Where to Start With Music Theory, Ep 20: Basic Rhythmic Cognition & What it Means for Picking

[@matthewg4882]

Thank you for doing this series! My guitar playing has improved so much after finding your content. Currently working my way through your truefire course and loving it.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yay! I’m happy to help!

[@carloscarlito73]

This is meditative. Nothing else to say ;) greatest rythm n’ groovin n’ feeling class ever. Breath.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks Charles!

[@stephenowen5229]

Oddly enough, was searching on the internet for just his food/rhythm info just last night. As always, incredibly useful information. I'm working on your TrueFire course on a daily basis and would highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't already have it. Thanks for the content Eric. It's much appreciated.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks so much Stephen!

[@gainonten4031]

Never ever i have thought of relaxing, shoulders back, breath deeper and play slower play while playing. I usually end up torn up and beat up, all bent aching from everywhere after only 2 hours of playing. Will put to test! Thanks

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yeah! My whole thing is about taking it easy - I really believe that music practice can be chill and meditative!

[@RobertSlover]

the language of music! its all about the syllables/rhythm that create a conversation.

[@russelljoplin2728]

Another great lesson, Eric. PLEASE make a video about all the bad habits we pick up as unschooled guitarists learning primarily from the internet. Speaking for myself, I don't know what I don't know and I can't fix what I'm not aware of. Off to find food rhythms to print out and post on my chart wall.

[@migrantfamily]

I love how you bring things back to basics, and in the process show that the simplest things can often be the most musically effective. The advice to slow down when you’ve got the riff is like Columbus’ egg. I repeat the maxim “The key to doing something fast is doing it right” and doing it right is obviously easier if you slow down, especially feel-wise.

[@gatemouthwighat]

That’s a fine device for plumbing a tune, Eric!

[@tonyhudson8235]

As a rhythmically impaired guitar grabber, this is probably the most helpful lesson that I've had concerning rhythm.

[@stevepughlandman]

I would have never known about this tool without you bringing it up. And you made it your own, you genius, you!

[@SteeringSteel]

This is not boring, this is genius! I wish I would have learned this 20 years ago. Thanks for the lesson, it’s greatly appreciated.

[@steggiehaus]

Great video lesson and, as always, love your style of instruction.

[@shawn_edwin]

This video is gold! I think youve changed my world!!! THANKS!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yay! That makes me so happy to hear!

[@bertbouton7157]

I love the rambling, feels like a one on one

[@Mindwave416]

Love that epiphone sounds so cool

[@dougsaunders8658]

Much love and appreciation from Leek UK! Eric, you're bloody fantastic, you've single handedly reignited my passion for guitar playing for the first time since my early teens. Keep up the amazing work buddy!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yay! That makes me so happy to hear!

[@quixoticindiscipline9524]

I've been diving into this topic lately by figuring out ways of using drum rudiments on guitar. There's so many possibilites, the "L", "R" of the drums being the "UP", "DOWN" of picking or strumming, or it can be a "HIGH" string and a "LOW" string, or two or more notes of a scale, it's endless. I kind of get lost trying to figure out a systematic way of practicing it. There's also the Konnakol system, pretty useful too.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

OOOOOOH GOOD IDEA! Paradiddles on gtr! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Bryant.Defiant]

Most underrated guitar teacher

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks Bryant!

[@moogsick]

Great lesson, this lesson was a revelation for me. Eric picked up on my terrible picking technique in a lesson and introduced me to these concepts, I'm still only at the start of retraining my brain but it is making a big difference to how I play.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Your picking tech is totally fine Philip! Don’t forget - the ends justify the means. If it SOUNDS good, then it IS GOOD 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ianspicer1529]

Pure genius and a delight to follow as ever.

[@JasonClute]

Continuing my brain unraveling, and the food reference, rhythm has been like eating my vegetables, when I really just want to dive into that cheesecake of hot licks! Going through your TF course has really opened my eyes. I’m finding it so hard to play just those quarter not fills, in time, cleanly, without speeding up, swinging it, or adding notes. Which has told myself, if I can’t just be in the moment and play simply and cleanly, I’ve got work to do. But since you package that message with lots of chill, I’m not beating myself up about it!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yeah! We feel exposed when we play simple rhythms - we’re afraid to just put a few notes out in front and step back.

[@guitarz]

Another great tool to add to my rhythmic arsenal. Thank you sir

[@noahmichael2213]

This is an incredibly helpful video. Underrated. thank you

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

My pleasure Noah!

