The Chetboard

For those of you who have never heard Chet's 1966 recording of the Jerry Reed tune Rhythm Guitar, I have uploaded it to YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHBXcPVSbUc

Although attributed to Chet Atkins on the single (RCA 47-8781, the B side of From Nashville With Love), it was composed by Jerry Reed. Paul Yandell called it "one of Jerry's best."

Rhythm Guitar has three distinct parts: the drone bass line (thumb) on the bottom; the double stop harmony (middle and ring fingers) on top; and the melody (thumb and index) in the middle. Genius.

Hope you enjoy,

Craig

P.S.
Learn Rhythm Guitar in Vol 11 No 1 of Craig Dobbins' Acoustic Guitar Workshop: http://www.craigdobbins.com/agw-archive.html
Includes notation/TAB, instruction, and audio comments.

"Craig, I'm flattered that you consider my compositions worthy enough to go in your publications. I'm really grateful for that, and if you don't get this quote right, I'm gonna break both your thumbs!"
- Jerry Reed

Thanks for the upload Craig! That is pure Jerry and pure Chet at the same time it such a thing is possible. I think I may have previously uploaded it to my Chet channel, but I had long forgotten about it.

That number with the great rhythm kind of puts me to mind of Chet’s cover of “What’d I Say?”

Chet had the rhythm feel down to his very bones, if you ask me. Will NEVER be another to take his place.


As a side note, this young man has the fingering down pretty pat!

https://youtu.be/uwHo5CNKKwI