Crackerjack
Verified buyer
07/30/26
Awesome course new ideas for me to inspire me
Guitar Zen: Next Level Rhythm
Elevate Your Rhythm Chops with Pro Tactics
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Try 14 days free. Cancel any time.
About this course
Throughout a guitarist's learning journey, there are several critical milestones that call for an advancement in skills and understanding. One such significant milestone is the rhythm playing. At this stage, the guitarist typically has a firm foundation in chord structures and basic rhythmic patterns but it's clear to their ear that it's time to take those skills to the next level.
If this sounds familiar to you, Eric Haugen's "Guitar Zen: Next Level Rhythm" is the path to follow. Eric bridges the gap between basic rhythm playing and a more expressive, creative and nuanced approach that "explores the space between rhythm and lead." This Guitar Zen edition is the game changer that your rhythm chops have been hungry for.
”In this edition of Guitar Zen, we’ll explore the space between rhythm and lead. I’ll show you how to take your rhythm skills to the next level with just a little bit of music theory and a lot of pro tricks including inversions, pentatonics, double-stops, and more.
I’ll demonstrate everything, and explain why it makes sense both musically and emotionally. We’ll apply each technique over backing tracks and practice play-alongs so you get a feel for the technique in a musical context.”
Eric organized the curriculum into two sections. In the first section, Eric steps you through the basic melodic and harmonic devices that you’ll be building upon: CAGED E Major Shapes, CAGED E Major Intervals, CAGED D Minor Shapes, CAGED D Minor Intervals, The Pentatonic Major Shapes, and Three “Everyday” Grooves. If you want to go deeper on any of these devices and shapes, check out Eric’s Guitar Zen series here: truefire.com/e4616
In the transformative second section, Eric explains and demonstrates 11 concepts that will serve as your stepping stones to the next level: Shrink the Shapes, Adorn the Groove, Keep Trying New Chords, Embracing the Change, The Two to Three Concept, The Four to Five Concept, Flat Threes and Fives Concept, Using Sixths & Doublestops Concept, Leaving Space, Hiding in the Layers and How More Chords Equals Less Options.
Working with the performance studies and backing tracks that Eric composed for the course, you’ll apply and practice every concept together with Eric. Once you have a grip on the studies, you’ll create your own “next level rhythm” parts over the tracks.
You’ll have TrueFire’s interactive learning tools at your fingertips to customize your workspace and learn at your own pace.
The demonstrations and performances are tabbed, notated, and synced to the video lessons with controls for looping, slow motion, fretboard animation, and other tools designed to accelerate your progress.
You’ll also get tab and standard notation PDF files to print out, downloadable Guitar Pro files, and backing tracks to practice and record with.
Grab your guitar, and let’s dig in with Eric Haugen!
If this sounds familiar to you, Eric Haugen's "Guitar Zen: Next Level Rhythm" is the path to follow. Eric bridges the gap between basic rhythm playing and a more expressive, creative and nuanced approach that "explores the space between rhythm and lead." This Guitar Zen edition is the game changer that your rhythm chops have been hungry for.
”In this edition of Guitar Zen, we’ll explore the space between rhythm and lead. I’ll show you how to take your rhythm skills to the next level with just a little bit of music theory and a lot of pro tricks including inversions, pentatonics, double-stops, and more.
I’ll demonstrate everything, and explain why it makes sense both musically and emotionally. We’ll apply each technique over backing tracks and practice play-alongs so you get a feel for the technique in a musical context.”
Eric organized the curriculum into two sections. In the first section, Eric steps you through the basic melodic and harmonic devices that you’ll be building upon: CAGED E Major Shapes, CAGED E Major Intervals, CAGED D Minor Shapes, CAGED D Minor Intervals, The Pentatonic Major Shapes, and Three “Everyday” Grooves. If you want to go deeper on any of these devices and shapes, check out Eric’s Guitar Zen series here: truefire.com/e4616
In the transformative second section, Eric explains and demonstrates 11 concepts that will serve as your stepping stones to the next level: Shrink the Shapes, Adorn the Groove, Keep Trying New Chords, Embracing the Change, The Two to Three Concept, The Four to Five Concept, Flat Threes and Fives Concept, Using Sixths & Doublestops Concept, Leaving Space, Hiding in the Layers and How More Chords Equals Less Options.
Working with the performance studies and backing tracks that Eric composed for the course, you’ll apply and practice every concept together with Eric. Once you have a grip on the studies, you’ll create your own “next level rhythm” parts over the tracks.
You’ll have TrueFire’s interactive learning tools at your fingertips to customize your workspace and learn at your own pace.
The demonstrations and performances are tabbed, notated, and synced to the video lessons with controls for looping, slow motion, fretboard animation, and other tools designed to accelerate your progress.
You’ll also get tab and standard notation PDF files to print out, downloadable Guitar Pro files, and backing tracks to practice and record with.
Grab your guitar, and let’s dig in with Eric Haugen!
What you'll learn
- Apply sixth intervals over chord progressions
- Use hybrid picking for double stop execution
- Apply 2-to-3 interval movement over major chords in a progression
- Use CAGED shapes to navigate the fretboard
- Maintain rhythmic feel while adding melodic embellishments
Release date: 03/26/2024 • 3h 30m runtime
Sample lessons
Adorn The Groove!
