National Guitar Academy

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Develop The Creative Side Of Your Personality...

"How You Too Can Strum ANY SONG On Your Guitar With Beat, Energy And A MUSICAL FLOW that you can FEEL inside your body"

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Let's talk about your strumming...

If you'd like to upgrade your guitar strumming this might be the most important page you’re going to read in a long time.

I'm going to explain how I transformed my guitar strumming from being one-dimensional (every song sounded the same) to playing with effortless MUSICALITY and RHYTHM that took me on an incredible global musical adventure.

And most importantly of all...

...You’re going to discover how you can make the same transformation in YOUR guitar playing.

If you're a novice guitarist, would you like to do this stuff?

Strum ANY song smoothly... With FLUIDITY.
Make your strumming sound more professional and interesting.
Add ‘embellishments’ to your guitar strumming to play with more flair.
Move past the plateau that so many guitarists find themselves in, when everything you play sounds underwhelming and similar.
FEEL the beat of a song and play in time, always.

If you're an intermediate guitarist, would you like to do this stuff?

Apply strumming tricks and rhythms you can add “in-between” chords and standard strumming to sound more musical.
Make your barre chords sound more colourful and textured.
Explore the shapes of the CAGED system to develop NEW sounds and strumming options.
Explore 'guitar hero' strumming techniques like partial strumming and percussive strumming to radically enhance your musicality.
Develop fingerpicking skills and learn classic fingerpicking patterns you can use for any song

Today I am the director of the National Guitar Academy and me and my team teach thousands of people how to become the guitarist of their dreams. But the truth is that I found learning guitar very difficult.

Can you relate to this?

For years I struggled to learn guitar. Eventually I got comfortable with chords but most of the time when I played it never sounded truly musical.

Every guitarist I knew was better than me and I lost count of how many times I felt like giving up.

If you’ve been playing guitar for a while now, you’ve probably had times when you wish you could strum with more rhythm and variety; when you wished your strumming sounded more interesting and dynamic. More musical!

Have you ever had moments when your guitar playing just sounded ‘samey?’
A bit bland and one-dimensional?
When you feel you're stuck on a plateau in your guitar journey?

This is how I felt and I remember it vividly. It was so disheartening.

There were songs I wanted to play but when I tried to play them they just didn’t sound like the original or as good as when I heard OTHER people play them.

The chords were 'right', but I just couldn't make things sound MUSICAL.

I had reached the dreaded 'plateau' and I was stuck there.

I knew some chords and could play a few songs but everything I played started to sound the same. It drove me crazy.

There was no VITALITY to the songs I was playing. There was no bounce or movement in the music!

I wanted to become a more rhythmic guitarist and learn how to play with more variety. To be able to create a groove and a ‘pulse’ in my music.

I wanted to sound like a true guitarist!

But other people just seemed more ‘musical’ than me and I thought I wasn’t talented enough.

Other people had ‘the gift’ and I didn’t. That was what I thought.

Here’s a powerful secret that I know now, that I WISH I’d known back then...

Chords are the best place for a beginner guitarist to start, but it’s important to realize that guitar chords are simply static shapes.

It’s a guitarist’s STRUMMING HAND that makes chords come to life and sound musical.

Why? Because it’s a guitarist’s strumming hand that creates all the rhythm!

I spent so much time obsessing about chords but the reason my guitar playing didn't sound musical was because my STRUMMING wasn't good enough.

I had spent hundreds of hours focussing on my left-hand and hardly any time focussing on my right-hand!

This is a classic mistake that lots of guitar learners make.

"It’s a guitarist’s strumming hand that creates all the rhythm."

Here's another powerful 'secret' it took me a long time to learn: The guitar is basically a DRUM (a drum with strings on!) and once you ‘get’ this concept it opens up a whole new WORLD of strumming possibilities.

If your strumming doesn't sound as good as you'd like then listen up, because this will help you, like it helped me!

Chords are STATIC SHAPES. They are fixed patterns. The MUSIC is in your STRUMMING HAND.

I wanted to become a more well-rounded and rhythmically musical guitarist...

...I wanted to be able to strum like a demon, I wanted people to BOB THEIR HEAD when they heard me play...

...I wanted people to TAP THEIR FEET and say 'wow, that guy's got rhythm!'

I wanted to FEEL musical.

So I went on the mother of all learning sprees.

I Spent The Next Five Years Of My Life INTENSIVELY Learning

I read every book and website I could get my hands on. I spoke with musicians at open-mic and jam nights. I formed a band and learned from my band-mates and other musicians.

As my musical career developed I spoke with other musicians, roadies, sound-engineers, producers and even music professors.

I was like a sponge. Always asking questions and soaking up whatever I could learn about rhythmic guitar.

I wanted to become a world-class 'strummer'!

More than anything I wanted to plug the holes in my guitar knowledge and to develop a brilliant ‘strumming hand’ in the process.

Looking back, I think I was obsessed. But I loved music and wanted to become a better guitarist and songwriter. I saw this path as my calling in life, so I was totally committed. I was ‘all in!’

The years rolled by and I toured the world and played with amazing musicians and worked with some of the world’s elite music producers and sound engineers.

So what did I learn?

Here’s the number one thing I learned…

Those amazing ‘effortless’ guitarists that you see were NOT born with a special talent.

They don’t play the guitar and hope something cool happens, they know that even the most incredible songs can sound dull if they aren’t presented and interpreted in the right way.

They know that a song’s RHYTHM is the #1 most important element. Always.

It's how they STRUM the guitar that matters most.

They don’t focus solely on the chords or notes. Those elements are important, of course, but it’s the RHYTHM that will bring the song to life. (Or kill it.)

YOU too could be an amazing rhythmic guitarist not too long from now.

Even if you think you’ve tried everything, you can experience huge improvements in next to no time because I learned that…

There Are SPECIFIC Strumming & Rhythmic Techniques That All Great Guitarists Use.

And anyone can become an excellent and well-rounded rhythmic guitarist by applying these techniques.

Do you want to be able to strum like a demon? Learn these techniques!

I know anyone can use these tricks because after I discovered the exact techniques that the pros use and started applying them to my own playing, my guitar playing was never the same again.

