Instead of playing the standard four to the bar rhythm, it often sounds effective to use the rhythm guitar like a horn section, using short punchy rhythms and whole or partial chords. Many rhythms used by horn sections can be transferred directly to the guitar. One of the most common is known as the Charleston rhythm, (named after the dance, but originally from Africa). Here is the basic rhythm applied to Dominant 7th chords.
It is possible to move this rhythm to several other positions within a bar. In this exercise it is moved forward by one eighth note- Notice the different effect this creates. Experiment with other placements of the Charleston rhythm within a bar.
Now try putting the previous two rhythms together to form a two bar pattern.
his two bar pattern sounds great when applied to a 12 bar Blues progression.
By varying the length of the notes and moving the Charleston rhythm one eighth note at a time, it is possible to create many variations which are useful for comping. Learn the rhythms shown below on one chord and then try applying them to a set of chord changes.