Josh Smith on How to Improve Your Leads by Practicing Your Rhythm Playing

Throughout his career, Josh Smith has shared stages and studios around the world with some of music’s all-time greats, including Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, the late B. B. King, and countless others. By 14 years old, he was hailed as a blues prodigy and was touring, writing, and performing across a multitude of musical styles. Suffice it to say, Josh Smith has put in no shortage of hours to refine his craft, and he recently dropped by Sweetwater Studios to share his wisdom with the world. Following up on his hybrid picking lesson, Josh Smith explains and demonstrates how improving your rhythm-playing chops can substantially improve and support your leads. Class is in session!

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[Chris-yqxv]

Josh is a monster of a player. Its a shame to see him support other acts when he is so much more talented and, his chops will leave you stuck to your seat and wanting more!!! Chris

[jcsk]

Thanks for that. Make my sunday better. Josh is a fenomenal player.

[aarongabriel]

Great lesson. It is all connected. Love this guy and others like him who can set a groove by themselves and improvise over it at the same time.

[cooghoublaga]

Always a pleasure to watch Josh, and always hours of work after a 10 minute video, great stuff as ever !

[BGsea]

What up Josh! Late to the big myriad party but better than never🎉. People forget Jimi played rhythm for well over half his career

[davidwright]

Josh we already know what an amazing picker you are, but your being the #2 guy when playing with Joe B tells us all how humble of a guy you are. Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents with all of us and nothing bet the very best to you.

[davidcoolkid]

Wow. Amazing Lesson. I will start trying this for sure!

[yuliefelice]

Would love to see more of Josh’s blues rhythm lessons ❤

[marcmelissa]

What the heck? Unreal, THE best guitarist Ive ever heard. Thank you Josh

[BrianLeverett]

I got to see Josh last night in Macon, Georgia because he’s playing with Joe Bonamassa. Wow! Phenomenal!

[Jeffum]

I wish I knew you were out here, I would have came to visit. Be a long time since I've see you Josh.

[mikeguitarist]

Josh is the guy! seen him along side with Bonamassa, does his job well

[tanukibrahma]

This is brilliant. I think it comes naturally to do this if you play a lot of guitar. But we don’t always think of it quite that way.

[moreorlesslikeso]

Some very valuable advice from Josh – if you listen to his music you can really hear how it infuses his playing at all times. Actually W.A. Mozart is said to have stated back in the day that time is actually more essential to making great music than harmony or melody. Although some people might possibly argue about that, I find myself tending to agree more and more (to him and Josh) over all those years I've been playing guitar...
Last but not least: another guitarist I’d definitely recommend to watch (and listen to) in this respect is Oz Noy – he, too, is a true "rhythm beast" in every aspect of his playing!

[TheSoundofForgetting]

Be seeing Josh here in less than 30 Days with Joe Bonamassa and can’t wait!🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻

[bradleydrawsweirdstuff]

Josh is weirdly and underrated rhythm player the part at 2:58 is epic.

[johannxlising]

great video? does anyone know the name of the james brown riff?

[marcmelissa]

I bet he can groove on the drums too, how bout a Josh Smith drum video?

[soniah]

Beautiful Ibanez. Their version of a Tele?

[ronconnatser]

Where can I get a guitar like that. Is that one of your signatures?