(The music I can create today ‘effortlessly’ would have amazed my younger self!)

And that brings us to TODAY...

I rocked hard in my twenties, then in my early thirties I decided I wanted to ‘settle down’. I got married. Bought a house. Had kids. All the things I thought I’d never ‘sell out’ and do! ☺

But of course, I still wanted to keep music in my life. It’s part of who I am.

I founded the Chester Guitar Academy and me and my team have taught thousands of people in our home city.

Then I founded the National Guitar Academy and now I share all the cool things I’ve learned on a scale I could never have imagined.

Today me and my online team help MILLIONS of people become better guitarists through our website and online courses.

Millions of people are benefiting from the things I worked so hard to learn (and to simplify, so others could learn guitar more quickly and easily).

Along the way, I created concepts like 'Stepping-Stone Chords', the 'Universal Strumming Pattern' and the 'Rhythm Triangle' to help people learn QUICKLY.

These are simple concepts that have been 'field-tested' with HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of guitar learners just like you. They work for everyone.

It’s such an honour to be able to help so many other musicians and I feel grateful for this every day.

But there are also some consequences that I wouldn’t have predicted…

MILLIONS of people now visit my site and watch my free videos and I often get compliments for my guitar playing with people commenting saying things like ‘you’re a natural’ or ‘you’re very talented’ and even ‘you have a special gift’.

None of this is true!

There was no ‘special talent’ or ‘gift.’

I just learned the strumming techniques that work and I apply them in my guitar strumming!

Now, you might be thinking that this won't happen to you because you’re not talented…

And honestly, I’m not surprised to hear that… because that’s exactly how I felt.

I used to think that the best guitarists are naturally talented, and that I would never become a great guitarist since I didn’t have this kind of talent. But the truth is that…

You Don't Need 'Talent' To Strum Your Guitar With Amazing Rhythm!

You don’t have to be talented. You just need to know the techniques that those 'naturally talented' guitarists use and then apply them yourself.

Now, you’re probably wondering how you too can transform your strumming and rhythmic ability.

And for a long time, I didn’t have an easy answer for someone in your position.

You could read boring and badly-written music books, waste money on bug-ridden smartphone apps, spend a ton of cash on dozens of guitar lessons, or even watch lots of poor-quality YouTube videos and try to put all the pieces together…

…or you could take my route and devote 20 years of your life to the subject!

None of which will help you quickly.

I wanted to create an easier option for people like you who want to UPGRADE THEIR GUITAR STRUMMING in a fraction of the time that I had to spend.

And that's why I created something unique...

...Introducing RhythmMaster

RhythmMaster is an online guitar course, with over 9 hours of high-quality HD video lessons and world-class guitar tuition that will transform your strumming knowledge and strumming ability.

Most guitar courses focus on chords or lead guitar techniques, but RhythmMaster is different...

RhythmMaster was designed & built with one aim: To TRANSFORM your guitar strumming. The course focuses 100% on your STRUMMING HAND.

You will learn how to inject a beat and rhythmic musicality into everything you play, giving you more dynamic range and variety as a musician.
You will learn how to make music that everyone adores and that you’re proud to play.
People who hear you play your guitar won’t be able to resist tapping their foot, bobbing their head, or clapping along.
You'll learn how to add ‘embellishments’ to your rhythm to play with more flair
You'll be able to FEEL music flowing through you.
People will start saying YOU have a ‘natural gift’ and that when you play ‘it looks effortless’ because of your ‘special talent’… (And all the other clichés that I explained above!)

Simple one-time payment

No monthly subscription
Lifetime course updates
Lifetime course access

Best of all, you will be lost in the 'bliss' as the music flows through you...

Of course, you will simply be applying the techniques you learned in RhythmMaster.

These techniques are simple, but powerful. They make a real impact; you will hear and feel the difference.

And that’s what you’re going to learn inside RhythmMaster.

Yes, you’re going to learn lots of cool strumming-hand techniques but more importantly…

...You're going to love playing guitar and have lots of fun!

You’re going to play music that’s so good you’ll be surprised that it’s coming from inside YOU.

You’re never going to run out of interesting ways to interpret a song, because you’ll know how to explore the incredible number of rhythmic options that you will learn in RhythmMaster.

And you’re going to have confidence in your guitar playing.

You’ll be sounding so good when playing at home that you will feel confident enough to play publicly and with other musicians, should you wish to.

I know these are big promises, but I also know I can deliver...

… Because over 40,000 happy students have already used these techniques and forever changed the way they play guitar.

Loved by our students

Real reviews from our Facebook page

(click here to read the latest reviews)

Here's Exactly What You're Going To Discover Inside RhythmMaster:

Module 1 (of 9)

How To Have Perfect Strumming Technique In 20 Minutes

Want to develop perfect guitar technique quickly & easily? You're in the right place. In this module Mike walks you through the 5 critical fundamentals for perfect guitar technique.

Understanding The Importance of Posture - Even though posture isn't the sexiest part of playing guitar, it's definitely the most important. Without perfect posture, you will never be able to play the guitar in the way that you want. In this video lesson Mike discusses the importance of posture and why it's such an important part of learning guitar.
The Thing You Sit On Is Super Important - Believe it or not, but the thing that you sit on can be a make or break situation when learning the guitar. If you don't sit on the correct furniture, you can run into all sorts of problems when learning the guitar. In this video lesson Mike discusses why this is important and how it can fundamentally change the way that you play guitar.
Strumming Arm Technique - If you want to be able to create music that is filled with musicality and presence, you must learn how to strum. There are a few essentials that you need to know if you want to be able to strum correctly. In this video lesson Mike shows you how to develop perfect strumming arm technique.
Chord Arm Technique - One fundamental of learning guitar is learning how to have the correct chord technique. Without this in place you will never be able to play guitar chords. In this video lesson Mike shows you how to play guitar chords cleanly and correctly.
How To Hold & Use A Pick - When learning to strum you MUST learn how to use a pick. Using a pick makes everything on the guitar so much easier. In this video Mike shows you how to hold and use a guitar pick. This lesson is a must-watch for all beginner guitarists.

