Mastering Rhythm Guitar: How To Create Pro-level Parts!

[@chadgaliano330]

This is like 20 lessons in one. Amazing. I love the washing machine analogy... like an unbalanced load of laundry spinning... it's in rhythm, but constantly falling behind and catching up with the groove. I've caught myself listening to the wash a few times, focusing on that rhythm... like a wah wah wah wah wah wodie.

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks haha!

[@theoversouls]

60 year pro here - Shane you are teaching exactly what players REALLY need to concentrate out. Every video I've seen is spot-on real-world stuff that ANY player can and should use. You think like a team player, like I do. Thank you, sir! Also - I enjoyed your playing on Darryl's House very much.

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks I appreciate you saying so! Help spread the word so i can build the channel!

[@TheRiotguitar]

hey guys thanks for the comments! Be sure to like and share if you don't mind to help me build the channel

[@Virtual-Media]

In San Diego recently seen a guitarist, ripping some complicated melodies dude had talent, everyone was just walking by. as a guitarist, I appreciated his skill and level of complexity, and offered a suggestion that he play something with a little more groove to it. Something catchy that people could sway too, be entertained and maybe throw a couple bucks in the hat. He started laying down the grooves and sure enough people were stopping, listening, even the younger ladies were stopping to take it in. He gave me a smile and a nod I threw some cash in the hat, when my wife and I left he had a respectable audience for a boardwalk gig.. A win-win

[@tjames6427]

That funk intro song was unbelievably good!

[@Rusty_Chops]

Shane, a great practical example of the agitator groove! Very useful, I can definitely hear it & use that funky pulse in my rhythm, thanks! A nice idea for a rhythm master class!

[@TheRiotguitar]

yeah i would like to get into doing some livestreams, I just don't know how haha. Don't have the setup or maybe I do and can't figure out how to set it up...;)

[@qjarman7753]

So many fantastic tips in this lesson, thanks a million man

[@larryadams1873]

Shane this was KILLER!! One of the best vids I’ve seen. I’m ready to see the course. I’ve been wanting to up my rhythm game. Lead is easy but rhythm can be hard. You’re a good teacher sir!

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks Larry!

[@JS-nf1sn]

Love the intro, talk about how you need to level up on the Rhythm and then you throw down some serious grove. Well done.

[@TheRiotguitar]

thank you!

[@dwightrobertson275]

From your mouth to God's ears!. I had it explained to me as playing like it was Billiards,"It's not what you make it's what you leave"

[@kevinmusso2397]

Stop it! You’re quickly becoming my fav KZbinr. You are putting a lot of value on this platform. I am totally dialed in. Bet others are too.

[@TheRiotguitar]

thank you i appreciate that

[@MarkRhodesSongs]

Speaking of thinking like a drummer, years ago a drummer I knew listened to a tape of my playing. He told me I didn't "project time." He told me to sit a timer for 5 minutes and play a 12 bar blues the whole time, just basic chords. "When you can stop playing and the audience keeps moving, you have projected time. When you can do that, anything you play will sound good, but until you can do that, nothing you play will sound worth a sh*t." He was right.

[@TheRiotguitar]

wow great tip!

[@roberttaylor505]

Love your rhythm playing man. You're right up there with Cornell Dupree and Cropper 👍

[@TheRiotguitar]

I appreciate that! thanks!

[@MarkDeanGarner]

Your videos have quickly become my weekly must watch videos. Every one is a masterclass. Keep em coming.

[@TheRiotguitar]

Wow, thanks!

[@rwest8905]

Like Keith Richard’s has said; a painter doesn’t use the whole canvas. Leave some space. Let it breathe. Another spot on video. Thanks!

[@johndrew8]

Hey! Some of this has to be baked in however you can learn this and your explanation is great. Funky is four or five different sized gears working together. Not one large one covering all bases. Koodos As always, JD

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks!

[@SandyD-m6k]

Your talent and willingness to share your knowledge says it all! ❤️

[@rhp52]

What really matters is the groove (staying in the pocket), and serving the song, which you cannot do if your in, as you say, guitar head. A guitar player who plays too much can easily ruin the groove. Took me a while to learn this but it paid off. the best compliment I ever received was from a drummer. He said "you're not the fastest or flashiest player I've played with but you're always right there. To me, that's what is most important. Yes?

