The Summer of Rhythm Guitar 2026: Take a Walk on the mild side

[mr. beaumont]

Fungii Mama would be my go to

[joe2758]

Flintstones is fun RC. That's what I usually play.

If The Flintstones isn't a "proper song," what are we all even doing here? What is this whole thing for?

[DestinyT]

Here's an old recording of me messing about with an acoustic guitar and a little samba. Nothing polished or fancy - just voice, guitar, rhythm, and a love of the song. Thought I'd share it in the spirit of the thread.

[Question]

Hi Jeff, since I had the mic. set up and new strings from the other duo recording of "Sometimes I'm Happy" (In another Thread) I couldn't resist taking on your Rhythm Changes challenge.

Sorry about the video; I am an audio guy and don't have proper software or video editing skills. If someone knows if it is possible in imovie to reduce the frame size in split screen mode please tell me how it is done.

I ended up having to just present our two videos in partial frames.

I tried playing the melody from Fungii Mama over your video, but it doesn't work very well as it is a straight eighth tune and the changes on the melody section are not really rhythm changes.

Instead, here is I Got Rhythm. I did my best to stay in the era and not play too hip.

[mr. beaumont]

Destiny-- how lovely! Stay tuned, its going to be the Autumn of bossa/samba

Question, dig it! Yeah, "Mama" isn't right for this, but "I got" sure is.

I like the sound of that guitar too, what is it? Are you using a very thick pick?

[joe2758]

So good, man. You two would make a legendary duo

[Question]

@Mr. B

Thanks. It is a Collings OM3 (I think, or OM2?) I am using a 1.4 pick that is slightly rounded.

I am playing with a pretty hard attack with fairly heavy (new) strings.

The way that the guitar is mic'd makes a big difference as well. I am using two small condenser mic's, one pointing at the 12th fret and one at the bridge.
Don't point the mic at the sound-hole!

@joe2758 The only problem is that we are on different continents!

[mr. beaumont]

Indeed. But should he visit the states I'll adopt the moniker "Answer."

Joe, here's an easy in minor tune for ya-- Softly, as in a morning sunrise. I did two choruses as its a bit noisy out here.

[joe2758]

@Mr. B

@joe2758 The only problem is that we are on different continents!

Too far from me too, but these backing tracks beat the hell out of ireal pro, you can't even pretend that's a real band.

[ragman1]

Did I hear an ice-cream van?

(edit)

I'm so pathetic. One thought of ice-cream and I had to dash downstairs and help myself to lots and lots of vanilla till I froze up in ecstasy followed swiftly by a dose of hot coffee just in case.

Which is okay... except it's 1.10 in the morning

[mr. beaumont]

Just wind chimes. Ice cream trucks are banned in my ward..the rumor is because some kid got hit by one years ago...but there's no record of that ever happening.

[ragman1]

Damn, no ice-cream van :-)

At one point here they had to ban them because they were, brilliantly, being used as cover for selling dope, booze, imported cigarettes, and all that. Pretty clever idea.

[Mick-7]

Just wind chimes. Ice cream trucks are banned in my ward..the rumor is because some kid got hit by one years ago...but there's no record of that ever happening.

Coincidentally, some have advocated for restricting the sale of wind chimes here in No. Calif. ever since the purported incident in which a guy who moved here from the Mid-West was driven mad by his neighbors wind chimes. Ice cream trucks are still allowed though - as long as they don't use wind chimes as their musical accompaniment.

Damn, no ice-cream van :-) At one point here they had to ban them because they were, brilliantly, being used as cover for selling dope....

Well, some would say there's a fine line between dope and ice cream - some ice cream anyway.

[mr. beaumont]

I always assumed ice cream van guys were probably doing something illegal too, but never saw any proof.

As for the wind chimes story, I definitely don't believe that, as there is nothing more basic Midwestern single family home than some windchimes...ain't no way that guy wasn't desensitized to them

[GuyBoden]

We have 'Wind Chimes' here too.

[ragman1]

The aliens have landed :-)

[ragman1]

Jeff -

I must be going through a controversial phase or something. Ah, well.

I've done a solo over Softly. My problem with this rhythm thunking is that it's so rigid, bang bang bang, that it makes me play rigid too. Between you and me I've gone through YouTube and Spotify to find out how the tune's generally done and it's not really rigid, it's swung, fairly gently. There are a few that are more thunky than others but I'd say that swing was generally the feel of it.

Anyway here's what I did, wind chimes not being a problem. It's not very good, the middle bit's a mess, but never mind :-)

By the way, could you answer something for me? What chords were you using for the middle bit? I have:

(Fm/Bb7) -

EbM7 - Fm7 - C7b9 - %
Fm7 - % - % - G7b9

I also have:

EbM7 - % - C7 - %
Fm7 - F#o - Dm7b5 - G7b9

And:

EbM7 - % - Eo - %
Fm7 - F#o - Dm7b5 - G7b9

I know they're all pretty much the same but I thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks.

[pamosmusic]

Jeff -

I must be going through a controversial phase or something. Ah, well.

I've done a solo over Softly. My problem with this rhythm thunking is that it's so rigid, bang bang bang, that it makes me play rigid too.

sounds like a personal problem

[mr. beaumont]

I've done a solo over Softly. My problem with this rhythm thunking is that it's so rigid, bang bang bang, that it makes me play rigid too. Between you and me I've gone through YouTube and Spotify to find out how the tune's generally done and it's not really rigid, it's swung, fairly gently. There are a few that are more thunky than others but I'd say that swing was generally the feel of it.

By the way, could you answer something for me? What chords were you using for the middle bit? I have:

(Fm/Bb7) -

EbM7 - Fm7 - C7b9 - %
Fm7 - % - % - G7b9

I also have:

EbM7 - % - C7 - %
Fm7 - F#o - Dm7b5 - G7b9

And:

EbM7 - % - Eo - %
Fm7 - F#o - Dm7b5 - G7b9

I know they're all pretty much the same but I thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks.

Im doing:

Ebmaj7 % C7 %
Fm7 % Dm7b5 G7

As for the backing, I dunno...its quarter notes. Its rhythm guitar. You can't swing over quarter notes?

[ragman1]

Ebmaj7 % C7 %
Fm7 % Dm7b5 G7

Thanks, nice and simple.

As for the backing, I dunno...its quarter notes. Its rhythm guitar. You can't swing over quarter notes?

Sure, but I guess my swingy rhythm (that nobody likes) has spoilt me. I can move nicely along with that. When I get too much of a solid 4 beat I kind of seize up and lose the FLOW (word of the moment). I am very sensitive to backings :-)

[pamosmusic]

I was expecting three choruses. Whoops.

[ragman1]

I have to say, that was relatively pleasant

[joe2758]

I was expecting three choruses. Whoops.

Sick. Almost makes me want to practice embellishing melodies instead of my "betcha can't play this" licks...almost.

Swings like crazy man.

Terrible ending lol JK!!

[joe2758]

Do experienced players ever say "softly as a morning sunrise" instead of "as in a?" would it be normal to call "softly" at a jam? what do you call it in the real world

[pamosmusic]

Do experienced players ever say "softly as a morning sunrise" instead of "as in a?" would it be normal to call "softly" at a jam? what do you call it in the real world

as in, for sure

but also “softly” would work