RYTHM / TEMPO

I think what would help is a metronome there is a online version free to use someone on chordie has the link to it or you could buy a enexpensive drum machine (used if you can find one at a music store or want ads) i think a drum machine would help alot also you could download "AUDACITY" a free program from sourceforge.com it has a click track and if you have a tape recorder you can use it to make mp3 or wav files to upload it also has a help folder you can download in a zipped folder from sourceforge and open the folder and select only the section you want help with its all free so hang in someone else may offer more information that can help you and goodluck

Kind of like dancing.  Some have it, some don't, but with practice, who knows.  Just hang in there and really practice alot.

Lynxpilot, you and I are in the same boat as I played a little in my teenage years, quit and then started playing again at age 54. I've had a few lessons but mainly I've learned on my own. Thanks to the internet information highway there are many places to get help and Chordie is the best of the best. My advice to you would be to listen to the songs you want to learn and try to keep time to the music by tapping your foot to the beat. Take a simple song and determine what timing it is, 3/4, 4/4 or whatever. A 3/4 timing is considered to be a waltz beat, by most and the count will be 1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2 -3 - repeat. A 4/4 timing will be 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 1 repeats. Count to the bass beats of the song. As you get to where you can keep the beat of the song by tapping your foot to the music try to do the same with your hand in a strumming movement. Then that will take you to strumming the guitar with the rythem of the song. It takes practice and effort on your part but the reward will be worth your time. Take your time, learn to practice correctly and stay with it.

Nela