[@TheRiotguitar]

yeah if you're trying to keep a gig it's important for sure

[@MarkRhodesSongs]

Great lesson. The groove is the thing.

[@4realgal101]

An exceptional video by an extraordinary teacher!

[@williamstobierski4453]

Melody, harmony and rhythm all in one lesson. Thanks!

[@TheRiotguitar]

Thanks for listening

[@Billywagner22]

Great lesson. I used the have a Hamer T51. Best Tele I’ve owned, should never had of let it go.

[@TheRiotguitar]

they are still floating around. I've used this one as my main tele for years. I really like it

[@Billywagner22]

@@TheRiotguitar btw your lessons are on point. All meat, no filler.

[@mirekkrejci4094]

Like some one said, ‘real world stuff’ i could pick up my guitar and use now…. Very cool …. Passionate stuff

[@vassilok]

It definitely grooves. Really nice.

[@nathanprofitt3224]

Great lesson!!!

[@TheRiotguitar]

Thanks! 😃

[@gbarge4]

Great lesson, Shane. Reminds me of how an awkward silence in conversation spurs on a flood of words as filler. And none of those words are any good. There's nothing awkward about the space between notes in music. I'm new here, so thank you.

[@TheRiotguitar]

welcome- thanks!

[@GuitarStuffUSA]

Thank you for the wisdom, Shane!!!!

[@dwightrobertson275]

Thanks!

[@TheRiotguitar]

thank you Dwight ! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

[@dwise3651]

Nothing short of stylish.

[@timemerson2691]

Great advice. I’m glad I found this channel. Less is more. I’m really good at doing less. Thanks 😊

[@TheRiotguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@joev4483]

Awesome, thanks!!! ❤

[@brettgroh1112]

So many guitarists spend so little time pondering rhythm playing. It's almost like an afterthought. You can only spend a limited amount of time soloing......so, what are we going to do when we're not? I'm a guitar player, and it really drives me nuts! I try to tell my colleagues that we are PART of the mix, not THE mix. So much of the time momentary air and space is so much more tasty......less is usually more. I also think that most of the time chords only need to entail 3 or 4 strings, especially while playing with a keyboard. Thank you so much for this lesson, Shane!

[@TheRiotguitar]

yes exactly

[@basoud9096]

This is great! Love the groove and feel you put into it Shane. Do have your NO funk guitar book and use it often. Everyone liking the funk music should check it out. 🙌

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks!

[@rajeshgumber363]

Thanks Shane, Awesome ideas. More Rhythm lessons would be great! (I'm just waiting for the call back now)

[@_avia_]

This video is another "bingo" for me :) Just joined a new band as a rhythm guitarist after playing lead for 7 years in an other band. This is a whole new world for me and I enjoy it very much (still doing the lead gig as well 😊 )

[@Hetti-g2c]

Once again, amazing! These valuable lessons on a true groove and thoughts on your channel are appreciated. I’m new and want to embrace learning the correct way if possible. There goes that “washing machine lesson” taught to you by Art Neville. So relevant to get the feel across. I know what you do guiding Daryl Halls band but you stand alone and are appreciated for your solo work too. You’re a natural teacher. Nice lesson.

[@TheRiotguitar]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jojacool]

Cooll lesson. Great advice ! ( Listning to The Neville brothers, Little Feat , Ry Cooder,James Brown ,Chaka Kahn, Prince and even Michael Jackson's music helps a lot to understand and feel "Groove" )

[@mariacruikshank5150]

All great stuff here, my favorite so far! Thank you!

[@davidsummerville351]

Great episode. A ton of valuable stuff in the intro. Keep all this coming! Thanks so much.

[@tubytele]

Funky as always Shane. You are an expert!

[@elizabethdunn1668]

Yes, what a great lesson! I could visualize it and hear it, Shane. Excellent tutorial ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks Elizabeth!

