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July 13, 2024

Florian Kockott

HG19: Can’t Shuffle? (What Beginners Need to Get Good at Shuffle Rhythms on Guitar)

Not all music is based on straight eighth notes.

Being capable of playing good shuffle rhythm will enrich your guitar playing. No matter the music you usually prefer.

In this lesson, we cover the basics. Enjoy!

This beginner lesson features…

… The 3 essential shuffle rhythm snippets.

… 1 application (using all snippets).

You can download the tabs by clicking here (search for HG19 – Can’t Shuffle? (What Beginners Need to Get Good at Shuffle Rhythms on Guitar)).

Download it. Print it. Use it.

In this video, you can listen to the exercise, you can watch me play it, and I’ll teach you through it:

And here is everything else you need to know. Enjoy!

📈 Difficulty

2/10 (This gives you a rough idea of how difficult it is. If you feel it’s actually easier, great. If not, don’t feel bad.)

⏰ Time Estimation

1 Week (This is a rough estimation that can vary widely. If you’re faster, great. If not, don’t feel bad.)

💪 Action Steps

  1. Get your head around the triplet subdivisions as explained in the video.

  2. Get comfortable with rhythm snippet #1 (playing the snippet as such, in a loop, and in action). See free tabs.

  3. Repeat for rhythm snippets #2-3.

  4. Play the application (see free tabs) which uses all rhythm snippets and some nice (yet easy-to-play) chords.

✏️ Extra Tips

  • This approach is very systematic. In case that’s not how your brain works best, try to imitate me playing the rhythms in the video.

  • Once a rhythm snippet is under your fingertips, come up with your own shuffle music.

🎯 Encouragement

Playing shuffle is not just optional. Just like all open chords, bar chords, scales, and many more areas of guitar, working on your shuffle rhythm will make you a better guitarist. So, give it some time and love. You can do it!

Talk soon,

Florian from Hi Guitar

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Who Is This Guy?

Hi, I’m Florian,

Just a passionate guitarist since 2004, with (almost) two decades of teaching experience and two degrees in music education.

I’m the go-to guy for guitar players who…

Feel trapped in a loop of tutorials, courses, and gear, yet still sound the same as they did a year ago.

… Want to fully understand and master the guitar but don’t know where to start.

Realize it’s time to stop struggling alone and start making meaningful progress.

Since 2007, I’ve empowered guitar players to turn challenges into victories, giving them the tools to play freely and creatively—and ultimately, fall back in love with their guitar.

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