Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

Useful Fingerstyle Rhythm Guitar Lesson – Perfect For Fast or Slow – EP221

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson you’ll be learning an extremely versatile and useful fingerstyle rhythm that isn’t very difficult to play. It follows the same pattern throughout and can be played over ANY chord arrangement. I’ll show you how to play a stand-alone rhythm to demonstrate the technique and will also provide you 2 samples that you can play over 2 different style jam tracks, so that you can see how it can be used in a different context.

Free Guitar Lesson

Slow Walkthrough - Main Rhythm

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Slow Walkthrough - Blues Sample

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Slow Walkthrough - Slow Sample

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Video Tablature Breakdown

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Curious about the benefits of
Premium Membership?
Try it for FREE!
arrow_downYou need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets. Learn More

Add to "My Favorites"

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.

Comments

  1. JohnStrat says

    September 8, 2017 at 11:00 pm

    Thanks Brian looks to be an intresting concept.
    JohnStrat

    Log in to Reply
    • Pierre D says

      September 15, 2017 at 10:20 am

      Took me 2 days to sync it down right and now… just can’t get enough of it! Truly a missing tool in my budding arsenal. Thanks Brian for your imagination and careful nurturing.

      Log in to Reply
  2. Wayne W says

    September 8, 2017 at 11:30 pm

    Nice fingerstyle pattern. I have just started trying to train my fingers, only

    Log in to Reply
  3. Tremelow says

    September 9, 2017 at 2:25 am

    Thank you so much for this one Brian. I think it sounds great and seems to be easy enough for people who don’t usually fingerpick. I am looking forward to trying myself on it.

    Log in to Reply
  4. Ian C says

    September 9, 2017 at 4:07 am

    This sounds beautiful Brian, and a powerful simple method . Can’t wait to get started.

    Log in to Reply
  5. strattastic says

    September 9, 2017 at 6:32 am

    Beautiful Brian just Beautiful.

    George

    Log in to Reply
  6. Tom l says

    September 9, 2017 at 6:34 am

    great lesson !

    Log in to Reply
  7. sunburst says

    September 9, 2017 at 7:23 am

    I enjoy this Clapton sounding brush technique, i do remember in my head you taught this similar brush technique in previous lesson,,forget which lesson that was.. that mute brush technique ,is it termed that in tab as slap..mute..brush ? ,i rarely slap brush like this so just wondering ..anyway it’s all good stuff!

    Log in to Reply
  8. Jim M says

    September 9, 2017 at 8:42 am

    An extremely useful technique. Thanks Brian

    Log in to Reply
  9. Raymond P says

    September 9, 2017 at 9:28 am

    Thanks Brian. I enjoy these finger style patterns.

    Ray

    Log in to Reply
  10. Islamujeres says

    September 9, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    Extremely nice. More than words.

    Log in to Reply
  11. magpie says

    September 10, 2017 at 7:38 am

    You are right Brian ,this is really useful.Being able to play it over other chord progressions opens up a lot of doors.After learning EP 187 this is relatively easy to learn. Thanks again.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Layton B says

    September 10, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Very useful type of strumming incorporating a percussive sound. It will take me a while to get this into my muscle memory particularly adding a note on the up stroke following the “slap”.

    During the same day that I was practicing this I came across a YouTube video of Andertons (that UK music shop) where the Captain had a guest….Mary Spender who, as i looked at more of her work on YouTube, incorporates this technique on many of her songs and covers. A pleasure listening to her.

    Also, a great song to practice a percussion stroke is Dreams by Fleetwood Mac.

    Log in to Reply
  13. wrightclick says

    September 10, 2017 at 11:53 pm

    Like it such a simple concept fab lesson

    Log in to Reply
  14. harry9000 says

    September 11, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    That “brush” thing hurts

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      September 11, 2017 at 7:23 pm

      You’re just using the back of your fingernails. Not hitting it hard

      Log in to Reply
  15. Dennis U says

    September 12, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Thank you Brian. I have to say that this lesson was created at a perfect time for me because I have a left shoulder injury that is so painful that I am unable to wrap my left hand around the neck of the guitar. This lesson allows me to practice rhythm and timing without the use of my left arm so thank you!!