Module 2 (of 9)

Strumming Fundamentals & Understanding The Roles Of Upstrokes & Downstrokes

Strumming is an essential guitar technique. In this module Mike shares his classic strumming secrets with you. Are your ready to turbocharge your musicality and rhythmic ability? Let's do it!

Introduction To Strumming Fundamentals - Strumming technique is at the heart of your rhythm technique. If you can't strum, you'll never become the rhythmic guitarist that you want to be. In this video lesson Mike discusses what strumming is, why it's important and how it benefits you as a guitarist.
2 Essential Tips For Strumming Greatness - When learning the guitar it's essential that you use a guitar that is the right size for you and play with extra light gauge strings. In this video lesson Mike explains these two quick tips in more detail.
The Difference Between Downstrokes & Upstrokes - Most beginners don't realise this, but there's a fundamental difference between downstrokes and upstrokes. In this video lesson Mike explains this concept in more detail and why it's so important when learning rhythm guitar.
Basic Downstroke Exercises - If you're new to strumming, the first place to start is with downstrokes. Downstrokes form the foundation of all strumming patterns. In this video lesson Jack shares with you some cool exercises that will whip your downstrokes into shape. Let's get started!
Basic Upstroke Exercises - For every downstroke, there's always an upstroke that can potentially be played. However, this is one of the harder strokes to play on the guitar. To help you out, Jack has come up with a couple of cool exercises you can use to help boost your rhythmic skill and strumming technique. Let's get started!
Combining Downstrokes And Upstrokes To Create Different Feels - When learning to strum, the real magic happens when you begin to combine downstrokes and upstrokes. If done correctly, this will turn your whole strumming world around. In this video lesson Jack shows you how to perfect this technique and becoming a strumming master.
How To Skip Strings When Strumming - When learning to strum, it isn't massively important that you learn how to skip the strings while strumming. This is a technique that comes with time and is developed naturally as you progress on your guitar journey. However, there are a couple of cool tricks that you can use to help you play your chords correctly and fluidly. In this video lesson Jack shows you how to develop your strumming technique so that you'll never hit a rogue string ever again!

Module 3 (of 9)

How To Play In Time & STAY In Time: Understanding Beats And Rhythms

If you can't play in time, you'll never become the guitarist you want to be. In this module, Jack & Mike show you everything you need to know about playing in time.

What Is Timing and Why Does It Matter? - Having good timing is absolutely essential if you want to become a solid guitarist. If you're timing isn't good, everything you play will fall apart. In this video lesson Mike discusses the nature of timing, the concept of playing in time and why it's SO important when learning guitar.
What Are 'Beats' And 'Tempo'? - If you want to have good timing you must be able to understand what 'beats' and 'tempo' are. These are essential elements of keeping time, if you understand these concepts you will be well on your way to becoming a rhythm master. In this video lesson Mike explains what a 'beat' is and why it's a fundamental aspect of learning rhythm guitar.
How To Work Out The Beat Of A Song - When learning to play in time you must know how to work out the beat of a song. This is a game-changer when it comes to learning rhythm guitar. In this video Mike shares with you 5 of his best tips & tricks for working out the beat of a song.
Time Anchoring: 'Grounding' Yourself In The Beat BEFORE You Begin Playing - When learning to play in time it's important to listen and 'ground' yourself in the beat before you begin playing the guitar. Without this essential tip, you will find it incredibly difficult to play in time. In this video lesson Mike explains this cool rhythmic hack in more detail.
Time Anchoring: Tap Your Foot - One really cool way to keep yourself playing in time is to tap your foot to the beat of a song. This is an excellent timing tip that will fundamentally change the way that you play guitar. If you want to have rock solid timing, this video is a must-watch.
Time Anchoring: Counting Beats - Most beginners don't realise this, but a really cool way to keep yourself playing in time is to count beats whilst you play. In this video lesson Mike explains benefits of this technique and how it can change the way you approach rhythm guitar.
Time Anchoring: 'Tying' Downstrokes To Beats - When learning to play in time, the easiest way to keep solid time is 'tie your downstrokes' to each beat of a song. In this video lesson Mike shows you this cool concept and how to use it in a musical situation. This lesson is a MUST watch for all beginners.
Time Anchoring: The Amazing Power of Using A Metronome - Even though metronomes can be seen as being boring and uninspiring, they are actually incredibly useful for guitarists who want to turbo-charge their rhythmic skills. In this video lesson Mike explains the benefits of using a metronome and how you can use it to significantly improve your strumming technique.
A Simple Trick That Helps You Stay In Time: Song Choice - One of the quickest and easiest ways to learn guitar is to learn songs that you love. Even though this is a simple concept, it can be an absolute game changer when it comes to learning guitar. In this video lesson Mike discusses why learning songs that you love is one of the best ways to help you stay in time.
Understanding Time Signatures - If you want to become a solid rhythm guitarist you must understand how time signatures work. In the video lesson Jack shows you what a time signature is and why they're a must-know for every type of guitarist.
How To Play In 3/4 Time - 3/4 time is a time signature which has been used throughout a variety of different genres. It crops up in almost ALL kinds of music. In this video lesson Jack talks about this time signature in more detail and why you need to know it as an advancing guitarist.
How To Play In 6/8 Time - From waltzes to rock ballads, 6/8 is a time signature which appears across the popular music spectrum. In this video lesson Jack discusses this essential time signature and why it's a must-know for every guitarist.
Are There Other Time Signatures? - There are LOADS of different time signatures out there, however you don't need to know them all. Most popular songs are in 4/4, 3/4 or 6/8. However, there are some benefits to learning about different time signatures. In this video Jack talks about different time signatures and why you might want to learn them.

Module 4 (of 9)

How To Make MUSIC With Fast & Effective Strumming Patterns

Love them or hate them, strumming patterns are a fundamental part of learning rhythm guitar. In this module Jack & Mike will show you some of the finest strumming patterns known in music!

