The Rhythm of Guitar Practice

The focus of my playing is the groove, and every time I find a new rhythm, I find I can write a bunch of new songs. Learning how to dance, or drum, or to swing my body in a new way is the fundamental way I find a new riff. Because when you learn to swing your body in a new way, you begin to swing with your instrument differently. Stone Gossard, Pearl Jam


Place your hand over your heart and feel your body’s rhythm…just feel, and mentally absorb your body rhythm. We all have a natural rhythm, and when we play our instrument, we must allow our body rhythm to flow into the natural rhythm of what we are practicing or playing. When you’re listening to a song that moves you, your feet will naturally tap to the groove of that song, or you might snap your fingers to the rhythm…that’s getting into the groove. It’s not scientific, it’s a feeling, a feeling that we can develop into an instinct.

So the key to developing a better sense of rhythm, and timing is to work with a metronome. The Internet is full of all kinds of metronome exercises, so take some time to look at various metronome exercises and then incorporate them into your practice schedule. Practice playing both chords, and notes to a metronome. The important thing to remember when playing with a metronome is start playing slow, and then slowly build up your speed over time. If you attempt to play fast in the beginning, you'll only be playing your mistakes fast.

Record your practice sessions. Recording your practice is an ear opening experience…it’s like the first time you listen to a recording of your own voice…really weird. When you record and listen to your guitar playing, you can hear mistakes, as well as those sparks of brilliance.

Learn some music theory in terms of time signatures. Learning how to play in different time signatures is a great way to jam to different groves, and to create your own rhythms.

Music is rhythm, and by developing your rhythm, your music will naturally develop as well.