Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Country blues play fingerstyle on acoustic guitar – EP428

Description

Learn a country blues composition on guitar that’s played fingerstyle.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walkthrough

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  3. Douglas S says

    Brian
    I don’t know if you read my email…
    I really need for you to create a new window where you show and tell exactly how to make each sound of the song BUT WITHOUT the extra info example: “It the 5th chord of the 5th chord of the 5th chord and don’t be afraid to to use it in other songs etc etc etc etc.
    I want to learn that stuff from you LATER. But right now I just need to know HOW TO PLAY THE SONG WITHOUT ALL THE EXTRA COMMENTS. I want to use the VIDAMI pedal to learn the song, but it’s of no use when you ramble on for 5 seconds ( 1x ) and 10 minutes another x.
    I still can’t get thru AMAZING GRACE because of this.

  5. Glenn W says

    Perfect lesson. I’ve come a long way thanks to you in picking out those 2 and 3 note segments of chords in the open position – and all over the neck. I’ve never been one for memorising songs as I get bored with them by the time I come close to memorising them but your lessons are perfect in sending me off into improvising heaven and at the same time understanding what’s behind the notes I play (dare I say the word “theory”).

  6. Scott L says

    Brian,
    This is great stuff!! Anyone who unpacks a guitar should learn at least the basics of this style of playing. Over the years I have benefited greatly from taking your advice and trying some different methods and getting out of my comfort zone. It hit me a few months ago that I finally have developed some improvising skills and have been able to create and not just copy. For me this is huge! It’s like having a door opened to much more rewarding musicianship!
    There are lots of places one can go on the web to learn tunes note for note but what you offer is very special and keeps us all waiting with anticipation for the next lesson.

    Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

  8. Paul L says

    I’m a retired educator so I believe teaching anything is a balance of explanation, examples, demonstration and independent practice. For me your methods are perfect. You explain then demonstrate and repeat. I can go to google and learn a song but I learn how to play the guitar at Activemelody. I’ve been a member for several years and I learn something new every week.

  9. Daniel H says

    I disagree with Douglas. Brian, your “rambles” contain great take-aways since they are relevant and have immediate musical context.
    Your rambles are part of your style and I think your lessons would lose some of their richness without them. Please keep doing what you do. Awesome stuff!

  13. Steve M says

    Question Brian— when you are playing both strings 6 and 5 in the first part, are you playing both with you thumb or are you playing the 6 with your thumb and pinching 5 with your index ( this question probably applies to other parts of this )?

  14. Phil G says

    OK, the 5 of the 5 of the 5 of the 1. I DO understand that. HOWEVER, what I grapple with is, where do you start? How did you know to start with the C#9? Maybe another lesson that includes a 5 of 5 of 5 of 1? And this time “build it” from the destination. In other words. From the 4 you want to get back to the 1. So, first the 4m. That’s OK. BUT then, How did you know to play the C#9 “next”? If I work it out “backwards” I get; The 5 of the 1 is a B. The 5 of a B is an F#. And finally, the 5 of the F# is the C# Hence, your C#9, F#7, B13, E progression. So, it “makes sense”, BUT why start with the C#? Couldn’t you have started with the F#7, and left out the C#9? Also, from the C#, you could have kept going. The 5 of C# is G#, the 5 of that is D#, and on and on. So again, why di you start with the C#?

    • Francois M says

      Phil, The C# to F# to B7 to E is a 6-2-5-1 progression in the key of E. It is an extremely common progression in Jazz. Brian also jazzed up the chords by playing extensions – C#9 and B13 instead of a plain C#7 and B7. Brian has been playing so long and knows this stuff so well that he probably pulled out that ending without even thinking about it, and then put a Robert Johnson twist on at the end. Scott Joplin’s ragtime music (The Entertainer) was the forerunner of jazz. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Joplin

      • Brian says

        Yes, what Francois said above – it’s a fairly common ragtime blues turnaround to do the 5, of the 5, of the 5, of the 1 … if you want to do that in another key, just work it backwards from whatever the 5 chord is. OR you can look at the chord positions (shapes) from this song.. and figure it out that way. It wouldn’t work in every situation, but something like this is easy to slip it in.

  15. Phil G says

    This is a great lesson. I have been playing a John Prine style Travis picking for some time now. I can get the thumb to play alternating bass” on” each beat. NOW, I have to learn to play on the beat AND off beat with my thumb. This will be challenging!

  18. Ray R says

    I really enjoy the way you teach Brian. Every time I go through a lesson with you something clicks and I get a new look at something related to playing the guitar. I like the fact that you suggest we don’t necessarily learn the arrangements, but put the information to use in our playing. That’s what I do and its made a big difference in my playing. I already know hundreds of songs, but they now sound better when I apply the knowledge.
    Thanks, Ray

  19. drlknstein says

    dont change anything in the way you teach, you develped a great method for an unbelievable price..i have come so far with your lessons and am able to play with people who are far advanced beyond me because I m able to improvise.

    i absolutelutely love the ragtime bessie smith turn around ..the 5 of the the 5 of the the5 of the one makes sense..not sure i can translate it to other keys but no matter..i can use this in songs in E, and there’s lots of those..i learned one like this a while back from you and have used it but this one is better..its a keeper..i m in south louisiana watching a monster hurricane named ida go by…its coming your way…watch out its a doozie!

