How to Be a Good Rhythm Guitarist

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Sound Tools Used in This Vid:
Fender CIJ Tele '52 Reissue
Custom Pickups tombrantleyrewi...
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Carr Bel Ray Amp www.carramps.c...
Rode NTR active ribbon mic sweetwater.sjv...
Valhalla Vintage Verb valhalladsp.com/

[@bobxoneill]

So sad that folks are thinking they aren’t skilled enough to jam with others. One of the best memories I have is how I met my best friend from high school. He lived a block away and he overheard me (the new kid) sharing that guitar was my hobby. I sucked; He sucked. Neither of us could play a single song and we had no amps but we figured out how to get sound out of stereo speakers while we were plugged in. Our early recordings from 1983 are so funny. Out of tune; not playing in any one key etc. But we grew together and learned so much. We are still friends in our 50s and we both still play guitar

[@paleopasha]

I recently started playing with a couple friends after playing solo for a couple years since I started in my bedroom during covid and didn’t have a drive to change that. It’s been so fun to just share music even if none of us are crazy musicians and it’s changed how I think about every song and part I learn.

[@miller_6700]

Haha you should post those demos :)

[@RobBob555]

You sound like a couple of bum chums 😑

[@DeKevers]

You both sucked 😳

[@joleaneshmoleane8358]

That’s so cool. Love it!

[@kimgarcia1268]

He's like the Bob Ross of music

[@chuckcunningham8618]

Happy accidents

[@jonathanolmstead6177]

Great compliment. It's the brush clean that ruins his instruments

[@NaixGamingb2]

Lmao he look like bob 😂

[@icke2k9]

Gotta be the haircut!

[@davidwarren5785]

I really wish someone told me early on I didn't have to play all six strings all the time.

[@blonk333]

Preach. I joined a group to jam the other day, that already had a couple guitars....and they thought I was a magician because I hardly played anything and never strummed all six. Mostly just ambient single notes sprinkled about. Less is more. Serve the song.

[@MrKevbo82]

I agree, but also finding that out on your own often shapes your unique personality on the guitar too. For me it’s been really fun through the years listening to someone else talk about what they do and realizing you do the same thing and don’t even know it!

[@afrocoolio25]

I think I learned more from Ronnie Wood and Izzy Stradlin than any other guitarist. Less is more.

[@Dnell-tb1yd]

@@afrocoolio25check out Bill Frisell an absolute master of minimalist guitar

[@sparkyguitar0058]

​@@alamogiftshop Yes there are. When you suck or really don't know the song get your air guitar. Or barely strum or pick.

[@XLBiker13]

Eric Haugen is a master class in dynamics. He can make the simplest playing sound so beautiful. Great touch and a great right hand.

[@shayh.3556]

Some might say simple playing is the best

[@kennethcrandall5951]

Yep less is more

[@ccaissie113]

The left hand is WHAT YOU KNOW The right hand is WHO YOU ARE

[@el0blaino]

I was that way about playing with others - I hung back thinking I wasn't yet "qualified" to do anything ... and never developed. Came back home after college and my buddy, whom I taught a song to before I left ("Psycho Killer"!), had STARTED A BAND and WAS WRITING HIS OWN MUSIC. He remembered me as the teacher so invited me to play with them, so I showed up with my barre chords and cowboy chords and ten little songs I'd worked out, and it was SO GOOD. They didn't know those songs, they taught me theirs, I was inspired to start writing - I grew more in the first four months playing with them than I had grown in the previous four years! And you kept me alive with your SWEET FLOWING LIES!

[@swo8on]

Yeah that’s what happens when you learn “beginner” songs. Learning songs isn’t the bad part it’s just that if you keep learning song in a certain tempo/ rhythm and playing style it does get boring and you don’t progress. And I know not everyone might like it but that why you shouldn’t stick to just one genre. Listen to jazz, classical, metal, funk/ R&B soul, snyth pop. Don’t even listen to music that guitar focused. Just don’t listen to country music fr that shit is so ass

[@Mikestheking]

I totally agree playing in a band with some guys will really help you focus on your chops And you will play things you never thought you could play. I encourage everyone here too join a band if you don't think you're good enough you will get good you'll improve this time goes on playing in the band is the way to go.

