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I’d originally tuned into and signed onto Brian’s lessons in Active Melody several years ago because I wanted to venture into playing lead guitar – after many years of “fiddling” around with chords and rhythm playing. However while that quest hasn’t left me, I found it easy to sort-of skate around that more difficult effort, falling back to my tried and true method of chord/rhythm playing and occasionally tiptoeing into tiny bits of lead licks for a few of the challenges when that was Brian’s actual directive.
Enter EP-528 (and perhaps a butterfly flapping its wings in Washington) and I found myself, finally, willing and motivated to commit the time and interest in learning to play that beautiful piece.
I happened upon the song (lesson) of Brian’s early in August and something just clicked! At first, I spent hours just listening to and enjoying the music, then I committed to “learning” in my head, the lead note progression.
EP-528 has really stolen my heart and while I am far from a smooth performance here, I do believe it has opened a door for me.
This song REALLY brought me to that “Ahhhhh HAAAA!” moment when it helped me understand that
I – ME – Myself – Marie! can actually do bends and (sorta like BB King) “whip a string” down from the 12th fret with a dang nice sound!! My fingers are doing a fairly good job of falling onto the notes where they should, with enough pressure to get a fairly clean tone, most of the time, without a lot of fighting among themselves to see who gets there first. With much room for improvement, these are real accomplishments for me, finally realizing that “I CAN do this!”I was thrilled to see Andre` post his really nice performance of EP-528 a week or so ago, which helped me learn from his own effort and added motivation for me to try to master this one, “eventually.”
SORRY Y’all – I’ll quit rambling. You can read more about this journey here if you’re inclined:
A while back and for several months, I did follow thru on completing several modules of the Blues Course that was offered a year and more ago, but for some reason that course and the lessons I’d completed just “went away” and were no longer accessible. I’m not sure what happened to that – but I was very busy with the birth of my newest grandson and so wasn’t motivated to find the lessons. However, much of the well presented information just wasn’t getting thru to me anyway! I just was not ready to really commit to the “effort” to learn to play lead. I really felt that my fingers could never achieve the independence needed to play the way they needed to, to function properly.
I’d been “chording” for so many years, it was all my fingers wanted to do. I could not figure out HOW ON EARTH anyone could properly find and activate each individual string, with each handful of fingers working independently of one another AND producing such clean lovely tones!! My fingers constantly just stumbled over one another, never settling on who should be committed to which string or fret, IF they could even locate – in a reasonable amount of time – just where the note was that was needed at a given time!
And when the tempo raced beyond 60 BPM – then I was truly lost.Unfortunately, even though I’ve spent most of my life (yes, even as a kid!) paying attention to detail, I still have not come to understand the language of music theory, so I am still the parrot, learning by repetition rather than full understanding. I AM familiar with the Pentatonic scale, and understand the importance of scales and how they work (sort-of), but when Brian talks about borrowing notes between scales or adding a ‘fifth’ or a ‘seventh’ I have to recite the alphabetic note-names on ma’ fingers and he’s seven or more measures ahead before I figure out what or where that fifth note is! LOL! I do think I’ll “get-it” at some point. Commitment is the key!
Anyway, “I’m still using “training wheels” for this so I left Brians lead in with my own, played over the top. I’m sure you can distinguish the two. LOL!
I also slowed it down to about 75 BPM, easier for me to play and actually I THINK it sounds a bit more soulful at the slower speed. My plan is to master this one before attempting another such “lead.”
Here’s hoping this version isn’t too hard on your ears! :o)
Here it is!“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau -
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Beautifully played, Marie! Not a shock but really a pleasure for the ears! It’s the first time I see you playing the electric guitar and it was a bit of surprise to see how good you’re at playing this instrument! Thanks also for the very nice presentation: your effort to move from your “chords playing”‘s comfort zone to the lead playing on single strings definitely paid off and I’m sure is only the beginning of an exciting journey!
Guido
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Marie-
The ability to ‘hear’ or understand a tune in our minds is a prerequisite for being able to play or perform something. This is well done. Very impressive. I don’t think I have ever heard you play ‘Lead’ like this. Your hard work has paid off and your development is obvious. Keep inspiring! Love your music.John
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Thank you all!
I very much appreciate all the encouraging words, and I do carry them in my heart as I work to improve.I realized that part of the reason I was hesitant to actually jump into the lead guitar lessons was I just could not even follow a lot of what was happening in the lessons. More recently I took the time to really get familiar with the “Part 2” sections and discoverd “HOW” to slow things down. That REALLY opened the door for me!!
