https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:54:37 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-245091 Wed, 30 May 2007 19:16:27 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion Musenfreund https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-245091 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-245080 Wed, 30 May 2007 18:36:39 +0000
I kind of understand where your coming from I do that some times when I jam with my buddies. There's usually several guitars so I try to just add to the mix without muddying up the sound.

In a band situation it's fairly easy to blend in the mix, how would you play those songs if it was just you? could you carry the rhythm on your own? I ask because on some of the songs I play with my friends I do things similar to you and it works fine in that setting but if I had to play the "complete" rhythm for lack of a better word I'm not sure it would sound that great. Part of the reson is that I don't really know the songs per se but just kind of improv something with the rhythm.]]> Guitar Players Discussion cnev https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-245080 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-245076 Wed, 30 May 2007 18:28:26 +0000
A couple of points Wes made in different threads - go with the flow, and let your natural sense of rhythm tell you what's right.

At the pub jam I used to go to, there'd be anything up to about 7-8 guitarists all plying acoustics - my natural way of mixing things up was to play mostly downstrokes, maybe two to the bar in a 4/4 song. Strange, really, to think about improvising rhythm - one usually associates improvisation with lead guitar.

Different voicings of the same chord might help - looks as if you're already trying that, though. The key question is: Does the band sound good? If it does, well - if it ain't broke, don't try and fix it!

I understand your frustration - once you've got to a certain level, you want to mix things up a little, you don't want to be merely duplicating another guitarist's lines. Maybe a chat with the bandmates about your particular role in the band might help? Nothing heavy, just keep it light - but if the other guys don't know there's a problem, they won't be able to suggest a solution.

:D :D :D

Vic

:D :D :D

Vic]]> Guitar Players Discussion Vic Lewis VL https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-245076 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244967 Wed, 30 May 2007 08:09:26 +0000
What scares me is I see many players hitting constantly every beat and I just can't get into that unless it's punk or metal where you want to hear 'em. Even with heavy songs I tend to hit most beats but sometimes do a percussive hit or accent by adding another note in a chord. For instance, if I'm playing We're an American Band, the verses are D C Bb. We're playing 8th or 16th notes But I'll barre the D at the 5th fret and lift off my index finger to change the root note to an open A note 5th string for a 16 note just so it's not so boring. On the C I'll do the same which adds the 6th and on the Bb I'll hit one quick open A root to add a maj7th.

They're so quick but it breaks it up. That's not even how the songs goes but I do it anyway. One guitar player in our band is more a lead guy so he'll use open chords and hits all 8th or 16th notes. Especially when someone's doing that I definitely won't hit 'em all. Again, even when I practice to the CD I won't hit all of them for most songs. I guess I should not worry about it so much unless someones says "Dude, that doesn't sound right."

I'm just a little insecure because I don't know anyone who plays the lazy rhythm like I do. MicMac, don't know what my ears are hearing but I hear lots of stuff going on in these bands and it's a lot of sound. Dogbite, I do use the percussive at times so, technically, I'm hitting sound all the time but not notes. Tom, I hear you about playing with lots of people and feel like playing very little. Very often on heavy songs (overdrive/distortion) I purposely form my fingers to only ring out 2 notes (mostly doubled by octaves) because others are adding the full triad or 7ths.

For instance, when playing a E chord open I'll curl my ring finger to mute the D string so you only hear the notes E B E X B E and when playing an open A you'll only hear the A E A X E. Often I find when I add the 3rd of a chord with overdrive/distorted songs it gets muddy (especially with 3 guitars).]]> Guitar Players Discussion corbind https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244967 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244962 Wed, 30 May 2007 06:47:56 +0000
If I play with a trio, I feel like I'm working hard... if I play with a septet, I feel like I'm barely playing :)]]> Guitar Players Discussion NoteBoat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244962 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244933 Wed, 30 May 2007 03:36:27 +0000 it would be good not to ignore it. I enjoy damping a chord and hearing that slap
on a beat; a sustain on another. variety is the spice when used nice.

Richie Havens of the 60's had a big influence on budding acoustic players.]]> Guitar Players Discussion dogbite https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244933 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244930 Wed, 30 May 2007 03:24:46 +0000
This is not necessarily a good thing. If you are playing a gig that is not your natural way then you should be in "working" mode. That is, you should be ready to spit out the usual stuff associated with the style you have hired on for. Anything less is self indulgence.

Best, Michael in Florida, USA]]> Guitar Players Discussion MicMac https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244930 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244751 Tue, 29 May 2007 03:23:02 +0000 Too much going on at once just sounds muddy and cluttered. Sometimes less is more. :wink: That's exactly what was being pointed out in a 'teach yourself' book I was reading last night. I've had very little experience of playing with groups of people, but I've often read that one of the single biggest mistakes that newer bands make is that they all wail away full throttle with little grasp of how they should work together. Listen to a group of good pros and they all 'leave room' for each other musically. I'd say that knowing how to have your guitar say its bit without trying to dominate every beat and flood every second with sound is a positive asset. 8)

Cheers,

Chris]]> Guitar Players Discussion Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244751 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244697 Mon, 28 May 2007 21:53:45 +0000
I play the same way. I prefer to sustain chords. If it sounds great that is all that matters. Too much going on at once just sounds muddy and cluttered. Sometimes less is more. :wink:]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244697 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244678 Mon, 28 May 2007 18:30:03 +0000
Do you mean 'full arm' strumming ? It is very common on electric. Generally on acoustic we strum mainly using the wrist.

Try both. But if your music is soft, strumming from wrist shall do.

You can post some soundclips to helps us assess your situation.

Just be in rhythm, that's it. :wink:

Rahul]]> Guitar Players Discussion Rahul https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/odd-question-about-rhythm-guitar-strumming/#post-244678