What about da rhythm?

[candid_x]

It’s occurred to me that, with so much attention given to lead/solo playing (sound, video, discussions, etc.), there’s practically no mention of rhythm guitar playing. I wonder, why is that? With so many music styles out there, all driven by rhythm, one would think it’s what the majority of guitar players would be playing most of the time. Anyway, some questions:

What kind of rhythm guitar playing to you enjoy listening to and/or playing?

How much attention do you give to rhythm in your practice, jams, performances or recordings? A) practically none B) 20% C) 50% D) 75% E) practically all.

What, in your opinion, makes a great rhythm guitarist?

Who are examples of your favorite rhythm guitarists?

[jongitarz]

Jimi Hendrix was an amazing rhythm player.

[Roubster]

I dont know any ! hahaha j/k
Well, the only ones I can think of right now concerning rhythm guitar is James Hetfield (concerning he does that sh*t while 'singing'), KK Downing/Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest), And the guys from Iron Maiden: Dave Murray and the other guy whos name I cant remember.

But the ULTIMATE rhythmist (probably not a real word) is Dave LaRue on BASS !

[mhorse]

For some godawefull reason I'm listening to Gamma Ray right now
I don't remember who plays rythm guitar there, but whoever he is, he can do very fast tremolo picking FOR A VERY LONG TIME. It's amuzing. No, it's not great rythm playing, it's just funny.

My favorite rythm sound (in heavy music) is ... Rammstein. They don't have much of a lead guitar work in their music, but guitar rythm gives their music quite unique atmosphere. And I like their very saturated sound, especially in their early stuff.

[candid_x]

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li1mDEPbuYc"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]

[candid_x]

It’s a big leap to Hendrix, lol, but I agree.

This guy rambles a bit in the beginning, but check out his timing, and especially check out what he doesn’t play, and how that makes what he does play “speak”.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YL_tc2NnK8"]YouTube - Minor Blues Chord Progressions - Guitar Lesson[/ame]

[SteveB]

Anyway, some questions:

What kind of rhythm guitar playing to you enjoy listening to and/or playing?

How much attention do you give to rhythm in your practice, jams, performances or recordings? A) practically none B) 20% C) 50% D) 75% E) practically all.

What, in your opinion, makes a great rhythm guitarist?

Who are examples of your favorite rhythm guitarists?

Hmm..

My band plays all originals, so I'm almost never playing someone else's material. I tend to play clean rhythms with a combination of strumming and flatpicking.

I give lots of attention to the rhythm in our practices. Probably 80%.

A great rhythm guitarist is usually invisible in a band. You just feel their presence. Other great rhythm guitar players (in one-guitar bands) make their mark with interesting rhythms.

examples: Rudolf Schenker, Malcolm Young, Michael Wilton, Mike Rutherford, Joe Walsh, Alex Lifeson, Ty Tabor..

[bovinehost]

Great rhythm player and uses some really oddball chords: Todd Rundgren.

[edensdad]

Here's some stuff that's influenced me, some are players, but some are bands, because the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts.

Jimmy Page - Redefined rock riffing

SRV - Ever listen to "Dirty Pool" or "Couldn't Stand the Weather"? He sang on top of all that too!

Dick Dale - that guy's right hand is a power tool

The Beatles - No comment neccessary

Stevie Wonder - I don't know who played guitar for him, but maaaan

Randy Rhoads - Launched the 16th notes on the open E or A, with moving chords below ala "Crazy Train"

Black Sabbath - Also redefined Rock riffing

James Hetfield/Metallica - I got to see them blow Ozzy off the stage from the third row back in the late 1980's - bad choice of and opening act on his part. They were sonic warfare - tight and overpowering.

Joe Perry/Brad Whitford - They'll get you moving and dancing (I'm originally from Boston)

Alex Lifeson - Foundation of Prog Metal

Gary Moore - Known for leads, but awesome rhythm player.

Andy Summers - Great but odd

You get the idea. I actually focus heavily on rhythm - it's 90% of playing when your playing "Songs" (as opposed to instrumentals)

I'm a little bit of a frustrated bassist who plays guitar - I bought my son a SUB bass and he doen't play it anymore - I love it. I'll jam on it for hours, just holding a groove.

Rhythm is important, but I've always tried to be a good overall guitarist and master (to the best of my ability and time) Rhythm, Lead, Fingerstyle, Writing, Improvization, Silly tricks and getting good tone.

[RichW]

I think that John Petrucci, besides being a killer lead player, is also awesome at rhythm playing. Just listen to '6:00" from Dream Theater's 'Awake' album, for example. Some very very consistent riffing and chording.

Also, Adam Jones of Tool is great at holding his own in odd time signatures.

[Roubster]

A lot of the names mentioned I agree with. But I have to add one more IMPORTANT name to the list based on Edensdad, which is:
Ritchie Blackmore!!! HE freakin is the riff master, among Page and Iomi, but made used more of a classical aproach which no one reaqlly did those days (and no one please dont mention anything about Smoke on the Water ).
And I DEFINATLY agree with Petrucci being an amazing rhythm guitarist as well!!

[wolfbone07]

I second the Hendrix thing. Have you given a good listen to the rhythm sections in Hendrix tunes? Wind Cries Mary, Little Wing, and Crosstown Traffic come to mind.

Robin Trower is also a rhythm master.

My two cents.