Rhythm Guitar Book 2: Free Video Lessons
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Click here to order your copy of Rhythm Guitar 2, and check out the free videos below!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Click here for a list of my other videos, which include easy guitar arrangements, technique lessons, chords, scales, and more.
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Rhythm Guitar 2 Videos
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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 as 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.
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Learn to adjust your strumming pattern when the chords change in the middle of the measure.
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Lesson 7: 8th Note Rhythm Charts (page 14)
Two lead sheets to help nail down your rhythmic reading.
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Lesson 8: Bendemeer's Stream (page 15)
Changing patterns in the middle of a song is a good way to add interest.
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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.
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Lesson 10: New Rhythm Charts (page 20)
Two new rhythm charts to practice the new chords and patterns you learned in Lesson 9.
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Lesson 11: Danny Boy (page 21)
Applying a fingerstyle pattern to Danny Boy and finding good places to interrupt the pattern for dramatic effect.
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Lesson 12: New Lead Sheets (page 22)
Two new lead sheets for practicing your new chords and patterns.
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Lesson 13: Repeats and Endings (pages 23-25)
Introducing repeats and first and second endings.
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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.
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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.
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Lesson 16: Tempo Markings (page 28)
Your introduction to tempo markings, which indicate how quickly or slowly to play.
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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.
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Lesson 18: Rhythm Charts with Alternating Bass (page 32)
Practice the alternating bass patterns you learned in Lesson 17.
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Lesson 19: Rhythm Charts with Alternating Bass and Repeats (page 33)
Two new rhythm charts for practicing alternating bass patterns.
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Lesson 20: The Fermata (Hold) (page 34)
Introducing the fermata (or hold).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Lesson 25: New Rhythm Charts (page 40)
Two new rhythm charts that include your new D, A7, comping patterns, and N.C. marking.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Learn to read and count tied notes.
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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.
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Lesson 32: Tempo Change Markings (pages 47-48)
Learn to follow tempo change markings such as ritardando, rallentando, accelerando, and "A Tempo" markings.
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Lesson 33: New Rhythm Charts (page 49)
An opportunity to practice your latest patterns, chords, and follow tempo change markings.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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).
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Lesson 38: F Major, C7, New Patterns (pages 54-55)
Learn the F Major and C7 chords, plus four new comping patterns.
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Lesson 39: Dotted Quarter Notes (page 56)
Learn to count and play a common dotted quarter note + 8th note rhythm.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Lesson 45: Home on the Range (page 64)
This lead sheet is in 3/4 time and includes a D.S. al Coda.
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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.
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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).
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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).
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Lesson 49: C and G Bass Runs (pages 70-71)
Learn how to play C and G Bass Runs (also called walk-ups and walk-downs).
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Lesson 50: C and F Bass Runs (pages 72-73)
Learn how to play C and F Bass Runs (also called walk-ups and walk-downs).
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Lesson 51: Bass Run Variations (pages 74-75)
Learn how to adapt the bass runs for various strumming and fingerstyle patterns, including patterns in 3/4 time.
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Lesson 52: Hammer-Ons with Chords (pages 76-78)
Learn to decorate your A, C, and E type chords with hammer-ons.
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Lesson 53: Power Chords (pages 79-80)
This final lesson of Rhythm Guitar 2 covers power chords and two rock and blues comping patterns that pair well with power chords.