If you want to be a good guitar player, playing rhythm is an essential piece of the puzzle. Guitar is a rhythm instrument. It is part of the rhythm section of a band. Of course you can play melodies and tons of guitar solos but everything will eventually come back to rhythm.
When you play music there’s only two things. There’s the notes you’re playing and the rhythm. So, rhythm is 50% of what you’re doing when playing guitar. Rhythm isn’t just strumming the guitar either. Rhythm is a part of every note you play in a fill or guitar solo. That’s why I can’t stress enough how important rhythm is to guitar.
This course is going to focus on learning to strum the guitar properly. You’re going to learn over 50 rhythms that I teach my private students everyday. The rhythms start very basic and get much more challenging.
Rhythm is king. If you want to be great at guitar you need to be great at rhythm. This course will help you become a better rhythm player.
What will you learn in this course:
- Learn to strum the guitar properly - when to strum up and down
- Learn to strum whole notes
- Learn to strum half notes
- Learn to strum eight notes
- Learn to strum triplet notes
- Learn to strum sixteenth notes
- Learn to strum in different time signatures
- Learn how to strum scratches and mutes
- Learn how to be a better rhythm guitar player
This rhythm course is full of good foundational skills that every guitar player needs.
Course Curriculum
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StartCourse Introduction (2:05)
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StartRhythm Sheet 1 Introduction (0:31)
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StartLearn to Strum Whole Notes on the Guitar (3:32)
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StartLearn to Strum Half Notes on the Guitar (1:44)
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StartLearn to Strum Quarter Notes on the Guitar (1:17)
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StartLearn to Strum Eight Notes on the Guitar (3:29)
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StartLearn to Strum Quarter Notes and Eight Notes on the Guitar (1:09)
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StartLearn to Strum Half, Quarter, and Eight Notes on Guitar (1:19)
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StartLearn to Strum a Half Note with Eight Notes (1:06)
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StartLearn How to Play a Dotted Eight Note on Guitar (1:42)
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StartLearn to Strum the Eight, Quarter, Eight Rhythm Pattern on Guitar (3:54)
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StartLearn How to Read and Play Rests for the Guitar (5:28)
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StartRhythm Sheet 2 Introduction (0:20)
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StartLearn How to Play a Rhythm with a Tie on the Guitar (2:05)
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StartLearn to Strum Rhythm Variation of Quarter and Eight Notes on Guitar (1:35)
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StartLearn to Strum Rhythmic Variation of Quarter and Eight Notes with a Tie on Guitar (2:08)
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StartLearn to Strum Quarter and Eight Notes in a Rhythmic Variation on the Guitar (1:10)
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StartLearn to Strum a Rhythm with Quarter, Eight Notes and a Tie on Guitar (1:33)
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StartLearn to Strum a Rhythm with Quarter, Dotted Quarter, and Eight Notes on Guitar (1:12)
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StartLearn this Beginner Guitar Rhythm with a Dotted Half Note on Guitar (1:20)
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StartStrum a Non Repetitive Rhythm with Half, Quarter, and Either Notes on Guitar (2:42)
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StartLearn to Strum a Harder Beginner Rhythm with Eight Note Rests on Guitar (2:22)
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StartLearn to Strum and Easy Beginner Rhythm Exercise for Guitar (1:38)
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StartRhythm Sheet 3 Introduction (0:23)
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StartLearn to Strum a Rhythm that Introduces Sixteenth Notes on Guitar (4:01)
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StartLearn to Strum a Rhythmic Variation with Sixteen Notes (1:29)
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StartStrum a Rhythm That Focuses on Sixteen Notes and Ties on the Guitar (2:44)
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StartLearn How to Strum a Rhythm with Many Consecutive Sixteenth Notes in a Row on Guitar (1:46)
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StartLearn to Strum an Intermediate Level Rhythm with 16 Notes on Guitar (1:37)
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StartLearn to Play a Non Repeating Rhythm That Focuses on Sixteenth notes and Rests on Guitar (2:05)
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StartLearn to Strum a Rhythm That Uses a Wide Array of Note Lengths on Guitar (2:06)
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StartLearn to Play a Rhythm with Four Sets of Sixteenth Notes in a Row on Guitar (1:24)
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StartLearn to Strum a Late Beginner Rhythm on Guitar (1:11)
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StartLearn to Strum a Beginner Guitar Rhythm with Varying Note Lengths (1:37)
Learn on Demand
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You can download our courses to your desktop, laptop, or get the Apple or Andoid app for Teachable and take your course with you.
Your Instructor
My name is Chris Rupp and I'm a guitar instructor and founder of GuitArmy. I am currently teaching live Zoom lessons to students all over the world and creating online guitar courses. I'm a Berklee College of Music graduate and have been teaching guitar full time for over 20 years. I have taught more than 35,000 individual guitar lessons and have more than 23,000 students that have taken my online courses.
Chris is hands down the best guitar teacher that I have worked with over the past 20 years of playing. I have been taking Skype lessons with him over the past few months and my playing has progressed tremendously. The secret to Chris' success is that he understands music theory so well that he can help you apply meaningful theory based techniques without overwhelming you with details. However, if details are your thing don't hesitate to drill in deeper with him. Also, Chris goes above and beyond to ensure my time in between lessons will be productive and enjoyable. Finally, and maybe most importantly, Chris is fun to learn with and I don't recall a lesson where we weren't laughing out loud about something. I like Skype Guitar Lessons for the convenience, but GuitArmy and Chris will keep me hooked on the concept for many months to come.
- Mark Stegura
I'm a working professional, and have been taking guitar lessons with Chris for several year now. My understanding of the guitar, and ability to play have improved dramatically ever since I've taken classes with Chris. Chris is extremely knowledgeable about the instrument, and his accessible style of teaching make learning a true pleasure. Chris also works very hard to fit lessons into my schedule - which has been absolutely wonderful. I look forward to continuing my lessons with Chris for many years to come.
- Vamsee
Student Testimonial (Beginner Guitar Lessons - 10 Lessons)
Hi Chris, thanks so much for reaching out! I'm about half way through lesson 10 of your Beginner lessons via GuitArmy, so I was researching more of your teaching, and what's next... and found your GuitArmy! I've gotta tell ya, something about your explanations, your method of teaching, and the detailed resources provided, you've connected so many dots for me -- it's appreciated beyond words! I'm mostly self-taught, regret that I started so late in life, and have tried other online resources, but yours has been the most comprehensive! As a corporate facilitator to adult learners myself, I just wanted to express my gratitude!
Melanie
I've always wanted to learn the guitar but I couldn't commit to actually driving to and attending a class every week. Chris makes it so easy and convenient with the Skype lessons. He's a great instructor and I'm learning so quickly! My goal is to learn Hotel California in six months and with GuitArmy, I have no doubt that I will.
- Cassie