How To Play Fast Rhythm Guitar

Posted by Mike Schumacher

When playing fast rhythm guitar, there are three main instruments you use to get the job done. These include the high-pitched open strings (or notes), the middle range of frequencies or chords, and lower pitched bass sounds.

The most important thing about using these different parts is knowing when to use them! For example, if you were writing a song that had lyrics like “I wanna be your baby” then you would want to use at least one chord or note per line in the lyric.

If all you have access to is the low bass sound then you will need to find other ways to add depth to the music.

Learn to use a metronome

how to play fast rhythm guitar

A metronome is a tool that helps you learn how to play music more quickly. It works by timing something for you, making it easier to keep time in your songs. The most common uses of a metronome are as a way to practice rhythm or to aid in learning a instrument!

There are many ways to use a metronome effectively. Some people only ever use a digital one which has adjustable speed settings. Others use a spring-loaded device that needs to be manually pressed down to start working. Yet others have a headphone jack so they can listen while the device works.

Slow down

how to play fast rhythm guitar

A lot of people get stuck in a rhythm pattern they are familiar with, which is definitely a good thing! But if you want to play faster guitar, then you have to learn how to break out of that rut.

You need to know what every part of your song looks like! If you can’t figure out the main chord or the bass line, then go back and review those parts until it all makes sense.

Then once everything does make sense, start moving around and trying different patterns and timing.

Rhythm section

A rhythm section is any pair of instruments that play together as one unit. The term “section” is sometimes used instead, but it can be confusing because there are some bands (for example, most jazz groups have a bass instrument and a drum set) that do not use the word “section.”

When talking about the guitar as a rhythm instrument, we usually refer to either the piano or the bass as your main rhythm guitar. Both of these guitars have keyboards attached to them, so they can both play computer-generated music easily.

The second part of the rhythm guitar team is typically an electronic device called a looping pedal. These pedals create repeated sounds which help lead into other parts of the song. For instance, when playing the opening chords of a song, you would put in a short bit of time using a pedal.

Some popular ones are the chorus foot pedal for songs with a hook or intro, the octave divider pedal for doubling up notes, and the unison pedal, which doubles the note length.

Noticing little details

how to play fast rhythm guitar

The next thing you need to do is learn how to play some simple, short riffs or songs! This can be done by simply learning your hand positions and how to play some notes.

By now, you’ve probably noticed that most guitarists use their index finger to fret down strings and either their middle or ring fingers to press down with ease. That’s because most professional musicians start out doing it this way and then work on moving up the ladder as they grow.

But there are lots of great rhythm guitarist out there who don’t use that technique! And you know what? They’re totally fine!

You see, not using those chords effectively isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can even make you faster!

The reason is simple: By using different picking techniques, you’ll have to move more quickly in order to get the same result.

Taking breaks

how to play fast rhythm guitar

A lot of people start playing guitar by picking any string and then quickly moving onto another string, or skipping strings entirely. This is not the best way to learn how to play fast rhythm guitar!

By sticking with one note for a few seconds and switching strings every couple of measures, you will be able to play some basic riffs and songs.

However, this isn’t really good technique unless you are planning to perform these tunes in a contest or similar setting where time doesn’t matter.

If you want to improve your speed as a guitarist, you need to know when it’s okay to take a break!

Taking a short break after each chord can help you relax and process what notes you just played before moving on to the next one.

You don’t have to use whole minutes between chords, but a couple of seconds works well.

This also gives your hand more time to recover from the previous chord while making room for the next one.

Cleaning your instrument

how to play fast rhythm guitar

When you first start playing guitar, it is helpful to know how to clean your instrument. This is particularly important if you are looking to play faster!

Most advanced musicians spend a lot of time cleaning their guitars. Not only does this help make the strings sound better, it helps promote speed by removing any kind of obstruction that could be preventing your hand or string from sliding as quickly over the surface of the guitar.

There are two main types of cleaners for electric guitars: liquid-based and gel-type products. Both work well, but some people prefer one type over another. You should try both out and see which ones work best for you!

Liquid-Based Product

These are typically just water with a few drops of cleaner mixed in. You can use either a brush or a plastic spoon to apply the liquid onto the guitar. Some liquids have a spray top so that you do not need a tool to apply them.

Some people like to run each string through the bottle side by side before applying the index finger cover. This helps dry down the guitar more completely and also removes any residue that might remain from earlier touches.

Gel-Type Product

Many people enjoy using gel cleansers because they feel there is more control when applying the product to the guitar. These usually contain small chunks of dried material that act as abrasives to remove leftover dirt and debris.

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