[@xchino0427]

​@@swo8on lmao some country songs go hard tho

[@ketz_165]

@@swo8onyour reply had nothing to do with his comment 😂

[@HomedogNik]

1:36 Clean Chords 4:16 Deep Feel 8:30 Picking Accuracy 12:00 Have Good Tone 15:17 Be a Good Hang

[@NumberOneBlackGuy]

Real MVP

[@billv6832]

I like the topic being a good hang. It's so true when some guitarists get pretty good ie leads or rythymn playing, sometimes their ego kicks in or oversteps - too loud or to be on the lead channel mostly through the song, puts in extra noodling or too much on the song & extended endings that usually doesn't fit or sounds real good etc. That's one of the main issues & besides musical indifference(s) that may break up a band (or they can fire his ass lol)

[@billv6832]

Good tone via proper guitar setup and selection of a brand that fits the genre, and a good clean amp of course to start. Tele's are a good clean & rock guitar too

[@Joeypompello]

17:28 How ‘bout no?

[@PatrickPM8]

The actual best teacher in guitar. These videos feel like an real 1 on 1 lesson

[@willlycos5781]

I agree. Most youtubers feel like they're just talking at a camera. But not this guy. It's refreshing.

[@skyshark445]

I agree.

[@martinmitrik4987]

For real tho

[@lostlatinlover]

I have a BS in Chemical Engineering but I’ve loved music my entire life. I’ve played guitar since my Dad bought me a 3/4 sized guitar at age 12. One of my sweetest college (1970s) memories was playing in group of other nerds. We had guitars, mandolin and banjo. We played lots of Loggins and Messina and Seals and Croft. Playing, eating pizza, drinking beer and flirting with our girlfriends was the best.

[@ericrudd]

Don’t let Mr. Haugen’s calm demeanor fool you. He is one of the best guitar teachers and players on KZbin. “Be A Good Hang”. As a (retired) recording engineer for 20+ years, I’ve taught this idea to my four kids as they prepared to go out into the world. Working on sessions 10,12,15 hours a day, nobody wanted to be around someone who is a jerk or is constantly stressed out. ESPECIALLY in a creative endeavor. Finally, Eric’s sense of pocket and clean playing is top notch. Another thing that goes overlooked…Eric has a large repertoire of songs in his head. That is a huge resource for playing and teaching. I’m a huge fan!!!

[@pauldecamp4762]

A huge repertoire and he chooses tunes that players usually like and listen to but are not the obvious choices for making a KZbin video. great taste!

[@danielaloi8062]

I'm impressed!

[@joekt22]

I would add one thing as a major plus ... as a rhythm guitarist for over 40 years, you are an extension and compliment to the drummer. I also play drums and feel the two are the tightest bound instruments that form the base and timing of a song. Liken yourself to being a metronome and sync to the drummer for immediate improvement when jamming with other musicians. Just my humble observance of 46 years. Most important thing to do is HAVE FUN! Cheers!

[@marioberacko22]

along with bass guitarist

[@el42]

Good, good stuff, Eric. “Be a Good Hang,” yes? YES. Don’t hog all the turnarounds. BE ON TIME (and ALWAYS show up). PRACTICE your part BEFORE the rehearsal. When I was a young player, I was told that all this is called “musicianship.” Most, most critical. Without it, you’ll never get anywhere. (I’m a big NEW fan of Mr. Haugen’s.)

[@joellebrodeur1015]

I have been playing rhythm since late '91. Could never get along with scales and it bored me to tears, so I consoled myself that lead isn't my thing and just be happy being Lennon-like on Rhythm. He was why I picked up the guitar in the first place. Rhythm got me going on guitar a lot faster. I started writing progressions and rhythm studies just to get better at it and to challenge myself. I'm self-taught, so I'm sitting here watching this video as a check to know that everything I ever learned, I'm doing it right and didn't fuck up😄 Playing rhythm requires a nuanced touch for the right hand. My band leader at practice last month told me I don't play aggressively enough and really beat on my guitar like punk rockers do. For example, use my entire arm to strum up and down. I had to tell him that typically beginners beat the shit out of their guitars. A better player has nuanced feel and play at the wrist for strumming. I'm not beating on my guitar for that. I can achieve the same punk feel without needless fatigue and sloppiness.

[@MrWhiskeytangofoxtro]

I tell young musicians to never miss an opportunity to play with people better than you! Anybody worth learning from won’t mind that you’re inexperienced, and will be happy to help you grow! Love this video and your approach. Thanks, brother! Keep it up! ❤💪🏼

[@halikarnak1862]

Cant get over your tele, it looks cybernetically enhanced

[@misfitstranger]

somebody commented that Eric is the Bob Ross of guitar instructors. I get that, but really, he's the Mr. Rogers of guitar instructors. And I mean that in a very complimentary way. He's so easy to listen to and learn from. Thanks for not trying to be somebody other than who you are, bro. Diggin' all your vids, big time.

