Guitar Rhythm and Techniques For Dummies, Book + Online Video and Audio Instruction

If you want to improve your timing, sharpen your technique, or get inspired by new ideas, Guitar Rhythm & Technique For Dummies breaks down the basics of reading, counting, strumming, and picking rhythms on guitar to make you an ace on the axe in no time. With the help of this friendly guide, you'll learn to play examples of eighth and sixteenth note rhythms—including common strum patterns heard in popular music—to improve your guitar rhythm, feel, and timing. Plus, access to audio downloads and online video lessons complement the coverage presented in the book, giving you the option of supplementing your reading with additional visual and audio learning.

There's no denying that guitar is one of the coolest musical instruments on the planet. Okay, perhaps undeniably the coolest. Whether you bow at the feet of Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, the Edge, or Eddie Van Halen, they all have one thing in common: they make it look incredibly, naturally easy! However, anyone who's actually picked up a guitar knows that mastering rhythm and technique is something that takes a lot of practice—not to mention good coaching. Luckily, Guitar Rhythm & Technique For Dummies makes your aspirations to play guitar like the pros attainable with loads of helpful step-by-step instruction on everything from mastering hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides to perfecting your picking—and beyond.

• Covers strum patterns, articulations, picking techniques, and more
• Showcases musical styles such as pop, rock, blues, folk, and funk
• Includes techniques for playing with both your right and left hand
• Provides access to online audio tracks and video instruction so you can master the concepts and techniques presented in the book

Whether you're new to guitar or an advanced player looking to improve your musical timing and skills, Guitar Rhythm & Technique For Dummies quickly gets you in the groove before the rhythm gets you.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Guitar Rhythm and Technique 5

Chapter 1: Rhythm and Technique in a Nutshell 7

Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Music Staff and Traveling through Time 11

Part II: Reading Rhythms and Strumming Patterns 19

Chapter 3: Playing Eighth‐Note Strum Patterns 21

Chapter 4: Playing Sixteenth‐Note Strum Patterns 35

Chapter 5: Playing Triplets, Shuffles, and Compound Time Signatures 47

Part III: Fretting‐Hand Techniques 55

Chapter 6: Working with Fingerings 57

Chapter 7: Adding Articulation and Expression 71

Chapter 8: Sounding Harmonics 91

Chapter 9: Using Alternate Tunings and Playing Slide Guitar 105

Part IV: Picking‐Hand Techniques 121

Chapter 10: Picking and Choosing: Exploring Picking Techniques 123

Chapter 11: Fingerpickin’ Good: Exploring Fingerstyle Techniques 141

Chapter 12: Using a Tremolo System 155

Part V: Practice Makes Perfect 163

Chapter 13: Running Down Your Rhythms 165

Chapter 14: Picking through Scales with Melodic Patterns 169

Part VI: The Part of Tens 179

Chapter 15: Ten Technique Tracks 181

Chapter 16: Ten (Or So) Guitarists to Inspire Your Rhythm and Technique 185

Appendix: Audio Tracks and Video Clips 189

Index 193

Desi Serna has built a substantial online platform as an engaging and approachable guitar guru-a guitar player and teacher with more than 10,000 hours of experience providing private guitar lessons and classes. Serna is hailed as a "music-theory expert" by Rolling Stone magazine.

Learn to:

• Understand the basics of reading, counting, strumming, fingering, and picking
• Improve your timing and sharpen your rhythm-playing skills
• Develop techniques for styles such as pop, rock, blues, folk, and funk

Lack of rhythm getting you down? Improve your rhythm and timing and develop your guitar-playing skills!

The guitar greats make it look effortless—but mastering rhythm and technique takes tons of practice. Luckily, this friendly guide makes your aspirations to play uitar like the pros attainable with loads of helpful step-by-step instruction on everything from mastering the art of strumming to sharpening your fingering and picking skills.

• Find your rhythm — learn to read and play essential rhythms, develop your strumming style, and enhance your groove
• Pick and choose — take a look at the ups and downs of picking, get to know alternate, tremolo, sweep, economy, and crosspicking, and develop your own picking proficiency
• Put a finger on it — play popular fingerpicking patterns and chord melody fingerstyle arrangements and get confident with hybrid picking and percussive slaps
• Hone your chops — work with hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and bends, plus improve your hand dexterity and synchronization
• Tools of the trade — get a grip on using a pick, playing slide guitar, and operating a whammy bar

Open the book and find:

• The lowdown on keeping time
• Popular strumming patterns
• Groove-enhancing techniques
• Ways to add articulation and expression
• The mechanics of picking
• Exercises to improve your reading and playing
• Songs and guitarists to inspire your rhythm and technique
• Access to video demonstrations and audio tracks online