An Introduction To Strumming Patterns - If you've been learning guitar for a while, there's a high chance that you would've come across some strumming patterns. Strumming patterns are a HUGE part of learning rhythm guitar. It's almost impossible to learn music without learning at least one strumming pattern. In this video lesson Mike discusses the pros and cons of strumming patterns.
The Universal Strumming Pattern - Tired of learning hundreds of strumming patterns for different songs? Wish there was one epic strumming pattern that you could learn for every song? Then you're in luck! In this video lesson Mike shows you the 'universal strumming pattern'. This pattern is guaranteed to turbo-charge your rhythmic skills.
3 Beginner Strumming Patterns - When you're first learning how to play rhythm guitar, you need a gentle push in the right direction. Sometimes learning basic strumming patterns can be a fantastic way of introducing some musicality into your playing. In this video lesson Jack shows you 3 cool strumming patterns for beginners.
3 Intermediate Strumming Patterns - Looking to take your strumming skill to the next level? You're in the right place. In this video lesson Jack shows you 3 cool strumming patterns that will turbo charge your groove and musicality.
3 Advanced Strumming Patterns - Even if you're an advanced guitarist, you can benefit from learning some harder strumming patterns. The best way to improve as a guitarist is to challenge yourself and that's why we created this lesson! In this video Jack will show you 3 advanced strumming patterns that will test your rhythmic skill. Be warned, after you've been through this lesson you may well be a rhythmic monster.

Module 5 (of 9)

14 Rhythm Secrets That Make You Sound More Musical, Vibrant & Expressive

It's time to get our hands dirty! In this module Mike shares 14 strumming secrets that will make you sound epic. This is all solid gold; these are game changing insights that are easy-to-apply.

QuickTip! Defining Root notes on the first beat of a new chord - In most basic chords there are three notes, however one of those notes is the most important, that note is the 'root note'. Regardless of which strumming technique you use, you must target root notes in this way for your chord changes to sounds crisp, sharp and defined. In this video lesson Mike explains this concept and shows you how to easily target root notes when strumming.
The Rhythm Matrix - A guitarist's rhythmic world is divided into two areas of technique: fretboard hand and strumming hand. Understanding this concept is vital when learning rhythm guitar as it enables you to play with conviction and musicality. In this video lesson Mike shows you everything you need to know about the rhythm matrix and why it's an essential part of learning rhythm guitar.
Strumming Secret: Full Strumming - One of the best ways to sound musical and expressive is to strum all the strings. This allows you to use the whole range of the guitar when strumming. In this video lesson Mike walks you through this invaluable rhythmic technique.
Strumming Secret: Partial Strumming 1 - Even though full strumming is cool, another fantastic way of making your playing more eloquent and meaningful is to learn how to partially strum the strings. In this video lesson Mike shows you everything you need to know about this cool guitar technique.
Partial Strumming 2: Basic String Grouping - String grouping is an exceptionally powerful technique that every aspiring guitarist should have under their belt. In this video lesson Mike explains the concept of string grouping and why it's extremely useful for guitarists to know.
Partial Strumming 3: Intermediate String Grouping & Chord Choice - One way to change the way that your chords sound is to explore string grouping and chord choice. This is a really simple way of breathing new life into your guitar playing. In this video lesson Mike shares some tips & tricks with you that will instantly make your guitar playing come alive.
Strumming Secret: Percussive Strumming Through Deadening - One huge strumming secret that most people don't realise is that you can essentially turn a guitar into a drum. In this video lesson Mike shows you how to create percussive strumming through deadening.
Strumming Secret: Percussive Strumming Through String Slapping - String slapping is one of Mike's favourites techniques, and there's a reason why; it sounds awesome! If you want to kick back and chill with your acoustic then you've come to the right place. This technique will instantly make you sound like a rhythmic god!
Strumming Secret: Fingerpicking - Fingerpicking is one of the most eloquent and personal techniques that you can play on the guitar. In this video lesson Mike discusses the benefits of fingerpicking and why you should have this technique in your locker as a guitarist.
Strumming Secret: Strumming 5ths - The 5th interval is one of the most stable intervals out there. As well as this it can often be used as a secondary guitar part or to add stability within a band mix. In this video lesson Mike explains the power of strumming 5ths.
Strumming Secret: Picking 5ths - Not only is it possible to strum 5ths, it's also possible to pick them too. This is a fantastic way of bringing out the dynamic within your playing. In this video lesson Mike explains the concept behind picking 5ths and why it's essential to know when learning rhythm guitar.
Strumming Secret: Switching To Suspended Chords - Suspended chords are some of the most beautiful and elegant chords out there. Using these chords is a sure fire way of turbo charging your musicality and phrasing. In this video lesson Mike shows how to switch from standard chords to suspended chords.
Strumming Secret: 2 Powerful Tricks For Blending Chords & Lead Together - One goal you should have as a guitarist is to be able to blend lead and chords together. Often most beginners make the mistake of thinking they are either a 'lead guitarist' or a 'rhythm guitarist', however why would you limit yourself to being one? That's no fun!
Strumming Secret: How To Sound More 'Intelligent' With 3rds - One of the most sophisticated and vibrant intervals out there is the 3rd of the chord. This is what gives a chord its individuality and character. In this video lesson Mike shows you how to target 3rds within a chord to sound more expressive and musical.

Module 6 (of 9)

Creating A Vibe With Genre-Specific Strumming Patterns

One of the best ways to become a versatile guitarist is to learn how to play in different genres. In this module, Jack shows you a variety of strumming patterns across a number of musical styles.

Sound Like A Rockstar With This Epic Strumming Pattern - Ever wanted to crank your amp up to 11 and slay the stage with some huge sounding classic rock riffs? If this sounds like your idea of heaven, then you're in luck! In this video lesson Jack will show you a wicked rock strumming pattern that Jimmy Page and Angus Young would be proud of.
A Wicked Strumming Pattern Which Is Drenched In Bluesy Goodness - From Mississippi to New Orleans, blues has been a huge part of popular music over the last decade. It's SO much fun to play. In this video lesson Jack will show you an amazing sounding strumming pattern which has been used by blues greats such as Clapton, B.B King and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
How To Strum Like A Country God - Get your boots and cowboy hat ready, it's time to lay down some wicked country grooves! In this video lesson Jack shows you an amazing strumming pattern which will instantly make you sound like a country god. Yeehaw!
Tight and Funky Strumming Patterns That Will Bring Your Grooves To Life - Ever wanted to learn the tight grooves of guitarists like Prince and John Frusciante? Well then today is your lucky day. In this video lesson Jack shows you a classic funk pattern which has been played by some of the greats!
Learn To Swing With This Classic Jazz Strumming Pattern - It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing! Learning jazz can be hard, however fear not! In this video lesson Jack will show you a wicked strumming pattern that will instantly make you sound like a jazz great.
Essential Indie Strumming Patterns - Throughout the past 30 years there has been a huge movement of unsigned independent bands coming out of the US and the UK. Within this, there have been some fantastic examples of rhythm guitar playing. In this video lesson Jack shows you a classic indie strumming pattern which would excel on any Oasis or Killers record.
Essential Reggae Strumming Patterns That Every Guitarist Must-Know - Rasta! Reggae music is filled with laidback grooves and chunky chords. In this video lesson Jack you will show an essential reggae strumming pattern that every guitarist needs to know. This is a rhythmic groove Bob Marley would be proud of.

