Corey Congilio’s Acoustic Rhythm Guitar Playbook is a great place to start to learn new, interesting, applicable guitar rhythms, whether you’re a seasoned player or new to guitar. Even if you’re more accustomed to playing electric, you’ll find that there’s something for every playing situation inside.
In these free acoustic guitar lessons taken from the course, Corey will take you through a different chord progression that highlights a new way of putting together an acoustic rhythm guitar part. You’ll find several rhythms that you can work into songs, and even ones that stand on their own. Let’s get strumming!
Good Together – Demonstration
Download the tab, notation, and jam track for this acoustic rhythm guitar lesson on TrueFire.
We’ll start slowly here by just introducing the Am7 to Fmaj/C chords. You’ve seen this 16th note rhythm before, so your right hand should be primed and ready!
Acousta Soul – Demonstration
Download the tab, notation, and jam track for this acoustic rhythm guitar lesson on TrueFire.
This is the kind of riff based idea I might play on electric guitar, but it sounds every bit as good on acoustic guitar. Once again, familiar chord changes here, so really focus on the riff. Once you get it, you won’t wanna stop playing it!
Outlaw Vibes – Demonstration
Download the tab, notation, and jam track for this acoustic rhythm guitar lesson on TrueFire.
We’ve got another Drop D example here with “Outlaw Vibes”. This is a classic outlaw country style chord progression. Think Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, and David Allan Coe for this example.
Big and Open – Demonstration
Download the tab, notation, and jam track for this acoustic rhythm guitar lesson on TrueFire.
Here’s another example that sounds like a song already! Well, feel free to go ahead and use it! This progression is fairly simple, but man, it really works on acoustic guitar. Experiment with this one and make it your own!
Mental – Demonstration
Download the tab, notation, and jam track for this acoustic rhythm guitar lesson on TrueFire.
Drop D and power chords galore here! If you like a little heavy metal with your acoustic playing, this one is for you. The second part of the example has some cool arpeggio stuff to break up the heaviness!
It’s a Staple
Download the tab, notation, and jam track for this acoustic rhythm guitar lesson on TrueFire.
Let’s finish up with another Drop D/capo example. This groove is hypnotic to me and incorporates so much of what we’ve covered thus far. Remember to retune when you’re using that capo and don’t hold back here. Dig in and really play with some attitude.
There’s plenty more to be had in the full course on TrueFire, with 60 rhythms and grooves in all. And, as always, you’ll get the tab, notation, and jam tracks for each of the guitar lessons to work with on your own. Check it out now!