Improve Your Sense of Rhythm on Guitar

Here's another video in my "Sensei Series", today we're going to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of musicality, rhythm. If you subscribed to watch whacky music videos, FEAR NOT! These videos will not be replacing those but are something I can put out while I work on the next big thing.
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Links to each tip
1. Practice with a metronome 1:29
2. Record yourself 4:59
3. Play with musicians who have good time 5:59
4. Move your body to the music 7:08
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/ samuraiguit
Instagram @samuraiguitarist
Snapchat @samuraiguit
[e-mail]
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Guitarist/Songwriter/Samurai
Born in the Manitoba prefecture of Canada, samuraiguitarist, Steve-san Onotera, honed his discipline under the study of the country's most powerful musical sensei.
Bred on rock, raised on the blues, trained in jazz, samuraiguitarist creates incredibly innovative videos that showcase his talents on the guitar.
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Music by www.bensound.com

[@azharsofjan9181]

That intro was 12/10

[@Zenonbuster]

BIG DOCK ENERGY

[@Michael-bt6ht]

Close...but not quite...

[@fx5298]

I was specting Little Wing

[@millionairesplendor2751]

@@fx5298 right that was literally little wint

[@BitchIwasBorn]

This can be reduced to 6/5

[@trenthogan4212]

I cannot stress enough the importance of this video lesson. I push rhythm over lead to all of my students not just because it is critical to becoming a great guitarist BUT it will help your leads more than anything else. Great video Sensei. Just subbed you.

[@josequiles7]

'the less i know the better' has the most insanely catchy bassline

[@bwebb90]

kiles7 literally about to say that, it's a great song

[@weabooslayer7007]

and what this have to do with the video ?

[@jarse1991]

Hey dude, Here's another tip to exercise rythm that I like to use. It's vey easy, just try jamming on a groove by only using 1 or 2 notes, that way you're not distracted by the melody and you can really focus on the rythm you're using with these two notes :) Love your video's man, keep it up!

[@psteeg3551]

Tip #4 so headbanging and airdrumming is useful after all!

[@AnkothOfficial]

I'm pretty sure that's what dancing and head banging is used for. Keeping time to the music, and being in sync. When you do a dance, such as head banging, you are in sync with the piece in question. I head bang to the beat when I play keyboard, and it works better for me than tapping my foot, which gives me twitches and pins and needles. If you want to see headbanging work, check out Slayer's Repentless video. Kerry King (the lead guitarist) is literally grooving, and banging his head with the song (very fast since it's a fast song). With headbanging, your essentially acknowledges the beat with the swing of your head, and it can also help count off beats as well (1 and 2 and etc.) If you headbang faster.

[@arkocal1611]

A really nice exercise is to set the metronome to 40BPM when playing a 120BPM 4/4 song, so that only the first beat matches. It is quite difficult at the beginning but really gets you out of your comfort zone.

[@nikhillrao3799]

That would be 30bpm no?

[@arkocal1611]

@@nikhillrao3799 Right, of course! My bad.

[@martinfanatic532]

Wow switching up the metronome pattern while I practice is pretty difficult, but I think it's really helping me nail down my rhythm. My thanks dude

[@cosminvarga5349]

Love your tips! They are on the same line with my philosophy when it comes to music. Thank you for reassuring me that the way I do things is a good way to become a good musician.

[@haf816r]

I've never even considered this before but I'm convinced, Samurai Guitarist IS Sensei!!! MUST WATCH! 1+Sub!

[@samuraiguitarist]

I'm going to go with Budos Band "Aynotchesch Yererfu", good lord I forgot how good these guys are

[@ZeVi13]

Hey, I know this is kinda offtopic but what other songs would you recommend which have a similar groove to this one? This song is insanely good and fun to play and I'm looking for similar stuff. Thanks in advance.

[@Lukamar15]

Holy moly, yes.

[@NateShredwards]

Your videos are top notch man. It's refreshing to hear a new perspective on how to approach these things. You have a very unique view and that's rad!

[@schmixes4891]

Tip for metronomes. Instead of trying to divide or subdivide in your head, multiply the BPM by the ratio of that note compared to a quarter note. (So eight to quarter would be 2:1) I feel it makes it easier to feel it.