Module 7 (of 9)

Rhythm Blast Off! How To Play Percussive Guitar With Deadening & Muting

One of the best ways to add musicality & rhythmic flair to your playing is to learn how to use the guitar in a percussive way with deadening techniques. This module is so much fun, you're going to love it!

What Is Percussive Guitar And Why Is It Useful? - In this lesson Mike explains the transformative technique that we call 'percussive guitar'. This is a way of strumming the guitar that sounds very different to 'steady strumming' and adds personality, beat, rhythm and colour to everything you play. We can do this using our fingers AND with a guitar pick and in this video Mike explains both approaches and outlines what you'll learn in this crucial section of the course. Let's do it!
How To Mute Strings With Your Strumming Hand - One of the best ways to add percussion and musicality to your playing is to mute the strings with your strumming hand. Although this technique doesn't sound great on its own, when used in correctly it can completely transform the way a song sounds.
Exercises For Strumming And Deadening With The Right Hand - One of the hardest parts about developing deadening technique is getting your right hand into shape. In this video lesson Mike shares some cool exercises that will boost the dexterity and technique of your right hand. Watch out, this lesson may seriously enhance your guitar technique.
How To Mute Strings With Your 'Chord Hand' - There are two ways to mute a chord on the guitar, with your 'strumming hand' or 'chord hand'. Both are completely valid techniques and have pros and cons. In this video lesson Mike will show you mute the strings with your chord hand. This concept changes EVERYTHING about play the guitar. Get ready to have your guitar world turned upside down.
Exercises For Strumming & Deadening With The Left Hand - Struggling with strumming & deadening with your left hand? You're in the right place! In this video lesson Mike shows you some epic exercises which are guaranteed to get your left hand up to speed in no time. After you've been through this lesson you'll be a muting master!
Strumming While Deadening Strings - One of the best ways to inject musicality into your playing is to learn how to strum whilst deadening strings. Even though this technique is difficult at first, you will soon see and hear the benefits from perfecting this cool rhythmic technique.
Claw And Mute Technique: A Guitar Skill That Lives And Breathes Musicality - One of the coolest ways to turn your guitar into more of a percussive instrument is to explore 'claw and mute' technique. This technique has been used by guitarists such as Jack Johnson, Ed Sheeran and John Mayer and there's a reason for this, it sounds fantastic! In this video lesson Mike explains the basics of claw and mute technique and how you can explore this technique within your own playing.
6 Essential Exercises For Claw And Mute Technique - Once you've mastered the basics of claw and mute technique, you must work on developing this technique within your own playing. Techniques such as this should feel as natural as possible. The more natural they feel, the more you'll be able to easily use them in a musical situation. In this video lesson Mike shows you 3 essential exercise that will improve the technique and dexterity of your strumming hand.

Module 8 (of 9)

How To Use Different Chord Voicings To Boost Your Rhythmic Options

This is a HUGE rhythm secret! Using different chord voicings can change your whole rhythmic approach. In this module you will learn how to instantly improve your rhythm playing through chord choice (and vice versa!).

Open Chords Vs Barre Chords - One question we get asked a lot is, "When I strum, which chords should I play, open or barre chords?". In reality, the answer is both! However, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. In this video lesson Mike explains the pros and cons between each chord type and how this can make a difference to your rhythmic options.
Electric Guitar Vs Acoustic Guitar? Which Is Better? - Even though electric and acoustic guitars contain the same physical elements, they are often used in completely different ways. In this video lesson Mike explains the differences between these two types of guitars and why you might choose one over the other from a rhythm perspective.
Exploring The Various Rhythms of The Caged System - When learning rhythm guitar, the CAGED system is your best friend. It can turn an average sounding rhythm guitar part into an amazing one with the switch of a chord! In this video lesson Mike discusses the CAGED system and how you can use it to improve your rhythmic vocabulary.
How Capos Affect Your Rhythmic Options - It's no secret that capos are a guitarist's best friend. Not only do they make your life easier, they also provide endless amounts of rhythmic options. In this video Mike discusses capos and how can they affect your rhythm playing.
Using A Capo To Open Up New Chord Voicings & Rhythms - It's amazing how using a capo can completely change the way that you play. Not only does it bring new chord voicings, it also brings tons of rhythmic opportunities. In this video lesson Mike show you how versatile capos can be in a rhythmic and chordal situation.
Making Chord & Rhythm Choices In A REAL Musical Setting - In this intermediate lesson Mike walks you through a real musical scenario and shares his thought process for making chords and rhythmic choices. You'll learn how to find the perfect chords and develop cool rhythms which work in a musical context. Mike walks you through his thought process and shows you exactly how he would approach these musical choices. This lesson is invaluable for guitarists who are budding songwriters and musician.

Module 9 (of 9)

Quick & Easy Fingerpicking Basics

In this module Jack gets you started with this fingerstyle guitar. Fingerpicking is one of the most emotional and personal techniques you can explore on the guitar. This is not to be missed!