Another thing that I’ve come to “feel” is that Brian only has a certain amount of time to get his lessons across, and they are filled with so much information I do believe his masterful speed in the lessons may be a result of that. His busy life, the number of lessons he has to offer and his generous attempts to share so much information with us may all play a part in some of the lessons that seem lightning fast to someone like me.
There are a number of lessons I will soon take another look at, in a slower playback. There is definitely something to be enjoyed from slowing the track down that offers a more soulful, bluesy emothional feel.
Thank you all,
Marie“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau -
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No assault on my aural senses at all, Marie. In the opposite: I enjoyed your lead lines very much. I would say your solo playing has developed impressively. I remember your first tries on one string. Go on this way and our aural senses will celebrate feasts next year. All the best for your journey!
Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026For more information click here
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred-
OMGosh Manfred,
I had to chuckle at your mention of my “first tries on one string”! I do painfully remember my days of being a “One-String-Suzy!”
This wonderful AM community and Brian’s lessons have been so important to me! I still have long way to travel in my guitar goals, the encouragement is incredibly valuable.Thank you again,
Marie“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau
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Well, not quite ‘perfectly’ Steve, there are at least two note-flubs and a string “buzz” I think.
I’m thrilled if no one else can hear them! 🤣“We’re” always our own worst critic, I guess and I’m still feeling rather insecure to dare to step into the world of “blues lead.” LOL!!!
“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau -
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I agree a wonderful piece of music and you did very well performing it. I know the struggles with lead guitar – but you made it. Thank you
Werner
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Hey, Marie, your lead playing is getting better and better! You can do this. Actually I sometimes also learn the lessons while playing along with Brian.
Your bends and slides are sounding great.
I love that lesson, too.
DeniseMore Blues!
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Marie!! Way to step outta your “comfort zone” of chords and rhythm playing. You are on your way to superb lead playing! Way to leave space between wonderful licks and ideas. Loved it! Keep at it. Try different artists to spice it up and make it your own. So are so creative and gifted – I cannot wait to hear more lead playing from you! Bob
Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)
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Hey Marie,
Excellent submission.
There hasn’t been a single lesson I haven’t slowed down and I’m pretty sure that goes for almost everyone here.
Keep em comin
Liam.
“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. “
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Sounded great Marie! And … I quite often slow the tracks down too. My excuse is it allows the music to breathe more and I’m sticking by that. 😉 Great lesson choice, don’t underestimate yourself! Thanks for sharing. Keep on pickin’ and all the best! 🥸🎸🥸
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Part of the trick to sounding good is picking the right song — one that works with your style and sensibilities and capabilities and maybe stretches you a bit. In this case, you have hit the sweet spot and it sounds really good! Bravo.
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Congratulations, Marie. You played this very well. Slowing it down doesn’t diminish it at all. You’re getting a good tone and bending them strings to make it sing. 🎶
James
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That was great Marie! I haven’t heard the original lesson yet but that tempo seems to be perfect for what your were playing. It sounded very smooth and soulful.
Thanks for sharing.
Marc
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You are well on your way, Marie! Starting slow is a great idea. You’re nailing the timing and articulation and that is so much more important than trying to go too fast too soon. Congrats on your progress.
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Thanks Richard,
That encouragement is so deeply appreciated. Just being among you folks has given me the motivation to put more effort into learning.Figuring out how to slow down the lessons and the “part 2” files really got me excited to do more.
Just the little I’ve been able to do with my Aug. Challenge AND the music of your own beautiful bit of blues-lead have got me hooked for s
“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau
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Hi Marie:
You’ve indeed “ventured into playing lead guitar”! Your playing on ep528 sounds really good. Your guitar tone is dialed in beautifully, you fret the notes with a good touch, and you timing is spot on. Bravo 👏🏻 👏🏻. I enjoyed your playing and am happy to hear of your great progress.Cheers, Tom
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No, Marie, that’s not ‘Enough of that’ 😂 That was really beautiful, and your playing was lovely and precise – as others have said, your timing and articulation is indeed spot on! Please, please keep at it – I know it’s a diversion from what you naturally and, may I say, beautifully, play and sing👍, but it’s another string to your bow 🎸 And you’ve proved right here that you have the skills to do it 👏👏🎶🎶
Best wishes to you 😎
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