Performance
The Four to Five
Overview
The Four to Five
Performance
The Four to Five
Breakdown
What's included
45 lessons • 23 charts • 10 Jam Tracks
Guitar Zen: Next-Level Rhythm
Hey, I'm Eric Haugen. In this Next Level Rhythm Edition of Guitar Zen, we'll explore the space between rhythm and lead. I'll show you how to take what you already know about grooving to the next level by adding a little bit of music theory. And some pro tricks like inversions, pentatonics, double stops, and a bit more.
If you complete this course, it will change your playing for the better. I'll explain and demonstrate everything, how it makes sense both musically and emotionally, and we'll apply each technique in a musical context with interactive play-alongs. Ready to break down the barrier between rhythm and lead? Let's roll!
If you complete this course, it will change your playing for the better. I'll explain and demonstrate everything, how it makes sense both musically and emotionally, and we'll apply each technique in a musical context with interactive play-alongs. Ready to break down the barrier between rhythm and lead? Let's roll!
Section 1: Fundamentals Primer
In the first section of the course, we will begin by reviewing key concepts to ensure a common understanding. We'll delve into the E major "cage" shapes on the fretboard, followed by the intervals in E major. However, our exploration doesn't stop at major scales; we will also examine D minor, looking at its "cage" shapes and intervals across the fretboard. This section introduces intervals into our study, enhancing our understanding of guitar theory.
But there's more. Since this is a rhythm-focused course, we'll dive into pentatonic scales, both major and minor, caged across the fretboard, and explore basic, commonly used grooves. This part of the course is designed as a natural continuation for those who have completed my Guitar Zen Caged course. However, if you haven't taken it, don't worry; all the necessary information is included right here.
First, we'll start things off with a performance and then we'll break it all down in detail. So, before we dive in, let's double-check our tuning and begin the first section.
But there's more. Since this is a rhythm-focused course, we'll dive into pentatonic scales, both major and minor, caged across the fretboard, and explore basic, commonly used grooves. This part of the course is designed as a natural continuation for those who have completed my Guitar Zen Caged course. However, if you haven't taken it, don't worry; all the necessary information is included right here.
First, we'll start things off with a performance and then we'll break it all down in detail. So, before we dive in, let's double-check our tuning and begin the first section.
CAGED E Major Shapes
In this lesson, we explore the CAGED system in the key of E, highlighting how every chord can be represented in five distinct shapes on the fretboard. Eric Haugen guides us through the practical application of this system, emphasizing the transition between different E chord shapes, including the more complex D and C shapes. By understanding these shapes, we unlock a comprehensive framework for organizing arpeggios, scales, and triads, making the fretboard much more navigable. This lesson not only simplifies complex chord transitions but also introduces a method for using these shapes as a foundation for further musical exploration.
CAGED E Major Intervals
In this lesson, we will explore the role of intervals within the CAGED system for guitar. Intervals are the building blocks of scales and melodies, and by understanding how they fit within the familiar CAGED shapes, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the fretboard and how notes relate to each other. This will open up your playing and give you more tools for improvisation and creativity.
CAGED D Minor Shapes
In this lesson, we will explore the CAGED system for minor chords, focusing specifically on D minor. Understanding how minor chords fit into the CAGED framework will broaden your knowledge of the fretboard, enabling you to connect chords and melodies more fluidly.
CAGED D Minor Intervals
In this lesson, we will discover the intervals that create the unique sound of the minor scale. We'll focus on the D minor scale within the CAGED system, identifying how the intervals change compared to the major scale and how this creates a distinct tonal character.
The Pentatonic Major Shapes
In this lesson, we'll revisit the CAGED system focusing on pentatonic scales. Pentatonic scales are simpler than major and minor, offering a powerful and expressive tool for improvisation and exploring the fretboard. We'll focus on F major pentatonic but the concepts apply to any key.
+ 38 more lessons
Reviews
30 results
rapsidy
Verified buyer
06/16/26
Take your time
I don’t think Eric can make a bad course , that’s why I purchased this of the back of his others I have and learning so much from. I like how Eric emphasises the need to take your time with each lesson, absorb it before moving on. . that’s the biggest lesson newer players have to learn don’t be in a rush to learn the next thing get the current lesson concepts under your fingers
Catface
Verified buyer
06/04/26
All of Erics videos are great. This just adds to your cool guitar ideas library that Eric dreams up to inspire us into practicing.
Mulberg
Verified buyer
03/24/26
Great course
I’ve taken a few of Eric’s other courses before, and this one is just as solid. The lessons are clear, musical, and easy to get into, and there’s a lot here that feels immediately useful. Really enjoying it so far.
jmillarder
Verified buyer
02/21/26
Guitar Zen: Next Level Rythm
Eric Haugen is the key: like so many I’ve played for 30 years and progressed very little. Guitar Zen unlocked the guitar for me. Take the Guitar Zen courses in order - Caged, Next Level, Playing the changes etc. A will will be revealed. Thank you Eric for your laid back no pressure approach to guitar mastery and fretboard freedom!
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