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Steve Cropper Funk Blues Rhythm Guitar Lesson – LEG030

Description

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

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Comments

  1. Brian says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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.  Thereโ€™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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    • john b says

      November 27, 2018 at 3:48 pm

      Found all your lessons wow check jack Semple YouTube awesome stuff Brian

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  2. bigdaddyguitar says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Nice lesson. Really good.

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  3. Kkerr72 says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    This is really cool brian, Iโ€™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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  4. Chotto says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  5. Brian says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    @ 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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  6. saskstrum says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  7. Frank says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  8. buzzing says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

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

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  9. patchr says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

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

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  10. Brian says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    @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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  11. Bluewater says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  12. Trog51 says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  13. Dont_50 says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  14. Lukaas says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Thanks so much for the lessons…..

    Very helpfull!!!

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  15. big red and whitey ford says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

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

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  16. benjohn says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  17. smilingcayote says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  18. guitargod358 says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  19. Brian says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

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

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  20. eadgbe01 says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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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  21. tommc says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    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.

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  22. riversidestone says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    All lessons are GREAT! I just look around lessons, Eventhough my English is too short for understanding all your saying but feeling i can play guitar. Finally i found a way to practice with real master.
    Thanks a lot..

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  23. ShivaShambo says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Love it! More like this.

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  24. spacemutant says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Loving the site mate, how about a Buddy Holly or Ritchie Valens lesson?
    ๐Ÿ™‚

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  25. Brian says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Adding Buddy Holly AND Ritchie Valens to the list - awesome suggestions ๐Ÿ™‚

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  26. fresnojohns says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Brian,
    This is really tasty playing. You sound cool on your ES335 too. I have always loved this type of playing. Thank you very much for sharing this.

    Last week I heard Donald “Duck” Dunn passed away while he and Cropper were playing in Japan. That is sad news. With lessons like this the music they made will live on. Thank you again.

    John

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  27. daveedgeguitar says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Love this site! How about some Peter Green and or Danny Kirwan? And maybe some James Burton? LOL! Love all of these lessons! Thanks for all your inspiration!

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  28. sunburst says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    that was cool, I watch all three, thanks Brian, this is a fun site!

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  29. earbrass says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    That isn’t a Dmaj7; it’s an E13.

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  30. clickdiddy says

    January 16, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Great lesson Brian.

    Absolutely think the feel of Steve Croppers guitar is what got me wanting to play many years ago.  This is so cool.

    Thank you.

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  31. Bill W2 says

    October 19, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Bravo!

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  32. fondstring says

    May 21, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    I knew that it’s worth to rummage through the elder lessons. At the moment I am trying to improve a bit my funky playing skills, and this lesson is great and a lot of fun for doing it! ๐Ÿ™‚ And the backing track is of a quality and as interesting as I wouldn’t have dared to expect ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  33. Chris Christie says

    January 22, 2018 at 1:48 pm

    Nice lesson! Ive been looking for something else to do with 9th’s!Technique tip for anyone struggling with the ninth cord…I use an alternate grip… my ring finger bars strings 1,2,3, index on string 4 middle on #5. It is basically the same as what is shown but the ring finger can “hinge” to collapse itself on strings 1&2…Its all good!

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  34. William B says

    January 27, 2019 at 12:44 pm

    What, no tab?
    Its a good lesson but camera angle cheats viewers from really seeing what is happening. c’mon add a quick tab. lego 30

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  35. LEE Y says

    October 11, 2019 at 4:00 am

    I’m korean. English is hard to me. But I understood 70%. This lesson is good for me who have middle level guitar skill. very good.

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  36. Roger D says

    February 4, 2021 at 3:52 am

    Nice rhythm lesson. Much appreciated. One question. What is the fingering for the very last chord you play? You didn’t mention it, and with the camera angle a s it is, it’s hard to see exactly. Thanks.

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