Public Relations DIME Creative Music Performance (Guitar) Rhythm Studies DIMEO-P140 1. Introduction to unit Title: Rhythm Studies Level: Level 4, Stage 1 Credits: 20 Credits Tutor(s): Denny Ilett Duration of Unit: 30 weeks (2 trimesters) Total Study Time: Indicatively, this module will consist of: 26 hours of lectures (26 x 1.0 hours) Small groups/individual tutorials (15 hours) Peer chat online (15 hours) Unit Outline: The Rhythm Studies module provides you with the opportunity to study a wide variety of rhythmic concepts across a range of musical genres. The concepts examined in this module are intended to support the development of your individual practice and will be applicable into the broader contexts of your course. In addition to identifying, applying and performing rhythmic concepts, you will be asked to provide critical reflection on your own abilities and how the concepts studied may inform your thinking around professional practice. You will be expected to develop a strategic approach for doing the practice and research required that employs effective time management. The module is a mixture of directed and self- directed study, and lectures will be supported with tutorials and group sessions. Aims: The aim of this module is to enable you to: Develop competence in performance skills relating to the rhythmic elements of composition. Identify and demonstrate the conventions and vocabulary of your instrument in various musical contexts
2. Scheme Of Work Module Rhythm Studies Folk/Rock Rhythm Exercise Introducing a basic folk/rock groove with open chords. Relearning the open G chord. Applying internal melodies and basslines within a static chord shape. Introducing basic syncopation and tied notes. Using the repeat sign and observing metronome markings on a chart. WEEK 1 To play the piece for 3-4 minutes maintaining the tempo and feel To record yourself playing the lesson Recommended resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gazw7moqhzq https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=navvfpp-1l4 s Bob Dylan - Knockin On Heaven s Door Led Zeppelin - Thank You Rock and Roll Rhythms Developing a Feel on a Basic Rock N Roll Groove. Introducing the 8th note rest. Adding lead licks to a rhythm part. Introducing the technique of sliding into a chord. Exploring the pitfalls of playing rhythm parts with overdrive. WEEK 2 To strive for a rhythmic 'bounce' in your playing of the piece Record versions at the set tempo and at 96bpm comparing the results Recommended resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqa_u0dsdre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5yoyabe2bu s T-Rex - Get It On Chuck Berry - Johnny B Goode Slow Blues WEEK 3 Maintaining a steady tempo on a slow blues. Introducing extended chord voicing s on a blues. Developing the half-step chord manoeuvre. Introducing the triplet. Opening up the neck. To strive for an authentic 'loose' blues feel by playing slightly behind the metronome. Record the results Recommended resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r8rm4kqg_y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s9m-52frgu
T-Bone Walker - Stormy Monday Basic Reggae Rhythms Working with a simple reggae feel. Introducing a variety of triads on the top strings. Developing the upstroke. Developing playing off the beat. Working on the 'press & release' technique. WEEK 4 Work on developing a strong upstroke and staccato phrasing. Record the piece for a 3-4 minute duration. Experiment with different tempos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofrbzjxjwia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ke1fdwjflq Bob Marley - Exodus Folk/Rock in 3/4 time Playing folk/rock in 3/4. Introducing the internal hammer-on. Developing an alternate strumming pattern. Relaxing the strumming hand and playing lightly. Maintaining intensity and focus in rhythm playing. WEEK 5 To focus on relaxing the strumming hand while playing. Record this piece on loop for 3-4 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zwrpse9bz8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv0uepfe6ya (particularly the middle section at 1:02) Rickie Lee Jones - Last Chance Texaco Classic Rock Workout WEEK 6 Working with a 70 s classic rock feel. Introducing more complex syncopation. Developing muted rhythm accents. Developing more complex combinations of up/down strokes. Introducing fretting hand muting techniques. Practice locking in with the metronome or drum loop. Record a 3-4 minute version of the piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt6hijygtby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxq5vvyai1q
Pat Travers - Hooked On Music Punk/Grunge Rhythms Playing punk/grunge rhythm guitar. Controlling the guitar when using more overdrive/distortion. Developing the sound of power chords. Working on palm muting. Introducing the b5 chord. WEEK 7 Work on developing the correct attack needed for this style of playing. Record a 3-4 minute version of the lesson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_3qndbiwn8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbmws6jf5dc Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit WEEK 8 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Funk: Part 1 Introducing funk guitar styles. Combining chords and single notes into a rhythm part. Introducing the diad. Using more complex muting techniques. Developing minor 7th and major 7th chord vocabulary. WEEK 9 To focus on right/left hand coordination. Record a 3-4 minute version of the lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrbx6mawypu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jod-m7wzkzq Chic - Le Freak The Jazz Ballad WEEK 10 Introducing the jazz ballad. Learning more complex chord extensions. Playing with the thumb instead of the plectrum. Maintaining a steady feel at ballad tempo. Developing a linear approach to the neck. Work on achieving a smooth, warm sound with your right hand thumb. Record a 3-4 minute loop of the piece. Recommended Resource https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmibkxqwrnw
