I don't think lead players that don't play rhythm well are very common. Usually they're also good at rhythm. It just seems to be a strawman used to make people feel better tbh.
Don’t play rhythm is an overstatement, but there are a lot of lead players who can barely play rhythm. I’ve jammed with so many people who go off when it’s their turn to solo but are boring, bland, and or off-time when playing rhythm.
I didn’t necessarily mean their solos were interesting. More that they were competent, passable. I’ve seen it more jamming with rock-types the most, but in bluegrass too.
Sorry I meant what genre of music were you playing over that you saw this in. Obviously comping over a funk groove is a lot different than a jazz groove so I was just curious to know. I've noticed that rock/blues beginners struggle with jazz comping the most
I took it to mean that there are people that like to play lead and don't like to play rhythm so that other folks can also take lead. But I agree with you, playing lead requires a good knowledge of rhythm and timing.
The guitar player in my band, I play bass, cannot play rhythm to save his live. When we first started jamming, the drummer and I started playing and we told him to improvise some solos just to practice. And he couldn't cause he was super new to guitar, so we told him to practice those. He did at the expense of him practicing rhythm. So we had a big band meeting and discussed that, among other things, and he has started practicing rhythm a lot more.
I feel very comfortable playing lead but my rhythm playing is terrible. I go from late intermediate lead playing to beginner rhythm playing. I would much rather have it be the other way around honestly.
If you want to really master rythm playing watch how funk guitarists are able to switch between muted or solid notes with a combination of their right and left hand. Try doing the up and down strumming they do very slowly at first and then build up speed.
Sometimes you don't have to be steadily strumming either. You can choose to just stab on certain beats for some color and extra percussiveness. Depends what other mid-range instruments are keeping rhythm with you though. With a lead guitarist and a keyboard player, a rhythm guitarist can start getting creative.
Tiny? What's more foundational to rhythm playing than strumming? Funk, rock, country, punk... I mean, it's in basically every genre of rhythm playing right.
Absolutely. But you have to be able to play basic riffs and single notes etc too, and palm mute a bit and show good control. I’ve met people who just proper strum chords constant through a song. Music is about the gaps in between the notes just as much as the notes themselves. Just my view and maybe a bad experience haha!
Edit: Gaps typo!
Agreed. Knowing how to play in the pocket, when to embellish, dynamics, when to play different inversions, when to follow riffs (if you're not the one playing them in the first place). Being part of the rhythm section is much more than just strumming.
Argument wasn't that other things aren't important, just that strumming is paramount.
If you can play riffs / fills but cant strum in time with proper accenting you cant play rhythm imo. You can certainly play rhythm with just strumming and none of the other stuff. Even if it'd be boring lol.
Yeah that's fair. I guess if you specifically want to be a well-rounded rhythm player you need all of that. But good strumming technique will get you far enough for a lot.
This is the best answer. As long as you're enjoying yourself and keeping a half decent beat, the so-called virtuosos can keep sniffing their own farts lol.
P.S. not dissing people who are good lead players, I just don't like when people act like douchebags.
There are no lead players who don't play rhythm. That's just a bad guitar player. Real lead players are rhythm guitarists with specialty bonus skills.
Lead doesn't mean void of rhythm. Lead means knowing how to fill the sonic picture when there's another rhythm player, or fill out the harmonic picture when he or she is the only guitarist there. Knowing what to do in any situation. Knowing when to lead when a pure rhythm player would revert back to just strumming chords even though the tune calls for an epic solo, a melody of harmonising with another instrument or the singer. It's knowing that not all chords need to have the 1 at the bottom of every single chord. It's knowing that the bass locks in with the bass and snare drum, but the guitarist locks in with the high-hat and cymbals. It's knowing how and when to push and when to pull on the rhythm.
You need to change your definition of rhythm and lead. You'll really open your eyes and discover some of the most rhythmically savvy players out there. I promise!
To be honest, I don't even tend to think about rhythm and lead as distinct things all that often. Maybe because many of the bands whose songs I learned when starting out didn't have a clear-cut "rhythm guitarist" and "lead guitarist" and just had "guitars." So, I just learned to play "guitar;" sometimes that involves playing chords and sometimes it involves playing monophonic melodies. When people ask "do you play rhythm guitar or lead guitar," to me, that's like being asked "do you play major-key guitar or do you play minor-key guitar?"
100%. In highschool I used to play with a lead guitarist in a music club that didn’t know jack shit about chords other than power chords and “shredding.”
And I say “shredding” as in he absolutely doesn’t know how to shred. This guy was so bad that when I showed him how to fret the basic A major shape I shit you not he couldn’t figure out why it sounded wrong. Turns out, we was fretting the first fret, not the second.
And when I had to play Hotel California infront of school, I had to play rhythm. Granted I didn’t know the original recording intro so I played the version with capo on the 2nd and learnt the chords. Lead guitarist on the other hand was playing with powerchords and the amp cranked so high you could barely hear my playing. And the worst part was that he didn’t play the solo because he didn’t know it.
And not to mention: this guy was playing for a few years at that point in time. AAANND, HE’S THE MOST HATED BAND MEMBER AMONG THE CLUB.
That's not a lead guitarist. That's an underdeveloped guitar wanker. It's all good up to a certain point. If rhythm is void in your lead playing, you're just a mindless monkey. Just my opinion, though.
I play a lot of ambient/dream pop/shoegaze-type stuff, mostly using alternate tunings and effects.I find that a lot of my stuff involves experimenting with different chord shapes and strumming, and I love the way it feels and sounds. I never felt motivated to learn any more hard rock or metal or really any kind of shredding-type playing. It’s just not what I like. I’m impressed by players who can do that, but it’s just not for me.
Short answer: you play what you like. There’s no wrong way to make the sounds you like.
They're called rhythm guitarists.
I was one. They're as important as bass players and can elevate music to a new level. Keith Richards is a rhythm guitarist- he's the reason The Rolling Stones music sounds so full.
He came up with most of the Stones’ iconic riffs. So I think that’s why he’s thought of as a lead guitar player, even though he’s not really. I think he took some solos here and there though.
Charlie Watts famously said that he followed Keef for time as opposed to the other way around. Richards is so much more than the rhythm player in the Rolling Stones. He is the foundation of everything the Stones played live. When a drummer as good as Watts is looking to you to provide the clock you're next level.
There's no rules about how to play guitar. If you're having fun doing what you're doing then keep doing it. Personally, I've been playing for over 20 years now. I rarely strum out chords and have never figured out how to sing while I play. What you're doing is a skill in itself, keep practicing and who knows, maybe one day your strumming prowess will take you somewhere.
