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Rhythm Guitar Core
Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477 
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Posted on Jun 05 2012 03:14 PM
For those of you that play a lot of rhythm guitar in this (broadly defined) genre, what patterns and methods do you rely on as your core essentials? In other words, do you custom design for each song or do you have certain basic patterns/techniques that you employ on a recurring basis? As an example, how much do you rely on muted power chords in comparison to full chords, and what kind of strum patterns do you like to employ? Very interested in your insights. —Paul |
Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jun 05 2012 06:07 PM
There was a thread started about a year ago, "RHYTHM GUITAR AND SYNCOPATION ??" http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/15386/ It didn't get very far, but is, I think, related to your question. I think Paul Johnson, Don Wilson of The Ventures, Patrick O'Conner of The Madeira, Danny Snyder of The Tomorrowmen and Marisol Yolanda Palma of Los Twang! Marvels are as good as rhythm guitar can be played in surf music. You can check out their videos on Youtube to see what I mean. But there are many more great rhythm guitarists than I can mention. They each have their own unique styles and sounds. Sometimes point, sometimes counter-point. For example Don has talked about using his double and triple strumming technique to add complexity to the rhythm section. Certainly his palm-muted glissandos sometimes takes on more of the sound of a percussion instrument than a guitar. —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. Last edited: Jun 05, 2012 18:45:16 |
Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 1753
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Posted on Jun 05 2012 06:22 PM
Paul, this may not directly answer your question, but if I were you and lived in that vicinity, I would be knocking down Paul Johnson's door for those lessons he is offering. IMO he is the greatest surf rhythm guitarist in history. |
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Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jun 05 2012 06:47 PM
websurfer wrote:
Thanks for pointing out my gross accidental oversight. My post has been corrected. I'm hoping and waiting for Paul Johnson to get his online guitar lessons going someday soon. I just hope I'm good enough to take them when they're available. —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Jun 05 2012 06:58 PM
I do what feels right for the song and what feels like me. I've never really tried to fit a square into a round hole. Early on I tried to make things surfy, just didn't sound right for the music. When the band started, I was the rhythm section, and that is reflected in those rhythm parts. As time moved on, we got a rhythm section and I was able to transition away from being the rhythm and it allowed me space to either play, or not play. Play what I wanted, when I wanted to augment the song rather then to force it into place. My advice, don't try to force a song into place. Even if you are playing without drums or a solid bass part don't try to force around your rhythm part. You are an extra guitarist who doesn't play the lead melody. Think of yourself that way. If you really like strumming, checking out the Cosmonauti stuff, I really loved what that guitarist did. Patrick from the Madeira is awesome as well(remind me of Pete Townshend). For augment/complement, check out Pollo Del Mar. Johnny Marr, Nick Zinner as non-surf examples. I can't think of a lot of surf guys off the top of my head, although I am sure they exist. |
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Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477
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Posted on Jun 06 2012 10:54 AM
Noel, thanks for that thread, it was very good. I did a search, but missed reading that one. Scott, that's a great suggestion. Hadn't thought of that. Jake, that's an interesting way to look at it (extra guitarist). Not forcing it certainly rings true. Agreed that Patrick from the Madeira just rocks. —Paul |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california
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Posted on Jun 06 2012 10:57 AM
...i'm real big on barre chords and partial-barres: got the maj and min and 7ths and partials and two finger punk-power-chordage in all the positions... other chords are cool...but barre chords are the workhorses... |
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Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477
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Posted on Jun 06 2012 11:04 AM
dp, we're recording a CD right now of mostly originals. My part is the rhythm, both the palm-muted two finger power chords and the other chords (two separate tracks). I'm finding that the open chords have too much going on and interfere with the lead, whereas the barre chords seem to fit in much better. —Paul |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california
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Posted on Jun 06 2012 11:14 AM
ColtsSurf wrote:
exactly: remember the name of the game is rhythm working with the drums and bass, working from within to find the sweet spot... accentuating and syncopating...sometimes mute arpeggios... |
Joined: Nov 03, 2006 Posts: 693 San Clemente, CA
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Posted on Jun 06 2012 11:25 AM
I'm with dp on this one. When I get lost the drums and bass always help me, rhythm player, find the goove. Put some head phones on an listen to some classic instrumental songs and you'll hear it. Happy Sunsets! |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california
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Posted on Jun 06 2012 11:26 AM
tahitijack wrote:
i think "getting lost" in the bass and drums is right where you want to be! |
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Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 08:53 AM
I came back to this thread because, after a couple of years of on-again off-again guitar lessons trying to turn me into a lead guitar player, I've realized my only real opportunity to successfully enjoy guitar playing is on rhythm guitar. And it's also what I originally wanted to do. But I stopped trying almost immediately when I had such a horrid time forming barre chords. Finally getting a Strat (9.5" radius fingerboard) and then later two vintage-necked offsets (7.25") helped me solve that problem. I've been practicing rhythm guitar to records for a while now whenever I got frustrated with other stuff, and discovered I was having a lot more fun. I've had a great couple of lessons in my new role after giving the lead role back to my guitar teacher. This ought to be very interesting. And a lot more fun. ColtsSurf, are the recording sessions finished? Are the results out on CD yet? —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Feb 14, 2010 Posts: 802 N.E. Ohio
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 09:26 AM
Noel, Check the interview with The Shadows Bruce Welch. How to cheat at barre chords and win. — |
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Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 09:31 AM
caddady wrote:
Thanks. I wish I'd seen it sooner. It's now unavailable. Did anyone save it? —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
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Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 10:34 AM
Hey Noel, We're still recording. We've got 9 done and go into the studio this Saturday to work on the 10th song. There will be a dozen in total, 10 originals and 2 covers. It's all instrumental, but I would have to say it's pretty eclectic as opposed to trad surf. Should be out around year end or so. Thanks for the interest. —Paul |
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Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 11:36 AM
ColtsSurf wrote:
I'll be looking for it. —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1683 Georgia
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 12:17 PM
I'm with Dave. Bar chords are the work horse, and I do a lot of two-note and even full chord muted "chunks," sometimes with the straight-rhythm downstroke ala The Astronauts and sometimes I'll do a galloping-while-muted-strum, which is surprisingly tiring if you're not in shape for it. I like to think I try to mix it up, but I'm not sure how much I actually do. —The Mystery Men? |
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Joined: Feb 14, 2010 Posts: 802 N.E. Ohio
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 12:32 PM
the interview is still there, you have to page tru the cyber mag with joe bonawhatzits on the cover. (touch the upper right corner with cursor, just like reg paper mag). http://www.iguitarmag.com/news/iguitar-magazine-issue-4-out-now!-joe-bonamassa/# — |
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Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Sep 18 2012 12:51 PM
Thanks! —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 264 Waco Texas |
Posted on Sep 18 2012 08:00 PM
Barre chords cover alot of ground for me too. Something else that can be worked in on certain songs bass run/riff type stuff on the top four strings.....only certain song seem to lend themselves to this and for me I usually have to work it out in advance. Not good enough yet to do it on the fly. —2012-2013: FILTHY POLAROIDS |
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