[@badalicemusic]

Kudos for the acknowledgment of female guitarists who watch (and enjoy!) your channel Sam. We ARE out here!😊🎸👌

[@NicolasGiovaniBusanello]

Waiting for a Sempai Series. I hope my comment gets noticed~

[@samuraiguitarist]

+Nicolas Giovani Busanello hahaha, your comment has been noticed

[@ikename149]

Aronax GT It's "written" not "wrote".

[@davidhollowelljr949]

Nicolas Busanello dead af

[@hiro6406]

Aronax GT sempai is also correct because its actually pronounced as it

[@ArnoldsKtm]

@Aronax whoosh

[@dgmg1578]

I love it! As 22 yr professional percussionist I am on my 1st yr guitar and realized training and rudiments are very applicable.

[@philippepaquet1041]

It is so true. I think that what makes a good or a band band is how well the musicians lock together.

[@GuillermoSmyser]

Dude, you're awesome. Well done. I'm about to go check out your other videos.

[@komobabo]

Love this series! You're a good teacher, because you use practical advice. As for next techniques, I'd vote for a typical styles of playing the guitar. Such as using both hands to make shapes, tapping, inverting hands, crazy things like that. As for the groovy song, I have to go with "Mas" by Black Guayaba. Really nice rock track. With a lot of feeling.

[@dianehurn6654]

Fantastic!! You, my man, are just what I was looking for. Greatly appreciate your expertise!

[@julessanchez9216]

Great video, very helpful ! I have been playing about a year and half, so I need all the help I can, beside being 65, I practice just about every day, at times I felt like quitting but I never gave in. So thanks again for the info !

[@obi-wankenobi8878]

Teaching was great. Knowledge was great. Intro was overdramatic. Perfection

[@telesandstrats3297]

Thanks for the video! I finally understand why practicing with a metronome is important!

[@wilhelm.reeves]

This channel definitely needs more subscribers. Keep up the good work!

[@deelock7741]

Your sense of humor has me learning and laughing at the same time. I’m sold.

[@bengabriel2872]

Thanks for making such great videos. I first saw one of them on Ultimate Guitar. Most guitar videos don't offer much in term of improving musicianship. Yours all do. Great job. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@dalleyrick]

I would've given this two thumbs up if it were available - this is my weakest area, and this helped.

[@YanivZukerman]

A very acurate video, I can say from my own expierience this is some good advice. Well done, the metronome part was especially great.

[@jason989989]

Awesome. Thanks for that. Loving your tutorials.

[@NinjaCentral313]

you tricked us with the 4th one, your background music already had me grooving, solid advice!

[@a-lonley-box3657]

'walking contradiction' has such a catchy chorus, I can't help but move with the vocals! This video was insanely helpful. Thanks so much, its really appreciated!

[@djmorales4196]

You rock dude! I've also been rocky on my rhythms but this helped a lot. Thanks!

[@zainal8787]

Awesome senses!👏😁 Thanks for this video.#Love it

[@MrPorter7]

Great topic. When I use to teach I urged my students to get a cheap drum machine. I'm sure not all will agree, but I think even a cheap drum machine is more inspiring than the tick of a metronome. It makes a new student "feel" like they making music quicker. IMHO. Thanks for the vids, really good.

[@cmaddox1020]

ありがとう先生！Thanks for tips on this most basic aspect of playing music. Over the last year I got into the bad habit of not having a time keeper during my practice sessions and it showed in a few bars when I sat in during a recent gig in Tokyo.

[@OfficialFields]

One of the best lesson videos man. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@2biasMotion]

You cover very interesting stuff in your videos. Straight to the point and very informative. Keep it up.

[@Jesse-fd5bv]

Really liked the bit about stepping out of your comfort zone, kinda genius. Thanks man.

[@NicholasWiedenfeld]

Love your videos and insight on guitar!!

[@ThijsLammerse]

Really great tips man. I really like your channel.