Count Basie (with Freddie Green) - L'il Darlin' 'Hendrix' Rhythm Introduction to Jimi Hendrix s rhythm style. Introducing the 7#9 and the 9th chord into rock playing. More on slides and hammer-ons. Using internal licks to add flavour. Picking out bass notes from a set chord. WEEK 11 Practice this piece in conjunction with listening to Jimi Hendrix's rhythm playing. Record a 3-4 version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjvf3s_eyow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxxrnxtxxuq Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady Jimi Hendrix - Midnight Country flat-picking rhythm Working on a basic country rhythm style. Developing a moving bassline within the chords. Working on picking accuracy. Introducing the 1st and 2nd time bar. Further development of the downstroke to provide accents. WEEK 12 Practice the picking pattern until the bass notes sound strong and clear. Record a 3-4 minute example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khf9itpluo4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1td_psenelu Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line Fingerstyle Rhythm pattern Introducing a fingerstyle rhythm chart. Using drone notes. Introducing the D.S and Coda signs. Introducing A and B sections in a chart. Introducing scale based harmony. WEEK 13 Work on developing an even tone with your fingers. Record a 3-4 minute version of the lesson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3xdeatlwyk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ty_wlmikvy The Beatles - Blackbird
Gypsy Jazz rhythm guitar Introducing Gypsy Jazz. Developing the minor 6th and diminished chord. Using 3-note chords to state complex harmony. Developing a swing feel with the strumming hand. Introducing single string chromatics. WEEK 14 Focus on the subtle left hand damping in tandem with developing a strong right hand drive. Record this with another friend/student for an authentic 2 guitar rhythm sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpmotgungna http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcmsovasdba Django Reinhardt - Minor Swing WEEK 15 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Soul/Pop Rhythm exercise Working on a soul/pop rhythm pattern. Introducing some jazz chords. Notes on playing solo rhythm guitar. Introducing the open repeat sign on a chart. Introducing tied notes over a bar line. WEEK 16 Work on familiarising yourself with the new chord shapes. Develop the percussive element of this piece. Record a 3-4 version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u57d4_b_ygi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvrmdmzswi0 Jack Johnson - Better Together Rock/R&B Ballad Style Introducing the Rock/R&B ballad style. Working with double-stops and ornamentation. More complex chord slides. More about letting notes ring within a chord. Introducing melody into rhythm guitar playing. WEEK 17 Work on keeping the feel relaxed and fluid. Record the example comparing your feel to that of the example track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asmgghewmum http://www.jukebo.com/prince/music-clip,count-the-days,sursl.html s Prince - Count The Days Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing
Rock "Chugging" Rhythm Introducing the chugging rock style. Creating sweeter harmony with basic triads/static bass note. Combining muted bass with un-muted chords. More on strumming hand technique. Maintaining a good feel with constant 8th notes. WEEK 18 Pay special attention to the muted/unmuted parts. Record 3-4 minute version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udhtumgxb2w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esfh1gnsarw Queen - Now I'm Here Pop "Jangle" Rhythm Introducing pop rhythm guitar - jangle style. Developing cross string picking. Using added notes in a single chord. Working with a chorus pedal/effect. Developing the pull-off. WEEK 19 Practice the arpeggio nature of this lesson slowly before bringing it up to tempo. Record a 3-4 minute version http://youtu.be/wwmopbxq-6k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbc8jltxsq8 The Pretenders - Kid (solo section) Heavy Metal Drop D exercise Introducing heavy metal rhythm playing. Introducing drop-d tuning. Working with full distortion. Developing single finger power chords. More advanced palm muting technique. WEEK 20 Familiarise yourself with drop-d tuning. Record a 3-4 minute version of the lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ytvuz2-i0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipw9abrmwfu Velvet Revolver Slither Rockabilly fingerpicking study WEEK 21 Introducing rockabilly/rock and roll fingerpicking. Developing an independent bassline. Picking out melody notes with index and 2nd fingers.