[@adrianmoore8329]

Great video! This has really helped me, Thanks so much Eric.

[@kyled1570]

Thanks Eric! Love the true fire course. I've played guitar for 35 years but never studied or practiced seriously. You're approach is great. It's all starting to make sense.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yay! That makes me so happy to hear!

[@macsarcule]

So much appreciated! This is a regular lesson I really need. Back to basics techniques you share always pay off for me. One of the things from the first video I watched of yours that I keep coming back to that’s so helpful is what you say all the time: slow down. Then slow it down more. That’s been an incredible help in my playing and I’m so glad you keep reminding us of that. 🙂🎸💜

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

It really is the number one thing!

[@leandropeixoto9043]

This is my guitar confort video.

[@stratchoker8765]

Just finished your TF course...really helps always, to go back to fundamentals. Enjoyed this food for thought. Thx.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yay! I try to keep everything simple - I work with basic ingredients always. That way I can use them in any scenario

[@PeteLamont]

Great video! Thanks again for doing what you do!

[@donyoung7874]

Another great video! I've never heard of this tool for rhythm theory before! What a cool way to learn this aspect of music theory! This should make it easier to remember too. Thanks, Eric!

[@matthewmcnamara5650]

Great lesson/ philosphy - not that I’m memorizing the hot dog silver diner menu, but I think that there never seem to be any lessons that focus on phrasing and timing and fitting it into something that matters. I love you speed speed impression of pretty much everything out there. Also like your approach to relaxing and not rushing over hot coals.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yeah! You can see how boring it is to teach this stuff but it’s so important!

[@derekhansen8192]

your content is very well thought out and planned. love the lessons. i'm not sure if anything is more important in music than rhythm and feel. Hoping you do more lessons on the subject!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks Derek! Have you seen this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpu4eqFtoKiMq5o

[@derekhansen8192]

@@EricHaugenGuitar thanks! homework for tonight

[@MatthewBaron]

Truly a fantastic lesson. I can't wait to get home to try it. Many thanks.

[@dimensionstomorrow]

Man, you are just such an amazing person. I got your Truefire lesson, and will definitely get some tabs eventually as well. You’re definitely my favorite guitar teacher out there.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks so much man! ✌️✌️

[@CC-qb9sm]

Great lesson Eric, dig this a lot! Thanks for the prompt response on the tab request today. Have a good one 🤠

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

✊✊ of course!

[@Dram1984]

This is a fantastic complement to your TrueFire course. I’m adding foods to the practice routine sheet I’ve been using. Basically I’ll start using food fills in place of quarternote fills, when I feel like I’ve got it down.

[@pubba_5245]

💯

[@RobertSlover]

dont get distracted with the analogy its the syllables and rhythm that matter.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Oh yeah! Groove and food - that’s a good way to practice 🎵✌️

[@pubba_5245]

@@EricHaugenGuitar don’t choke. Make sure you chew your groove!

[@RobertSlover]

@@pubba_5245 no.

[@greg6L6GC]

I was just thinking.. those pickups are smooth. Yeah, don’t change for brighter. Sounds good as is!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yeah! Plus that saves me like $600 WHEW!

[@charlie00]

The video is awesome as always

[@thenameless3271]

Wow, look at that Firebird!

[@coastercook]

Thanks, Eric

[@blues61]

Cool approach to rhythm, thanks! Sidenote, a lot of great electric blues solos from the early days are played with all downstrokes. Creates a particularly muscular emphasis and groove. As you say, the desired feel is an important factor in determining the picking technique. Time for a snack, lol!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yeah! We have more control over feel if we take upstrokes out of the equation!

[@clarkesinspace]

It’s not WHAT the note, it’s WHEN the note! Thanks for doing the thing

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

I forget who said: “…..all the right notes, at all the wrong times….are the WRONG notes!”

[@Hexonip]

I love you, man.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

💛💛✊✊

[@donindri]

I have had some actual lessons, but I don’t think rhythm was emphasized enough. I think the guide is a better memory peg for subdivisions. Pictures better than little black dots. I need lots of props! I made a 2 Bar loop of the ubq groove on my iPhone GB listen to the groove on bar 1, play the groove over the click on bar 2, then some notes over the groove on bar1, rinse and repeat. My fingers hurt! Need Pizza 🍕 😁Thanks for posting and the TrueFire course.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

That’s a good exercise! Groove is everything!

