The Lost Art of Rhythm Guitar
By MNJ
| Posted in Guitar
Although you may be practicing like a demon to play guitar like Satch, Vai or Malmsteen, take some time out to consider the role of rhythm guitarists, how important they are in rock music, and how listening to the gov’ners in the art and how they do it will add new dimensions to your guitar skills.
Never mind that Pete Townshend invented the 100w stack and the power chord, just listen to ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’; it’s a masterclass in how to combine driving rhythm and fills to create a classic track. Solo? Don’t need one mate. Pete is pretty much fixed on a Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster these days through a pair of Fender VibroKings and is still for my money the most exciting guitar player in the world.
Malcolm Young and his battered old Gretsch Jet Firebird has been the engine room of AC/DC for over three decades. I don’t I’ve ever heard a tighter player when it comes to rhythm parts and it’s so simple; he and Angus play different chord voicings and pan them left and right to produce the most powerful rock rhythm sound ever commited to vinyl. Recommended track; ‘Highway to Hell’.
Somewhere in the middle is Keef. Sometimes live he’s all over the shop rhythmically and it doesn’t seem to matter, but it’s on record where once again, the whole Stones sound is based on his capo‘d Telecaster with the bottom string missing. Listen to ‘Sticky Fingers’ or ‘Exile on Main Street’ and you’ll get it. Favourite track? ‘Tumblin’ Dice’.
Rhythm guitar then. Flash? Not really. Posy? Definitely not (Johnnies Thunders and Ramone excepted). Essential? Definitely.
Tags: fender