Brad Carlton is back with another intensive series of interactive video guitar lessons covering essential techniques and know-how for optimizing your rhythm guitar skills.

As always, Carlton drills down deep, working through all of the basic techniques involved in plectrum rhythm guitar. Topics covered include technical issues such as how to hold the pick, various positions of the wrist and fingers, pick angles, free strokes, rest strokes, accents, palm muting, palm slaps, choking, tonal variation, down and up strokes, string groups, pivot and guide fingers, and ghost strokes.

Video Introduction

Click below for a sample video from the course

Carlton also covers the art and science of rhythm as it relates to strumming. From a rhythmic standpoint you will learn to understand quarter notes, eight notes, and 16th notes. You will receive a number of variations involving the mixing of these three different time values to develop an inventory of strum patterns. The question of pick stroke direction will also be explained.

To ice your strumming cake, Carlton takes you to school on the theoretical aspects playing rhythm guitar. From a theory standpoint you will learn the diatonic triads in the following keys: C, G, D, A, and E. You will also receive a chart listing 30 different two chord building block progressions which will develop your facility at changing chords as well as enhancing your ability to hear these progressions. You will be encouraged to be creative by mixing a combination of these diatonic triads.

About Your Instructor

Brad Carlton

Brad Carlton is living proof that monster players don't all live in the big music meccas. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, our home city, he's our hired gun - the guy we call in to perform the tough lessons when the author is not available. Brad, who has been teaching and leading his own bands for more than 20 years, prides himself on his versatility. His rep in the region is that he can play anything. Brad brilliantly performs an extensive lesson on Eddie Van Halen licks an exploration of London blues along with interpretations of Vernon Reid, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike Stern and even some 18th Century parlor guitar.

Table of Contents

Breakdown of Course Curriculum

1. Introduction
2. Right Hand Technique: Picking Hand Posture
3. How To Hold The Pick: Viewing Chords As Voices
4. The Harmonic Approach: Quarter Note Rhythm
5. Learn To Play Quarter Notes: Eighth Note Rhythm
6. Working On Driving Rhythms: Quarter - Eighth Note Combos
7. Combining Rhythm Patterns: Accents
8. The Squeezing Technique: The Backbeat
9. Use A Palm Slap: Muted Strumming
10. Fretting Hand Muting: Sixteenth Note Rhythm
11. Learning To Play Sixteenths: Bass Chord Strumming
12. Straight And Swing Rhythms: Triplet Rhythm
13. Learn To Play Triplets: Chord Changes
14. The Economy Of Motion: Diatonic Triads In C
15. Key Of C Triads: Diatonic Progressions In C
16. Key Of C Diatonic Progressions: Diatonic Triads In G
17. Key Of G Triads: Diatonic Progressions In G
18. Key Of G Diatonic Progressions: Diatonic Triads In D
19. Key Of D Triads: Diatonic Progressions In D
20. Key Of D Diatonic Progressions: Diatonic Triads In A
21. Key Of A Triads: Diatonic Progressions In A
22. Key Of A Diatonic Progressions: Diatonic Triads In E
23. Key Of E Triads: Diatonic Progressions In E
24. Key Of E Diatonic Progressions