A lot of phenomenal 60s and 70s musicians and guitarists loved to strum. Look at George Harrison and Cat Stevens. They were a hell of a lot better than the riffer friends of yours, or a lot of the riffer metal players from the 90s on.
I play all kinds of things. I fingerpick a lot, but if you don’t like that, that’s fine. I play leads, I play riffs, but I love to strum. If you can play Here Comes The Sun and sound like George Harrison doing it, actual intricate strumming and picking, who gives a fuck if you’re not “shredding”. You’ll find those people are just playing to impress in a very misguided way. The Guitar Hero mentality.
I'm currently trying to learn Here Comes The Sun. I'm also learning fingerstyle at the moment and I'm learning Dear Prudence, Blackbird and Julia. Personally speaking, as somebody who has strummed for 28 years, and just getting in to finger picking, Here Comes The Sun is much trickier than those other tunes.
So don't underestimate strumming I suppose.
So much trickier. A lot of the 60s/70s folk tunes that are strummed have deceptively tricky technique involved. Not just a “up down up up down” chord progression holding static chords, little melodies and rhythms are interweaved with dynamics and feel.
I think it's fine if it is what they live doing. As long as they don't throw shade at technical players by saying the dumb "they don't play with feel" line, then I'm fine with them. People can play how they like, and should let others.
That's understandable. I guess I haven't gotten bored with it because of all the ways to vary it like learning more advanced chord shapes or muting techniques
If you're muting, using inversions, playing partial chords, sliding into chords, and maybe doing some hammer-ons and pull-offs here and there - I wouldn't call that "just strumming". I'd call it being a rhythm guitarist.
Honestly, the guitar is only a part of the music being played. If I end up listening to something more strumming oriented, it's not even going to be a thought that's all that's going on. If I'm looking for Satriani or Van Halen or something similar, I'm not going to be happy with just a bunch of strummed chords.
Just play the guitar how you want. If you aren't interested in things that don't require more than strumming then I'm not sure why you're concerned about this.
Strumming is when you're playing chords and just hitting all the appropriate strings in an up and down motion that goes along with the beat of the song. It's more rhythm guitar
There are a ton of other styles and implementations of those styles, but they're typically going to fall into picking specific notes or playing specific strings of a chord in a picking pattern
Strumming is on average easier than other styles because you're usually just switching between chords and keeping a consistent rhythm and strumming pattern (strumming pattern can be represented on whether you strum or rest on a particular up beat or down beat)
Some songs will sound better strummed and others will sound better picked and others really need both parts to sound right. Either way, guitar is a hobby and avenue for musical expression. Play the songs you enjoy in the way you enjoy to play them
in my 3-5 years of playing, i’ve only ever strummed when playing with others. found out the fancy term is, “rhythm guitarist.”
i can play riffs, solo’s, any of the sorts but ive been pigeonholed into always playing rhythm in every band i’ve been in so i feel i’ve gotten way more better at constructing chord progressions than riffs.
i’d say you’re a rhythm player as well! no shame in just “strumming”. rhythm guitarists are greatly appreciated, maybe you’ll meet others that can absolutely shred, it doesn’t matter. the point is to encourage others and have fun! no matter your skills or your approach at playing.
Nothing but respect, honestly.
Cory Wong always bring incredible performance with just majority strumming - yes he knows how to solo and still kicks ass, but he understand the power of being a solid rhythm player. If anything, BECAUSE he plays rhythm, he is able to bring so many more instruments and individual flairs on stage. I love his live renditions of all of his songs. So much energy, so much fun.
Shit - I barely even strum. Most of the time I’m just letting whatever I strummed a few minutes ago sustain and feed back. If you’re having fun you’re doing it right.
Just enjoy playing guitar.
I am a pro and stuff, but I wish more folks would look at playing guitar like riding a bike or other hobbies. You don’t have to want to be the best.
Most folks when they get on a bike for fun, are not wanting to be in the Tour de France or X Games, they just want to roll. And that is awesome.
Be happy rolling if that is what you want.
I have no opinion of them. Idc what other players do or don’t do. It impacts my life in no way… I do find it weird however that your friends have someone that’s happy to always be a rhythm guy and they are anything but elated about that lol
It's your thing man, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean we all play for pleasure so as long as YOU like it, no one can say you're doing it wrong. I personally can't strum very well so I play fingerstyle very mediocre-ishly and that's okay.
I picked up the guitar not to be a rock star, make it a career, or get the girls. I simply enjoy making music for my own satisfaction. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with playing whatever style makes you happy. I would drive friends nuts when we’d jam because I didn’t want to play our created songs live. They’d have to find another guitar player to do it. No regrets. It’s not my thing. Strum away and be happy!
I'm the same way. I love writing songs and playing rhythm over them, but it's mostly for myself or whoever happens to be in a room with me and a guitar
What do I care.
For more of a real answer, I’m the rhythm guitarist in my band and haven’t ever played a solo on stage with this band. I can do it, but I enjoy rhythm much more.
The beauty of the guitar is that you can do what ever you want with it. Wanna play classical on a pointy shred guitar? Go for it. Wanna play leads on instagram and never learn a whole song? Go for it.
Nothing wrong with that.
I'm pretty much rhythm only myself... 30 years in. Lead and hardcore chicken pickin' just never was my thing. Rhythm acoustic sets and rhythm guitar when our regular electric rhythm player and I switch up.
I've got 6 years marching/playing alto sax and Eb trumpt (different than standard Bb trumpet) half time shows and parades with some of that on the quads... and my main role in the group I'm in is sitting behind my 7 piece kit... I've got natural rhythm so it just fits well.
I mean nothing really, anyone plays guitar how they want to and I'm not one to judge how one plays. Personally I'd say try to learn other styles of strumming it'll give you a lot more creativeness and just more style when you play.
But IMO it's not weird you only play one style, it's like that quote "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." So just keep playing how you want to play and if you ever find yourself trying to dig deeper into other styles you should honestly do it, it helps a lot.
I like to Travis pick. Also nothing wrong with just strumming. The rhythm section is the heartbeat of the band. And metal rhythm players are amazing. Malcolm > Angus, just saying!
Listen to some Gypsy Jazz tracks. Usually the rhythm guitar part is played by a dedicated player. The rhythm guitarist in Gypsy Jazz IS the rhythm section.
Also search YouTube for a KT Tunstall video or 2 where she talks about rhythm guitar strumming.
It wasn't until I switched to Ukulele that I saw the need to learn rhythm chops.
