The art of Rhythm and Soloing - Part 1_Basic Rhythm

by Topgunner581 (Aug 02, 2008)

The art of Rhythm and Soloing - Part 1_Basic Rhythm

The first thing you need to know before you can solo is to know how to keep a rhythm. Some solos don't have a set rhythm but in order to please your crowd you must start and end on beat and for the most part your solo is hopefully at least on tempo.

This first part will teach you a basic blues rhythm, at first it will be so easy you'll lose interest but i will progress it into a harder more enjoyable rrhythm. Remember to take it slow and at your own pace, and feel free to look back at anything if you become unsure.

e[-------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
B[-------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
G[-------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
D[-------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
A[--2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4-|2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4-|2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4--
E[--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0-|0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0-|0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

e[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
B[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
G[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
D[------------------------|-2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4|-2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4-
A[--2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4|-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0|-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0-
E[--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0|-----------------------|------------------------
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

e[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
B[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
G[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------
D[------------------------|-----------------------|-4--4--6--6--4--4--6--6-
A[--2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4|-2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4|-2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2-
E[--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0|-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0|------------------------
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

e[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------:]
B[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------:]
G[------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------:]
D[--2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4|-----------------------|------------------------:](Repeat as needed)
A[--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0|-2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4|-2--2--4--4--2--2--4--4-:]
E[------------------------|-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0|-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0-:]
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Well thats your basic blues rhythm. When you get used to this rhythm you can pretty much do anything with it. I like to palm-mute it then rake the strings before each chord change.
These bars are all power chords so its extremely easy.

If you are having trouble stretching your hands to play these rhythms here are a few hints...

- Keep your thumb on the spine (or middle) of the neck, this enables your fingers to curl and stretch farther (also a must in soloing)

- if you have small hands try different fingerings.

- try some finger exercises. here is one i use... (starting on 5th fret)

 e[--------------------------
B[--------------------------
G[--------------------------
D[------------------5-6-7-8- ect. then I slide up one fret and go down
A[----------5-6-7-8---------
E[--5-6-7-8-----------------

e[--9-8-7-6-----------------
B[----------9-8-7-6---------
G[------------------9-8-7-6- ect. then slide one more fret and go up
D[--------------------------
A[--------------------------
E[--------------------------


I will leave you with that for now... if you want to continue on go on to part 2, if this isn't your taste or if you want to work more on this section then please do.

Thank you for looking, I appriciate it and trust me, I know its hard to comprehend
things in writing.