Rhythm – Reading and Training for Classical Guitar

Rhythm is one of the core elements of music. We recognize when it’s right, and we know immediately when it’s off.  So one of the best things we can do as musicians is to study and practice our rhythm.

Here are the most popular lessons on rhythm:

• Clap and Count Rhythm Aloud: How to Learn the Rhythms in Your Music – Start Here. This will show you how to play and count rhythm. This is Rhythm 101.
• How to Use a Metronome for Guitar Practice – The metronome is a very powerful practice tool. Also includes a link for a free 14-day email metronome course.
• The 8 Most Common Rhythms (and how to simplify tricky rhythms) – This shows you how complex rhythms are related to simpler ones. It brings 90% of rhythms you’ll find in music down to just 8 common patterns.
• How to Play Stacked Rhythms on Classical Guitar – On guitar, we play many parts at once.  So on sheet music, it can get confusing.  This lessons shows you how to read multiple rhythms stacked on top of each other.

Rhythm in Phrasing and Expression

Rhythm can also be expressive and charismatic in our pieces.  We can play with rhythmic vitality and forward momentum.  Rhythm can give character and life to music.

As we progress on guitar, we can become better at playing rhythmically (not just metronomically).

Many of the articles and lessons you’ll find below discuss specific tactics to use rhythm for expressive effect in pieces of music.

All Lessons on Rhythm