[@javierthewish]

"if you dont know what to do in a jam situation, you can just shut up, is ok, you don't have to play" I wish this is more often in the guitar youtube channels instead, go to the jamm session and show to everybody all you can do. Thank you for this video.

[@Brolo214]

Thank you! The art of rhythm playing is so undervalued. Sometimes I find when I’m jamming that I give the lead player a nice bed to lay on. But when it’s my turn to lead, I don’t always get the same love back. A lot of players just don’t know how to support. It’s a shame because some of my favorite memories of playing aren’t when just I ripped off a killer solo. It’s when I felt oneness locking in with everybody else. Rhythm playing ain’t complicated, but it can be magical.

[@christopher-Ssi]

exactly!

[@kxiyi]

You went from giving very good guitar advice to giving very good life advice. You make even the simple stuff sound good too! Lots to learn from you

[@nickchambers3935]

I think we all appreciate the anti-clickbait of telling us at the start exactly what the video will be about

[@2dazetake]

I know exactly what your talking about, I played in a successful cover band as a rhythm guitarists for many years,we strived to play every note, chord and nuance of the songs we covered, they had to be perfect when I stopped gigging I realized I hardly knew anything, just had those cowboys chord's and bar chords down, and played a few simple riffs when needed, took some encouragement to get me to play in a band, because I thought I wasn't good enough, I would practice by playing along to the songs on the radio, figuring out the chords, learning the parts, and just played at home, I'm far from being a good player, but you only can know what you know, playing guitar is a constant learning experience, never under estimate your ability to play in a band,if your following along with the songs on the radio, your in that band at that moment, make your playing count,if you can follow along with every song ,then you can play rhythm guitar.

[@JustinRoseSTL]

If someone would have said to me 10 years ago what you said in the first minute of this video, I would have so much more stage time under my belt now. Thank you.

[@DanielThompson-k8v]

I played rhythm with guys and handled lead and backing vocals until a guy showed up with amazing talent and played rhythm with some feel. What a difference. He told me I had good timing and style also but thought I could use it better if I played base. So I did .We filled out the sound. Your lesson is great and easily understandable. Thank you.

[@garrystubbs4891]

bass*

[@legacysounds1572]

34k views and it’s been published less then 24 hours?! As a fan who has gained so much knowledge from Eric’s lessons over the years, I’m so stoked to see this channel get this kind of deserved recognition. May you be continuously rewarded for the generous knowledge you’ve bestowed upon the universe. 🤘🙏❤🎉

[@skyshark445]

Im amazed someone with his skills is making videos. I know enough to know hes incredibly good. Fantastic. I will watch anything he puts out for us. Big Time Thank You to Eric.

[@dawas15]

I gotta say, this is one of the best guitar-oriented videos I’ve ever seen in my 49 years of life. Lots of lessons and real life situations. Thank you Eric and please, excuse my broken English.

[@dvynal2964]

I needed that “if you know your bar chords and open chords you can play with others “

[@mchalespermanentbrew]

And just when you think you’re done with YT and the usual suspects, along comes a channel like this and inspires you within the first 5 minutes. What a wonderful teacher, full of insight and real world wisdom. 👌😎🎸🙏

[@MrKevbo82]

That’s a beautiful and positive lesson Eric! One thing along these lines I’ve always preached to people just starting to play with others is also how your playing will skyrocket. Playing for an hour with other humans is worth like six hours on your own. And steeping out and playing live somewhere for an hour is worth six of those hours practicing etc etc. it really does elevate the player

[@JRriffin]

Absolutely, the sooner you get into the mix with other players , the sooner you will find your groove.

[@ewanchalmers9498]

"Music is a collaborative event... It's about what's happening in the room." Yeah Eric. Words of truth as always :)

[@belotface]

Ive been playing for 45 years. Early on the one thing I should of focused on was playing in time, great lesson!

[@marshallohio5512]

Retirement 🎉 in surfing the guitar tutorial vids !!! Enjoyed the relaxed presentation of this vid !!! I started my guitar playing career 50 plus years ago with a single pickup Fender Music Master , Sunn Alpha Amp, and a Mel Ray chord book.. Made a very nice living playing rhythm guitar 🎸 !!!! These days , I smile with technology !!!!! 😊 Thanks for your efforts in helping others 🙂

[@nealpike6611]

Pixies are good to learn for both rhythm and lovely sounding solos hey in particular

[@ribbonsofeuphoria5744]

Wow Eric. Your opening line about what it takes to play out with people is the best thing I have heard on KZbin for quite a while. 🙏🏻

[@guildzilla]

I needed this video 20 years ago.