Developing a feel for 1950's rhythm guitar style. Introducing a country sound into a 12 bar blues. Build up finger independence at slow tempo before record a 2-3 minute version at the stated tempo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywgprzu4hk4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_ee0nparey Elvis Presley (with Scotty Moore) - That's All Right Mama WEEK 22 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Heavy Metal 16th note exercise Introducing 16th note heavy metal phrasing. Introducing lower strings arpeggio ideas. Developing 16th note accuracy in the picking hand. Introducing dual time signatures in a piece - 4/4 to 3/4. More advanced chart reading and navigation. WEEK 23 Pay special attention to the chart layout as well as the right/left hand challenges in this piece. Record a 2-3 minute version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mhe6fms46o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnkhstxokci Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast Funky Jazz/Rock Rhythm Study Introducing jazz chords into a rock song. Developing a constant 16th note groove. More advanced syncopation. More advanced fretting hand press-and-release. Introducing the major 9th, 7#5 and minor 7b5 chords. WEEK 24 Focus on the more advanced 'press-and-release' techniques in the lesson. Record a 3-4 minute example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lgoo8yeips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypojujnhf0o Pink Floyd - Dogs Rock/Shuffle Rhythm WEEK 25 Introducing the shuffle/swing feel. Developing a stronger upstroke. Introducing the D.C sign. Working on swung 8th notes.
Working on visualising regular chords in unfamiliar positions. Practice the strumming pattern diligently before recording a 3-4 minute version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqo1hicsvtg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vo23h9j8o8 Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town Swing Jazz 'walking bass' pattern Working with a swing jazz feel. Developing a walking bassline. Developing adding chord accents between bass notes. Introducing new chord inversions. Developing further the linear approach to the fingerboard. WEEK 26 Focus on the swing feel of this piece and record a 3-4 minute version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnynpapokqg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuremcviok Joe Pass/Ella Fitzgerald - Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You WEEK 27 REVISION WEEK 28 SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT 6/8 Arpeggio exercise Further use of an arpeggisted approach to rhythm. Introducing 6/8 time signature. More advanced arpeggios and string skipping. Introducing the rallentando. Learning to follow a more complex picking pattern. WEEK 29 Spend time on the complex picking pattern before recording a 2-3 minute version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqtakkvcfaq https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at9ekqxdl68 Metallica - Nothing Else Matters Funk: Part 2 WEEK 30 Working with an advanced funk groove. Introducing 7/4 time signature. Introducing a key change during a piece. Using the 9th chord slide. Relaxing the strumming wrist to create a better feel.
Work on the complex pattern and observe the chart navigation. Record a 2-3 minute example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frr2kf84v2m https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ipeqnyd6oi Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
3. Bibliography The bibliography below is NOT intended to be comprehensive. Use the library to supplement readings through independent research and bring your findings to the seminars for discussion. Further Reading Books (electronic resources) Gallagher, Mitch (2012) Guitar Tone: Pursuing the Ultimate Guitar Sound. Course Technology/Cengage Learning Maran, Ruth (2005) Maran Illustrated Guitar. Course Technology/Cengage Learning Journals (electronic resources) Guitar Player: New Bay Media LLC. [available via International Index of Music Periodicals (Jan 1993 Vol. 27, no.1 present, with some exceptions)] Guitarist: Future Publishing Ltd. (small selection of articles available via Rock s Backpages) Guitar World: New Bay Media LLC. [small selection of articles available via Rock s Backpages] Total Guitar: Future Publishing Ltd. [small selection of articles available via Rock s Backpages] Further reading (unavailable in electronic form) Bellson, L. (2000) Modern Reading Text in 4/4. Belwin Mills Publishing Corp. Bergonzi, Jerry (1998) Inside Improvisation Series for all Instruments: Vol 4. Melodic Rhythms. Advance Music. Buckingham, Bruce.(1998) Rhythm Guitar: The Complete Guide. Hal Leonard. Fox, Dan (2002) The Rhythm Bible. Alfred Music Magadini, P, (1993) Polyrhythms The Musician s Guide. 2nd Edn. Hal Leonard Corpoation. Morenga, M. (2006) Guitar Springboard: Chords For All Occasions. Wise Publications. Nelson, Troy (2014) Rhythm Guitar 365: Daily Exercises for Developing, Improving and Maintaining Rhythm Guitar Technique. Hal Leonard.