[@MrIBaN1975]

I just came across your channel and I can tell you I am gonna stick to it so bad! super valuable lesson man! I really dig it! I love the idea of simplicity being that powerful. I'd say your channel will grow pretty fast! thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us! much appreciated! peace.

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks

[@marcnotrica7234]

The groove is in the spaces, Miles Davis like.

[@TheRiotguitar]

Space is the Place!

[@MrCarlos1335]

GOOD JOB, WELL DONE

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks

[@j.j.lavishly827]

Sweet Hamer!

[@samueleisenstein1972]

Men, you’re the best. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. So useable and good explained. 😊❤

[@debbimckelvey9478]

great lesson

[@eichaan]

This is so helpful! I've been a fan of yours since reading about you in Guitar Player decades ago. I look forward to watching more of your lessons and to learning from your experience. Thanks very much!

[@TheRiotguitar]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mattolenn]

Awesome lesson. Just what I was searching for.

[@millerjeff]

Always great stuff Shane. Thanks for explaining the bare bones of funk.

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks for watching

[@stanko242]

Another great lesson, thank you!

[@dougrmoe]

A lot of musicians are afraid of the space ! I was early on as well. I learned how to stay out of the way! Like the part you just played. It lets everything breath and makes the solos that much better 🤪You are one of the guys that stand. I heard it immediately on D house. I'll spread the word about your channel

[@TheRiotguitar]

Space is the Place! Thanks Doug! Appreciate your comment-

[@fxbrown8921]

Precious advice Shane, thanks!

[@whamarama]

Great video. Your sense of rhythm is one of my favorite things about your playing. Keep them coming, I always learn a lot from you.

[@TheRiotguitar]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Morfarhagen]

Next weekend - in 9 days - I am going to, for the first time, both sing and play the guitar the whole gig. Previous bands I either play the drums/vox, keys/vox or bass. This time I will be the "front figure". I am OK with that. We do a bar job and play cover songs, and I pretty much got the lyrics and chords down. But - what I worry about is EXCACTLY what you are talking about here... hitting those strings too much! We are a 4 piece band, drums, bass, guitar and me on vox and guitar, an during reherasal I feel like I have to constantly fill out. It scares me to try to keep it simple, but I know that is what I will have to do! I am far from your skills level, so filling with those cool grooves wil probably just mess up everything if I try to :D But, I will try.. I will play simple and then try to add just a little bit spice when f.ex. the lead guitarist does his things. I had the same "problem" the first gigs as a keyboardist. I felt I HAD to fill with at least some organ, all the time. But... I think it was a Clapton concert I saw - the guy on organ... how much more powerful and cool it sounded when he just filled in here and there. So, I try to do that now when I play keys. And it is much more relaxing and fun! Anyways - going to use my last days practicing on keeping it simple :D Thank you for great content!

[@TheRiotguitar]

good luck

[@cynthiacisneros1694]

Thank you, Shane ❣️

[@Jamzocd]

This is something that I need right now, so thanks Shane! Keep em coming!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Great groove man.

[@ap7498]

Thank you for sharing!!! A new subscriber here

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks!

[@lorenvguitar614]

Great video

[@TheRiotguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnreilly9748]

Good stuff as usual and keep it greeaasssy guitar players!

[@richardlopez7412]

Really digging your videos

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks Richard!

[@Bobby-h9s]

Your very good teacher. Thanks Oh. And guitar player

[@TheRiotguitar]

Thank you!

[@xarlsstrat1785]

Groove! 🎉

[@morganpeak]

Yeah man, cool

[@pennhill5459]

great advice, I have heard let it breath before

[@olric63]

Looks easy when you are doing it ! Inspiring.

[@kjm8509]

Hey Shane! Great stuff. Would love to hear you talk about “pocket”. Sort of know what it is, having something to do with things you demonstrated here; rhythm.. groove … pulse… space , But I’d love to hear how a real pro thinks about pocket and applies to the craft. Thanks !!

[@cemcan2647]

Thank you🙏

[@Bdimb]

Geez Shane, another gem. Love the washing machine analogy! And, I am pretty sure this advice will work in almost any genre; leave some damn space for the other humans!

