Does anyone have any Rhythm Guitar book recommendations? I think for learning how to write more interesting songs, I should learn more ways to accompany myself rhythmically. Searching on amazon.com produced a few books, the nicest one seeming to be:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Play-Rhythm-Guitar-Basics/dp/0879308117
which is from the people at Guitar Player magazine. The table of contents looks pretty interesting to me.
I would be cautious. I looked at the table of contents and it looks like they simply compiled several past articles from the magazine into a "book." I am not sure this is what you are looking for.
I would highly recommend "Modern Reading Text in 4/4" by Louis Bellson.
This book is considered to be a must have for drummer but the concept and excercises are applicable to the guitar as well.
It contains loads of strumming patterns in 1/4, 1/8th, 1/16th notes, syncopated rhythms, triplets etc.
The rhythms are written in standard notation, which means you will need to tell apart a whole note from a half and a quarter rest from a eigth. However, you can learn this within 15 mins ...
You can check out a some excercises here:
Latest addition: Cover of "Don't Panic" by Coldplay
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=502670
it depends which level you're. If you're an almost beginner you should use an excellent book by a French guitarist (check it at http://www.mega-muse.com ) which gives you a very clear and down to earth introduction to the most typical 4/4 and 3/4 rhythms, both with straight and triplets feel. More interesting he gives you some excellent tips in order to recognize rhythms in the songs and to devolp teh ability to play steady rhythms. This book is the one that gave me the right foundations to play guitar...unfortunately I'm not sure if it is available in English
Matteo
I actually speak a little french, so it might be a possibility. Thanks!
After some more time on amazon.com, I've founds something else. I'd heard a lot about this book by David Mead (100 Guitar Tips You Should Have Been Told)
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Tips-Should-Have-Been/dp/1860742955/
It turns out he also has a Rhythm book:
http://www.amazon.com/Rhythm-Guide-Understanding-Rhythum-Guitar/dp/1860741983/
I actually speak a little french, so it might be a possibility. Thanks!
if you understand French go buy it and pratice extensively the exercises about foot and hand syncroniziation which are vital to develop a good rhythmic sense
Let me know
cheers
Matteo
"The Dictionary of Strum and Fingerpicking Patterns" by Fred Sokolow.
(I think that's the title anyway, I don't have it in front of me). A good down to earth book with hunderds of strumming and picking patterns to practice and a CD so you can hear what they sound like.
Take Care.
"You want WHAT on the *&%#ing ceiling?" - Michelangelo, 1566
