Rhythm Guitar Book 2: Free Video Lessons
Click here to order your copy of Rhythm Guitar 2, and check out the free videos below!
If you have already been playing guitar for a while, or if you already know how to read music, then you are probably ready for Rhythm Guitar 2, which focuses on full chords, strumming, and fingerstyle patterns. Rhythm Guitar 3 is an intense study in moveable chords. You may also want to check out First Moveable Guitar Chords, which is like a light version of Rhythm Guitar 3, and if you are interested in jazz and blues, check out Three-Note Jazz Guitar Chords.
If you want to be absolutely certain you are ready for Rhythm Guitar 2, you should first study Rhythm Guitar 1. It's a short book, and it's free! Click here for the Rhythm Guitar 1 page, which includes links to the free Rhythm Guitar 1 PDF and free lesson videos.
If you're just getting started on guitar, you should also check out my Melody Guitar books, which focus on learning to read and play melodies in standard music notation.
Click here for a list of my other videos, which include easy guitar arrangements, technique lessons, chords, scales, and more.
Rhythm Guitar 2 Videos
Lesson 1: Intro and Review (pages 3-5)
Review concepts you learned in Rhythm Guitar 1, including how to read a chord diagram, basic rhythms and rests, subdividing rhythms, and alternate strumming. Also includes a VERY brief intro to the basics of reading tablature (TAB).
Lesson 2: G and E Minor + First Strum Patterns (pages 6-7)
Learn to play the G major and E minor chords and how to change chords smoothly with common fingers. Use the 4-3-2-1 Exercise to train yourself to switch chords more quickly. Learn your first strumming patterns in 4/4 and 3/4 time.
Lesson 3: First Fingerstyle Patterns (pages 8-9)
Your introduction to fingerstyle playing includes a primer in the PIMA finger labels ans well as your first fingerstyle patterns in 4/4 and 3/4 time.
Lesson 4: C and D7, Rhythm Charts (pages 10-11)
Learn to play the C major and D7 chords, plus the guide finger concept. Put your new chords and patterns to use with two new rhythm charts.
Lesson 5: Playing Lead Sheets (page 12)
Learn how to follow a lead sheet as a rhythm guitarist with "Oh, Freedom" in Common Time and "Amazing Grace" in 3/4 time. You'll also learn about pick-up measures.
Learn to adjust your strumming pattern when the chords change in the middle of the measure.
Lesson 7: 8th Note Rhythm Charts (page 14)
Two lead sheets to help nail down your rhythmic reading.
Lesson 8: Bendemeer's Stream (page 15)
Changing patterns in the middle of a song is a good way to add interest.
Lesson 9: A Minor, E Major, E7, 8th Rests, New Patterns (pages 16-19)
Lots of new material! Learn three new chords and how to count 8th rests. You'll also learn four new strumming and fingerstyle patterns.
Lesson 10: New Rhythm Charts (page 20)
Two new rhythm charts to practice the new chords and patterns you learned in Lesson 9.
Lesson 11: Danny Boy (page 21)
Applying a fingerstyle pattern to Danny Boy and finding good places to interrupt the pattern for dramatic effect.
Lesson 12: New Lead Sheets (page 22)
Two new lead sheets for practicing your new chords and patterns.
Lesson 13: Repeats and Endings (pages 23-25)
Introducing repeats and first and second endings.
Lesson 14: New Lead Sheets (page 26)
The two new lead sheets in this rhythm include repeats and endings, which you learned about in the previous lesson.
Lesson 15: Greensleeves (page 27)
Use your newest 3/4 fingerstyle pattern to play the chords for Greensleeves, also known as What Child Is This.
Lesson 16: Tempo Markings (page 28)
Your introduction to tempo markings, which indicate how quickly or slowly to play.
Lesson 17: D Minor, G7, and Alternating Bass Notes (pages 29-31)
Learn the D minor and G7 chords and how to add variety to your comping patterns with alternating bass notes.
Lesson 18: Rhythm Charts with Alternating Bass (page 32)
Practice the alternating bass patterns you learned in Lesson 17.
Lesson 19: Rhythm Charts with Alternating Bass and Repeats (page 33)
Two new rhythm charts for practicing alternating bass patterns.
Lesson 20: The Fermata (Hold) (page 34)
Introducing the fermata (or hold).
Lesson 21: Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho (page 35)
There are only two chords in this song, but there is still a lot going on, including a 1st and 2nd ending, alternating bass notes, and some fermatas.
