This is one of the most fun styles to both play and teach, as its infectious “groove” orientation is a great combination of right and left hand dampening. It’s also a style where the right hand has to really think like a drummer with a relentless drive, while the left hand does its best to block, dampen and allow the sound of certain key notes in key spots.
Rather than a kind of “stop and then aim” way of combining lead and rhythm, here we are truly melding the two styles into one. This is a direct result of this “percussive” approach, and you must learn to take that approach with lead fills as well as the overall rhythm lick.
This style is certainly a challenge, and after a while you can see how you can fluidly mix the rhythm, lead fills, and even bass runs all into one cohesive part that lets the guitar really “stand on its own.” making this an amazing technique for use within a band, as well as total solo-style playing – even on an acoustic!
Hope you have lots of fun with this one … it’s always a blast to play and to teach!—Arlen Roth
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