Rhythm Guitar Lessons
Strumming, picking, phrasing and timing

Welcome to the rhythm guitar lessons hub. From here, you can access free lessons that will take you through the techniques and skills of how to play rhythm guitar, allowing you to play more technically equipped and with an open mind.

So what part does a rhythm guitarist play in a band? Some people like to put the emphasis on supporting the percussion and bass. others see the role of rhythm guitar to lay down a defined chord progression which allows the lead instrument(s) to harmonize over. Others say "all of the above" :o)

Whatever your definition of rhythm guitar, there are many aspects and techniques to learn so you can become inventive with your playing.

So, take a look through the rhythm guitar lessons below and make sure you equip yourself with the playing tools you need to bring out your own, unique style - and that is what's important here.

Before you learn complex strumming or picking patterns, you need to be able to negotiate chord changes. Once these "marker points" are firmly in place, you can then work your own rhythms around them. This lesson includes 6 exercises with backing tracks to help sharpen your chord change timing.

See also: Barre Chord Changing Exercises 

Guitar Strumming Series

In this series, you'll learn essential strumming techniques. Starting with the basics (if you need), moving onto more complex strumming patterns and chord change rhythms, use this course to lay the foundations for your own experimentation. Features video, backing tracks and clear diagrams. Enjoy!

• Essential Strumming Basics
• Beginner Strumming Patterns
• Essential Strumming Technique
• More Advanced Strumming Patterns
• Chord Change Strum Timing

Guitar Chord Picking Techniques

Covers flatpicking styles and exercises to help you improve your picking accuracy, rhythm and timing. Learn the essential "rules" of alternate picking, string skipping and other common picking styles.

• Chord Picking Basics
• String Skipping & Layered Patterns

Fingerstyle Guitar

Great introductory video series by Jim Deeming showing you the basics of fingerstyle guitar.

Metal Strumming & Rhythm

Series devoted to essential metal rhythm guitar techniques. We start with some basic downstrum rhythms (with downloadable drum tracks!) commonly used in heavy metal before moving on to more complex down-up speed patterns.

• Down Strumming Patterns
  
• Alternate Strumming Patterns

Chord Phrasing

Learn more about how to use chords more effectively by applying various note "phrases" around the basic chord shapes with your free fingers. Part 2 expands on this idea by playing 2 and 3 string phrases around a chord structure. Experimenting with this technique will help you discover new ways to spice up your rhythm playing.

• Single String Chord Phrases
  
• Floating Chord Phrases