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Rhythm Guitar Question
Hey bros,
Whilst I was jamming with this drummer and other guitar player, the drummer kept telling me that I was "rushing." I think that he was correct in some situations, and I have a tendency to rush when nervous, or when things are slow.
However, many times I *thought* that I was playing in the pocket from a 80s Metal rhythm guitar perspective. What I mean, is that, to my ears, there are many occasions in that genre where the rhythm guitar leads the first beat, maybe up to a 16th note. I've noticed this in particular with Lynch when he is riffing, and I've noticed it with Priest, Dio, etc. I mention those artists since that's what we were playing. I think it's a technique used to create the illusion of speed in a mid or down-tempo song, as well as to build tension for the drum beat on 1. My ears tell me that during these occasions the bass and drum are in sync on the 1st beat, but the rhythm guitar might be "early". Noticeable to some, not to others perhaps.
In our case, we would be playing "In My Dreams" for instance. During the intro riff, and even during some of the other parts, I would be just a smidge ahead of the 1st beat while the other guitar player and the drummer were hitting square on 1. Then I'd get the signal that I'm rushing, and think "really?? man sounds right to me."
After giving some of these artists a spin, I think I'm right. I never noticed it before, never noticed it in my playing, but I think it's true. I think it is deeply ingrained when I play certain songs from that era.
Thoughts?
Whilst I was jamming with this drummer and other guitar player, the drummer kept telling me that I was "rushing." I think that he was correct in some situations, and I have a tendency to rush when nervous, or when things are slow.
However, many times I *thought* that I was playing in the pocket from a 80s Metal rhythm guitar perspective. What I mean, is that, to my ears, there are many occasions in that genre where the rhythm guitar leads the first beat, maybe up to a 16th note. I've noticed this in particular with Lynch when he is riffing, and I've noticed it with Priest, Dio, etc. I mention those artists since that's what we were playing. I think it's a technique used to create the illusion of speed in a mid or down-tempo song, as well as to build tension for the drum beat on 1. My ears tell me that during these occasions the bass and drum are in sync on the 1st beat, but the rhythm guitar might be "early". Noticeable to some, not to others perhaps.
In our case, we would be playing "In My Dreams" for instance. During the intro riff, and even during some of the other parts, I would be just a smidge ahead of the 1st beat while the other guitar player and the drummer were hitting square on 1. Then I'd get the signal that I'm rushing, and think "really?? man sounds right to me."
After giving some of these artists a spin, I think I'm right. I never noticed it before, never noticed it in my playing, but I think it's true. I think it is deeply ingrained when I play certain songs from that era.
Thoughts?
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