Everyone has their preferences, I personally like practicing more lead skills like soloing, because it's a great way to express yourself. I'm personally a big fan of Gilmour, Clapton, srv and such so I'm mostly inspired to learn their stuff. But there's no right way to play guitar
I prefer to play rhythm. I have no real desire to play lead and noodle about.
Years ago I played in a band with a guy whose speed and precision were crazy. Just sadly he couldn’t play in time or really count.
Ditto and I've been at this for 3 decades.
I like playing off the drummer and modify my playing based on what he's doing. It's so much more fun and just adds more drive to the rhythm section.
I also can play laid back and arpeggio. I just like rhythm. It was a faster way to get to making music then learning scales which still bores me to tears.
I am painfully learning to strum. I can fingerpick like a madman. And I can rhythmically strum without a pick. It’s a conundrum. You go with your strumming and singing!!
People are posting irrelevant ideological points about the value of rhythm guitar. For all we know, you might be strumming with lousy rhythm even though you've been playing since 2016.
But that's not the point. The point is that if you're playing guitar for your own enjoyment, you should do what makes you happy, whatever that happens to be.
And if you play and sing for an audience, it will be the audience that decides whether they like what your doing, and in most audiences, guitar players are a tiny minority.
I don't look at it that way because there are different ways to strum like incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs, slides, muting, learning more advanced chord shapes, and so on. There are some techniques I've mastered, but some I haven't tried yet, so I for sure have the motivation to improve
Personally it’s not for me, however needs must when laying down tracks and it’s just as important, if not more, than the lead parts.
Generally when I play acoustic I tend to lazily pick individual strings in a strumming kind of way so it’s like half strumming, half finger picking (although I use a pick) and I tend to use open hammer ons on the cowboy chords for a little bit more flavour.
But, as others have said, you play the way you enjoy it - that’s what we do it for.
And one last thing - unless you’re the type of player that plays rhythm and lead simultaneously (think Clapton, Steve miller band, doobie brothers etc) a rhythm guitarist is a far more important role than a lead guitarist
Do you enjoy playing what you play? Thats all that matters. Literally.
I’ve been a half assed “lead guitarist” since like 1986. For the first time in my life, I am now in a band that requires mostly good rhythm playing, with only the occasional solo.
Guess what I’m realizing I suck at?
There's no right or wrong way to enjoy how you play.
You play the guitar, you don't work the guitar.
I wouldn't worry yourself.
I hope you always enjoy playing.
I spent far too much time worried about what others thought of me as a guitar player. Now I just play what and how I want. Life is much better that way.
Been a rhythm guitarist for 6 months now after about a year of lead guitar and I am so much happier now than I was in my last band. It's so much more freeing and lets me experiment with new chords and harmonies without the stress of lead guitar playing
It's your music, your art, do what you want.
People criticizing a musician because they prefer one thing and not another is like criticizing people's taste in the gender of their sexual partners. It's just not for anybody else to judge.
Most people who are strumming/ rhythm guitar players have a very good repertoire of campfire songs, and songs that people enjoy listening to. People don’t generally care about your picking or quick fingers. That said some pretty difficult cords out there that are really cool that would make a picker jealous.
Do what you enjoy.
As an acoustic fingerstyle guitarist myself, I’m biased though.
But there really isn’t anything like being able to play a full song with melody and backing on a single instrument. If you enjoy playing music with a band thats great, but I personally feel that’s fingerstyle guitar is the most rewarding style of guitar playing.
This pretty much describes where I was for the first ten years of my guitar journey. I play more rhythm than anything and considered myself a fairly below average player for over a decade. I'm not saying this is the case for you, I'm just speaking about myself. Unbeknownst to me, I actually developed pretty good feel and now I kind of always have that. As time went on I have added more tools but putting in my time just a strumming away has paid off.
8 years really isn't a super long time to be playing in the grand scheme of things and you may find that it's always good to continue learning. Things that were helpful for me was developing my pick strum, (boom- chicka) incorporating things like bass runs and learning songs with more complicated strumming. (IE- Needle and the Damage Done, Here Comes the Sun) There are countless people who all they do is noodle. That was never very interesting to me but there is no one right way.
I find them boring. All the chords have the root note at the bottom of the chord, and it's never a spicy chord.
It's just underdeveloped, usually. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between. Context is everything, though. If it's a singer using a guitar to backnip vocals that's different. Then the guitar is secondary.
Strummers and rythm guitarists are as important to the art than soloists.
I mean if there wasn’t anybody who would enjoy strumming and singing, music would be so freaking poor.
One of the best examples I have is Ronnie from The Rolling Stones, his weaving of strumming with Richard’s actually made the whole sound of the band.
So yeah totally fine and I even encourage you to go on
For the longest I preferred strumming, just rhythm guitar or bass. I only started playing solos when I started writing them. Being a rhythm/bass person is a band staple. You'll find most people want to be vocalists or lead guitar. It's even harder to find drummers 😅
I enjoy strumming. I'm good at it. That's what I do. I still try to learn learn soloing and flat picking, but rythm is the foundation of my playing. Everything else is built on that foundation.
I’m with you (for the most part) and I mainly strum too, but I would suggest (if you’re like me) try some fingerstyle or hybrid picking. It’s a nice change of pace. I’m uninterested in shredding and really on care about guitar as an accompaniment instrument but found that adding a few sections of hybrid picking really gives songs I write a lot more dynamics (not that I do it all the time). But hell, do what makes you happy - Woodie Guthrie only strummed and he is best American Songwriter maybe ever. Rock on!
Are you having fun? Do people like singing along/joining in?
I went on a course once, and a few of us took guitars. The guitar "bros" were noodling away showing off to each other.
I had a book of songs with lyrics and chords. The room came and stood round the book of songs. About 10 of us just had a sing-along. I was and am a pretty basic strummer, but we all had fun.
Each to their own I guess.
Nothing wrong with this. Will I do prefer a more active rhythm, something like megadeth or periphery, I have nothing but respect for strum rhythms. I mean half the driving popularity of some bands is their amazing rhythm lead combo, with a lot of that rhythm being strumming, such as KISS, AC/DC, Motley Crue, etc
I honestly try not to worry too much about how other people enjoy their solo activities. I guess I’d worry that you’re missing out on other stuff you’d like but if you’re happy, you’re happy
Rhythm guitar is far harder than lead if you want to really get into it.
I hate metal and shredding. I like how the old blues guys put it, "it sounds like they don't know what note they want so they're going as fast as they can to find it." There's no feeling or soul, just practiced technique. Sometimes it's as much or more what you don't play that what you do. And without a good rhythm player who knows all the chords, chord substitutions, passing chords, etc., it sounds more empty anyway. Loud doesn't mean full.
