Sometimes, the true difference between a good performance and a great one boils down to one thing: rhythm. If the rhythm section is tight, the music sounds right. And a rhythm guitar player has the power to make or break a rhythm section, even if the drums and bass are locked in.

In his course, TrueHeart Blues: Rhythm, renowned guitarist, Kirk Fletcher divulges some masterful approaches, acquired philosophies, and helpful techniques on rhythm playing and comping in a band setting.

Here are eight video blues rhythm guitar lessons from the course. For the full course, check out Kirk Fletcher’s TrueHeart Blues: Rhythm on TrueFire!

Guitar Lesson – Call and Response: Rhythm Insight 3


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In this lesson, I share some of my insight on playing a chord while answering it with a single note line. I take a shuffle rhythm and a funk rhythm to demonstrate.

Guitar Lesson – El Medio Stomp: Overview


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This is a rocking tune from a few years ago that has become somewhat of a trademark of mine. Let’s take a look!

Guitar Lesson – El Medio Stomp: Performance


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In some ways, this song is a tribute to the great Stevie Ray Vaughan, married with a soul vibe.

Guitar Lesson – El Medio Stomp: Breakdown


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In this breakdown, I cover double stops, slight bends and further address the call and response. More muting will be addressed.

Guitar Lesson – Chord Embellishments: Rhythm Insight 5

Here we’ll talk about adding spice to your parts. We’ll look at: double stops, slight bends on chords and pull offs with the pinky.

Guitar Lesson – Shoe On The Other Foot Groove C: Overview


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In this lesson, I’ll talk about a funky blues and talk about some of the musicians I heard play this groove. It’s my way of joining a New Orleans groove and a Bo Didley beat together.

Guitar Lesson – Shoe On The Other Foot Groove C: Performance


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Time to get funky! Here we’re using a call and response technique in a funky context. It’s all about finding your space in the groove on this one.

Guitar Lesson – Shoe On The Other Foot Groove C: Breakdown


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In this lesson, I talk about the importance of the right hand and targeting certain notes in the chords and what I feel really makes this groove really feel good.

Digging these free blues rhythm guitar lessons? Check out Kirk Fletcher’s course, TrueHeart Blues: Rhythm.