The Basics Of Finger Picking Technique - If you want to become a rapid fingerpicker, you must have the correct technique in place. In this video lesson Jack shows you everything you need to know to get your fingerpicking journey started in the perfect way.
Two Different Approaches To Fingerstyle: 'Anchoring' vs 'Hovering' - There are two different ways to approach fingerpicking technique, 'Anchoring' and 'Hovering'. In this video lesson Jack shows you each technique and explains the pros and cons behind them.
How To Fingerpick With Your Thumb - Once you've mastered the basics of fingerpicking technique, it's time to work those digits! In this video lesson Jack shows you how to fingerpick with your thumb in a rich and musical context.
How To Fingerpick With Your Thumb And First Finger - In this video lesson Jack shows you how to use your thumb and first finger together when fingerpicking. Even though you're only using two fingers you can cover loads of ground if you develop your technique correctly.
How To Fingerpick With Your Thumb, 1st and 2nd Finger - When learning to fingerpick, it's important to be able use your thumb, 1st and 2nd finger. If you can use these fingers, you'll be able to play 90% of all fingerpicking songs. In this video lesson Jack shows you how to use how your thumb, 1st and 2nd finger correctly.

Register for RhythmMaster NOW

Buy RhythmMaster Now For $497

(Or 4 payments of $125)

100% Money Back Guarantee

We're so absolutely sure that you'll love this course that we're happy to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

We believe that you learn the most about a business when you ask for a refund. Do they REALLY care about you or are you just an order number? We treat people like human beings.

If you for ANY reason you are not satisfied with the course just drop us a line and we will refund all your money the same day.

Wow! Check out the FREE bonus gifts you get when you join RhythmMaster today...

FREE Bonus #1

BONUS MINI-COURSE: 6 Rhythmic Tricks For Guitar Picks (Must-Know Guitar Hero Techniques!)

Many guitarists think they've mastered rhythm guitar once they've learned to strum, however there's so much more to learn!

In this bonus pack Mike shows you some secret pro tricks that will make you sound epic.

Bring Your Guitar Playing To Life With Pick Slides - Ever wondered how lead guitarists get that cool grinding sound when they play lead guitar? This technique is known as 'pick sliding' and has been used by thousands of guitar greats. In this video lesson Mike shows you everything you need to know about pick slides.
Make Heavenly Music With Harmonics - This is one of our favourite guitar tricks. Using 'harmonics' is a sure fire way of injecting some musicality into your guitar playing. In this video lesson Mike shows you everything you need to know about playing harmonics on the guitar.
How To Target Specific Strings For Lead Guitar - When learning lead guitar, it's extremely important that you target specific strings. If you don't do this, your lead playing will sound sloppy and messy. In this video lesson Mike shares you a cool trick that will help target specific strings.
What Type of Pick Should You Use? - Using the correct plectrum is vital when learning rhythm guitar. This can be a huge game changer for most guitarists and can make a fundamental difference to the way that you play. In this video Mike shares with you some tips and guidance on what type of pick you should use when strumming the guitar.
Experimenting With Strumming Placement: How To Improve Your Tone - Experimenting with where you strum on the guitar completely changes the way that your guitar sounds. In this video Mike shares with you a quick and simple strumming tip that will allow you to instantly improve your strumming technique and tone.
How To Skip Strings While Strumming - When learning guitar, many beginners fall into the trap of strumming all of the strings at the same time. Although this sounds great for some chords, on others it doesn't. In this video Mike shows you how to target and skip specific strings when strumming.

Value: $29.99

You pay: $0.00 FREE

FREE Bonus #2

BONUS MINI-COURSE: 8 Rhythmic Techniques That Boost Your Musicality And Phrasing

When learning rhythm guitar it's essential that you have a solid sense of musicality. In this bonus pack Jack and Mike will show you some essential tricks which are guaranteed to boost your rhythmic techniques.

Using Leading Notes To Get To Your Next Chord - One technique that can completely change a chord progression is if you add leading notes between each chord. In this video Jack shows you the secrets behind this essential technique.
How To Blend Scales With Chords - Blending scales with chords is an absolute game change. It can turn you from being an average guitarist to an advanced one in the space of a few notes! In this video lesson Jack shows you how to use this wicked technique in your own playing.
How To Control Your Volume and Picking Dynamics - Most beginners don't realise this, but being able to control your volume and dynamics is SO important when playing rhythm guitar. In this video lesson Jack shows you how to master this essential concept.
Learning To Alternate Pick With Speed And Precision - If you want to be able to play with speed and precision, you must learn how to alternate pick. In this video Jack shows you everything you need to know about this killer technique.
Using Alternate Picking To Pick Individual Notes of Chords - Even though alternate picking is often classed as a lead guitar technique, it also sounds fantastic when used in a chordal context. In this video Jack shows you how to use this technique in a delicate and musical way.
Hybrid Picking - What is it? - Hybrid picking is a technique which has been used by guitarists from a wide variety of genres. It's cool, quick and sounds fantastic. In this video lesson Jack shows what hybrid picking is and why you should learn how to use it.
Using Hybrid Picking To Pick Chords and Blend Lead - Not only is hybrid picking good for rhythm playing, it's also fantastic for playing lead. In this video lesson Jack shows you how to splice lead and chordal techniques with hybrid picking. Hold on tight, it's going to be awesome!
Using Hammer On's And Pull Off's To Add Musicality To Your Playing - Most people think of hammer on's and pull off's as a lead guitar technique, however they can actually be used in a number of different musical scenarios. In this video lesson Mike shows you the benefit of this cool guitar technique and how it can be used from a rhythm perspective.

Value: $39.99

You pay: $0.00 FREE

FREE Bonus #3

BONUS MINI-COURSE: How To Jam With Other Guitarists

One of the best ways to learn the guitar quickly is to learn how to jam.

In this new video series created specifically for RhythmMaster students Mike shows you the essential tips and tricks that you need to know to develop your jamming skills.

What Is Jamming? - Jamming is one of the best things that you can do on the guitar. In this video lesson Mike discusses jamming and why it should be an essential part of your guitar learning experience.
Getting Started With Jamming: What Changes When I Jam? - Most beginner guitarists find it difficult to get started with jamming. There are loads of variables that change when you put more than one guitarist in the room. In this video lesson Mike shares some tips and pointers that you can use to be prepared for every kind of jam.
How To Keep In Time When Jamming - When learning to jam it's essential that you can keep in time. If you can't keep in time you will never be able to jam with other musicians. In this video Mike shows you how to keep in time.
8 Tips And Tricks For Playing With Other Musicians - There are many hidden jamming secrets that most musicians simply aren't aware of. In this video lesson Mike shares with you 8 of his best tips for playing with other musicians.
3 Common Chord Progressions Every Beginner Must Know - Many beginners often find it hard to know ‘what to jam’. So, to help you out, we’ve created a PDF which includes 3 popular chord progressions that every beginner must know. These progressions are: I - vi, I - V and the 12 bar blues progression. We’ve kept these chord progressions in 5 of the most common guitar keys, C, A, G, E and D.

