How To Keep Rhythm On Guitar
Posted by Mike Schumacher
When someone says they can’t play any more, it is always worth considering whether or not they gave up practicing. The thing about practice is that there must be a reason why you stop!
If you are no longer able to read music, then don’t worry about it. There are many ways to learn how to read music so that you can independently understand what notes go together.
You do not need to know how to read music to enjoy playing guitar! Many professional musicians don’t. But if you want to take your skills to the next level, then learning how to read will help you along.
There are also lots of apps and websites which feature reading lessons, making it easy to get started. You should definitely try one out at least once – even if you already know how to read!
In this article, we will talk about some reasons why people give up practicing, as well as some tips for keeping rhythm in your music-playing life.
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Practice playing along with music
When you practice your guitar, make sure you are practicing using music! There is an easy way to do this- find a song you know well and play it as slowly as possible while still keeping time.
Practice by yourself first – no one will listen but you! – then start slowing down the song as other people may be able to use the timing or rhythm of the songs beat or groove pattern.
Once you get the hang of that, try moving at double speed or even triple the original tempo! This will help you apply the concepts onto new pieces quickly.
And don’t forget to keep practising! A good amount should take you around ten minutes per day, and maybe more during times of stress.
Use a metronome
A good way to learn how to play in time is by using a metronome. A metronome works by timing events, such as rhythm patterns or music notes.
A typical rhythm pattern goes like this: one two three four five six seven eight. There are eight beats in each measure of a song, which is what the meter is called. The timing of these beats can be adjusted depending on the song!
The easiest way to use a metronome is to set it at its fastest speed and then just hit the button when the rhythm you want to practice comes up. As you become more familiar with the tempo, you can decrease the speed slightly to make it run faster.
Use recording devices
A way to keep your rhythm is by using a good microphone, device, or source of music to help you play along with.
There are many ways to do this. You can use headphones as normal listening equipment, but plugged into a computer or smartphone so that you can record what you want to learn or make musics!
You can also use a instrument’s speaker as an amplifier by putting it next to the guitar string you want to play. By doing this, you get the same effect as having a real instrument!
Another option is to have someone else who knows how to play teach you their strum pattern or chord sequence. Then you just need to practice these at your own pace while keeping time!
Blog post: Why Is It So Hard To Learn Rhythms On The Instrument?
This article series has discussed why musicians sometimes struggle to learn new skills before. This section focused on one of the main reasons: there is no easy way to know when the tempo changes.
Why is this important to know how to do on the guitar?
Because changing tempos require knowing how to recognize where the meter falls in relation to other parts of the song, and being able to count down from the new speed!
All too often, people give up because they cannot figure out the timing correctly.
Use a backing track
A rhythm guitar part is always accompanied by a background music track. The guitarist does not usually play the whole song, but rather some riffs or sections that get mixed in with the rest of the band’s songs.
If you want to learn how to play rhythm guitar, then you must be able to identify what element of a song makes up its rhythm!
By learning the basics of playing along to a background music track, you will pick up many things such as timing, syncopation, and groove. All of these are integral parts of playing rhythm guitar!
There are several ways to start practicing this. You can do it completely digitally, using software like GarageBand, Spotify, or any other app that has a keyboard/synthesizer section. Or, if you already have a computer or smartphone, you can also use those to practice!
The best way to find your own personal favorite method is by experimenting with different types of tracks and instruments.
Keep an eye on your hands
The second key factor in keeping rhythm is how you use your left hand. When playing with your thumb down, it can get tricky to track where the notes go.
To help you out, I will list some things that your left hand should be doing while playing this song.
For the first measure of this song, your left hand must do the following:
• Press the third string (A) up against the next higher fret (E)
• Maintain this position for two beats
• Then drop back down onto the lower end of the A string at the fourth finger (Bb)
This way, the Bb stays pressed into place during the whole three-beat sequence!
After these three steps, repeat this process again for the next note, which is an F sharp major 2nd degree.
Touch your guitar gently
When you first start playing, try not to use too much force when touching your instrument. Use light touches only!
Some musicians may feel it is necessary to drop heavy hands onto their guitars all the time, but this is not good for your guitar.
Using excessive pressure can cause damage to the neck or breakage of strings. Also, if your hand is really strong, that may be motivating factor in learning how to play properly.
It’s better to make sure your hands are light and gentle at the beginning until you get familiar with the instrument. Then, as your skills progress, add some strength into your technique.
And don’t forget to wash your guitar occasionally! Grime and dirt can prevent proper resonance and tone of the string.
Use a guitar stand
Storing your instrument is an important thing to do, especially if you want to take it with you. You can buy small portable stands that hold your guitar up vertically or bigger models where it hangs horizontally. Either way, you should always store it somewhere close by so you don’t have to look for it every time you need it!
I recommend using a soft case or bag as coverings for your guitar. This will help protect your instrument from getting dirty or damaged. Make sure it does not contain any materials that could cause damage to the guitar like leather or plastic covers.
And lastly, keep your new gear in a safe place at home. Don’t leave it out wherever people might walk or drop things.
Practice playing in different locations
It is very important to practice your guitar outside of the house or studio. This can be in a music store, at a friend’s place, or anywhere with an adequate sound system.
Practice in as many environments as possible so you will feel comfortable when you are practicing alone.
By doing this, you will strengthen your connection with the instrument and yourself. You will also get familiar with various types of acoustic settings which may help you determine what sounds best for your songs.
Practicing in a crowded environment like a coffee shop or bar could distract other people around you, giving you more motivation to play well.
Furthermore, there might be opportunities to meet new people that would love to learn how to play the guitar. In fact, several famous musicians were trained by their peers or professors.
They learned how to read music and theory by watching and listening to others.

The Jam Addict team is a revolving door of writers who care about music, its effects on culture, and giving aspiring artists tools and knowledge to be inspired and keep on creating.
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