[@Kobepwns921]

This is the most helpful video on rhythm I have ever seen thanks bromigo

[@sunepedersen8537]

i love that little wing riff

[@cryptoslacker-464]

Thanks . I was tapping along to the background music. Feeling that groove lol

[@eggshell520]

This video was very useful! thankyou now i have more appreciation for the use of metronomes

[@sloth6952]

My new favorite youtube musician........Verry nice explained,thank you sensei :D

[@johnroberts838]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@standicarlo8334]

Great video-thanks! Good especially for beginners. Also good for other players like me who have played lead licks mostly and sense that something important is missing and that it all just sounds too "off."

[@jdavid1006]

It's a classic but Ray Charles' I Got a Woman has such a great groove, especially the live recordings. I can't help but move a little, no matter where I am, whenever I hear it. Great series, man. Love your channel.

[@chewkieroo123]

being 41 and a musician for the last 20 some odd years this is all true great content i liked and follow and dont forget you can always learn stay humble :)

[@MRAXELGRINDER]

Awesome video, love it man! keep it up

[@brianprinty112]

Great metronome ideas! I'm going to use those exercises with my drumkit too

[@normferguson5209]

dude! Awesome vids!is like a lesson without knowing it. just subbed. Mind blowing AWESOME!!!!!

[@robws1000]

Good lesson..very basic for the most imperative part of playing music..got few students who don't get it..fact that u indicated body movement and feeling it, is great and I'm sending this to a few students...mucho thmx!!

[@KnowledgeIsKey215]

I really need to use a metronome more often, and really work on my foot tapping and ghost strumming. I love your analogy of referring to the strumming hand as a rhythm pendulum that never stops moving, therefore we're not concerned about up and down strums but whether or not we're hitting the strings or not on those movements.

[@andrewturner6453]

Wow! Great practical lesson. Thank you 🙏

[@Kdog123123]

Thanks for this. A great video on timing and how to fix it.

[@LulRan]

2:12 that flip phone tho. I was first introduced to your channel when you posted your Star Wars Medley on r/Guitar. I subscribed immediately, yet completely forgot about your channel after that lol. Really appreciate content like this because I've been playing the guitar off and on for a couple years now, but only recently started getting a bit more serious about it. Hope to see more of your rad content!

[@ElKolovichi]

Thank you for you great lessons, they're very in time for me)

[@stevehartkopf9114]

ElKolovichi PunKing here, I hand my crown to you! 👑

[@maureengrant9077]

I really appreciated this lesson. Thanks ever so much.

[@dr.blauerkraut]

"Move to the music, Tap your foot, shake your shoulders, or nod your head" I prefer and recommend the joe cocker, AKA, absolutely let That beat absorb your very being! I find it works really well for me, even if it does look like your possessed by a demon from time to time

[@Bradovski]

The Sensei series is so helpful. I feel guilty getting such good free tips! Also, a good song to groove out to is foxey lady!!

[@Iamyobrotha]

Thanks man, great suggestions

[@giovannicerva5522]

Nice Hendrix lick to start with. You had my attention immediately.

[@sagecrawford7780]

Good shit man an enjoy the energy

[@CatsCoffeeGuitars]

I have watched a few of your videos but after this one I seriously asked myself ,,why in the hell am I not subbed to this guy?''. Fantastic stuff! ^^ :D

[@hayleyhooper7523]

Thank you this was really helpful.

[@jtiberk4201]

Great advice, Sensei.

[@BharatRajagopalan]

This is great for beginners. I'm glad I was already trained this way.

[@AngusBeefington]

That little wing intro is so memorable

[@xcodychaosx]

Good af I really dig this lesson also love the omnific for a good groove they literally just a rhythm section 2 bass players and a drummer

[@garryallen689]

Thanks for that. I'm trying to 'hear' a beat when playing by myself. I also try to practice songs in my mind while trying to 'inner' hear a beat. I agree with you regarding 'Rhythm as King.' It has only taken me 40 years to figure that out!

[@emurillo256]

nicely done my good samurai. I shall purchase le metronome and begin improving my rhythm as well as my string muting (at the appropriate beats)

[@audrey_bond_]

This was very helpful!

[@mybluesguitar]

GREAT VIDEO! Thanks for the suggestions.

[@bernardbrennan1612]

What is an outstanding lesson.

[@victorcurtis6400]

Great tips thank you! Listening to Donald “Duck” Dunn’s Bass on The Blues Brothers “Sweet Home Chicago” sets my groove goal.

