Sindibad
Verified buyer
08/18/25
Scott Sharrard's Practice Sessions: Roots Rhythm and Grooves
It's a great session to appreciate all these fabulous rhythms.
Practice Sessions: Roots Rhythm and Grooves
Learn and Practice Roots Rhythm Grooves with Interactive Practice Sessions
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About this course
Guitarists spend most of their time on stage playing rhythm guitar. Our role in most band settings, across virtually every genre, is establishing the groove of the songs we’re playing with the drummer and bass player. This is especially true with American roots music like blues, soul, funk, rock and even jazz.
In this hands-on Practice Sessions edition from Scott Sharrard, you’ll focus on developing solid rhythmic approaches for a variety of roots music ranging from the blues to all of the other roots-based genres that we love to play on the guitar.
”We’ll play through 8 powerful interactive practice sessions, each of which spotlights a different rhythmic approach and roots genre.
Each session begins with a quick breakdown of the rhythmic approach and then I’ll perform a demo with a rhythm section for musical context. We’ll cap off each session trading back and forth with the rhythm section as I guide you through the core workouts and some expanded applications.
I’ll detail how to use specific chord voicings to help your guitar parts fit into a rhythm section and an arrangement. We’ll use basic scales, triads, and chord tones to give your guitar playing a distinct foundation for the song while also giving you the opportunity to express yourself.”
What makes this format really special is how you’ll get these approaches firmly under your fingers -- you’ll practice each of the 8 approaches together with Scott, in a series of interactive practice sessions.
Scott will kick off each study with a breakdown of the key approach and then he’ll perform the approach over a backing track to give you a feel for how it sits in the rhythm section.
You’ll cap off each study together with a hands-on practice session. Scott will roll the track and you’ll trade back and forth as he guides you through the core examples followed by several variations and embellishments. Working regularly with these “practice sessions” is the key to having command of all 8 rhythm guitar approaches.
You’ll get standard notation and tabs for all of the performance studies. Plus, you’ll be able to use TrueFire’s learning tools to sync the tab and notation to the video lesson. You can also loop or slow down the videos so that you can work with the lessons at your own pace. All of the backing tracks are included to work with on your own as well.
Grab your guitar and let’s dig in with Scott Sharrard!
In this hands-on Practice Sessions edition from Scott Sharrard, you’ll focus on developing solid rhythmic approaches for a variety of roots music ranging from the blues to all of the other roots-based genres that we love to play on the guitar.
”We’ll play through 8 powerful interactive practice sessions, each of which spotlights a different rhythmic approach and roots genre.
Each session begins with a quick breakdown of the rhythmic approach and then I’ll perform a demo with a rhythm section for musical context. We’ll cap off each session trading back and forth with the rhythm section as I guide you through the core workouts and some expanded applications.
I’ll detail how to use specific chord voicings to help your guitar parts fit into a rhythm section and an arrangement. We’ll use basic scales, triads, and chord tones to give your guitar playing a distinct foundation for the song while also giving you the opportunity to express yourself.”
What makes this format really special is how you’ll get these approaches firmly under your fingers -- you’ll practice each of the 8 approaches together with Scott, in a series of interactive practice sessions.
Scott will kick off each study with a breakdown of the key approach and then he’ll perform the approach over a backing track to give you a feel for how it sits in the rhythm section.
You’ll cap off each study together with a hands-on practice session. Scott will roll the track and you’ll trade back and forth as he guides you through the core examples followed by several variations and embellishments. Working regularly with these “practice sessions” is the key to having command of all 8 rhythm guitar approaches.
You’ll get standard notation and tabs for all of the performance studies. Plus, you’ll be able to use TrueFire’s learning tools to sync the tab and notation to the video lesson. You can also loop or slow down the videos so that you can work with the lessons at your own pace. All of the backing tracks are included to work with on your own as well.
Grab your guitar and let’s dig in with Scott Sharrard!
What you'll learn
- Execute the signature groove from 'Love and Happiness'
- Use space effectively in melodic phrasing
- Lock rhythm guitar with drummer's hi-hat pattern
- Add melodic fills using A-flat minor pentatonic
- Develop solid rhythmic approaches for various roots music genres
Release date: 12/13/2021 • 2h 34m runtime
Sample lessons
Soul Ballad Groove
Performance
High Rhythm Groove 1
Demonstration
High Rhythm Groove 1
Performance
High Rhythm Groove 1
Practice Session
What's included
26 lessons • 24 charts • 8 Jam Tracks
Practice Sessions: Roots Rhythm and Grooves
Hi I'm Scott Sharrard. Welcome to this Roots Rhythm & Grooves edition of Practice Sessions!
Guitarists spend most of their time on stage playing rhythm guitar. Our role in most band settings, across virtually every genre, is establishing the groove of the songs were playing with the drummer and bass player. This is especially true with American roots music like blues, soul, funk, rock and even jazz.
In this hands-on format, we'll focus on developing solid rhythmic approaches for a variety of roots music ranging from the blues to all of the other roots-based genres that we love to play on the guitar.
We'll play through 8 powerful interactive practice sessions, each of which spotlights a different approach and roots genre.