Value: $39.99

You pay: $0.00 FREE

FREE Bonus #4

Lifetime access to the secret National Guitar Academy VIP Facebook Group

As a student in the National Guitar Academy you will gain access to our 'VIP Facebook Group', where you can chat and collaborate with other guitar learners and also get additional guidance and support from our team.

Value: $240.00 per year ($20 per month)

You pay: $0.00 FREE

FREE Bonus #5

Lifetime updates to RhythmMaster

As time goes by technology changes and evolves, and the guitar world does too. But you won't have to worry as we've got your back!

You will receive FREE RhythmMaster course updates and lifetime access to ensure you stay fully up-to-date.

Value: $197.00 per year (1-year license to access our software)

You pay: $0.00 FREE

Your FREE RhythmMaster Bonus Materials

TOTAL VALUE OF BONUS MATERIALS = $544

TODAY YOU PAY = $0.00

Buy RhythmMaster Now For $497

(Or 4 payments of $125)

100% Money Back Guarantee

We're so absolutely sure that you'll love this course that we're happy to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

We believe that you learn the most about a business when you ask for a refund. Do they REALLY care about you or are you just an order number? We treat people like human beings.

If you for ANY reason you are not satisfied with the course just drop us a line and we will refund all your money the same day.

The no#1 strumming course from the world’s best guitar teachers.

Simplicity

Our mantra is simplicity. We strive every day to reduce the complexity of the guitar world.

This is what drives us. Several times a day we ask ourselves ‘how can we explain this in the simplest possible way?’

This focus on increasing simplicity results in simple professional lessons that are easy to digest.

This means you learn quickly.

RhythmMaster is a 100% online course.

Learn at your own pace. Review and re-review at your leisure.

Learn from anywhere. Anytime.

Access RhythmMaster from anywhere in the world.

RhythmMaster works everywhere.

PC, Mac, desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, Smart TV. It all works.

No-waffle guarantee. We value your time.

There is no 'filler' in RhythmMaster. There is 0% waffle and 100% quality original content.

Simple to use.

Easy to navigate. No frustration.

Navigation around the course is simple and easy to understand.

Clear and satisfying progress as you move forwards.

It's fast and easy to mark lessons complete and track your progress.

Suitable for guitarists of all ability levels.

RhythmMaster is a complete map, from beginner to professional-level guitarist.

Downloadable resources and practice material

Dozens of high quality PDFs and links that expand on lesson content.

100% focus on strumming & rhythms.

RhythmMaster is 100% focused on Rhythm and rhythm alone. It's laser-targeted.

Register for RhythmMaster NOW

Buy RhythmMaster Now For $497

(Or 4 payments of $125)

100% Money Back Guarantee

We're so absolutely sure that you'll love this course that we're happy to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

We believe that you learn the most about a business when you ask for a refund. Do they REALLY care about you or are you just an order number? We treat people like human beings.

If you for ANY reason you are not satisfied with the course just drop us a line and we will refund all your money the same day.

Stop struggling with strumming. All the answers you need are here.

Made with love.

By people who care.

This course was created by people who live and breathe guitar and believe in the magical and unifying power of music.

Your success MATTERS to us.

This course is structured from YOUR perspective because your success is what matters most. We only succeed if you do.

YOU come first.

(Not us!)

Unlike some guitar teachers, we don’t want to bamboozle you or impress you with our skills. For us, YOU come first.

About Your Teachers

Mike Kennedy has spent tens of thousands of hours teaching people how to play the guitar. (He has been playing and teaching guitar for over 20 years.) He was the lead singer, guitarist & songwriter in a rock band called 'The Mags'.

He is the owner of the Chester Guitar Academy, the founder and CEO of the National Guitar Academy and the author of 'Guitar Chords For Beginners'.

Jack Taylor has been playing, studying and teaching the guitar for over 10 years. He lives and breathes guitar and has delivered guitar workshops worldwide, from Brazil to Nepal and somehow also found the time to obtain a BA Hons and Master Degree in popular music.

RhythmMaster At A Glance

Inside RhythmMaster novice guitarists will learn to...

Strum ANY song smoothly... With FLUIDITY.
Make your strumming sound more professional and interesting.
Add ‘embellishments’ to your guitar strumming to play with more flair.
Move past the plateau that so many guitarists find themselves in, when everything you play sounds underwhelming and similar.
FEEL the beat of a song and play in time, always.

Inside RhythmMaster intermediate guitarists will learn to...

Apply strumming tricks and rhythms you can add “in-between” chords and standard strumming to sound more musical.
Make your barre chords sound more colourful and textured.
Explore the shapes of the CAGED system to develop NEW sounds and strumming options.
Explore 'guitar hero' strumming techniques like partial strumming and percussive strumming to radically enhance your musicality.
Develop fingerpicking skills and learn classic fingerpicking patterns you can use for any song

RhythmMaster is unique.

The things you’ll learn in RhythmMaster aren’t available anywhere else. You can only get this program here and now.

This is our best material and it's been honed with real guitar learners (like YOU) during tens of thousands of hours of guitar lessons.

There is no 'filler' here, just proven tips and clear lessons so you can sound better, quicker.

If you want fast, fluid, seamless rhythm changes and clean, crisp and musical rhythm then sign up now.

RhythmMaster is AMAZING value

As you can see from the depth of the contents of this course... A Similar college course would cost you thousands of dollars.

And that’s assuming you could find a college course teaching you how to strum your guitar with vibrant and musical rhythms that are tried and tested with THOUSANDS of real guitar learners.

Now, if you were to hire a world-class guitar teacher, that would cost you about $100 an hour... There are 10+ hours of excellent HD video lessons in RhythmMaster, so those lessons alone would cost you at least $1000 (and that’s doesn’t even include the HUNDREDS of dollars' worth of free bonuses).