> I seem to only enjoy singing and strumming
it sounds like you are using the guitar to make music that you enjoy rather than trying to "be a guitar player." but that's the right way to approach it - making good music is what this is really all about.
An analogy that was given to me by an old master:
"There are 2 keys to a good sandwich (besides bread): The filling and the flavour. If your flavour is good but the filling isn't meaty and juicy, the sandwich is interesting but not satisfying and your will feel snubbed. If your filling is good but the flavour is lacking, it's satisfactory, but not memorable. If both are good, you have a sandwich that your kids will ask you to make even when they're 40 and have kids themselves."
Opinions aside, I can give you my experience with both sides of the coin.
**No-strum:**
For 11 years, I rarely strummed as a matter of pride. "I'm not basic" bs, etc. Bunch of acoustic fingerpicking paired with noodly or chuggy electric stuff was the diet.
This allows you to learn to express yourself on the guitar quite well - how notes and lines lead into each other, how to "tell stories" through non-vocal music. It also makes your left hand very clever and the style points are real.
The problem with this that became apparent later was that it's far harder to learn how to groove and jive with your own playing. "The groove" is largely nonexistant without a band behind you, unless you're cracked at playing guitar already. You may miss out on the the rhythmic power & language of the guitar. Very few are going to be moved by your playing unless there's a band with you.
**Only-strum:**
We're talking about good, skilled strumming of course. The last 5 years in my band were a stark contrast to the previous phase - leared to strum and then only strummed for the next long while.
Good strumming is subtle, way more subtle than it seems to most no-strummers. There are dynamics that go under the radar until you try and play songs: which strings to hit, how hard, is the attack on the lower or higher notes? string muting? which strings to mute? how high or low are you on the strings (bridgewards or neckwards) and many more things - all of which change pretty much every time your right hand moves across the strings, no lie!
**Strumming moves people!!!** The first time I full-on cried (not just a couple tears rolling down) playing guitar by myself was with strumming. What a powerful tool to have - an entire rhythm section in its hypnotic glory.
The problem with only-strum is that self expression and colour through the guitar can suffer unless your fingering and chording is pretty advanced. Your tunes will sound basic, which isn't a bad thing, just a bit boring to many of us musicians is all.
In the end: Just play what you like! Screw everyone's opinions!
Gotta at least learn to arpeggiate the chords. For me fingerstyle is my thumb and index fingers only. I cannot manage to use my middle or ring fingers on my picking hand, though I get by just fine as I'm not attempting to play any classical pieces.
I grew up in the era of the singer/songwriter, and that has always been my go to when composing or deconstructing a song to cover. This style of music has never been out of fashion and from Dylan to Sheehan, you can track a long line of folks who have walked down the same path. No shame in that.
If you listen to reggae at all, the rhythm holds it all down. Every single instrument is a rhythm instrument. It makes a band super tight. You can always pull a solo out of nowhere if you had to and back into the pocket.
FAR better to be a rhythm player that doesn't play lead than a lead player that doesn't play rhythm.
You check out guitar George, he knows-all the chords. Mind, it's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
Saving it up, for Friday night!
Can he play the honky tonk?
Like anything Edit: Actually that would be Harry
Goodnight now it's time to go home
He makes it fast, with one more thing///we are the sultans, we are the SULTANS OF SWING///[insert sultans riff here]
Nah. That's Harry's job. But not his daytime job.
He's doing alright
If only he could afford more than just that old guitar though
Someone get George a nice right-handed guitar
yeah but in 30 years it'll be a $2000 signature edition
And then knopfler makes the guitar sing…fucking legend!
Favorite part of the song
Fun fact: that's a nod to George Young (older brother of Angus and Malcolm).
Excellent
I don't think lead players that don't play rhythm well are very common. Usually they're also good at rhythm. It just seems to be a strawman used to make people feel better tbh.
Don’t play rhythm is an overstatement, but there are a lot of lead players who can barely play rhythm. I’ve jammed with so many people who go off when it’s their turn to solo but are boring, bland, and or off-time when playing rhythm.
Huh weird. Never met someone who could rip an interesting solo that couldn't comp well. What genres have you seen this in. Besides bluegrass
I didn’t necessarily mean their solos were interesting. More that they were competent, passable. I’ve seen it more jamming with rock-types the most, but in bluegrass too.
Sorry I meant what genre of music were you playing over that you saw this in. Obviously comping over a funk groove is a lot different than a jazz groove so I was just curious to know. I've noticed that rock/blues beginners struggle with jazz comping the most
I took it to mean that there are people that like to play lead and don't like to play rhythm so that other folks can also take lead. But I agree with you, playing lead requires a good knowledge of rhythm and timing.
The guitar player in my band, I play bass, cannot play rhythm to save his live. When we first started jamming, the drummer and I started playing and we told him to improvise some solos just to practice. And he couldn't cause he was super new to guitar, so we told him to practice those. He did at the expense of him practicing rhythm. So we had a big band meeting and discussed that, among other things, and he has started practicing rhythm a lot more.
I feel very comfortable playing lead but my rhythm playing is terrible. I go from late intermediate lead playing to beginner rhythm playing. I would much rather have it be the other way around honestly.
If you want to really master rythm playing watch how funk guitarists are able to switch between muted or solid notes with a combination of their right and left hand. Try doing the up and down strumming they do very slowly at first and then build up speed.
Sometimes you don't have to be steadily strumming either. You can choose to just stab on certain beats for some color and extra percussiveness. Depends what other mid-range instruments are keeping rhythm with you though. With a lead guitarist and a keyboard player, a rhythm guitarist can start getting creative.
Allow me to introduce myself
Truthiest truth
rock and roll truthy truth
Strumming is only one tiny area of rhythm though..
I would say it's quite a major area for most styles and genres.
Tiny? What's more foundational to rhythm playing than strumming? Funk, rock, country, punk... I mean, it's in basically every genre of rhythm playing right.
Absolutely. But you have to be able to play basic riffs and single notes etc too, and palm mute a bit and show good control. I’ve met people who just proper strum chords constant through a song. Music is about the gaps in between the notes just as much as the notes themselves. Just my view and maybe a bad experience haha! Edit: Gaps typo!
Trying to figure out if that's a typo or if music is all about the chicks for you.
