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

[alltunes]

This sounds 100x better than your other style of comping in my opinion

I thought the same exact thing.

[ragman1]

We'll see. They might lose some of their charm if they all sound the same.

[mr. beaumont]

Well a few folks jammed to my "Sometimes I'm Happy" rhythm...any requests?

[joe2758]

Bb rhythm changes about 140...more choruses the better

[joe2758]

And a super simple minor tune

[pamosmusic]

I’ve been working out of that Swing and Big Band guitar book. Been playing blues and rhythm changes in all the inversions of those shells every day. Doing approach chords where I can. Doing some modified versions of his diatonic exercises too.

Fun stuff.

[pcjazz]

I’ve been working out of that Swing and Big Band guitar book. Been playing blues and rhythm changes in all the inversions of those shells every day. Doing approach chords where I can. Doing some modified versions of his diatonic exercises too.

Fun stuff.

I agree, it is fun stuff. I’m a bit surprised though that with your background and experience it isn’t all old hat to you. Not a criticism, just an observation. Don’t they teach this stuff at jazz school?

[pamosmusic]

I agree, it is fun stuff. I’m a bit surprised though that with your background and experience it isn’t all old hat to you. Not a criticism, just an observation. Don’t they teach this stuff at jazz school?

Is it stuff I know?

sure.

Is it stuff I’m as fluent in as I’d like to be?

always no.

[pcjazz]

Got it. Fluency is a fleeting goal in my experience.

[pamosmusic]

I’m in a “get really good at the things I’m already doing” phase

[pcjazz]

I’m in a “get really good at the things I’m already doing” phase

Big band rhythm is pretty much all I’m doing these days. Some days are better than others. We have a very good electric bassist but I do miss working with standup acoustic bass.

[joe2758]

I love how he uses triads to get cool voice leading and even contrary motion.

[joe2758]

but I do miss working with standup acoustic bass.

"And what is the DEAL with trumpets? Am I right?"

[mr. beaumont]

Here's 3 choruses of RC in Bb about 140.

Would have done more but the beginning of this Brazil/Norway match has been interesting, I keep getting distracted.

[pcjazz]

"And what is the DEAL with trumpets? Am I right?"

They’re just there to decorate the work of the rhythm section. Actually I have no beef with brass and reeds. Some keyboard players on the other hand … Although no complaints with our current chair.

[pamosmusic]

They’re just there to decorate the work of the rhythm section.

Dude … say that out loud at a rehearsal and you’re going start finding your tires slashed and threatening notes in your music folder.

[pamosmusic]

Big band rhythm is pretty much all I’m doing these days. Some days are better than others. We have a very good electric bassist but I do miss working with standup acoustic bass.

When I think about what I actually play … like ACTUALLY … it’s 95% solo or trio. So I’m either getting a lot of mileage out of moving bass punches in my solo playing, or I’m playing some pseudo rhythm guitar for a bass solo. Not the same thing, but man bass players like it when they actually get a little pad to play over.

[ragman1]

Sometimes I'm Happy pretty well is RC, isn't it?

[mr. beaumont]

Well, without the FUN part

[joe2758]

Well, without the FUN part

haha exactly!!

[Strat-itis]

They’re just there to decorate the work of the rhythm section. Actually I have no beef with brass and reeds. Some keyboard players on the other hand … Although no complaints with our current chair.

You're contemptuous of half the band?

[pcjazz]

You're contemptuous of half the band?

Not what I said.

[ragman1]

Well, without the FUN part

I don't get this. At least when we play Sometimes it's a proper song, you're actually playing something. RC is just a beaten-to-death exercise with the bridge. That must be your fun part.

I'd rather play a tune with meaning. To me, that's the fun part.

I might do my own backing of RC changes, probably slowly, and make it thumpy just to please everybody. In fact, I think I'll get on with it now. Give myself something to do

[ragman1]

And here it is, another gem. This is called Annabelle's Trousers because it's got to be called something. I love doing this kind of thing!

[GuyBoden]

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