I’ll kick off each study with an overview and demonstration of a new groove and some creative ideas that we'll be focusing on in the session. I’ll perform an example over a backing track, to give you a feel for how it works with the rhythm section.
I'll detail how to use specific chord voicings to help your guitar parts fit into a rhythm section and an arrangement. We'll use basic scales, triads, and chord tones to give your guitar playing a distinct foundation for the song while also giving you the opportunity to express yourself.
We’ll cap off each practice session by trading back and forth with the track as I guide you through the core groove and some creative embellishments.
Working regularly with these 8 “practice sessions” is really gonna help you develop your groove, so grab your guitar, and let’s dig in!
Guitarists spend most of their time on stage playing rhythm guitar. Our role in most band settings, across virtually every genre, is establishing the groove of the songs were playing with the drummer and bass player. This is especially true with American roots music like blues, soul, funk, rock and even jazz.
In this hands-on format, we'll focus on developing solid rhythmic approaches for a variety of roots music ranging from the blues to all of the other roots-based genres that we love to play on the guitar.
We'll play through 8 powerful interactive practice sessions, each of which spotlights a different approach and roots genre.
I’ll kick off each study with an overview and demonstration of a new groove and some creative ideas that we'll be focusing on in the session. I’ll perform an example over a backing track, to give you a feel for how it works with the rhythm section.
I'll detail how to use specific chord voicings to help your guitar parts fit into a rhythm section and an arrangement. We'll use basic scales, triads, and chord tones to give your guitar playing a distinct foundation for the song while also giving you the opportunity to express yourself.
We’ll cap off each practice session by trading back and forth with the track as I guide you through the core groove and some creative embellishments.
Working regularly with these 8 “practice sessions” is really gonna help you develop your groove, so grab your guitar, and let’s dig in!
Second Line Groove
New Orleans music is the backbone of all cross rhythms that you find in Rock and Roll. Think of Little Richards Nola sessions or the poly rhythmic 4 piece bliss of The Meters. Leo Nocentelli of the Meters, Snooks Eaglin, and Walter Wolfman Eashington are just acouple fo the guitarists from NOLA who have influenced my style and also changed the course of Ameerican roots music. Let's explore that big easy funk.
Second Line Groove
The 2nd line grooves are used at parades and even funerals. you will also recognize this rhythm from Little Richard and Bo Diddley right on to those bands from the UK...an essential rhythm pattern.
Second Line Groove
Time to break it down and find the groove in the cracks...
Memphis "Chop" Groove
I have tried my best to demo all the intricate ways of new orleans funk, make sure you check out some Meters records!
Memphis "Chop" Groove
This is loosely based on the classic Memphis soul track "Tramp". It was originally cut by the great blues soul guitarist Lowell Fulsom and adapted by the great Otis Redding in duet with the queen of memphis soul, Carla Thomas. I've gotten to sing and play with Carla quite a few times and i have sung this song with her. This guitar riff is a great example of space, dynamics and how that use of space can anchor a musical hook.
Memphis "Chop" Groove
Take your time and get "the chop", space is the place.
+ 19 more lessons
Reviews
6 results
PeteH59
Verified buyer
11/03/22
Great content in this course to improve rhythm chops!
Scott is a fantastic player and has an awesome background of influences that come through in his playing. This is the second course of his that I am working through and am getting some of his style into my own playing!
lesterburst
Verified buyer
03/22/22
Great course
Scott is an Amazing player and teacher
Dom F.
03/03/22
Killer Cool Course!
As the title says, this one is way cool! There's a huge wealth of knowledge here worth the price of admission alone. And delivered by a guy who can really get you understanding the true grit of groove. Every course by Scott has made me a better player and this one is no exception! Love your work man, it was fun sharing licks with you (in a one-sidered kind of way!).
Swing42
01/26/22
Master this course and everyone will want you in the band!
At some point in the course, Scott Sharrard says "I guarantee you, having a great quarter note, a great eighth note, and a great sixteenth note with your right hand is going to make you one of the most popular guitar players with any singer, songwriter, arranger or producer." That pretty much says it. If you want to learn licks by B.B., Stevie Ray, etc. there are lots of resources on Truefire and the net. But as everyone tells you, 90% of your time in a band is playing rhythm, and obviously studying the masters of the guitar groove is essential to being a great player. I like the Practice Sessions series of courses- you can trade choruses and play along with the instructor, and so especially with a course on rhythm you can really hear if your playing keeps the groove going , or let's it fall apart! There are eight different feels and the styles are in the vein of rhythm masters like Leo Nocentelli, Snooks Eaglin, Phil Upchurch, Steve Cropper, Teenie Hodges, etc. Anyone who thinks playing rhythm guitar in a band is "easy" probably has never played rhythm guitar in a band. You'll get to play different rhythm feels like New Orleans Second Line, Hi Rhythm Section, Chicago Soul, Memphis Chop, etc. Each groove will start with a basic feel, and then Scott will add variations and tell you when to use them and what to listen for with the other members of the band. It is obvious that Scott has great respect for the music and players who originated these different American Roots music styles. Scott brings to the course a lifetime of playing on the bandstand with great players and knowing what the rhythm guitar should be doing to support the SONG and the BAND. I recommend you try any or all of this course, and it will be time well spent.
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