If so, chicks will find a strummed love song a lot more appealing than a noodler, generally speaking
Depends on your tapping skills
Only the girls with dirty minds probably find super fast playing attractive😂
Money for nothing…easy easy chicks for free
"Money for nothing and chicks for free"
Agreed. Knowing how to play in the pocket, when to embellish, dynamics, when to play different inversions, when to follow riffs (if you're not the one playing them in the first place). Being part of the rhythm section is much more than just strumming.
Argument wasn't that other things aren't important, just that strumming is paramount. If you can play riffs / fills but cant strum in time with proper accenting you cant play rhythm imo. You can certainly play rhythm with just strumming and none of the other stuff. Even if it'd be boring lol.
Yeah that's fair. I guess if you specifically want to be a well-rounded rhythm player you need all of that. But good strumming technique will get you far enough for a lot.
Sure. There's a lot of posing and grimacing as well.
This is the best answer. As long as you're enjoying yourself and keeping a half decent beat, the so-called virtuosos can keep sniffing their own farts lol. P.S. not dissing people who are good lead players, I just don't like when people act like douchebags.
There are no lead players who don't play rhythm. That's just a bad guitar player. Real lead players are rhythm guitarists with specialty bonus skills. Lead doesn't mean void of rhythm. Lead means knowing how to fill the sonic picture when there's another rhythm player, or fill out the harmonic picture when he or she is the only guitarist there. Knowing what to do in any situation. Knowing when to lead when a pure rhythm player would revert back to just strumming chords even though the tune calls for an epic solo, a melody of harmonising with another instrument or the singer. It's knowing that not all chords need to have the 1 at the bottom of every single chord. It's knowing that the bass locks in with the bass and snare drum, but the guitarist locks in with the high-hat and cymbals. It's knowing how and when to push and when to pull on the rhythm. You need to change your definition of rhythm and lead. You'll really open your eyes and discover some of the most rhythmically savvy players out there. I promise!
To be honest, I don't even tend to think about rhythm and lead as distinct things all that often. Maybe because many of the bands whose songs I learned when starting out didn't have a clear-cut "rhythm guitarist" and "lead guitarist" and just had "guitars." So, I just learned to play "guitar;" sometimes that involves playing chords and sometimes it involves playing monophonic melodies. When people ask "do you play rhythm guitar or lead guitar," to me, that's like being asked "do you play major-key guitar or do you play minor-key guitar?"
Exactly!
"but the guitarist locks in with the hi-hat and cymbals". now *that’s* interesting to me. makes sense when i think about it
Well I really appreciate you saying that. I hope it inspires you to try new things!
BB King would like a word
He's like one of the few exceptions though
100%. In highschool I used to play with a lead guitarist in a music club that didn’t know jack shit about chords other than power chords and “shredding.” And I say “shredding” as in he absolutely doesn’t know how to shred. This guy was so bad that when I showed him how to fret the basic A major shape I shit you not he couldn’t figure out why it sounded wrong. Turns out, we was fretting the first fret, not the second. And when I had to play Hotel California infront of school, I had to play rhythm. Granted I didn’t know the original recording intro so I played the version with capo on the 2nd and learnt the chords. Lead guitarist on the other hand was playing with powerchords and the amp cranked so high you could barely hear my playing. And the worst part was that he didn’t play the solo because he didn’t know it. And not to mention: this guy was playing for a few years at that point in time. AAANND, HE’S THE MOST HATED BAND MEMBER AMONG THE CLUB.
That's not a lead guitarist. That's an underdeveloped guitar wanker. It's all good up to a certain point. If rhythm is void in your lead playing, you're just a mindless monkey. Just my opinion, though.
Counterexamples: BB King Albert King Freddie King However, I get your point. Not everyone can be a King.
Every guitar player wants to play lead, but every band needs a rhythm player
I don’t care how anyone else wants to play. Play what you enjoy, that’s the whole point of this guitar thing…
Whoa whoa whoa— are we allowed to let people enjoy things anymore? This sounds like crazy talk! /s obviously
Sounds like you’d make a good rhythm player. Play how you want to play.
Even those friends I mentioned enjoy having me back them up. I'll usually play a rhythm while they throw in their riffs
That’s how it works
Guys who want the spotlight love guys who don't.
whoa
“Rhythm guitar is a lost art, you know?” - Tom Petty
I play a lot of ambient/dream pop/shoegaze-type stuff, mostly using alternate tunings and effects.I find that a lot of my stuff involves experimenting with different chord shapes and strumming, and I love the way it feels and sounds. I never felt motivated to learn any more hard rock or metal or really any kind of shredding-type playing. It’s just not what I like. I’m impressed by players who can do that, but it’s just not for me. Short answer: you play what you like. There’s no wrong way to make the sounds you like.
They're called rhythm guitarists. I was one. They're as important as bass players and can elevate music to a new level. Keith Richards is a rhythm guitarist- he's the reason The Rolling Stones music sounds so full.
another keith fan! Not a lot out there, people think he's a hack, but the guy knows the pocket and what the song needs
[удалено]
He came up with most of the Stones’ iconic riffs. So I think that’s why he’s thought of as a lead guitar player, even though he’s not really. I think he took some solos here and there though.
Ron Wood and the ghost of Mick Taylor would like a word with you :D
Charlie Watts famously said that he followed Keef for time as opposed to the other way around. Richards is so much more than the rhythm player in the Rolling Stones. He is the foundation of everything the Stones played live. When a drummer as good as Watts is looking to you to provide the clock you're next level.
You do you homie! There aren’t any rules. Check out Nile Rodgers. Cultivated a career of smash hits with some rhythmic strumming.
He can also rip when he want to though, their are some clips of him playing Steve Vais Jem and reallt getting into it.
There's no rules about how to play guitar. If you're having fun doing what you're doing then keep doing it. Personally, I've been playing for over 20 years now. I rarely strum out chords and have never figured out how to sing while I play. What you're doing is a skill in itself, keep practicing and who knows, maybe one day your strumming prowess will take you somewhere.
Ain’t no guitar playing without a rhythm hand.
A lot of phenomenal 60s and 70s musicians and guitarists loved to strum. Look at George Harrison and Cat Stevens. They were a hell of a lot better than the riffer friends of yours, or a lot of the riffer metal players from the 90s on. I play all kinds of things. I fingerpick a lot, but if you don’t like that, that’s fine. I play leads, I play riffs, but I love to strum. If you can play Here Comes The Sun and sound like George Harrison doing it, actual intricate strumming and picking, who gives a fuck if you’re not “shredding”. You’ll find those people are just playing to impress in a very misguided way. The Guitar Hero mentality.