[@aaronjohnson87]

I almost cry every time I see you play that tele. It was the first fender that I ever bought myself (early 2000's japanese 50's reissue with the bigsby) and it was smoooooooth. Had bills in my mid 20's and had to say goodbye. biggest regret of my life!

[@AM2PMReviews]

Eric has nice clean, practical playing. I love it. Everyone usually has super deep theory or crazy solos or focuses on one skill but this is the stuff I wish I had like 20 years ago.

[@danielaloi8062]

just his simple demonstration of a few Neil Young patterns is eye-opening.

[@lolobuggah2670]

I’m glad you think Slash chords are important for everyone to learn. The ones he plays in Paradise City are amazing!

[@lunchboxface]

😂😂

[@andycrowley]

Preach! 🙌 Love your videos dude

[@tangoflank]

I love both your videos! You guys teach us and many thanks!!!!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks so much my brother!

[@TheAkdzyn]

Haha legends talking to each other is awesome!

[@cliodyncycwatch924]

​@@EricHaugenGuitar Hey Eric, spot on advice regarding the strumming (etc) hand. And you know what else learners should be told? That the guitar is a kind of drum. It's a percussion instrument, with the pick/fingers as drumstick(s). With that fact as part of their earliest mental model of what it means to play guitar, the learner is primed to internalize the centrality of so many drumming pertinent elements like timing, dynamics, groove/feel, tremolo technique, endurance, stress/cramp avoidance, and the like, and, that these are foundational, with chords, scales, songs, etc built on top. Anyway, first time viewer here, and you have a terrific teacher's sense.

[@ronvogt4128]

One of the best videos I've seen in a while. More than just a guitar lesson. It's a lesson in life.

[@tommc49]

At 74, I'm still playing the simple stuff with other oldsters, and it's still fun. That Carr amp sounds glorious. If I was still buying stuff I'd get one (but I'm not....)

[@0rb0d]

Many years ago on Austin City Limits, Michelle Shocked said "music is too important to be left to the professionals".

[@nickdrey1200]

Eric, brother, you are, without a shadow of a doubt, on the Rushmore of KZbin guitar instructors. Absolutely top notch knowledge, playing, teaching and production. Many thanks and much love. Peace brother

[@stanallen1072]

And eat pizza. Lol

[@pgkramer]

Playing for 40 years now this is the best guitar video I have ever seen.!

[@traviswaynedoyle]

Sir, I do believe you might be the Bob Ross of guitar learning. Cheers.

[@r0bophonic]

What a master class this is. I had the good fortune of forming a band with a group of novices at similar ability level when I was young. Playing music with friends really is the most fun and the best way to learn. Wish I’d had a teacher like Eric to guide me though!

[@nicklawrence1460]

This lesson made me realize that rhythm parts should be played with as much intention as solo lines. I often get lazy on my rhythm parts and think "close enough" if I don't strum/mute the right strings or on the right beats. Thanks for the great video!

[@asafoetidajones8181]

No clean tone, tyvm. I need my many sins well-hidden

[@johnfrei9057]

I love what you said at the beginning of this video because that’s pretty much where I am as a guitarist and I was starting to think the same thing but this confirms it that I’m good enough and I need to be playing with other musicians.

[@aaronkessman7832]

"playing slow makes it more deliberate and intense" - totally! I learned that great lesson from Low :)

[@Mikey-wg2xu]

I keep coming back to this one. Me and a couple of guys started a music club so we have players of all levels. This video is so perfect because it touches on the humanity of playing with others which for me and a lot of the other people is a new experience. After a year and a half we played several gigs in our retirement community in front of some pretty large crowds…like 200 or so. I’ve learned a lot of stuff in a short amount of time. Learning to not play or not sing sometimes is so important to the sound. It’s about the song, not you. Learning that sometimes a well timed strum or stab is way better than flailing away. Staying in time is the number one rule for everyone…Musical collaboration is the coolest thing on the planet. Musical collaboration can be work. And yes everyone is good enough if they learn the basics. Practice. Be prepared. Smile a lot. Play with feeling. Sing with feeling. If you make a mistake move on nobody really cares. Be kind to yourself and others. Eric, love your work. It’s good and important to us all. ❤

[@jee86]

Eric - great reminder to anyone that needs to hear it that if you can play your chords, you're good enough to jam with other people and partake in the gift of playing music. Thanks!

