How do i get better at rythyme guitar?

Question

trying to play for whom the bell tolls, theres a parts that four note power chords played over and over. i find it hard to focus my mind on playing it repeatedly at speed

Answer 1

Try it detuned to drop D. Instead of having to make a power chord, you'll just have to palm mute and barre the string.

Standard tunings are for nerds. Cheat as much as you can.

Answer 2

First get it down slowly, with the right rhythm.  Don't worry about being able to play in time with the song.  Just get it to sound right, and then speed it up once you practice it. What you are doing right now is the best way to get better at rhythm guitar.  Challenge yourself with complicated rhythms, and eventually this will translate into creative energy that can be articulated well.  Playing rhythm is the best way to get good at it.  That's what you are doing.  Just keep it up, and challenge youself.

Answer 3

practice it at a slower speed for a while. then increase the speed when you feel COMFORTABLE.you'll nail it in no time.

Answer 4

Practice. You just kinda start doing it with out thinking after awhile.

Answer 5

Well, first you would have to understand what it means to be a rhythm guitar. You see being a rhythm guitarist, means you have to not only back up the lead, but give a feel to the music. I've been a lead guitarist all of my life, but there was a couple of bands before hand where I was rhythm, and it was fun. I personally think rhythm guitar is harder than lead because if the rhythm screws up, the whole song crumbles apart. Compared to lead guitar, where he/she is messing up on the solo, it wouldn't matter because there is backing.

It requires a lot of practice to really get the concept down of rhythm. It's why I like being lead, the lead goes out and socializes with the rest of the band, while rhythm has to sit there everyday in the practice room, making sure he/she has it right.

Anyway... For Whom The Bell Tolls is a relatively easy song. Keep a metronome around, those things are very useful to get your timing correctly. Another tip, try to not speed up, and follow the metronome and all times. otherwise you will sound bad. I know, the rhythm guitar isn't doing much in the song, but just bare with it.

Hope this helped!

-Nakayama Akira

Answer 6

I remember learning that part when I first started playing.  This probably isnt the answer youre looking for, but you just gotta practice pratice practice.  It's hard to slide through those chords when you are new.  Just keep at it.