Develop Your Advanced Rhythm Skills with This "Wicked Game" Backing Track

Have you ever felt like your soloing or rhythm playing is stuck in a rut? Maybe you're just reacting to the music around you or relying too heavily on backing tracks. It’s time to take your guitar playing to the next level by developing your inner harmonic time—a skill that separates average guitarists from the truly creative and expressive ones. In this post, we’ll break down what inner harmonic time is, why it’s so crucial, and how you can start developing it today.

What Is Inner Harmonic Time?

Inner harmonic time goes beyond simply keeping a steady beat; it’s about having a mental “metronome” that also tracks the harmonic structure of the music. Imagine being able to hear the chord progression in your head while you play, even in the absence of a backing track or other musicians. This skill allows you to anticipate chord changes, play creatively over bar lines, and make your solos sound less robotic and more musical.

If you’re like many guitarists, you might be relying on your fingers to guide you or just fishing for notes that sound good in the moment. While this approach can work, it often leads to predictable and uninspired playing. Developing your inner harmonic time gives you the ability to hear what you want to play before you even touch the strings, unlocking a new level of creativity.

How to Start Developing Your Inner Harmonic Time

Ready to get started? Here are three tips to begin honing this essential skill:

1. Practice Tapping Your Foot

The first step to developing inner time is creating a physical connection to the beat. Always tap your foot when you play—it’s your external metronome that reinforces your internal rhythm. For example, if you’re working on a riff or chord progression, make sure your foot is keeping time with the beat. This habit helps you stay grounded and ensures your playing is always in sync with the music.

Try this: Play a simple chord progression—like B minor, A major, and E major—while tapping your foot. Focus on staying in time, and let your foot guide your rhythm. It’s a small adjustment that can make a big difference in your timing and feel.

2. Visualize the Chord Progression

Once your inner time is solid, it’s time to add harmony to the mix. Start by mentally running through a chord progression in your head while you play. For example, if you’re soloing over the chords B minor, A major, and E major, imagine those chords playing in your head even when no one else is playing them. This practice trains your brain to keep track of the harmonic structure, allowing you to play lines that flow naturally over the changes.

Take it a step further by anticipating chord changes. For example, play a note or phrase suggesting the next chord before it arrives. This technique adds tension and release to your playing, giving your solos a more dynamic and engaging sound.

3. Use Triads to Build Creative Solos

Triads are the building blocks of harmony, and mastering them is key to developing your inner harmonic time. Practice playing triads across the entire fretboard in all 12 keys, both major and minor. Focus on playing them horizontally (across the neck) as well as vertically (along one string set).

Once you know your triads, use them to create interesting phrases and melodies. Instead of just playing the triads as-is, dress them up with slides, hammer-ons, or arpeggios to make your playing more musical. For instance, if your progression is B minor, A major, and E major, experiment with connecting triads in different inversions while keeping the inner harmonic time steady in your mind.

Record Yourself and Analyze

A crucial part of mastering inner harmonic time is learning to self-analyze. Record yourself playing over a drum groove or even in free time without a metronome. As you listen back, pay attention to whether you stayed in time and whether your soloing was harmonically connected to the progression. Did you switch chords too early or too late? Did your lines flow smoothly over the changes?

This process of recording and analyzing is invaluable. It not only helps you spot areas for improvement but also builds your confidence as you start to hear your progress over time.

Finally, challenge yourself by playing without a metronome or backing track. Let your inner time guide you completely and see how well you can maintain the harmonic structure in your head. It’s a tough exercise, but it’s one that will make a world of difference in your playing.

Take Your Rhythm Skills to the Next Level

Developing your inner harmonic time is a game-changer for guitarists who want to break free from predictable playing and become truly creative improvisers. By tapping your foot, visualizing chord progressions, mastering triads, and analyzing your own recordings, you’ll unlock a whole new level of rhythm and musicality.

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