[@bikeham]

The right (strumming) hand is soooo underrated. Thanks for the morning’s dose of zen calm and great tips.

[@andrewlupton2120]

Great video. Appreciate the work that goes into making these. This one reminds me of a Keith Richards interview I saw during which he said something to the effect of: "Everybody learning guitar forgets about the right hand, they focus on the left." He talked about a guitar part being a story that requies both hands to tell, left and right. I've heard other playing say that focusing on right hand technique will have a more immediate impact on improving your playing than learning how to do gymnastics with the left. Interesting ideas to think about.

[@bobzbuilder5]

I think this is the fastest I’ve subbed to a channel. Took me till 1:45. Clear, concise and having fun. Look forward to learning from you.

[@whattube7538]

So many guitarists need to hear this

[@juankartxui]

Well Eric, JK here from the Basque Country. Just a quick word to thank you for your endless generosity and your very valuable work. I have bought a few of your courses and follow your youtube page. I can say I have learnt to understand guitar with you. Even for those not have English as our native lenguaje, It´s easy to follow you. Your verbal cadence , relaxed and encouraging, is gold for people like me. Just wanted to say that. If you eve come over this side of the world you have beer and nice food waiting for you if you feel like it. Cheers! JK

[@WoweeZoweee]

Number 6 for rhythm guitar. Have about 8 guitars and 9 amps to get different sounds :) love your lessons Eric

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Hehehehehe if I just had one more…..

[@silverhandle]

Honey, I promise it’s necessary.

[@WoweeZoweee]

@@silverhandle Sweetie, this boutique is going to greatly improve our lives, it’s the tone we’ve been searching for.

[@livergen]

Thank you Eric, just now stumbled across your channel and felt as if I had entered a time machine back into my beginning days. I am now 70 years old ((( 😎unsupervised adult😎))) , And quietly/push the limits,, enjoying all my guitar toys, twin reverb-deluxe reverb-Vox-Fishman,, a stereo pedal board specifically built for tone Of yesteryear. I currently have everything hooked up stereo, and it's definitely a bone-marrow stimulative experience when I dig-in.... I treat every string as an individual voice, and love to massage each note allowing it to linger, anyway, stay blessed and be safe, I obviously subscribed and look forward To researching out your past postings for gold nuggets.

[@metalfuryskulls]

Great lesson. That Emaj9 sent me on a rabbit hole of chord construction because I couldn't understand why the 7th was there. Understand now the difference between Emaj9 and Eadd9 👍

[@m3llowrush]

man that stuff about being a good hang is such a good message for musicians

[@ldf399]

You're an inspiring teacher and a good dude. Thank you for what you do.

[@cubistone]

That amp crunches so nice. Gas reignited

[@msenecal]

"Be a good hang" This is a great rule for life. I first heard it from the KZbin bass player Adam Neely.

[@yinoveryang4246]

Personally I think this guy is one of the best tutors on KZbin. Because he actually understands that ultimately it's about playing MUSIC. And being musical. I have a theory that people who basically don't have the talent, end up compensating with just learning to play "shredding", or incredibly fast with tons of compression see you can't hear any of dynamics, that they don't have. Sport not music.. Eric is a great PLAYER also, and this is easy to hear as soon as you hear the first few notes

[@GregFerraraMusic]

Eric, just wanted to send some encouragement your way. Thanks for being so encouraging and authentic with us. Your style is second to none. Cheers!

[@Mahalati]

I really like how you express yourself and your philosophy. The way how you play and enjoy playing rhythm guitar is very exemplary and admirable. 🤘🏽😊

[@Liz-iu5lx]

You’ve been really saving my life man, thank you so much ❤ greetings from Brazil! 🇧🇷

[@MrMajorBusiness]

I’m going to harp on the subject of the importance of what’s going on in the room this year as a music teacher. It’s a great pivot for emotional social development. Thank you so much!

[@tastedup]

Hey Eric, I've been playing guitar for 40+ years and should be a damn sight better than I am, so I started looking for tutorials to get me out of my rut. I ran across your channel and inside of about 2 hours, I picked up more tips than I have in years. I really appreciate your style of playing and teaching, and in fact I signed up for a year of TrueFire (happy customer, not shilling!) just so I could get more of your content. Keep on doing what you're doing, because it's good shit!

[@The4Decker]

Thank you for the encouragement for those of us who are not the expert players to get out there and enjoy what we love doing!