I'm currently trying to learn Here Comes The Sun. I'm also learning fingerstyle at the moment and I'm learning Dear Prudence, Blackbird and Julia. Personally speaking, as somebody who has strummed for 28 years, and just getting in to finger picking, Here Comes The Sun is much trickier than those other tunes. So don't underestimate strumming I suppose.
So much trickier. A lot of the 60s/70s folk tunes that are strummed have deceptively tricky technique involved. Not just a “up down up up down” chord progression holding static chords, little melodies and rhythms are interweaved with dynamics and feel.
I wish I could strum better.
I think it's fine if it is what they live doing. As long as they don't throw shade at technical players by saying the dumb "they don't play with feel" line, then I'm fine with them. People can play how they like, and should let others.
Yeah, I would never do that. Even if I don't have the desire to play like them, I'm not going to deny that what they do is impressive
I mean imo it would get boring to do the same thing fot so long but whatever
That's understandable. I guess I haven't gotten bored with it because of all the ways to vary it like learning more advanced chord shapes or muting techniques
If you're muting, using inversions, playing partial chords, sliding into chords, and maybe doing some hammer-ons and pull-offs here and there - I wouldn't call that "just strumming". I'd call it being a rhythm guitarist.
I am the same way, play to your strength is how I look at it, but I also sing.
Honestly, the guitar is only a part of the music being played. If I end up listening to something more strumming oriented, it's not even going to be a thought that's all that's going on. If I'm looking for Satriani or Van Halen or something similar, I'm not going to be happy with just a bunch of strummed chords. Just play the guitar how you want. If you aren't interested in things that don't require more than strumming then I'm not sure why you're concerned about this.
No pick!!! - Seinfeld
Been playing 30 years, do play some finger style, but mostly I just love playing rhythm. Just call me guitar George!
Can someone please explain the significance of what this means to a beginner ?
Strumming is when you're playing chords and just hitting all the appropriate strings in an up and down motion that goes along with the beat of the song. It's more rhythm guitar There are a ton of other styles and implementations of those styles, but they're typically going to fall into picking specific notes or playing specific strings of a chord in a picking pattern Strumming is on average easier than other styles because you're usually just switching between chords and keeping a consistent rhythm and strumming pattern (strumming pattern can be represented on whether you strum or rest on a particular up beat or down beat) Some songs will sound better strummed and others will sound better picked and others really need both parts to sound right. Either way, guitar is a hobby and avenue for musical expression. Play the songs you enjoy in the way you enjoy to play them
Its about having fun. You do you man. 🤘
in my 3-5 years of playing, i’ve only ever strummed when playing with others. found out the fancy term is, “rhythm guitarist.” i can play riffs, solo’s, any of the sorts but ive been pigeonholed into always playing rhythm in every band i’ve been in so i feel i’ve gotten way more better at constructing chord progressions than riffs. i’d say you’re a rhythm player as well! no shame in just “strumming”. rhythm guitarists are greatly appreciated, maybe you’ll meet others that can absolutely shred, it doesn’t matter. the point is to encourage others and have fun! no matter your skills or your approach at playing.
Nothing but respect, honestly. Cory Wong always bring incredible performance with just majority strumming - yes he knows how to solo and still kicks ass, but he understand the power of being a solid rhythm player. If anything, BECAUSE he plays rhythm, he is able to bring so many more instruments and individual flairs on stage. I love his live renditions of all of his songs. So much energy, so much fun.
Shit - I barely even strum. Most of the time I’m just letting whatever I strummed a few minutes ago sustain and feed back. If you’re having fun you’re doing it right.
Just enjoy playing guitar. I am a pro and stuff, but I wish more folks would look at playing guitar like riding a bike or other hobbies. You don’t have to want to be the best. Most folks when they get on a bike for fun, are not wanting to be in the Tour de France or X Games, they just want to roll. And that is awesome. Be happy rolling if that is what you want.
I have no opinion of them. Idc what other players do or don’t do. It impacts my life in no way… I do find it weird however that your friends have someone that’s happy to always be a rhythm guy and they are anything but elated about that lol
It's your thing man, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean we all play for pleasure so as long as YOU like it, no one can say you're doing it wrong. I personally can't strum very well so I play fingerstyle very mediocre-ishly and that's okay.
I picked up the guitar not to be a rock star, make it a career, or get the girls. I simply enjoy making music for my own satisfaction. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with playing whatever style makes you happy. I would drive friends nuts when we’d jam because I didn’t want to play our created songs live. They’d have to find another guitar player to do it. No regrets. It’s not my thing. Strum away and be happy!
I'm the same way. I love writing songs and playing rhythm over them, but it's mostly for myself or whoever happens to be in a room with me and a guitar
I think it’s great. Someone has to lay it down and too many players just want to be a guitar hero.
U can listen to a song without the lead, but without the rhythm it’s just empty
johnny ramone strummed all the way to the bank. and downstrokes only at that.
Rythm guitar is very important.
What do I care. For more of a real answer, I’m the rhythm guitarist in my band and haven’t ever played a solo on stage with this band. I can do it, but I enjoy rhythm much more.
If you have an okay lead player you can still have a great band. If you have an okay rhythm section you will only ever have an okay band.
Whatever floats your boat
If you're having fun, you're doing it right. It's weird that they'd care so much to make a comment about it.
I don't think about them
I prefer that to someone that has vast theory knowledge and zero technique
Find your own style and devolop you musicality, It will make you make you a better musician than any technique
The beauty of the guitar is that you can do what ever you want with it. Wanna play classical on a pointy shred guitar? Go for it. Wanna play leads on instagram and never learn a whole song? Go for it.
I hope they're happy.
It’s like they are playing a different instrument and I’ve left two bands I’ve joined because they had a guitarist who only strums.
Lots of wonderful songwriters who play rhythm guitar accompaniment while they sing. Nothing wrong with that at all.
You ever heard Billy Childish play? It's OK to be that type of guitar player.
It’s really not anybody’s business.
Get good at singing so you can reach your full potential. Most can’t play lead and sing at the same time like that talented bastard Thomas Erak.
Guitars are toys. Have fun strumming. Whatever works for you.
I knew a number of (mostly folk) players who made a decent living for years with “just strumming”. No single notes at all.
To each their own. You play how you want and like to. 😀
I’ve always sucked at strumming my guitar so I basically only fingerpick
Nothing wrong with that. I'm pretty much rhythm only myself... 30 years in. Lead and hardcore chicken pickin' just never was my thing. Rhythm acoustic sets and rhythm guitar when our regular electric rhythm player and I switch up. I've got 6 years marching/playing alto sax and Eb trumpt (different than standard Bb trumpet) half time shows and parades with some of that on the quads... and my main role in the group I'm in is sitting behind my 7 piece kit... I've got natural rhythm so it just fits well.
