Josh Smith on Rhythm Guitar
Vložit
- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Blues wizard Josh Smith talks about the importance of rhythm guitar in a world preoccupied with guitar solos.
Can't get enough of Josh's playing? Then check out Josh's full clinic, recorded in-house here at TC HQ late last year: bit.ly/joshsmit...
After spending years running with the herd and learning all those Diminished 7th arpeggios, 2 handed tapping licks, legato runs it felt boring. I realized that the Motown Guitar players had discovered the true essence and treasure of the Guitar long before the shredders came in. Rhythm is the centerpiece of guitar playing with melody used in bits and pieces as an accessory in the middle of Harmonic passages, in between the chords as clearly shown here. Those who are good at rhythm are able to write better songs and sounded better on stage too! And that's the truth.
"Rhythm guitar is the most important thing you can learn on guitar." THANK YOU. WAY too many guitarists only care about soloing at lightning speeds, and have absolutely no feel to speak of and pay no attention to the song underneath them. Also, this is a reminder that Hendrix's innovative style of playing rhythm and lead simultaneously stemmed directly from his days as a backing guitarist.
hednrix was innovative, but not for playing 'rhythm and lead simultaneously'.... chet atkins buddy.
@@carl-ok9gn Atkins didn't invent playing rhythm and lead simultaneously either, and I never said Hendrix innovated it. I said the *way* he played the two simultaneously was innovative, and undeniably influential. There are many techniques and styles of playing rhythm and lead together, and I was simply pointing out that Hendrix's is deeply indebted to his time as a backing guitarist on the Chitlins circuit.
@@dlein93 pointless.
@@carl-ok9gn big of you to recognize that your comments were pointless. Respect!
@@dlein93 you dont know shit 🤣 if you did you'd already be aware and appreciate this comment
Josh doesn't just play guitar, the dude plays music.
Is it just me or should that not be a huge revelation. I mean... isn't that the point
@@connor_selby No - Leon Todd's making a very good point. There's a lot of guitarists that make a lot of noise, but is it music that anybody could click their fingers or dance to??? The stuff that makes you click you fingers or dance, is the stuff that counts - The rest can be put out with the trash...
@@kewlfonz yeah its just sad where we've got to a point where someone playing real music on a musical instrument is a huge revelation.
@@connor_selby That's because most guitarists are shredders/tossers and just make a load of noise to feed their gigantic egos. Subsequently , a lot of younger, aspiriing guitarists think that's what real guitar playing is - fortunately there's guy's like Josh to put 'em staight, if they'll listen...
That's exactly what it's all about bro. Thats where the gold is
Josh Smith is an amazing guitarist and an extremely versatile one too!
New guitarists to look up:
Cornell Dupree
Steve cropper
David T walker
Jimmy Nolan
Off I go!
Look up Kirk Fletcher - Favourite Blues Shuffles. He's great too!
Mateus Asato
Isaiah Sharkey
Nile Rodgers
David Williams
Al McKay
Prince
Don’t forget Teenie Hodges! Check out the Hi Records soul years compilation. So good
You already know Steve Cropper, friend! Hes the guitar player in the Blues Brothers movies 😃
My God! I've never heard of this guy before, but he has just -- in 10 minutes -- advanced my musical understanding and vision to another level! I'm speechless. I want more of this stuff.
Marc anytime he plays or talks about music is pretty much mind blowing lol
Josh, your speaking the language of my youth (I’m 67 now). When I discovered blues in my teens (started playing surf music at 9), my teacher, a guy by the name of Norm Fromm (he changed my life), said, and I quote “First thing you gotta learn is jungle music, James Brown”. Nothing derogatory about that, just straight talk about the essentials. He tuned me into so many other rhythm patterns that I would do exactly what you are speaking about, play them till they were second nature. Thanks for sharing your insight and knowledge.
This is great. I agree especially with the notion that EVH is as good of a rhythm player as he is a soloist. Thanks for reminding us how darn fun playing rhythm can be Josh!
Yes 100%! Eddie's rhythm playing is underrated and overshadowed because of the most copied 2 handed tapping that people tend to notice first. He plays the piano/keyboard and very much know chord theory on his own.
Yeah, he is so right about Eddie's 'swing'... he had that in spades and is what really set him apart and what makes him so tough to play like. I've got a lot of work to do on my rhythm playing... LOL
I always admired the way he played the correct note in a very toneful way, very expressive.
