Josh Smith on Rhythm Guitar
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2019
- 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/joshsmith-clinic-mtc - เพลง
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.
Josh Smith is an amazing guitarist and an extremely versatile one too!
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
"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
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
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 😃
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 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.
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.
This guy has taught me so much and I’ve never even met him 👏 👏 👏
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
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!
Only just recently come across Josh Smith, wow..where have I been hiding all these years..just brilliant guitar playing.
You start playing and I immediately feel a metronome! Unbelievable!
Of all the guitar stuff on youtube this is the probably one of the core lessons. Thanks Josh and TC
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.
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.
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.
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 😉
The student has become the master! Probably the most complete player in the blues/jazz fusion genre.
Josh speaks I listen. Such a wonderful player and his love for gear and music is an inspiration.
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 is some solid guitar wisdom! Wow!
What a great video. I've watched it twice already. Thank you.
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!
Best guitar lesson I've had in ages!
I’m always left with a smile listening to Josh play!!
This is great! Great perspective, cool background, and easy to understand. Nice job!
This man is one of the best out there!!
You totally are speaking my heart. And then you mention Eddie...yes! He’s a great rhythm player.
Very inspiring, educational video, thanks Josh and TC Electronic!
this guy is the embodiment of what a complete guitar/session player should be 👊
What a great video, and what a great guitarist! Thank you!
Thank you. This is so inspiring! Wish I knew about this when i started but never too late to start!
Thank you TC Electronic and Josh! Y'all have no idea how helpful this is to me. I wish more TH-cam channels would focus more on learning how to play rhythm guitar.
that is some incredible rhythm playing and that tone is unbelievable.
One of the greatest videos on rhythm guitar Ive ever seen!
That was awesome thanks so much for the vid!!
Just stumbled across your vids...really inspiring stuff mate!
Outstanding lesson drawing from many of the great players. Josh is a real scholar of the instrument.
Fantastic class , josh just sounds so natural , he just flows , amazing 👏👏👏
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.
Yes
This is gold!!
Great Video Josh and TC!!! Rhythm is ALL, without it we got nothing!!!
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.
THIS. THIIIIISSSS. Not even too aware of Josh's work or history but this was for reals sage advice that I never new I needed.
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!
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
what a beautiful player... lots of soul and in the pocket.
Loving this content 😃
Brilliant Clinic Josh.
Awesome one of the best around
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!
This is great Josh. Thanks Buddy.
Incredible!!! 🎼
Great video, very inspiring, informative and eye opening! I also think that honing your rhythm skills helps your soloing a lot 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 .
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!
That Eddie riff sealed the deal for me! :-)
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
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
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.
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.
Man i love you :) Thanks for it!
I love this!!!
After this I'm going to learn how to play _Rainy Night in Georgia._ Thanks for the inspiration. ^-^
What a great talk. That's fascinating - I could never specify what I liked most about EVH: he had the swing.
This is the path I need to take on my playing journey... After 20 years I play rhythm anywhere near what I wish
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 !
that was so awesome
Great stuff, friendly teacher.
Thanks for posting.
Great lesson Josh.
Great stuff, will subscribe
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.
Killer video!!
This guy is just fantastic
4:46 this is one of those moments I'm glad the internet exists.
Good stuff!
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.
More gold from Josh Smith
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 .
So inspirational! Staxx, Motown and Funk are great for rhythm!
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.
Josh is a BEAST!!!
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
Ah Thank you TC Electronic, that was such a treat. Josh Smith is so great.
You are so right Josh.
More!!!!
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.
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
'Help Me' is sooooo gorgeous!
Josh Smith is Awesome..
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.
Yeah, that rainy night in georgia guitar parts is just perfect
First of all you’re awesome👍
Thank you so much for strait up sharing!
8:40 amen brother
Rainy Night In Georgia! Greatest song ever recorded!
I absolutely agree with Josh’s perspective here.
GREAT lesson. Rhythm is SO underrated. There must be 37 shred only players disliking this.
Best advise ever. The best rhythm guitarists are the best
soloist. Robben Ford said I work on rhythm.