[@Raafiu4]

New to the channel and first imression this guy is so appreciative

[@ray3mondo]

Excellent. Thanks.

[@joerobichaud6241]

Wilson Pickett land of 1000 dances. I always feel that one in my bones bro. Great video I agree whole heartedly, I like your style my man.

[@justsomeguywithoutamustach3rd]

Something that may help is to have a visual metronome. Like in pro tools. It helps me hear what I am playing is right, then see when I am supposed to play.

[@jordansmith2647]

The hook in the reinventing the steel classic, yesterday don't mean sh*t always makes me feel good and groovy

[@KnutRudikle]

Tip: There are free metronome apps for your phone and on some of them you can change the 'click' sound. I find a hi-hat, drum kick, or snare track to be much more fitting for most of my playing.

[@philmikki]

I am now convinced! No more practice without a metronome. Thanks for the video. I am still waiting for the Christmas Canon video, lol.

[@thomasolano86]

For me, One Of These Nights by The Eagles has always been one of the funkiest songs I know. The opening bass line, and the rhythm strums on every other beat at the beginning just get the groove going right from the get-go

[@KrishnaMax666]

I do not understand how you do not have millions of subs :( You´r awesome :D

[@omarsanchez4376]

Way to go! I'm really digging your videos as a guy who can't play a single bar. So, one of the grooviest songs I like is Childhood's end from KISS. And Ich brennende Komet fro Lacrimosa. Thanks.

[@eliodecolli]

Woaaah! What a great video! As for the groovy song that makes me move, I'd say whatever the Chili Peppers throw at me. Oh and I will try those metronome tricks for sure! Subbed.

[@DJakemusicmix]

Hey you made the video! :) Awesome stuff!

[@samuraiguitarist]

+Jakop Kallenbäck Yessir!!!

[@platinumdragon6614]

thanks for the tips

[@edcrutchfield3447]

Thank you 🙏 Helpful 😎

[@DavidBankston]

you are definitely my new favorite youtuber

[@panagiotis8729]

Clutch - D.C. sound attack! that cowbell part is awesome

[@CashDayYoung]

Good stuff. Thank you,

[@voxlvalyx]

My favorite metronome is the click track plugin that's built into Audacity. I tend to use Audacity for recording anyway because it thinks in time, not in beats. Audacity doesn't help you stay on the beat; you have to do it yourself. No quantizing or anything. Plus, I spend most of my free time on my computer, so it's nice to be able to just pick up my guitar and play with a metronome without having to get up or set up anything physical.

[@lipaasid2073]

Ailuri

[@CoDis4fun]

super informative. thank you

[@stefanhennig]

Ahoi! Still anybody here? Not sure if this is a suggestion or a question, but around here, there are several open stage events where you can just walk up a stage and perform. Some want you registering beforehand but at others you can just walk in, wait for an open space and do your stuff. In some cases you will perform in front of any odd walker-by, but some are held by jazz clubs or so and you will be in front of other (mostly amateur) musicians. I am using your videos (among others) to prepare for such a thing as I have witnessed some (in the audience) and was blown away by the helpful and positive attitude at these events.

[@davidkeeth5968]

Cool video I'm new here and enjoying the show I've played multiple instrument's in my effort to push forward and always had a problem with time and still never took the time to slow down and go back to step 1 I know I should but it's hard when u learn to play by just doing it so I use this video as another push to leap forward in my music career thanks

[@marlonbrandoseyes1443]

*Wonders where to buy a metronome* *Realizes it's 2019 and everything is on the play store* 😎

[@gabrielknight5694]

Doomer

[@ianleonard3264]

jUsT sEaRCH ThE bPm oN yOuTuBe

[@imhavingaverygoodtimehere1221]

Finally! I can see California!

[@bikashth8539]

Just use your frickin feat the tap while playing. Lol

[@leonlendo5909]

Very funny. Very helpful. Thanks mate.

[@michaelinglis8516]

Nice little wing opener

[@JagagiMind]

Saw the intro, subscribed:D

[@liltacosoftruth]

Mr. Samurai I can totally see you playing on a vintage Japanese Yamaha SG-5A! I appreciate your channel, thank you Sir