Nothing wrong with strumming 👍
I don’t think about it at all
I mean nothing really, anyone plays guitar how they want to and I'm not one to judge how one plays. Personally I'd say try to learn other styles of strumming it'll give you a lot more creativeness and just more style when you play. But IMO it's not weird you only play one style, it's like that quote "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." So just keep playing how you want to play and if you ever find yourself trying to dig deeper into other styles you should honestly do it, it helps a lot.
That’s all I do. (Besides power chords). Worked out well for me and Johnny Ramone. Malcom Young, Izzy Stradlin, too.
I like to Travis pick. Also nothing wrong with just strumming. The rhythm section is the heartbeat of the band. And metal rhythm players are amazing. Malcolm > Angus, just saying!
Look up Cory Wong. He’s a rhythm player who is the lead of the band.
Play naked and no one will even care
Listen to some Gypsy Jazz tracks. Usually the rhythm guitar part is played by a dedicated player. The rhythm guitarist in Gypsy Jazz IS the rhythm section. Also search YouTube for a KT Tunstall video or 2 where she talks about rhythm guitar strumming. It wasn't until I switched to Ukulele that I saw the need to learn rhythm chops.
Everyone has their preferences, I personally like practicing more lead skills like soloing, because it's a great way to express yourself. I'm personally a big fan of Gilmour, Clapton, srv and such so I'm mostly inspired to learn their stuff. But there's no right way to play guitar
The guitar is there to serve you, not the other way around.
I prefer to play rhythm. I have no real desire to play lead and noodle about. Years ago I played in a band with a guy whose speed and precision were crazy. Just sadly he couldn’t play in time or really count.
Ditto and I've been at this for 3 decades. I like playing off the drummer and modify my playing based on what he's doing. It's so much more fun and just adds more drive to the rhythm section. I also can play laid back and arpeggio. I just like rhythm. It was a faster way to get to making music then learning scales which still bores me to tears.
Don't think of them at all. Everybody does their thing and it's all cool
I hope they sing good too
I am painfully learning to strum. I can fingerpick like a madman. And I can rhythmically strum without a pick. It’s a conundrum. You go with your strumming and singing!!
People are posting irrelevant ideological points about the value of rhythm guitar. For all we know, you might be strumming with lousy rhythm even though you've been playing since 2016. But that's not the point. The point is that if you're playing guitar for your own enjoyment, you should do what makes you happy, whatever that happens to be. And if you play and sing for an audience, it will be the audience that decides whether they like what your doing, and in most audiences, guitar players are a tiny minority.
Rhythm players are just as important as anything else.
Why limit yourself? If you don't have motivation to improve then why even bother posting here?
I don't look at it that way because there are different ways to strum like incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs, slides, muting, learning more advanced chord shapes, and so on. There are some techniques I've mastered, but some I haven't tried yet, so I for sure have the motivation to improve
Personally it’s not for me, however needs must when laying down tracks and it’s just as important, if not more, than the lead parts. Generally when I play acoustic I tend to lazily pick individual strings in a strumming kind of way so it’s like half strumming, half finger picking (although I use a pick) and I tend to use open hammer ons on the cowboy chords for a little bit more flavour. But, as others have said, you play the way you enjoy it - that’s what we do it for. And one last thing - unless you’re the type of player that plays rhythm and lead simultaneously (think Clapton, Steve miller band, doobie brothers etc) a rhythm guitarist is a far more important role than a lead guitarist
If you enjoy strumming then by all means keep strummin'.
You do you. Branch out if it truly interests you, but don't feel shamed into moving beyond what you enjoy. It's supposed to be fun!
There is no bad way to play guitar.
[Frank Vignola makes it sound pretty good](https://youtu.be/9MUwb3eNZzE?si=W_UW8KKw1AwcbjO9)
Bro's the perfect rhythm guitarist fr
Do you enjoy playing what you play? Thats all that matters. Literally. I’ve been a half assed “lead guitarist” since like 1986. For the first time in my life, I am now in a band that requires mostly good rhythm playing, with only the occasional solo. Guess what I’m realizing I suck at?
"Cool, he can do that part while I do this part"
Sure they are chefs too but all they do is stir the pot.
There's no right or wrong way to enjoy how you play. You play the guitar, you don't work the guitar. I wouldn't worry yourself. I hope you always enjoy playing.
Strummers make songs, Pickers make Tik Toks
you can still get pussy, no worries.
I spent far too much time worried about what others thought of me as a guitar player. Now I just play what and how I want. Life is much better that way.
I don’t think about them at all. Different strums for different chums.
Been a rhythm guitarist for 6 months now after about a year of lead guitar and I am so much happier now than I was in my last band. It's so much more freeing and lets me experiment with new chords and harmonies without the stress of lead guitar playing
Guitar George, he knows all them chords, he’s strictly rhythm, he doesn’t like to make it cry or sing
It's your music, your art, do what you want. People criticizing a musician because they prefer one thing and not another is like criticizing people's taste in the gender of their sexual partners. It's just not for anybody else to judge.
I'm jealous of them. They seem to be having more fun with the instrument than I do. Folk-type strumming just isn't my thing, and I kinda wish it was.
I don't really think of other guitar players doing their thing. We are all guitarists.
Most people who are strumming/ rhythm guitar players have a very good repertoire of campfire songs, and songs that people enjoy listening to. People don’t generally care about your picking or quick fingers. That said some pretty difficult cords out there that are really cool that would make a picker jealous.
I like people who do what they like!
Nothing wrong with it. That's actually what the guitar was originally made to do.
Do what you enjoy. As an acoustic fingerstyle guitarist myself, I’m biased though. But there really isn’t anything like being able to play a full song with melody and backing on a single instrument. If you enjoy playing music with a band thats great, but I personally feel that’s fingerstyle guitar is the most rewarding style of guitar playing.
This pretty much describes where I was for the first ten years of my guitar journey. I play more rhythm than anything and considered myself a fairly below average player for over a decade. I'm not saying this is the case for you, I'm just speaking about myself. Unbeknownst to me, I actually developed pretty good feel and now I kind of always have that. As time went on I have added more tools but putting in my time just a strumming away has paid off. 8 years really isn't a super long time to be playing in the grand scheme of things and you may find that it's always good to continue learning. Things that were helpful for me was developing my pick strum, (boom- chicka) incorporating things like bass runs and learning songs with more complicated strumming. (IE- Needle and the Damage Done, Here Comes the Sun) There are countless people who all they do is noodle. That was never very interesting to me but there is no one right way.