[@lucianoponzano]

Another amazing video Eric! Speaking about rhythm guitar in these times of so much show off in social media is so much needed. By the way, what a tone those gold foil pickups deliver! Loved your sound on that guitar!

[@KyleBurnett]

im the guy in the band that helps the others dig into these simple forms. It's a joy to see the friends you know who play music improve by just simple tactics, and it all comes as "hey lets try this", and great things happen. Great showcase of nice patterns, and I'll be taking some of these to my next jam session :D

[@jaredwolfsen]

Such a great lesson! You are the master! Only thing I would add is that to be a good rhythm guitarist, you need one more thing: to listen. So many players forget to listen to the rest of the band and that's SO important.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yeah! The ears are the most important thing!

[@Kamikaze3557]

New sub. At 67 and playing off n on sense 17 and never with the intention of being good, let alone "good enough" just playing for personal enjoyment with the main intent of writing songs, well I’m still not "good enough" but have written songs I’m happy with and being autistic that’s saying something. I find your approach of teaching rhythm guitar and your insight so helpful and relaxing, your not tense and loose playing is a major key to rhythm playing , the main reason I can’t play lead guitar, never could get over that nervous hump., and remember I’m playing alone in my music room. When I tense up with my autism my brain shuts down, goes completely blank, then on the other hand when I have got a song down (we’ll for me at least) and I’m not in to it or whatever other reason at the moment my mind wonders uncontrollably. I do with I could have gotten or figured out a way to play in a band and not be so stressed that it would not be fun, a chore….but , to late for me . but I can see your teaching others to be more self confident (through practice) and get out there and enjoy the music.

[@davidhollander829]

Such a great vibe here. Love it. And so cool to see you play that Gimme Shelter riff so effortlessly in two tunings!

[@Mr.D34]

This is one of the best guitar lessons that i've had. I usually have a very hard time learning and practicing in a disciplined way, i get bored immediately. When i started to learn to play the guitar i never followed the traditional way. I learned everything by ear and mostly by watching and practicing what i see. Yet despite all that i've watched and practiced this a couple of times already. THANKS A LOT! Now, i gotta watch the rest of your stuff as i'm new to your channel 😀

[@asafoetidajones8181]

No discipline here either. 30 years of rushing, ignoring fundamentals, and failing to grasp the bigger picture. Probably should have used a metronome more than once a year. I like my music, finally, and I think my songs are interesting, but I still don't really know how to play music with others proficiently, just a rabid raccoon doing my own thing.

[@tmb2226]

Your guitar playing is awesome and inspiring and you are a GREAT teacher. I am happy I found your channel.

[@jameslockhart2223]

The man always has killer tone and the right feel.

[@brucemillar]

Fantastic lesson Eric. And such positive and encouraging words so well said. The story about what you played vs what you don’t cracked me up. Enjoy your videos and Patreon lessons immensely. Thank you.

[@JasonWilliams-nm4qq]

I wish I had access to you as a guitar teacher, 30 years ago. I'd be much less self-conscious about my playing and just playing with others in general. Thanks for keeping this channel going!

[@exgruntr031]

Man you nailed it !!! Rhythm guitar is so under rated . I love playing rhythm , laying down the groove, Keith Richards style. I've just subscribed to your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@sbingham1979]

I really like your approach to these things, and I think it is because I am not feeling overwhelmed, so much as I am feeling invited to focus on some basics first off, and master these basics, and not get so distracted with a million other aspects of guitar playing. All I need is to play this lesson and learn these chords and strumming and some melodic picking. Just these things for awhile. Thank you so much for this.

[@BostonWhoFan515]

Wow, man, you look like Richard Dreyfus (aka Matt Hooper) in JAWS. Outfit and all. When he's not slaying massive Great Whites, he's slaying the six string! I love your channel, your approach, your playing, your tone... etc. I've been playing for quite a while, and I hit ruts where things just feel boring for a while, and then I'll snap out of it eventually. You seem to find the fun in everything and anything and share it with your viewers. I had to grab my guitar, unplugged, rewind the vid a few times, and play that Cinnamon Girl lick because I'd been playing it differently for the past two decades, lol. The wood on that Daniel Fields fretboard looks gorgeous. Those gold foils sound great in D. 👍

[@rockinrob6853]

As a Guitar Instructor I can say your video is SPOT ON! I am sure your lessons are GREAT! ✌️😎🎸🇨🇦

[@alanwallace2564]

