Rhythmic aspect of chord-melody

[Krebrev]

Hi,
I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions when it comes to keeping a groove while playing in a solo chord-melody style. I am able to come up with the right/interesting chord voicings which fit underneath the melody and I'm able to comp the chords. Rubato playing is no problem but I'm having a great deal of trouble with keeping a groove going or playing in tempo.

Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build up this skill. I guess the more general question I'd like to ask is: how do you
approach the rhythmic aspect of chord melody playing? Can you recommend any exercises or some sort of approach?

I would love to hear your opinions.

Kind Regards,
Ivo

[Dookychase]

Ivo, look up luthier Jimmy Foster on youtube. I sat with him in his shop several times and watched him play.

It's not so much of a rhythm technique but more of a precussive thing that he does. Sometimes he sort of hits the strings with the palm of his hand, and with the use of dynamics and cutting chords a little short gives the idea of groove.

Its hard for me to explain, but look him up and see if that will help you.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

It helps to have a song with a groove. I was watching TV last night while doodling on a classical guitar. when a commercial came on that used War's "Lowrider" song as background:

YouTube - War - Low Rider

I made up some chords on the spot that approximated the horns' riff. Cool. And it was simple, too. Four chords, easy to play. It doesn't have to be hard to sound good.

That song also have a bumpin' syncopated bass line. Too bad it it's fairly static. Hmmm... when a song has little sustained interest, bung it into a medley. (Rubs chin) the War medley, hmmm...

But yeah, I know what the challenge is. CM is like juggling: you have melody, harmony, bass line, single note fills, rhythmic groove, and you're trying to keep them all up in the air.

[derek]

I answered your question on rmmgj. Good luck with it.