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

[sgcim]

I can't really tell from your video what exactly is going on, but it kinda looks like a miniature version of this:

see also PMB's comment about this strumming style: Eddie Lang Rhythm Style

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Here's more Dave Kelbie. Go to 0:15, and slow down the video to 25%.

It looks like as he does this forward up-swing motion, you'd expect that he'll use an upstroke to hit the string, but he actually flicks his wrist to make it a downstroke! Fascinating stuff. The next question is why make the forward up-swing motion at all if it's just going to be a downstroke in the end? I think the pendulum swinging motion helps him to keep time more consistently: large motions with elbows and forearms keep time better than smaller motion wrists and fingers, methinks.

Like Stan Levey said, "Just be a team player". Wayne Wright said something like that to me when I asked him.

[mr. beaumont]

I think the pendulum swinging motion helps him to keep time more consistently: large motions with elbows and forearms keep time better than smaller motion wrists and fingers, methinks.

Becomes a larger body movement...more like dancing.

[PMB]

In its most extreme form, I've heard guitarists employing that pendulum swing to imitate the 'wah' effect of a trumpet section. Accents are played on the backbeats near the bridge to produce a bright, nasal-like quality.

[brent.h]

Like Stan Levey said, "Just be a team player". Wayne Wright said something like that to me when I asked him.

Becomes a larger body movement...more like dancing.

Man, if all I ever had to do was rhythm guitar and be part of a small ensemble, I'd still be happy. Plus, I don't have to worry about no solos!

[AllanAllen]

Man, if all I ever had to do was rhythm guitar and be part of a small ensemble, I'd still be happy. Plus, I don't have to worry about no solos!

A few weeks ago this guy came out to one of my gigs and thought it was a jam session. After feeling him out on break I figured how bad could it be and told the guys he was going to sit in.

Maaaan I was in heaven, locked in with the bass player while sax and trumpet traded solos.

Even on last nights duo gig, I did the head took a solo, bass took a solo and then I said “let’s cruise for one” and we busy comped a chorus together. Really fun to try something new like that on the fly.

[brent.h]

Yeah man just enjoying the simplicity of rhythm and timekeeping is underrated... Almost therapeutic for those of us with high stress jobs or heavy cognitive work. Whenever I play this way, I feel like I can listen to/enjoy the music so much more!!

[mr. beaumont]

A little more backyard fun.

[brent.h]

A little more backyard fun.

1:12-1:14 Oh ok thanks I'm stealing that!!

[GuyBoden]

A little more backyard fun.

Very enjoyable, great to hear someone having fun.

[mr. beaumont]

Here's a few sheets, a G and C blues. Could be a decent jumping off point for someone wanting to try this kind of playing.