I think Eddie is better at rhythm than lead..especially on Fair Warning
Eddie is such a great soloist *because* he is a great rhythm player. A lead player actually needs to be better at rhythm than someone who is playing typical rhythm parts. Because leads are more often far more complex rhythmically.
Saw him when he was 15 years old....and an absolute monster. His advice here is beyond golden and should be drilled into the heads of all new young players.
You start playing and I immediately feel a metronome! Unbelievable!
As a guitarist who is still quite early in the journey yet absolutely passionate about learning and improving, this 10-minute video chat by the great Josh Smith is now one of the cornerstone pieces in guitar foundation for this Padawan learner. I don't have the right words to describe how grateful I am, and how inspired I am, thanks to this incredible moment of teaching and sharing. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Josh!
This guy has taught me so much and I’ve never even met him 👏 👏 👏
This is fantastic! Every time Josh Smith speaks he imparts more and more wisdom into the music community. Not just a great player but a great communicator of what’s important to become a better musician. Thanks for posting.
I will be more proud to be a modest guitar rhythm player than a soloist !!!!! Josh you are awesome , humble and so talented ! Keep on
Of all the guitar stuff on youtube this is the probably one of the core lessons. Thanks Josh and TC
Only just recently come across Josh Smith, wow..where have I been hiding all these years..just brilliant guitar playing.
Really great advice! Way back when, in the very first group I play with, the other guitarist was miles ahead of me as a player but he forced me to play lead. I kept asking him why. His response was "I love your phrasing." Honestly my brain was way beyond my technique. My fingers couldn't keep up with my brain so I just played what my mechanics allowed. Somehow it translated into tasteful solos but ..... Years later I had to almost literally start over and learn to play rhythm guitar. My rhythm sense was well developed but the chord mechanics were lacking. I'm 70 years old and have been playing for 60 years but am still working hard on my rhythm playing. Improving using scales is a piece of cake. Improving using chords needs much more work from my perspective.
Maybe he was polite and wanted to ensure the band is supported by solid rhythm playing 😉
I've been preaching how rhythm guitar has become a lost art for years. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for helping me understand so much more about such a vital part of playing guitar. Just brilliant.
The student has become the master! Probably the most complete player in the blues/jazz fusion genre.
Gotta say - I've been playing for 48 years, and I've always been convinced that I get called because I'm a rhythm player first. Love this video, plus you sayd two words: "Cornell" and "Dupree". You've given me much food for thought, thank you!
You totally are speaking my heart. And then you mention Eddie...yes! He’s a great rhythm player.
this guy is the embodiment of what a complete guitar/session player should be 👊
I started in my dads band age 14! I was his rhythm guitar player! In those days you learned to play rhythm first! That was your apprenticeship! I had to learn Foxtrots, Tango’s, Quickstep, Waltz, Country, Blues, Rock + Roll, and on and on! I totally agree, if you can’t play rhythm and keep time, you ain’t going nowhere! Great Video! Thanks!
I've just recently in the past 10 months or so discovered Josh through other channels and love his overall approach to playing guitar. Above all he's an amazing dude. For him to mention EVH and his ridiculous swing solidifies my reason I love Josh.
Great discovery he's a fantastic player
Sat on the edge of the bed, replayed 3:33 a hundred times to ( sort of ) get it, it was an hour when I was happy as ever.
Jimi Hendrix was a spectacularly good rhythm guitar player. I know you know that, Josh, but it is an often missed fact. His meter was impeccable and his choices were always about the song.
This is a true statement
just went back to some live recordings of hendrixs... left speechless by the flow of chords and improvised lines inbetween ..
JIMISTONED Comping the progression with melody was a signature of his playing, no doubt about that. But what I really meant to call attention to was his absolutely perfect groove when just playing chords. Up From The Skies, Crosstown Traffic, Rainy Day Dream Away, Wait Until Tomorrow... the list goes on and on where his guitar playing grooved harder than anybody in the band, including drums. I don’t see much mention of this but it’s what has affected me most about Jimi’s playing. As good a rhythm player as I have ever found.
Peter Yianilos so glad to see someone pick up on this. Hendrix’s rhythm playing was out of this world and to me, the best of all time. He played rhythm and lead at the same time while singing and never ever ever missed a single beat. Not only did he not miss a beat, he was on top on the rhythm, almost out in Front of the rhythm section at times which we all know is not easy to do. ElectricLady Land, the version that’s an instrumental from the purple box set is a prime example of some of his best rhythm playing at work. Castles made of Sand is another incredible rhythm track and there is an instrumental version of that as well on the extended Hendrix box set. Little Wing is his crowning achievement to me. The ultimate chord solo. Oh and Izabella Live at Woodstock has amazing chords and rhythm as well. So many to choose from...
