Here’s two common Rhythm Guitar things we can work on… switching between two rhythms and how to deal with two chords being in one measure.
-Switching Between Rhythms-
The idea of this is what to do if we have different rhythms spanning over a chord progression. What we have to do is get our strumming hand familiar with playing both those rhythms back to back. Take a metronome and start strumming. If need be, start with Rhythm 1 (1 2 3 4) then try switching between the two.
Example:
G ( R.3) – D (R.5) – Em (R.3) – C (R.5)
Rhythm 3:
d d u d d u
1 2 + 3 4 +
Rhythm 5:
d d u u d u
1 2 + (3) + 4 +
*Our Transitions would still happen on the “4 +” regardless of the rhythm.
-Two Chords in One Measure-
Typically we just want to divide it in half, so take any rhythm and have one chord come in on the “1” and the other chord come on the “3”. I typically like to have both chords have the same treatment so I like to keep both halves equal. I love Rhythm 3 for this.
Example:
G D Em C
d d u d d u d d u d d u
1 2 + 3 4 + 1 2 + 3 4 +
-Combining Both Techniques-
Here I’m just going to give you the example I give in the video:
G D Em C C
d d u u d u d d u d d u d d u u d u d d u u d u
1 2 + (3) + 4 + 1 2 + 3 4 + 1 2 + (3) + 4 + 1 2 + (3) + 4 +
Check out my PDF and have fun. These come up more often than not and can be the difference between being an okay rhythm player and ready for all occasions.
-Related Lessons-
0:45 – Rhythms – Strumming the Guitar | BO 5/10
2:45 – Using A Metronome 101
4:15 – Playing Open Chords | BO 4/10
5:06 – Transitions | Switching Between Chords Steps
PDF’s
Switching Between Rhythms | Half Measure Chords PDF, Open & Barre Chords, Chord Progressions, Rhythms & Transitions | Switching Between Chords