How to Be a Good Rhythm Guitarist

So sad that folks are thinking they aren’t skilled enough to jam with others. One of the best memories I have is how I met my best friend from high school. He lived a block away and he overheard me (the new kid) sharing that guitar was my hobby. I sucked; He sucked. Neither of us could play a single song and we had no amps but we figured out how to get sound out of stereo speakers while we were plugged in. Our early recordings from 1983 are so funny. Out of tune; not playing in any one key etc. But we grew together and learned so much. We are still friends in our 50s and we both still play guitar

I really wish someone told me early on I didn't have to play all six strings all the time.

Eric Haugen is a master class in dynamics. He can make the simplest playing sound so beautiful. Great touch and a great right hand.

He's like the Bob Ross of music

I was that way about playing with others - I hung back thinking I wasn't yet "qualified" to do anything ... and never developed. Came back home after college and my buddy, whom I taught a song to before I left ("Psycho Killer"!), had STARTED A BAND and WAS WRITING HIS OWN MUSIC. He remembered me as the teacher so invited me to play with them, so I showed up with my barre chords and cowboy chords and ten little songs I'd worked out, and it was SO GOOD. They didn't know those songs, they taught me theirs, I was inspired to start writing - I grew more in the first four months playing with them than I had grown in the previous four years! And you kept me alive with your SWEET FLOWING LIES!

I would add one thing as a major plus ... as a rhythm guitarist for over 40 years, you are an extension and compliment to the drummer. I also play drums and feel the two are the tightest bound instruments that form the base and timing of a song. Liken yourself to being a metronome and sync to the drummer for immediate improvement when jamming with other musicians. Just my humble observance of 46 years. Most important thing to do is HAVE FUN! Cheers!

The actual best teacher in guitar. These videos feel like an real 1 on 1 lesson

I have a BS in Chemical Engineering but I’ve loved music my entire life. I’ve played guitar since my Dad bought me a 3/4 sized guitar at age 12. One of my sweetest college (1970s) memories was playing in group of other nerds. We had guitars, mandolin and banjo. We played lots of Loggins and Messina and Seals and Croft. Playing, eating pizza, drinking beer and flirting with our girlfriends was the best.

Good, good stuff, Eric. “Be a Good Hang,” yes? YES. Don’t hog all the turnarounds. BE ON TIME (and ALWAYS show up). PRACTICE your part BEFORE the rehearsal. When I was a young player, I was told that all this is called “musicianship.” Most, most critical. Without it, you’ll never get anywhere. (I’m a big NEW fan of Mr. Haugen’s.)

Don’t let Mr. Haugen’s calm demeanor fool you. He is one of the best guitar teachers and players on YouTube. “Be A Good Hang”. As a (retired) recording engineer for 20+ years, I’ve taught this idea to my four kids as they prepared to go out into the world. Working on sessions 10,12,15 hours a day, nobody wanted to be around someone who is a jerk or is constantly stressed out. ESPECIALLY in a creative endeavor. Finally, Eric’s sense of pocket and clean playing is top notch. Another thing that goes overlooked…Eric has a large repertoire of songs in his head. That is a huge resource for playing and teaching. I’m a huge fan!!!

Preach! 🙌 Love your videos dude

You went from giving very good guitar advice to giving very good life advice. You make even the simple stuff sound good too! Lots to learn from you

I tell young musicians to never miss an opportunity to play with people better than you! Anybody worth learning from won’t mind that you’re inexperienced, and will be happy to help you grow! Love this video and your approach. Thanks, brother! Keep it up! ❤💪🏼

Thank you! The art of rhythm playing is so undervalued. Sometimes I find when I’m jamming that I give the lead player a nice bed to lay on. But when it’s my turn to lead, I don’t always get the same love back. A lot of players just don’t know how to support. It’s a shame because some of my favorite memories of playing aren’t when just I ripped off a killer solo. It’s when I felt oneness locking in with everybody else. Rhythm playing ain’t complicated, but it can be magical.

somebody commented that Eric is the Bob Ross of guitar instructors. I get that, but really, he's the Mr. Rogers of guitar instructors. And I mean that in a very complimentary way. He's so easy to listen to and learn from. Thanks for not trying to be somebody other than who you are, bro. Diggin' all your vids, big time.

1:36 Clean Chords 4:16 Deep Feel 8:30 Picking Accuracy 12:00 Have Good Tone 15:17 Be a Good Hang

Eric has nice clean, practical playing. I love it. Everyone usually has super deep theory or crazy solos or focuses on one skill but this is the stuff I wish I had like 20 years ago.

I played rhythm with guys and handled lead and backing vocals until a guy showed up with amazing talent and played rhythm with some feel. What a difference. He told me I had good timing and style also but thought I could use it better if I played base. So I did .We filled out the sound. Your lesson is great and easily understandable. Thank you.

"Music is a collaborative event... It's about what's happening in the room." Yeah Eric. Words of truth as always :)

Wow Eric. Your opening line about what it takes to play out with people is the best thing I have heard on YouTube for quite a while. 🙏🏻