[@TheRiotguitar]

well yes in the pop/rock/R&B world for sure. If you are in the Ramones or something this vid need not apply haha

[@Bdimb]

Off topic sort of; in the 70s I saw the Ramones a few times. My bassist buddy was a little 'distracted' and asked why they kept stopping. We had to point out that the songs were 90 seconds long in total.

[@TheRiotguitar]

@@Bdimb hahahahah

[@bbowjazz]

Basically you seem to be laying “pitched percussion” down here S.T.! ❤ your NOLA Funk book!

[@TheRiotguitar]

haha yeah that's what we used to say in nashville about acoustic guitars. A tuned shaker.

[@dukegreened]

Keep going

[@Mdbutler]

This stuff is so helpful! Thanks. Recently bought your book. It is great!

[@TheRiotguitar]

thanks!

[@jeremyversusjazz]

I think i know which guitarhead youre referring to who plays too much on funk…lol…but hes awesome! Lol great lesson bro.

[@bongo2565]

Shane-san, いつも見てますよ！　I remember reading an article that Akira Jimbo (drummer of Casiopea) mentioning how Harvey Mason(as producer) coached the band how to groove when Casiopea recorded their album ay Kendum Studio in L.A. in 80’s. Like you said “washing machine”, Harvey stepped in to the recoding booth saying “no, no, no…you guys playing like a machine” and he danced like rolling or grinding a “football” as opposed to just a round volley ball or basketball when the band rehashed their songs. カシオペア知ってる？　日本のフュージョンバンド。高校生の時、みんなカバーしていました。ほんとはすごく難しいけどね😅

[@TheRiotguitar]

haha that's a funny story! カシオペアわだいすきです!

[@beckermuns1970]

Awesome

[@tdan71]

You mentioned a new course, sign me up! when & where?

[@TheRiotguitar]

Working on it now! Sign up on my mailing list on my website and I'll let you know as soon as it's available! thx!

[@Nozmo_King_NJ]

New subscriber here .. love your playing on Daryl's house. This content is gold to me .. thanks!

[@TheRiotguitar]

Eraserhead! Love it! thanks for watching

[@Nozmo_King_NJ]

@@TheRiotguitar Yeah, that's my guitar alter ego .. Nozmo King. BTW, I started as a drummer too, so, I tend to think like that. Again, great content and perfect for what I am working on right now.

[@robert-wr6md]

Excellent stuff Shane. Great tips. Sadly my guitar playing sounds all too similar to a washing machine, I will try and channel it.

[@TheRiotguitar]

hahaha

[@richprincipe749]

Pure gold right here! What thickness pick do you use?

[@TheRiotguitar]

fender heavy, sometimes medium.

[@richprincipe749]

Thank you!!!!

[@tommyguidry1504]

Less is more. Except when gumbo is involved. That was some smoovmofunkinjam.

[@TheRiotguitar]

haha. I don't like a lot of stuff in my gumbo either. Def not tomatoes...;)

[@tito.tarantula]

Guitar Head is not your friend 😊 Space is 🤘🎸

[@TheRiotguitar]

Space is the Place (at least for this kind of music!)

[@tito.tarantula]

@@TheRiotguitar Haha... now that's a t-shirt slogan.

[@Dynamofoe]

Less is more… unless you’re Yngwie 😂 great video Shane, thanks! 🙏🏽

[@TheRiotguitar]

more is always more sometimes....

[@doubled5383]

Shane, can you and Guthrie get together and just talk about music for an hour? That would be great. Go through your approaches.

[@TheRiotguitar]

Guthrie Govan or Trapp? I did get together once with kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGacaouwqJ50nc0

[@doubled5383]

Ahh. I meant Guthrie Trapp.

[@TheRiotguitar]

@@doubled5383 check out the link i posted on the reply

[@jojacool]

3:50 ...4:00 ........ !! :-) :-) (so funny)

[@EssensOrAccidens]

"Guitar head": sounds like solo guitar thinking. That's (hopefully) good for a solo guitar situation. Not, perhaps, useful elsewhere.

[@TheRiotguitar]

actually i'm referring more to thinking less like less technical- (chords licks etc...) and more like "what can I put in here that is musical and makes sense"- thanks for watching