    Log in to Reply
  16. Francesco S says

    September 12, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Hi Brian, nice sound.
    I got the tab, but I was not able to recognize the mp3 truck of MAIN RHYTHM of EP221
    can you help me please?

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      September 12, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      I don’t understand your question. what do you mean you were not able to recognize the Mp3 track?

      Log in to Reply
  17. Randy G says

    September 12, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    ouch I have no rhythm. maybe i should reevaluate my love for the guitar.

    Log in to Reply
  18. Barry W says

    September 12, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    I always use thumb on strings 4,5 and 6 and one finger per string on 1,2 and 3, tho I have left out the ring and let my middle finger do double duty. so developing the ring finger will help me with my hybrid shortcomings. I think it may be time to learn ‘Dont know why I didn’t come’ by Nora Jones. Seems like the pattern fits.

    Log in to Reply
  19. Keith F says

    September 13, 2017 at 12:59 am

    Really great lesson Brian. I’ve just moved house and keen to try this out now I have time again. Is that a parlour guitar you’re playing by the way?

    Log in to Reply
  20. Craig K says

    September 16, 2017 at 12:40 am

    Super catchy little ditty! Thanks! I’m going to be workin’ this one.

    Log in to Reply
  21. Brian B says

    October 11, 2017 at 4:30 am

    I’ve been enjoying playing your Muddy Waters style blues, this is provides a nice melodic change. Thank you.

    Log in to Reply
  22. Mark C says

    October 22, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    I am finding this little piece particularly challenging. Thanks, Brian. Best money I’ve spent on lessons!

    Log in to Reply
    • sunburst says

      October 26, 2017 at 11:18 am

      If you consider learning it finger style using index finger nail to lightly slap sweep, and mute..it really sounds great on either electric or acoustic.. can be challenging for beginner level but it really is an easy natural technique once learned, Brian you are absolutely right this is very versatile concept you explain in your intro video! Cheers!

      Log in to Reply
  23. sebastien b says

    December 4, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    After 7 years of not playing guitar,I wanted to start again. I was looking for some online lesson, and as soon as I found Brian s lessons, I subscribe.
    No regret at all, for each lesson is a gem. Bryan, you re playing with so much soul, and are such a source of inspiration. I fell in love again with my guitar.
    Thank you! Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
  24. Yves B says

    October 21, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    Merci Brian,
    Excellente vidéo très instructive!

    Log in to Reply
  25. Mark C says

    October 6, 2021 at 10:16 am

    Thanks Brian.

    Log in to Reply
  26. Lyn C says

    March 14, 2022 at 10:02 am

    Hi Brian.. just reviewing some lessons you put out a while back. This is great!
    Look forward to all your lessons, but really like fingerstyle and acoustic guitar lessons best of all.

    Log in to Reply
  27. Adam J says

    March 11, 2025 at 2:44 pm

    Thank you so much for all the learning and fun stuff you’ve taught me to play

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Don’t have an ActiveMelody account? Sign Up.

Links

  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Refunds & Cancellations
  • Sitemap

Recent Lessons

Use chords to guide your lead and show you where to find harmonies – Guitar Lesson – EP623

Blues lead over a jam track with STOPS! – Fill the space when the band stops – Guitar Lesson – EP622

Play an entire Blues lead in 1 position of the fretboard (E shape from CAGED) Guitar Lesson EP621

Contact

For all support questions email: support@activemelody.com
For all other inquires email: brian@activemelody.com
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Active Melody. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Weekly Guitar Lessons

Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Active MelodyLogo Header Menu
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up
  • Log In

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.