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Steve Cropper Funk Blues Rhythm Guitar Lesson
guitar lesson blog

I wanted to put together a tribute to Steve Cropper and that Stax / Memphis sound that came about in the late 50’s early 60’s, and so this is my attempt at a Steve Cropper style rhythm part.  In a lot of styles of music, the rhythm guitar part can be overlooked or dismissed but that isn’t the case with the Memphis Soul sound - to me, the rhythm guitar defines the song.  Steve Cropper was the guitar player for Booker T & the MG’s and that band became the house band for Stax Records and backed hundreds of artists including Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, and Wilson Picket to name a few.  This style of rhythm playing is fun to listen to and twice and fun to play so hopefully this lesson will be helpful to those that are trying to figure it out.

Unfortunately due to the 10 minute time limit w/ YouTube I had to split this video into two parts.  I’ve also included the MP3 jam tracks for you to download, one version with the rhythm and one without so that you can play along.  This rhythm doesn’t come from any particular song, it’s just something I made up to demonstrate the style.  Enjoy!

Steve Cropper / Stax Rhythm Part 1



Steve Cropper / Stax Rhythm Part 2



Below are links to the MP3 jam tracks that go with this lesson.  The first link is the MP3 of just the bass and drums (minus the rhythm part), the second contains all 3 instruments.  Use these to practice this rhythm with.

Download Stax blues guitar rhythm MP3 WITH the rhythm part

Download Stax blues guitar rhythm sample WITHOUT the rhythm part

 

 

Questions or comments on this lesson:


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Posted by: bigdaddyguitar on January 15, 2010

Nice lesson. Really good.

 


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Posted by: Kkerr72 on January 15, 2010

This is really cool brian, I’ll have to play it for you next time I see you. Could you do more stuff on interesting rhythm parts? That would be really cool, thanks man.

 


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Posted by: Brian on January 15, 2010

Sure - I was actually thinking about putting together a whole mini series strictly on rhythm because that tends to be overlooked in a lot of online guitar instruction.  There’s always plenty of focus on how to play this solo or that - but your typical blues rhythm lessons tend to be the standard 12 bar power chord thing.  Sad.

 


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Posted by: Chotto on April 30, 2010

I’m really enjoying your lessons and being able to put the podcasts on my ipod.  Can you put the Steve Cropper lesson on iTunes?  I would be very grateful.  Thanks Brian!

 


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Posted by: Brian on May 1, 2010

@ Chotto - Glad you’re enjoying the guitar lesson podcasts - I just uploaded the Steve Cropper lesson for you (split into 2 parts though).

 


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Posted by: saskstrum on May 16, 2010

This lesson is fantastic! No one posts lessons like this focusing on rhythm, they mainly focus on lead. What’s lead though without rhythm? Love the lesson

 


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Posted by: Frank on May 26, 2010

Cool lesson, as are the rest also. As a ‘beginner’ guitar player it motivates me to get to the next level, without being freaked out by extreme finger movements (left and right hand)

 


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Posted by: buzzing on June 15, 2010

is there a tab for it and cant down load
backing track to i tunes

 


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Posted by: patchr on June 20, 2010

For some reason I can’t get part 1 of this lesson to play.

 


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Posted by: Brian on June 21, 2010

@buzzing - there wasn’t a tab created for this lesson, only backing (jam) track.  you can download it by right clicking and choosing to “save as” - I didn’t put these in a zip file as this was one of the first lessons I did.

@patchr - part 1 seems to play just fine (try it again) - if it just hangs up.. try moving the scrubber forward just a little and it should play just fine.

 


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Posted by: Bluewater on July 1, 2010

Nice Funky rhythm. Love it. I am really enjoying all the lessons. Interesting fingering for the D9. I think many players will barre the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, strings at the 5th fret with the third finger and not use the pinky.

 


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Posted by: Trog51 on October 2, 2010

I’d like to thank you for these inspirational lessons Brian, I am returning to the guitar after a 40 year gap. I know I’ve wasted a lot of time, but your videos have fast tracked me into playing something that sounds like music again. If I could make a suggestion, could you do some Jimmy Hendrix lessons along the lines of your other sound alike lessons. Keep up the good work, it’s much appreciated.

 


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Posted by: Dont_50 on October 3, 2010

Hey Brian
Thanks for another great lesson. I learnt triads along time ago but have never found a way to use them and you just showed me in one lesson. I have paid a lot of money to get to where I am at now with my guitar and you are teaching me more in these lessons than I learnt from all I the lessons I paid for. You are a natural as a teacher and I am ex Army so I know a little about instructors. Thanks again for the great lessons they are really appreciated. Don T Auckland, New Zealand. If you are ever down this way let me know.

 


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Posted by: Lukaas on October 19, 2010

Thanks so much for the lessons…..

Very helpfull!!!

 


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Posted by: big red and whitey ford on November 18, 2010

These lessons are fantastic Brian, thank you!
Got Tab for this Steve Cropper Rhythm?

 


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Posted by: benjohn on July 13, 2011

i really like this kind of rhythm but what if i play it in minor how is it? i really don’t know please help me by your video,

thanks Brian more power to you…

 


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Posted by: smilingcayote on July 22, 2011

Hi,


I’m new to this site and I was thrilled to see a lesson on Steve Cropper style I noticed your comment that you were tempted to put together an entire section on rhythm guitar.  That would be a welcome addition to this already incredible site.  I’m sure you know that the entire “soul” sound is rhythm based, which is why it is so danceable.  Listen to James Brown or Ike & Tina Turner in addition to the great Stax and Atlantic lineups.  To be sure, there are some licks, but involved solos on guitar are rare.  Rhythm guitar is an integral piece of what Huey Lewis calls “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” and the “soul” sound provides the most economical, no frills approach.  Hopefully I am not the only one here who would welcome an expanded section dealing with this art. 


Thanks

 


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Posted by: guitargod358 on October 10, 2011

Hi my dad is big into the blues music, he was listening to the Jimi Hendrix lesson and he wanted to know what song is that…my sister and I both have been looking on YouTube.com and we can’t find it? would anyone know what the name of that song is?

 


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Posted by: Brian on October 10, 2011

@guitargod358 - well unfortunately you won’t be able to find it because I just made it up. smile  i just put a few chords together to demonstrate the Hendrix approach to rhythm.

 


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Posted by: eadgbe01 on January 3, 2012

Another great rhythm lesson Brian!  I’ve been following all your rhythm lessons and it really has improved my playinmg a lot.

If you’re looking for a suggestion, how about an SRV style rhythm part e.g. as heard on Pride and Joy?  I’ve been trying to get that one!

Thanks again,

 


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Posted by: tommc on January 26, 2012

Great lesson Brian.  Here’s a suggestion for an altenate chord.  Instead of the D7 shape on the 8th and 9th fret, subsitute a D shape on the 9th and 10th.  It’s a little smoother sound and when you walk that down with the chords you have on the 7th and 5th frets, you have the “Soul Man” riff. Not better; just different.