Top 5 Guitar Styles to Try If You’re Stuck in a Rut

Feeling stuck in a guitar-playing rut? Maybe you’re tired of the same old chords, or you feel like your playing is missing a little spark. One of the best ways to reignite your passion is to try out different guitar styles. Each style has its own unique techniques and approaches that can bring fresh inspiration to your practice. In this article, we’ll introduce you to five popular guitar styles that are beginner-friendly, fun to play, and might just help you find your unique sound.

1. Funk Guitar – Groovy Rhythms and Syncopation

Funk is all about the groove. It’s rhythmic, energetic, and often a bit percussive, making it one of the most fun styles to explore if you’re feeling uninspired. Funk guitar focuses on tight, muted strumming patterns, creating a rhythm that makes listeners want to move. This style is especially useful for learning to lock into a groove and improving your timing, two essential skills for any guitarist.

Key Techniques:

• Muted Strumming: Funk guitar relies heavily on rhythmic, muted strums to create a percussive sound.

• Syncopation: Emphasizing the “off-beats” and using syncopated rhythms to keep things funky.

• Ghost Notes: Lightly muting certain strums to add a choppy, rhythmic feel.

Good Songs to Try:

• “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder: This song’s iconic riff is instantly recognizable and a great introduction to funk rhythm.

• “I Feel Good” by James Brown: A classic funk jam that’s straightforward but groovy, with plenty of rhythmic fun.

Quick Practice Tip: Start with a simple rhythm on a single chord, like E9 or A7, and practice muting the strings while strumming. Listen to the rhythm closely and focus on keeping your strumming hand loose to capture the groove.

2. Jazz Guitar – Complex Chords and Smooth Improvisation

Jazz might seem intimidating, but it’s more approachable than you think—and it can really open up your playing. Jazz guitar is known for its rich chord voicings, extended chords like 7ths and 9ths, and smooth transitions between chords. It’s a style that encourages creativity and freedom, as jazz often involves improvisation. Learning even a few jazz techniques can take your playing to new places and give you a fresh perspective on harmony.

Key Techniques:

• Extended Chords: Jazz uses chords like 7ths, 9ths, and 13ths to create a rich sound.

• Walking Bass Lines: Alternating bass notes to give the illusion of multiple instruments.

• Improvisation: Focusing on creating melodies and “solos” within the chord structure.

Good Songs to Try:

• “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma: This jazz standard is an excellent introduction to common jazz chord progressions and smooth transitions.

• “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck: Known for its unusual 5/4 time signature, this tune introduces rhythmic variety and a smooth, relaxed jazz feel.

Quick Practice Tip: Start by learning a basic jazz progression, such as a ii-V-I (e.g., Dm7-G7-Cmaj7). Play it slowly and focus on clean transitions between the chords. Even practicing this progression alone will add a sophisticated touch to your playing!

3. Bossa Nova – Relaxed Rhythms and Latin Flair

Bossa nova, a Brazilian style that combines samba rhythms with jazz harmony, is perfect for players looking to add a smooth, laid-back feel to their repertoire. Bossa nova has a flowing, “wave-like” rhythm and often uses complex chords, but it’s easier than it sounds once you get into the groove. Plus, it’s a great way to practice fingerstyle and rhythm at the same time.

Key Techniques:

• Alternating Bass and Treble Notes: Creates the signature bossa nova “swaying” feel.

• Syncopated Rhythms: Emphasizes off-beats, adding a soft, almost hypnotic groove.

• Jazz Chords: Use of minor 7ths, major 7ths, and other extended chords.

Good Songs to Try:

• “The Girl from Ipanema” by Antônio Carlos Jobim: A classic bossa nova song that captures the relaxed, flowing feel of the style.

• “Desafinado” by Antônio Carlos Jobim: Another great bossa nova tune that’s straightforward and perfect for beginners to practice rhythm.

Quick Practice Tip: Try playing a minor 7th chord, like Am7, and use a simple fingerstyle pattern where your thumb plays the bass note and your other fingers alternate plucking the higher strings. The gentle rhythm will start to flow, and before you know it, you’ll be swaying right along with the music.

4. Fingerstyle Guitar – Intricate Melodies and Independence

Fingerstyle guitar is one of the most rewarding styles to learn, as it allows you to play melody, harmony, and rhythm all at once. Whether you’re picking through folk, pop, or classical music, fingerstyle playing creates a rich sound that’s full and self-sufficient. This style builds finger independence, making it ideal for developing dexterity and coordination.

Key Techniques:

• Thumb for Bass Notes: The thumb often handles the bass notes while fingers play the melody.

• Arpeggios: Plucking each note of a chord in sequence to create a flowing sound.

• Travis Picking: A fingerpicking pattern that creates a rhythmic “boom-chick” feel.

Good Songs to Try:

• “Blackbird” by The Beatles: This Beatles classic is perfect for practicing finger independence and creating a beautiful melody on basic chords.

• “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman: A straightforward fingerpicking song that sounds rich and complex with simple chords.

Quick Practice Tip: Start with a basic fingerpicking pattern on an open chord like C or G. For example, try using your thumb on the bass note and alternating your other fingers on the higher strings. Fingerstyle might feel challenging at first, but it quickly becomes second nature with regular practice.

5. Blues Guitar – Expressive Bends and Emotional Playing

Blues guitar is all about feel and expression, making it an ideal style for those looking to add emotion to their playing. This style relies on the pentatonic scale, emphasizing bends, slides, and other expressive techniques that allow players to “sing” through their guitar. Blues has shaped countless genres and remains one of the most popular guitar styles for its soulful, deeply emotive sound.

Key Techniques:

• Pentatonic Scale: The backbone of blues solos, making it easy to create expressive phrases.

• Bends and Slides: Techniques that add vocal-like qualities to your playing.

• 12-Bar Blues Progression: The standard chord progression in blues, allowing for lots of improvisation.

Good Songs to Try:

• “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan: A classic blues tune with a catchy 12-bar blues progression and plenty of room to explore bends and slides.

• “The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King: A slow, soulful song that’s perfect for practicing expressive playing with simple but powerful blues phrases.

Quick Practice Tip: Start with a 12-bar blues progression in E (E7, A7, B7) and focus on feeling each chord change. Once you’re comfortable, try adding bends or slides within a pentatonic scale to make your playing even more expressive. Blues is all about emotion, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

Discovering Your Unique Sound Through Experimentation

Exploring different guitar styles is one of the best ways to grow as a guitarist. Whether you’re grooving to funk, diving into jazz, or pouring emotion into blues, each style brings new skills and a fresh perspective to your playing. Try spending time with each of these styles and see which one resonates most. You might even find that combining elements from several styles is the perfect way to create your own unique sound.

Remember, guitar playing is a journey, and the fun lies in exploring all the twists and turns. So if you’re feeling stuck, give one of these styles a try. You never know—one of them might just be the spark you need to take your playing to the next level.

-Ryan