Right Hand Techniques - European vs American

Understanding Chord Sequences in Different Styles

So rhythmically, when it comes to playing a chord sequence like this in the style of the era, there are two schools of thought:

The Gypsy Jazz Approach

• The first of which would be the more authentic European, gypsy jazz approach.
• Here, the guitarists of the era really play right back on the bridge with their right hand and bend the wrist at an incredibly dramatic angle.
• This technique creates a huge amount of volume and emphasizes the chord on beats one and three, while heavily muting the strings on beats two and four.
• This is especially noticeable at faster tempos.

"It's going to sound a bit like this..."

It may sound slightly robotic at this slower tempo, but if I speed it up a bit, perhaps playing another song, you'll hear it creates a huge amount of volume. When done in tandem with several rhythm guitarists, it generates a significant amount of momentum and rhythmic impetus.

• While it may not sound particularly brilliant on its own, it is a very useful technique.

The American School of Rhythm Guitar

• I, however, am no expert or connoisseur on the gypsy jazz style.
• I adhere more to the American school of rhythm guitar, which was typical in the dance bands, big bands, and jazz orchestras of the 1930s.

Freddie Green's Influence

• The most famous exponent of this style is Freddie Green.
• Freddie was playing rhythm guitar with Count Basie's orchestra from its inception in the late 1920s until it continued even after Count Basie died in the late 60s and early 70s.
• He was essentially the sound of the orchestra.

"The ironic thing about this style of rhythm guitar is that often within a band, you cannot even hear it."

• This style is much about feeling rather than hearing.
• You play right on the break between the fretboard and the body of the guitar, lightly caressing the strings and giving equal focus to all four beats of the bar.

Emphasizing All Four Beats

• Unlike the gypsy style, where there's a lot of focus on beats one and three, this American style emphasizes all four beats.
• It creates a slightly lighter touch.

"For me, that's a little bit of a bridge between those two worlds."

• I still emphasize beats one and three in a slightly heavier way, but you can hear some harmony on beats two and four.
• In the context of a guitar duo or current music, it sounds more modern and attractive, allowing the guitar to sing and letting you appreciate the harmonies.

Key Takeaways

• Rhythmically, the most important thing is that the right hand is moving on all four beats of the bar.
• It is very percussive, almost mimicking the drum kit.

"So if you're in a band context with a drummer, think about locking in with the hi-hat."

• Are you creating that percussive texture that the acoustic guitarists of the 40s were aiming for?
• Remember, this was an era almost before Les Paul invented electric guitars, so we're still thinking acoustically here.