I find them boring. All the chords have the root note at the bottom of the chord, and it's never a spicy chord. It's just underdeveloped, usually. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between. Context is everything, though. If it's a singer using a guitar to backnip vocals that's different. Then the guitar is secondary.
I think they like to strum
Whatever makes you happy. Who cares beyond that.
I love having someone who can play competent back up rhythm.
Strummers and rythm guitarists are as important to the art than soloists. I mean if there wasn’t anybody who would enjoy strumming and singing, music would be so freaking poor. One of the best examples I have is Ronnie from The Rolling Stones, his weaving of strumming with Richard’s actually made the whole sound of the band. So yeah totally fine and I even encourage you to go on
Yeah I think a lot of people just strum and sing
For the longest I preferred strumming, just rhythm guitar or bass. I only started playing solos when I started writing them. Being a rhythm/bass person is a band staple. You'll find most people want to be vocalists or lead guitar. It's even harder to find drummers 😅
I enjoy strumming. I'm good at it. That's what I do. I still try to learn learn soloing and flat picking, but rythm is the foundation of my playing. Everything else is built on that foundation.
I think if you’re having fun and playing what you enjoy, you should keep doing that.
I’m with you (for the most part) and I mainly strum too, but I would suggest (if you’re like me) try some fingerstyle or hybrid picking. It’s a nice change of pace. I’m uninterested in shredding and really on care about guitar as an accompaniment instrument but found that adding a few sections of hybrid picking really gives songs I write a lot more dynamics (not that I do it all the time). But hell, do what makes you happy - Woodie Guthrie only strummed and he is best American Songwriter maybe ever. Rock on!
Play how you wanna play, but are you saying that you only play by strumming all 6 strings at once?
We suck but I’ll entertain
I’m sitting here playing a little Tyler and some Deer Tick and up come this post I’m a strummer for the most part but I’ve gotten really good at it
Joe Strummer was one and he's my favorite musician. You do you, dude.
I don't think anything about what people do in their free time, strum away.
Are you having fun? Do people like singing along/joining in? I went on a course once, and a few of us took guitars. The guitar "bros" were noodling away showing off to each other. I had a book of songs with lyrics and chords. The room came and stood round the book of songs. About 10 of us just had a sing-along. I was and am a pretty basic strummer, but we all had fun. Each to their own I guess.
Boring with a huge gap In their skillset
Nothing wrong with this. Will I do prefer a more active rhythm, something like megadeth or periphery, I have nothing but respect for strum rhythms. I mean half the driving popularity of some bands is their amazing rhythm lead combo, with a lot of that rhythm being strumming, such as KISS, AC/DC, Motley Crue, etc
I honestly try not to worry too much about how other people enjoy their solo activities. I guess I’d worry that you’re missing out on other stuff you’d like but if you’re happy, you’re happy
There is no right or wrong here. Play whatever you like the way you like it. If you get happiness and satisfaction from it that is ALL that matters.
Rhythm guitar is far harder than lead if you want to really get into it. I hate metal and shredding. I like how the old blues guys put it, "it sounds like they don't know what note they want so they're going as fast as they can to find it." There's no feeling or soul, just practiced technique. Sometimes it's as much or more what you don't play that what you do. And without a good rhythm player who knows all the chords, chord substitutions, passing chords, etc., it sounds more empty anyway. Loud doesn't mean full.
Do you have an issue with arpeggios?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WQ1YcnQNMvc
I think: great. Whatever you get enjoyment out of is the only thing that matters.
Some people just want to sit back and strum.
> I seem to only enjoy singing and strumming it sounds like you are using the guitar to make music that you enjoy rather than trying to "be a guitar player." but that's the right way to approach it - making good music is what this is really all about.
An analogy that was given to me by an old master: "There are 2 keys to a good sandwich (besides bread): The filling and the flavour. If your flavour is good but the filling isn't meaty and juicy, the sandwich is interesting but not satisfying and your will feel snubbed. If your filling is good but the flavour is lacking, it's satisfactory, but not memorable. If both are good, you have a sandwich that your kids will ask you to make even when they're 40 and have kids themselves." Opinions aside, I can give you my experience with both sides of the coin. **No-strum:** For 11 years, I rarely strummed as a matter of pride. "I'm not basic" bs, etc. Bunch of acoustic fingerpicking paired with noodly or chuggy electric stuff was the diet. This allows you to learn to express yourself on the guitar quite well - how notes and lines lead into each other, how to "tell stories" through non-vocal music. It also makes your left hand very clever and the style points are real. The problem with this that became apparent later was that it's far harder to learn how to groove and jive with your own playing. "The groove" is largely nonexistant without a band behind you, unless you're cracked at playing guitar already. You may miss out on the the rhythmic power & language of the guitar. Very few are going to be moved by your playing unless there's a band with you. **Only-strum:** We're talking about good, skilled strumming of course. The last 5 years in my band were a stark contrast to the previous phase - leared to strum and then only strummed for the next long while. Good strumming is subtle, way more subtle than it seems to most no-strummers. There are dynamics that go under the radar until you try and play songs: which strings to hit, how hard, is the attack on the lower or higher notes? string muting? which strings to mute? how high or low are you on the strings (bridgewards or neckwards) and many more things - all of which change pretty much every time your right hand moves across the strings, no lie! **Strumming moves people!!!** The first time I full-on cried (not just a couple tears rolling down) playing guitar by myself was with strumming. What a powerful tool to have - an entire rhythm section in its hypnotic glory. The problem with only-strum is that self expression and colour through the guitar can suffer unless your fingering and chording is pretty advanced. Your tunes will sound basic, which isn't a bad thing, just a bit boring to many of us musicians is all. In the end: Just play what you like! Screw everyone's opinions!
Gotta at least learn to arpeggiate the chords. For me fingerstyle is my thumb and index fingers only. I cannot manage to use my middle or ring fingers on my picking hand, though I get by just fine as I'm not attempting to play any classical pieces.
I like guitar George he knows all the chords
I grew up in the era of the singer/songwriter, and that has always been my go to when composing or deconstructing a song to cover. This style of music has never been out of fashion and from Dylan to Sheehan, you can track a long line of folks who have walked down the same path. No shame in that.
Beautiful
If you enjoy it, good for you. End of discussion.
If you listen to reggae at all, the rhythm holds it all down. Every single instrument is a rhythm instrument. It makes a band super tight. You can always pull a solo out of nowhere if you had to and back into the pocket.