311 - Playing by Ear or Reading Rhythm: Do You Need Both?

In the first episode of Become a Better Rhythm Guitarist, I explain how reading rhythm can make you a better guitarist even if you learn most of your songs by ear. A little rhythm reading can help you work out unfamiliar parts, hear exactly where your timing goes wrong, and keep a steady beat through held notes and rests.

In this episode

• What guitar tab tells you about timing and when you’ll need to listen to the recording
• How counting aloud can help you spot why a chord change feels early or late
• Which note values to learn first and how to count through a rest
• A two-bar clap-along you can try without a guitar

Your five-minute practice challenge

Pick one bar with the rhythm written out. Count the beats aloud, clap the rhythm, then play it on one string or one chord. Compare it with the recording, or record yourself and listen back. If you need a rhythm to start with, try two quarter notes followed by a half note. Play on beats one, two and three, and let that last note ring through beat four.

Next week, I’ll show you how the same chords can take on a different feel in blues, country, pop and rock in A Bluffer’s Guide to Rhythm Guitar.