The good news is that you won’t have to pay $1000 to join this course…

Don't get me wrong, having a skilled guitar teacher in the room with you is the fastest way to learn guitar.

But here's the thing, skilled guitar teachers are very hard to find! (As the owner of two guitar schools, this is something I have a lot of experience with.)

The real-life REALITY is that most people do NOT have a world-class guitar teacher on their doorstep.

So they bounce from one unsatisfying guitar teacher to the next... Learning a little and spending a lot.

With this in mind, RhythmMaster is incredible value. The equivalent amount of ‘offline’ guitar teaching would cost well over $1,000. (Assuming you could actually find a guitar teacher of comparable ability in the first place.)

RhythmMaster is the outcome of over 20,000+ hours of guitar teaching. We've learned what works and we can share it all with you.

So if you want to learn how to strum your guitar with rhythm and energy, feel the beat & create a groove with percussive strumming and amazing right-hand techniques…. Now is the time to take action.

Just a few short weeks from now you could be making music that’s so good that nobody will believe you’re applying just a handful of specific & simple techniques.

They will think you have a ‘special talent’, a natural flair for rhythm that brings your music to life.

Or you can keep doing what you’re doing now.

The choice is yours.

Register for RhythmMaster NOW

Buy RhythmMaster Now For $497

(Or 4 payments of $125)

100% Money Back Guarantee

We're so absolutely sure that you'll love this course that we're happy to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

We believe that you learn the most about a business when you ask for a refund. Do they REALLY care about you or are you just an order number? We treat people like human beings.

If you for ANY reason you are not satisfied with the course just drop us a line and we will refund all your money the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the course?

There are 12 modules in the course. Each module contains between three and twenty six video lectures that you can watch at any time that’s convenient for you. Most lectures are between 5 and 10 minutes long, and they’re all available online.

Jack and I have always got the guitar in our hands and I’m constantly demonstrating with examples. This is a very visual course, it’s very easy to follow. (You will have NO guesswork!) Dozens of the lessons have downloadable PDF's with chordboxes that supplement the main video lesson.

As a RhythmMaster student we see you as a 'VIP', so if you ever get stuck, or have a question, you can email us and we'll respond quickly to any questions you may have.

Do I have to show up at a particular place or a particular time?

No, the entire course happens online, and you can take it from any place where you have an internet connection. All lectures are prerecorded so you can watch them at any time that works for you.

Of course, you can also enjoy all the lectures on your smartphone or tablet.

Does the course need to be downloaded? Does it take up memory on my computer/phone/tablet?

No. The course is hosted entirely on Vimeo's industry-leading servers. You don’t need to download anything and it won’t take up any memory on your device.

Is the course transferable from one device to another?

Yes. You simply access the course on our website from whatever device you want to use

Is there a time limit on accessing the course?

No. You have lifetime access and are free to progress through the course at your own pace.

How much time do I need in order to take this course?

You can spend as much or as little time as you want, and you get lifetime access to all course materials, so there is no reason to complete the course within a certain time period.

You can follow the course at your own pace and always come back to the videos later when you want to revisit the material or work on improving certain aspects of your guitar playing.

What happens after the course ends?

You keep lifetime access to all course content, as well as free lifetime updates.That means you can always review the material in the future, and you’ll have plenty of time to catch up in case you fall behind.

What if I’m not good with technology?

The majority of our students describe themselves as 'not good with technology', so don't worry! Even if you feel like you know nothing about technology, you won’t feel left out.

The course is very easy to navigate and all technical concepts are described in simple terms while avoiding unnecessary jargon, which allows people from all age groups to successfully participate in Rhythmmaster.

And just in case you get stuck, you can always ask any questions, which will be promptly answered either by me or one of my team members.

Technology should not stand in the way of your creativity!

What if I’m really terrible on guitar?

You don’t need any previous guitar experience to join Rhythmmaster. All the lectures start from the very beginning while gradually progressing into advanced topics.

The course is specially designed for beginner-to-advanced guitarists. There are no prerequisites and anyone can learn to play the guitar.

Even if you think you have no talent or artistic ability, you’ll be able to play the guitar by applying the specific techniques that you’re going to discover in Rhythmmaster.

What if I’m already an experienced guitarist?

If you’ve been actively studying guitar for several years, you’re probably going to be familiar with some of the ideas and techniques that are discussed in this course.

With that said, I’ve learned over the years that you can always pick up new things from other guitarists. Always. There’s always a lick, riff, springboard, idea or concept that you can take and implement into your own playing.

If you’re worried that you might already know everything we teach in this course, I encourage you to sign up, go through some of the modules, and ask for a refund if you’re not learning new things.

In my experience, no matter how much experience you already have, there are always more things to learn!

Does it make any difference if I have an acoustic or electric guitar?

It makes no difference at all. Guitar is guitar. We encourage all our students to take an interest in BOTH.

You are not a well rounded guitarist unless you play both. Why only experience half of the joy of guitar? Play acoustically and amplified!

What if I don’t have a guitar?

Beg, borrow, steal… Do whatcha have to do to get one! (You can’t learn guitar without playing guitar.)

Why is the price in US dollars? How much does the course cost in British pounds?

The majority of our students are in the US so we price in dollars.

The USD dollar v GBP pound exchange rate changes frequently. To see how much Rhythmmaster costs in pounds based on today’s exchange rate Google it. (Or click here.)

How does the money back guarantee work?

It's simple. If you want to request a refund, send an email to support@nationalguitaracademy.com within 30 days of your purchase and you’ll get 100% of your money back, no questions asked.

We can only afford to offer this cast-iron guarantee because we know people will love this course!

Is it safe to pay by credit card online?

Your security and privacy are important to us. We use industry-standard encryption to protect your credit card details throughout the checkout process, your information is never shared with anyone and we don't see your credit card details. (The entire process is handled by Stripe who are a global leader in online payments.)

And of course, you’re also protected by our generous 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.

How can I contact you?

We are here for you. You can email us at support@nationalguitaracademy.com or via our contact page which is here.

Are you on Facebook?

Yes. Our facebook page is here

My question isn’t listed here!

No worries, contact us and we’ll do our best to help you.

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