Peter Yianilos ... absolutely true.
One of the greatest videos on rhythm guitar Ive ever seen!
that is some incredible rhythm playing and that tone is unbelievable.
This is the path I need to take on my playing journey... After 20 years I play rhythm anywhere near what I wish
What a great reminder of what a good guitar player needs to know. I love to solo and can quite well but feel entirely humbled by the musicianship and wisdom of Josh here. Great Lesson!
Thank you TC Electronic and Josh! Y'all have no idea how helpful this is to me. I wish more CZcams channels would focus more on learning how to play rhythm guitar.
I’m always left with a smile listening to Josh play!!
Outstanding lesson drawing from many of the great players. Josh is a real scholar of the instrument.
What a monster player and what an amazing personality! He's so humble but confident - I love these kinds of lessons. I've seen him play twice in Budapest and the show was outstanding both times. If you get a chance, go watch Josh Smith!
Josh speaks I listen. Such a wonderful player and his love for gear and music is an inspiration.
I understood what you meant about Hendrix from the start, and you are so correct, Sir! Obviously, Chet was also amazing. Both "undeniably influential," as you say, but neither one invented the skill.
Flamenco guitar had already been around for centuries, and the lute had been around centuries before that.
What a great video! I'm a newbie to Josh Smith, so I need to brush up on his stuff, but that Cornell Dupree stuff reminds me so much of my own rhythm guitar hero, Paul Jackson Jr., but of course, it's the other way around. And he's so right about Larry Carlton's rhythm playing being overshadowed by his classic solos. For me, his Crusaders work was just as unbelievable. Anyway, I need to explore Josh Smith a lot more now.
Thank you Josh Smith, love the way you tied all those guitar players together through rhythm guitar. Hendrix took it all in as well and then some. Liittle wing Bold as love, Castles made of sand etc... all from those wonderful guitar players you referenced. Great Video please do some more soon
4:46 this is one of those moments I'm glad the internet exists.
wicked video josh smith is such a mentor and he's got some brilliant examples in this! definitely going to go through all those players he talks about. Thanks Josh!
This man is one of the best out there!!
That Eddie riff sealed the deal for me! :-)
What a great video, and what a great guitarist! Thank you!
This is some solid guitar wisdom! Wow!
Great words of wisdom. As much as I love soloing, rhythm guitar is way more important.
David Rothberg The prob is there is way too much emphasis on soloing. YT videos are prime examples of prioritizing solos. I just wanna get to the point where I can have as much fun at rhythm
Every guitarist should hear this great lesson Josh . We all wanted to be Eddie really lol . He was and is a true genius I'm glad Josh recognised him in the end I was gonna comment that exact thing . Nuno Bettencourt was another Rhythm guitar monster . I'm sure Edd was listening to all those old cats Josh mentioned too .
Glad I found you my friend! You R 100% RIGHT ON! I met somebody like you in early 80s I took 2 jazz lessons from him that I never forgot and helped me latter on. But he moved away to Florida .
Compelling, thoughtful, insightful, masterful, humble and generous. The world needs more of these qualities. Thank you, Mr. S. All found in a masterclass on rhythm. Not by chance.
GREAT lesson. Rhythm is SO underrated. There must be 37 shred only players disliking this.
Thank you Josh now I know what I need To be working on my rhythm instead of lead lead all the time thank you my friend stay safe and God bless
Ah Thank you TC Electronic, that was such a treat. Josh Smith is so great.
After this I'm going to learn how to play _Rainy Night in Georgia._ Thanks for the inspiration. ^-^
Yes
This is gold!!
More gold from Josh Smith
It's about time we here something that shouldn't even be a debate on here. Josh it's so right
JOSH is also amazing... and "alive." He's just making sure the message continues to be heard and gets passed down to all that can benefit. I absolutely love and respect Josh Smith. He, too, is obviously a brilliant musician, but the passion he displays for everything his craft entails is unsurpassed in my book. Check out ANYTHING from him. He's all heart, and he can barely keep his Enormous talent and passion contained, or that huge, talented Heart of his will explode. We are so lucky to have him in our life's timeline.