Brilliant video Eric - Possibly the best and most informative, balanced lesson I have ever seen - You captured it all in one lesson - Thank you

[@slackleashdogtraining3598]

The years have ravaged us!! But in high school we had a walk home; done right in my world this came with a detour to what would become the garage for our future garage band. In the time after we got home and BEFORE! His dad came home, we would play vinyl and lift the needle and play again that one part of a Beetles song that we were trying to figure out. Then out to the garage to plug in and listen to ourselves trying to replicate the magic we heard. Trying to replicate every aspect of our inspirations. These sessions could end with volume inflation on amplifiers to the point of being reported to parents arriving home. Not all days had happy endings; which is why you have to love what you do, love it so much you do it for no money and even when the moment is a bad memory about to be made.

[@oklahomahank2378]

I have been learning a lot of swing and Bacharach lately and really have had to learn some new chords. Lots of major 7s and diminished chords. I didn’t even know what a diminished chord was until recently. The time consuming thing is figuring out when give up trying to play an open chord and just going to a bar chord. I love Eb, for example, suits my voice, but that is one hard key on open chords.

[@bigbas278]

try tuning your guitar a half step down and then it’ll be like playing in e

[@michaelheinz3954]

"We sound good today..."...I thought so from the first note, absolutely stunning tone from that Tele into the Carr. Thank you for the heads-up about calming the pickups via compressor, great advice!

[@MixedMuscleArts]

If I try to play relaxed the pick just wanders or rotates out of my grip. This is the most frustrating thing for me as a beginner.

[@sjgsteve21]

Trying playing with a few different pick sizes and types. Some come with texture for the thumb to grip onto

[@innavoiglopez]

Get the Dunlop picks with grip No. 60

[@robnagelhoutmusic]

Another useful tip is to examine your pick grip. When I first started playing with a pick (I’m primarily a bass player so I didn’t start playing with a pick right away) I was digging my thumb down into the pick causing me to have way more tension in my hand than I needed. I then switched to handling the pick with the flat side of my thumb instead (so my thumb was essentially parallel with the edge of the pick) and this allowed me to have a looser grip than n the pick without losing control. Hope that helps!

[@user-lp7tx1fe6t]

What helped for me was trying a longer pick, it really helped me to play more “floaty” and relaxed

[@MrAdrienmartinez]

I watched four minutes and just started learning "What's Going" by Marvin Gaye because I was inspired by this video. I just paused the video to learn chord forms. Beautiful chord progression. Thank you Eric for the inspiration.

[@reidhowland]

Thank you for your opening on this one, Eric. I was in my first band six months after I picked up a guitar - writing songs, making records, and traveling, with open chords, barre chords, and a few 80's-indie-Pete Buck/Johnny Marr inspired fiddly bits. I rode that handful of things through several more bands, records, tours, blah blah blah. I only started wanting to branch out a bit more in my late thirties - it's rocknroll, people, if a yutz like me got over twenty years of music out of that, you can, too!!

[@dreamscuba]

Great message and a solid video. I love rhythm guitar. It was not always this way. When I started playing guitar at 15, I wasn’t really interested in rhythm guitar. I still learned chords etc. I also knew nothing about tone. Then I stopped playing for a long time. When I picked up a guitar 16 years ago, I had a very different mindset - I found I loved rhythm guitar (especially tight rock rhythm) and I had a quest for tone with the passion of those seeking the holy grail. Thanks again

[@briangardner5905]

Eric, so refreshing to watch a video by someone who has the same philosophy that I do. My background is I started as a drummer in 1969, played drums for many years. Then I ended up in a quasi - Crosby, Stills and Nash original band. As the only one with enough money to purchase the 12-string we needed, when the band broke up in the mid 1970's, of course the guitar was given back to me and I started fooling around with the guitar and kept playing through the 70's 80's and to today. Fell in love with songwriting. Have written nearly 50 songs. I work with the family printing business and am a Classic VW Artist, but still love playing, so I organized an acoustic jam at my house. Great people have become members of what we loosely call the "Sunday Gang". Not all are virtuoso's. A lead guitarist who wanted to join us found himself in a working band and now cannot join us, so I am simply going to step "up to the plate" and learn to play lead. So glad I found you as I also want to continue to work on being a very good rhythm guitar player. I have a Ibanez Jumbo acoustic that can be plugged in; a beautiful sounding Yamaha FG800, that I want to get a mike added to; a Washburn 12-string acoustic; a Yamaha Pacifica; a no-name archtop electric that looks like a Gretsch; a Squier Thinline Telecaster and (just purchased) one of the Amazon exclusive Fender Stratocasters. I have an acoustic Berringer amp and a Carvin 100. I do not think either would produce anywhere near the beautiful sound you shared. The Sunday jam is acoustic and I will be playing an acoustic and doing percussion, but also want to play my electrics, at low volume, but need to be able to get a bit of overdrive and don't really want to go the pedal route. Unless you convince me otherwise! What affordable amp could I get that would be good for an acoustic jam where one wants to play an electric at lower volume, but still have a nice sound for leads? Also have a classic Yamaha amp - two 15's that is so heavy, it won't be moved until I move! At 72, I am in good health and am positive about my continuing to play. Look forward to your response - sorry message so [e-mail] - Las Vegas

