WE KNOW THAT there’s little that can compete with a guitar solo. The lights are on you, the vocalist is keeping quiet for a bit and you can bend, wail, blitz and fry your fretboard as you deem suitable. Or indeed, simply play a strong melody that everyone remembers. But what of the rest of the time you’re playing? That’s typically spent on rhythm and all the detail that entails; riffs, chords, arpeggiating, double-stops, syncopations, legato flurries and much more. Working and prepping this is really important, otherwise one can end up with Popeye syndrome - metaphorically speaking, one arm all powerful (soloing) and one not so (rhythm and accompanying). For sure, standard barre chords and eighth-note strumming can be hugely valid but if that’s all you’ve got in your musical toolbox, your versatility in a band is greatly reduced. So that’s why this issue’s main thrust is about an area vital to your enjoyment (and employment): in-the-pocket swing, shuffle and boogie rhythms to make your band sound hot, and the audience fully engaged.