I just love hearing Josh talk shop.
Finally somebody came out and said this I can do the shred fest or mellow melodic solo thing in any key and scale but I wish my rhythm was half as good as my soloing and I really have to start working on it. Thanks Josh and TC.
Best advise ever. The best rhythm guitarists are the best
soloist. Robben Ford said I work on rhythm.
Fantastic class , josh just sounds so natural , he just flows , amazing 👏👏👏
Great advice. I will for sure practice more of it! It is easy to get sidetracked by soloing improv and the practicing of it to get better.
Rhythm Tone and Dynamics are the most important aspect of a solo
I absolutely agree with Josh’s perspective here.
what a beautiful player... lots of soul and in the pocket.
Great to hear a guy gush over this way of playing and not have to mention Hendrix once. I love Hendrix, but he’s not the only badass.
Yeah, that rainy night in georgia guitar parts is just perfect
What a great talk. That's fascinating - I could never specify what I liked most about EVH: he had the swing.
Ive learned more from josh smith in ten minutes than from hours of...well, nearly anything else.
Great stuff, friendly teacher.
Thanks for posting.
Bob Weir is a great example of an amazing rhythm guitarist! He knows every damn inversion and is inspired by jazz pianists for chord voicings!
My mentors solos' were/are rhythmically better than mine. I started out on bass for that reason. I decided I wanted to live in the rhythm section and support my mentors' guitar parts. That's when I learned both what the job of a great guitarist is, and what to expect as support. Now I'm pretty not-bad.
This is great! Great perspective, cool background, and easy to understand. Nice job!
Al McKay from E.W.F. is a BEAST on Rhythm Guitar.
You ever get that sensation right down your spine when someone plays something SWEET!!! 5:04-5:09
Im sorry, but this is inspiring!!!
Appreciate you
Songwriting and rhythm guitar. Finally someone said it.
Rainy Night In Georgia! Greatest song ever recorded!
"If don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" Josh makes jazz swing again.
Incredible!!! 🎼
Very inspiring, educational video, thanks Josh and TC Electronic!
I’m glad he mentions EVH and his rhythm playing. I’ve always, from the first time I heard Van Halen 1, thought Eddie’s rhythm playing was more impressive than his lead playing. Another phenomenal rhythm player, clearly because he was such a student of the greats, is Steve Lukather.
Thank you. This is so inspiring! Wish I knew about this when i started but never too late to start!
15 dislikes.....Amazing!
So talented this guy Josh.
'Help Me' is sooooo gorgeous!
What a great video. I've watched it twice already. Thank you.
Im really impressed with Josh. I want to watch all his videos. I will add those players he talked about to my list and "Hot Licks" as well.
Great Video Josh and TC!!! Rhythm is ALL, without it we got nothing!!!
Brilliant Clinic Josh.
Best guitar lesson I've had in ages!
This guy is just fantastic
Inspiring. The only problem is to find the right things to listen to and to study
Bro just get a stax or Atlantic rec soul collection. It is all there
All the Motown
@@olympiabats4512 thx dude!!!!
@@olympiabats4512 you mean atlantic records?
@@FabrizioPeretti yes sorry typing on phones. Check out nick curran and ov wright
You could tell he really loves to play.
this is why it takes 10,000...20,000.... hours sitting on ya bed practicing.....learning from the greats before you really understand music and guitar....this guy is so well versed he can play anything.....thats a lot of study, practice and dedication.......great stuff Mr Smith.....
He makes really good points. Most people won’t be that explosive leading star, and should def invest in rhythm. Problem is it’s harder to find rhythm teachers(where I live) or videos online that really break down rhythm . I don’t mind reading a book but I also need visual & audio examples
Ray Parker Jr ...Paul Jackson Jr are 2 of the greatest Rhythm masters on the planet point blank period
His groove is absurdly good 😮
Great insight Josh. Thank you. Saw you in Hilo and it was an awesome show. Bought your CD that night and play it all the time.
brilliant playing and great vibes .......i can here you listened to and love a lot of different music styles ....essential ingredients to be a great musician ...as important as having a good technique ..love your videos .....i noticed on one video your playing with a mate of mine called jeff young on the keys ...like you ...he's a bad ass player too !
Great video, very inspiring, informative and eye opening! I also think that honing your rhythm skills helps your soloing a lot too
So inspirational! Staxx, Motown and Funk are great for rhythm!
This is great Josh. Thanks Buddy.