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

I recommend a small tube amp by either Vox or Supro: sweetwater.sjv.io/XYbyA4 You may still need an overdrive pedal (I like the Greer Lightspeed), but your base tone will be very rich and full. I don't like modelers or digital amps very much.

[@briangardner5905]

@@EricHaugenGuitar I don't need a bass amp I need an amp for my electric guitars and (perhaps wrongly) I am concerned about getting even a small tube amp - never have had one - aren't replacement tubs a hassle? Are there no small amps that, for the acoustic jam I host, I could get some distortion at low volume without having to use a pedal or stomp box or a tube amp? Very interested in your response. Love, love, love the sound you present of your electric guitars - how do you get that great sound, besides being a good guitarist!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Aha - tubes are like light bulbs, sometimes they go out - it's not the biggest deal to change them out. But, if you wanted to go the solid-state/modeler route, the Fender Tonemaster series are really good sweetwater.sjv.io/PyXjPe

[@briangardner5905]

@@EricHaugenGuitar Thanks so much! Plan to keep reviewing your videos as I get more and more into playing lead and increase my skills as a rhythm guitarist - singer-songwriter. THANK YOU!

[@briangardner5905]

@@EricHaugenGuitar For me and just playing in the Sunday Jam I have organized, i.e. making no money from music at this time, with no extra time or plans to play live anytime soon, I checked on the Fender Tonemaster line of amps, the least expensive being $499 - too expensive for my needs at this time. So, I am back to considering a small, not for stage, tube amp coming in at a price at $200 or less, if there is such a thing in today's world. And while speaking about tube amps, playing it just a few times a week, what is the "usual" life expectancy of tubes and are they pretty much as easy as replace as a light in a lamp socket and what is their general cost per bulb. Totally appreciate any feedback on these questions you can provide. I do like Fender amps - any in the price range mentioned above that have overdrive capabilities? Thanks for your time!

[@alanoneill3503]

Thanks Eric a great simplistic breakdown, and in my humble opinion, what every aspiring guitarist should learn before embarking on solo's..

[@theJourneynfc]

"this is music youre allowed to.." awesome. Love the video. Thanks

[@dustdevilz4771]

Really a great lesson on a topic rarely talked about or taught. Most teachers seem to focus on lead because that’s what most people want to learn, but good rhythm skills are essential. Funny point you made about your early days having to skip chords you didn’t know at the time.

[@chadromney]

Some really good advice here. I think one of the most helpful things I did when I was younger was play with a friend who was a better guitarist than me but not showy or anything (i.e. "a good hang") and we'd play Cortez by Neil Young, just trade off lead and rhythm, and really listen to each other's playing. We'd give some feedback but mostly just played, listened, and played (though I'll never forget when he told me one of my solos was "really good"-high praise from him.) Soon after I put my guitar in the closet for about fifteen years, and that friend lives in a different state, so now I'm trying to find someone similar to play with (and the time to do it). It's really IMO the best way to improve, and also the best way to realize you might be a better player than you think you are if you only play alone.

[@dvynal2964]

I’ve only been playing for a bit over a year, 5 mins into the video this is one of the best lessons ive seen

[@randykollins7074]

Great approach. Thanks for pointing out the different tunings so people understand the sound that guitar is providing

[@johnscott3795]

Yay a rhythm guitar tutorial ❤ I’ve been a rhythm guitarist for decades with some licks Fun and there are lead guitarists that love the rhythm styles I play that they don’t have the feel for …thanks man great tips too xx

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Throughout the decade, I've played with many great lead guitarists, but very few truly excellent, rhythm players. Everyone wants to be the front man, on guitar. My hats off to you, sir. You're doing a great thing here;)

[@simonwilliams7608]

Some great advice here, and I really enjoy the honest and down-to-Earth way you present it. Thanks.