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What songs have simple but effective rhythm guitar?


Annoying Twit
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I'm going to go for "Where is my mind" by Pixies.
The song sounds like the bass and drums are the rhythm and the lead guitar is on top but the rhythm guitar is so important. That double-strum bit at the end of the phrase blends so well that most bass players think the bass does it too. Here, let the lovely Kim Deal explain:
http://youtu.be/WCPy_57z4_w?t=1m13s

Edited by alittlebitrobot
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Noticed by accident really, but Aeroplane by the RHCP seems to qualify. With Flea grabbing all the limelight, it's easy to miss out the simple but effective rhythm guitars on the track.

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV8IAOojoAA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=vV8IAOojoAA[/url]

I'm not knowledgable about The Pixies. The bassplayer explanation didn't make sense until I heard the full track. It's certainly simple and not played in a virtuoso fashion, but it's an enjoyable rhythm guitar track. The bass makes sense in context as well.

In comparison to the pixies, here's something from Bob Mould which is more 'precise' but just as simple. This may be cheating as BM overdubs guitars a lot. But, IMHO this is very effective rhythm guitar. (The song doesn't start until about 2:08 or so, there's a comedy skit before that.

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgHmTcYqWts"]https://www.youtube....h?v=fgHmTcYqWts[/url]

I'm thinking about rhythm guitar as I'm trying to improve my multi-track bass playing, so am frequently recording overdubbed tracks where I will play some sort of rhythm guitar on either an all-fourths tuned guitar or seven string bass. Much of my playing sounds a bit like the CCR track, I would think. I don't want to take time out of bass practice by concentrating on rhythm guitar too much, hence hearing 'simple but effective' helps! :)

I'll listen to some more AC/DC concentrating on the rhythm guitar.

Edited by Annoying Twit
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I've recorded two loops tonight, and both were inspired by the tracks listed here, with me attempting to make simple but effective rhythm guitar. I think the actual riffs were OK, but I'm currently working through a massive wake-up call of how awful my timing is when I record, and I'm still in the process of working through that. One of the tracks deliberately has a straight eight root note only bass line., inspired by Kim Deal's comments on what some bassists refuse to do :)

Edited by Annoying Twit
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My challenge for tonight will be to record a 'She's a Woman' style rhythm guitar track.


Velvet Underground listened to as well, good examples. Like The Pixies, I'm not as familiar with the VU as I should be, even though I own a number of John Cale's electronic albums.

Edited by Annoying Twit
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A lot of Rolling Stones stuff, like 'em or loathe 'em, have excellent rhythm guitar, and excellent counter play between the two guitarists. For Rock'n'Roll stuff, try "Baby Blue" by Gene Vincent, or lots of stuff by Buddy Holly. I like The Five Royales as well - Lowman Pauling was a real innovator on electric guitar.

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anything by the Ramones.
Does the Beatles 'She's a Woman' have one of the worst rhymes in Rock and Roll history? My love don't give me presents I know that she's no peasant.
Where's was Lennon's sardonic wit when the cack handed one wrote that little gem

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[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1413980421' post='2584322']
Would it be possible to ask if you could name a couple of your personal favourites?
[/quote]

Anything by Eddie Cochran for sure. Some of the Elvis stuff too and of course a lot of the lead is chord based.

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  • 1 month later...

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1414139203' post='2586225']
Anything with Nile Rodgers or Keith Richards in it.
[/quote]

Nile Rodgers makes it sound simple, but it's actually an incredibly hard style to master. Very underrated and innovative player, and a very clever and decent chap to boot.

Lesson from Justin here : http://www.justinguitar.com/en/RF-007-LeFreak.php

Edited by The Admiral
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