Lesson 22: Instrumental Lead Sheet (page 36)
In this lead sheet, you'll switch patterns in the middle, play alternating bass notes, and follow a fermata marking.
Lesson 23: D Major, A7, and New Patterns (pages 37-38)
Learn the D major and A7 chords and four new comping patterns: two strumming and two fingerstyle.
Lesson 24: N.C. Marking (page 39)
Learn about the N.C. marking and work on a new rhythm chart that includes your new D and A7 chords.
Lesson 25: New Rhythm Charts (page 40)
Two new rhythm charts that include your new D, A7, comping patterns, and N.C. marking.
Lesson 26: Rhythm Chart and Dreidel Song (page 41)
A new rhythm chart to practice your latest 3/4 strumming and fingerstyle patterns, and The Dreidel Song to practice your new D and A7 chords.
Lesson 27: Down in the Valley (page 42)
Easy chords, but plenty of other things to watch for, including N.C. markings, 1st and 2nd endings, and fermatas.
Lesson 28: Peace Like a River (page 43)
This song includes your newest chords: D major and A7. We'll do this using one of your new fingerstyle patterns from page 38. Watch out! This song includes a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ending.
Lesson 29: Molly Malone (page 44)
This new song includes a 1st and 2nd ending and some N.C. markings. You'll play a 3/4 strumming pattern the first time throught and a 3/4 fingerstyle pattern on the repeat.
Learn to read and count tied notes.
Lesson 31: B7, A Major, New Patterns (pages 46-47)
Learn two new chords: B7 and A Major, plus 2 new strumming patterns and two new fingerstyle patterns.
Lesson 32: Tempo Change Markings (pages 47-48)
Learn to follow tempo change markings such as ritardando, rallentando, accelerando, and "A Tempo" markings.
Lesson 33: New Rhythm Charts (page 49)
An opportunity to practice your latest patterns, chords, and follow tempo change markings.
Lesson 34: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (page 50)
A new rhythm chart for practice in reading rhythms, and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" to practice the new D– DU–UD strumming pattern.
Lesson 35: Changing in the Middle of DDUUD (page 51)
Learn how to switch to a new chord in the middle of the D-DU-UD pattern.
Lesson 36: Blow the Man Down • Aura Lee (page 52)
"Blow the Man Down" include only E and B7, so you'll get plenty of practice with the B7 chord. "Aura Lee" is a Civil War song. The melody was later "borrowed" and became Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender."
Lesson 37: Minuet in G (page 53)
Learn to play chords for the "Minuet in G" by Christian Petzold (formerly attributed to J.S. Bach).
Lesson 38: F Major, C7, New Patterns (pages 54-55)
Learn the F Major and C7 chords, plus four new comping patterns.
Lesson 39: Dotted Quarter Notes (page 56)
Learn to count and play a common dotted quarter note + 8th note rhythm.
Lesson 40: D.C. al Fine and D.C. al Coda (pages 57-58)
Learn to follow D.C. al Fine and D.C. al Coda markings.
Lesson 41: D.S. al Fine and D.S. al Coda (pages 58-59)
Learn to follow D.S. al Fine and D.S. al Coda markings.
Lesson 42: New Rhythm Charts (pages 60-61)
These new rhythm charts include your newest strumming and fingerstyle patterns, dotted quarter note rhythms, and D.S. and D.C. markings.
Lesson 43: New Rhythm Charts (pages 61-62)
In one of these new rhythm charts, you'll play your latest 3/4 strumming pattern. You'll also get more practice in playing dotted quarter note rhythms and following D.S. and D.C. markings.
Lesson 44: Lead Sheets with D.C. Markings (page 63)
The lead sheets in this lesson are Alouetta, with a D.C. al Fine, and All the Pretty Little Horses, with a D.C. al Coda.
Lesson 45: Home on the Range (page 64)
This lead sheet is in 3/4 time and includes a D.S. al Coda.
Lesson 46: The Oak and the Ash (page 65)
This lead sheet includes a D.S. al Fine and can be played with fingerstyle or pick accompaniment.
Lesson 47: G and E Minor Bass Runs (pages 66-67)
Learn how to play G and E Minor bass runs (also called walk-ups and walk-downs).
Lesson 48: C and A Minor Bass Runs (pages 68-69)
Learn how to play C and A Minor Bass Runs (also called walk-ups and walk-downs).