Kenny Wayne Shepherd Gives You An Epic Blues Rhythm Masterclass (Don't Miss This)

Get ready! Kenny Wayne Shepherd breaks down his rhythmic influences, particularly from the Texas blues style of Jimmy Reed and the incredible funk of James Brown, showing techniques like string muting and how he incorporates these feels into original songs like "Déjà Voodoo." This one will change your playing.

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TIME STAMPS
0:00 Introduction and discussion of Kenny Wayne Shepherd's great right-hand rhythm technique.
0:25 Kenny Wayne Shepherd's all-time favorite rhythm influences (Jimmy Reed, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix).
0:50 The fundamental technique of Texas Blues guitar (e.g., Jimmy Reed style), including hand placement near the bridge.
1:22 Technique for muting strings using the picking hand/finger.
3:19 Discussion of James Brown's complex, next-level funk rhythm playing.
4:02 Demonstrating a percussive right-hand rhythm (like a shaker).
4:35 Combining funk (James Brown) and rock (Hendrix/Zeppelin) for songs like "Déjà Voodoo."
6:00 The concept of less is more in rhythm playing, adapting to other instruments (horn parts).
7:45 How playing in a band with horns frees up the guitar part, allowing for more sparse playing.
9:10 Example of adapting a BB King song rhythm when horns are added.
10:16 The "waves and the ocean" analogy for understanding the blues shuffle feel (from WC Clark to Chris Layton).
11:27 Demonstrating the shuffle rhythm using the Stevie Ray Vaughan "Cold Shot" lick.
12:20 Applying the shuffle and lead licks within a trio context (e.g., "King's Highway").
13:30 The misconception of blues and the importance of pentatonic scale in speaking to the soul.
15:58 Imagining the guitar rhythm like a drummer and composing rhythmically.
16:47 Breaking down the Chuck Berry/early rock and roll rhythm technique with muting and accents.
18:18 Demonstrating a boogie-woogie piano-influenced guitar riff technique.
19:42 Discussion of upstrokes vs. downstrokes for different inflections and accents.
21:30 The use of an upstroke to accentuate a specific note in a bass/horn line.
23:14 Demonstrating a personal favorite, unreleased rhythm that is funky and covers all the bases.
24:20 Discussion of muting and fretting techniques used in the complex rhythm riff.
26:00 Final thoughts on rhythm complexity and how many experienced metal players miss out on blues.
28:10 Kenny Wayne Shepherd's philosophy: don't dismiss a genre if you can't already do it.29:40Closing advice: The value of owning the rhythm guitar player position in a band.