were having fun too. Now off to download the backing track.

[@hotdotdog]

Aces guys! As a veteran who's been gigging now 50 years (and the first 40 strictly rhythm) I still learn things from you. As in all types of musicianship, listening is the key. IMO As a rhythm player also pay attention to the snare as there is where the drummer may "laying back" in the beat. If you fight him there, you will lose.

[@el_kammeroni]

This is absolutely great!!! As a bass player who noodles on the guitar at home and loves pedals, this is the best episode you did yet! Congrats gentlemen!

[@adamloake]

This was an awesome episode chaps!! So useful and great demonstrating with the backing tracks! 👍🏻🎸🤘🏻

[@timburkhalter114]

Really enjoyed this...so many ways of shaping the same piece of music. Awesome!!!

[@Slowdyek4]

Really great work guys, its all about context within the song and this is what everyone needs to focus on!

[@davidhegarty2836]

Loved this weeks show guys! Very useful ideas and being able to trialing them out on the same backing tracks you guys used really helps get the foundation down before moving into my own tracks, great add on to the shows!

[@mantashaft]

Love episodes like this. I always greatly appreciate them.

[@WhiteOakPIckups]

Awesome! Arrangement of the song REALLY helps in mixing too. You guys always have such great episodes.

[@Bealzeebozzo]

Some love for us rhythm dudes. The hard right hands and the deft pickers too. Nice

[@williamwagnon2809]

Great show!!! Loved it! I vote for more playing ideas like this one.

[@Subropontes]

Brilliant! Sending this video combined with the other one about playing two guitars together is the most polite way to tell the other guitarist in your band “get your shit together and stop ruining my day, mate”.

[@aaroncurtis4476]

Excellent episode. One of those to watch once every once in awhile to be reminded of the concepts.

[@ZillaCabs]

Great subject. I think most of us naturally go straight for that killer lead tone but rhythm is actually more import. If only my lunch break was 49 minutes long ;)

[@rockinrickard61]

Wow, that was great, guys! So many ideas I had never thought of before. well done!

[@alexandrelorenzzonlazaron3426]

Well done. Nice vid! I appreciate the preoccupation not just with guitar sound but also with music construction

[@dykeneuk]

Oooh! Excellent advice. Lovely playing. More of this type of thing please. Sometimes it's hard to play something interesting when there's lots going on at high tempo.

[@ZaneDWells]

Playing rhythm gets me more opportunity to play. A lot of the band leaders I play with want a tight band where much of the time we do runs and fancy parts together. Thanks for covering playing with two guitars and not doubling.

[@michaelwebb4082]

Wow 30 seconds in and I’m hooked! Love the intro!!!!!!

[@wspeed657]

This was one of the best episodes. Very creative and it inspired me. Thank you!

[@colehartel7206]

They've evolved well beyond simply comparing pedals!

[@ashleyjamesharding]

Backing track jam at the start of every episode!! Love it!

[@dickjonesify]

Love the video, as usual. Great suggestions. The intro jam was just 👏🏼😭🙌🏼

[@agentmirv]

I got so many ideas from this episode! I can't believe how I've overlooked using tremolo.

Awesome, loved this one!

[@adamandvanessawilson2654]

Been waiting for this episode forever! Thank you so much!

[@MatthewJBell]

One quick thing for improving your rhythm playing: listen to Kirk Fletcher. And do what he does.

[@GazMoz78]

right on

[@ekimmikeb]

Amazing amazing amazing episode! This has been my favorite in years!! Also, modulation example had Brand New written all over it 😂 love it!!

[@periloustemple8290]

What a great jam to start the morning! That's great.

[@fernandocastro6279]

Last tip is amazing. Great show

[@chrisbrindle6298]

LOVED this lesson!

[@andrebrito3816]

Yes please keep going with the backing tracks! Indeed it does help to get the different sounds, from every new pedal you are presenting, into some context

[@dantucker7390]

I was going to ask you to do a video about this and tonight discovered it already exists. Well done guys.

[@nickfit3]

This show is the only thing worth being up this early for. Thanks for being my Kickstart in the morning jents!

[@erickg0569]

Sweet intro to this episode. Very fitting to the topic! You guys should do more of this kind of thing.

[@trollstjerne]

Great playing and tones. Sounds like a ton of fun!