[@karllongbottomguitars9192]

Hey hipster dude, nice lesson. You're definitely right, they are many gaps in my playing. Years of being self taught with lessons scattered in between. As the expression goes : a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing 😉 😜

[@joliveres]

This is really good and I can't believe I haven't heard of the food idea. That's gonna be something I need to spend some practice time on. In regards to rhythm, there are two styles I can't really grasp: the gallop (like Iron Maiden's The Trooper) and Johnny Cash (Walk The Line, Man In Black). Would a specific food rhythm be best to practice either of those two styles?

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

The Trooper is CLASSIC gallop! Try "strawberry strawberry strawberry strawberry" Walk the Line would be "Grape Soda Grape Soda Grape Soda Grape Soda"

[@joliveres]

@@EricHaugenGuitar Thanks so much!

[@koho]

Great stuff! Lots to feed on here, and working on rhythm (and funky feel) is one of my favorite things to do. I find it very useful to include in warmup. Question - how well does that Firebird stay in tune? My resolve to not get one in some form is weakening. Seeing that tremelo setup gives me pause, though. I can tolerate need to tune now and then, but just not anything too "fussy."

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

It’s quite sturdy! I’m a pretty gentle player though, and don’t really do dive bombs at anything.

[@1111MJR]

Damn that Firebird sounds good! PS: Do Eric’s course. It’s really good.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks for your support - it all helps!

[@gab_ale]

This lesson made me hungry. I definitely want apple pie.

[@aristidesvillegas7167]

Hi Bud can you explain the combination you use for each guitar and amp you have? I mean, why Firebird with Fender Princeton? Etc

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Basically it’s just aesthetics - although some combinations work better than others! The firebird is a little bit dark compared to my fenders, and the vibro champ has less bass, so they balance each other out perfectly!

[@aristidesvillegas7167]

@@EricHaugenGuitar beautiful answer

[@ditchgator1]

Having your cake.... And eatin it too. Now I'm a hungry How about you. It DOES WORK...!!!😎👍 This it too fun not to do...it helps especially with the placement of accents.😎👍 You're a genius Eric😎👍 😎👍❤🖖

[@justinbouchard]

did your kettle and plant pot come in a kit? it's amazing. love you also i like your lessons

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Ha! I should sell them as merch - the “guitarists kitchen” bundle 💚

[@justinbouchard]

I can taste the dissonance already :D

[@justinbouchard]

omg skronk tea

[@nongmar8783]

Please more rhythm videos. I don’t care about shredding.

[@intemperateluck]

God that is a beautiful guitar.

[@Rick_Cleland]

Good video, btw.

[@spider5001]

This is genius 😀

[@Meditation_Ace]

Love it

[@Rick_Cleland]

That ᖴIᖇEᗷIᖇᗪ looks *Amazing.*

[@Nowandthen-zen]

Rhythm and timing is hard to teach, some people have natural rhythm 🎶, for others its as elusive as perfect pitch, also now I’m hungry✌🏻

[@hungryplump]

chef's kiss

[@СергейАбрамошвили]

super

[@kckillakrack9714]

Ive played bass 40 years beat advice I could give someone new us just pick dont even play notes literally sit there for hours and practice picking down up or vise versa on every string non stop

[@brianpinal6172]

Very nice....... but my glaucoma is aggravated. Time for meds and a coconut skrimp. ,🤣

[@KenSpears313]

First 😎🎸👊

[@Rick_Cleland]

*_HOORAY!!!_* 🥇🥇🥇 🥂🎉🎆🥂🎉🎆🥂🎉🎆

[@afmartin2734]

Coconut shrimp.

[@frankvaleron]

Great topic hipster doofus. I think a lot of us guitarists neglect rhythm, but it's the key to everything

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

How did the hipster burn his mouth? He ate pizza before it was cool. :-)

[@frankvaleron]

@@EricHaugenGuitar haha brilliant. Up there with a crocodile walks into a bar and says pint of Carlsberg and make it snappy

[@scottklandl488]

Won’t u come out to play! Can’t believe fender didn’t win the lawsuit with Gibson over that headstock

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Yeah! A firebird is just an upside down Jazzmaster!

[@HUGzJayGon]

"Hipster doofus"

[@stagnatic]

You. don’t. suck.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks brother! So far, my strategy worked - no trolls on this vid!

[@stagnatic]

@@EricHaugenGuitar Nah, never-you troll-proof, brah.