  21. Phil K says

    Great lesson Brian! I love that country blues style and really appreciate the finger picking. I have gone back to some of your early finger style lessons and can’t get enough of it. Thanks buddy!

  22. David M says

    Brian – A couple questions about right hand technique: Is your wrist locked to the body of the guitar or floating? I notice your wrist is slightly angled downward and your fingers are curled and I am struggling to keep that position. I tend to have looser fingers and hover my hand furthers away from the guitar. Any tips on how to get more comfortable with this grip?

    • Brian says

      I let the palm of my right hand rest on the strings – more or less on the bridge. But some folks will use their pinky and ring finger on the body of the guitar (look at how Mark Knopfler anchors his this way ) – there is no right answer but I do think it’s more difficult if it’s floating

  24. John M says

    Brian…. You have a very hard job ,,,, everyone of us learns differently which makes it very difficult for you as a teacher to please everyone…. but in my view you do an excellent job!
    I am what might charitably be termed an advanced beginner and have been a premium member for over two years now…. and I always, always learn something from your lessons.. I may not understand the nuances every lesson immediately, but many times I will find myself remembering details later …. I guess what you call a “lightbulb moment” Please keep teaching your way!

  25. Jim L says

    Brian,

    I have been a premium member for 5 years now and what a fantastic value it has been. I have been playing guitar for 50 years. Mostly in a very casual way. I always wanted to improvise lead guitar phrases on acoustic and electric but I really had no idea how to do it. Now I can do both acoustic and electric leads that are musical. Now I am working on learning to have a musical conversation with those around me by using dynamics and nuance that I have learned from your lessons. None of this is possible without your tutoring. Everyone learns differently but for me, you are hands down the best teacher on the net and I have tested many. Please keep up the good work and for those who have not tried premium membership, you are seriously missing out. I promise you the gains you make will surprise you. My 2 cents.

  28. Jeffrey W says

    Brian – Your format on this site is incredible. I played a baritone ukulele and tenor guitar (both tuned DGBE) for about 10 years. 4 strings and 4 fingers to fit them is quite efficient. I have always played with my hands or fingerpicked. Someone indicated that you blabbed too much on the song. I feel the complete opposite, you are telling us the story of what’s happening — that is amazing — we are hearing the why of where fingers go where they go. I love it.

    I sometimes just listen to your videos while I’m driving home from work. As far as learning any complete arrangement — I am struggling – BUT – I have chosen this song as my #1 song to commit to memory. I have printed out each bar and I’m working sytematically to put the song together. Having your video right next to the tab helps so much because, as in this video, you often have anchor fingers down to get your hand ready for hammer-ons.

    Sometimes I have a hard time stretching, as in measure 2 when we hold a partial bar and stretch to get the 5th note (D) on the A-string. Anybody have any secrets to loosen up hands to achieve more comfortable stretches?

  31. daniele f says

    Hi BRIAN
    Love every lessons !
    I have been with you for at least 2 years now and always got the Friday lesson on the next Tuesday.
    Now i have been used to search for it on Friday , so not that big of a deal but still wondering if i could change that .
    Aloha
    Daniele

  34. Ricky O says

    I really like the way you’ve subdivided the video stream into segments, with a descriptive name for each subsection. I also like that you put extra effort into making your product better and better too. Definitely worth the price of admission 🙂

  36. Richard S says

    Hi Brian! I have been a singer (lead in several bands through the years) and have played guitar for 55 years (yes, I’m old). I always played a somewhat weak rhythm and in more recent years just good enough to accompany myself singing and doing solo gigs. I took finger style lessons for a few months which greatly improved my overall sound. I have been subscribed to your lessons for several years and since starting have probably at least doubled in those years what I had learned in 50 previously. This is my first post ever here but felt it necessary to tell you how amazing a teacher you are. I don’t have the opportunity to take every week’s lesson but love the one’s i have. This particular song inspired me enough to sit down this evening and learn it all in one sitting. Started at 7:30 and as of now, 10:30 have managed to learn it. Ok, somewhat sloppy but think I’ve got it. Thanks SO much for making me proud to play in front of other accomplished guitar players after all these years.

    Sorry for the long dialogue, but I thought it was time I expressed my appreciation.

    One more thing…do you play out anywhere in the Nashville area? I’m in the area for two months and would love to see you perform!

    Thanks,
    Rich

    • Brian says

      Thanks Rich – Lately i’ve been just staying home – Covid numbers are so bad here. I’m down in Franklin, and usually play at Kimbros Picking Parlor – if you haven’t checked it out – you’d love it

      • Richard S says

        Thanks Brian! I know what you mean about the COVID numbers. Hey, I’m from Florida and got the outa there for a while. Went downtown here one day but crowds were ridiculous so we didn’t stay. Although have done the Listening room twice and 3rd and Lindsley once. We will definitely check out Kimbros Picking Parlor. A buddy of mine who is an accomplished guitar (and other things) player will be coming in a couple weeks also so I’ll wait for him. Thanks.

        Rich

  38. David LC says

    Brian,
    I want to make a comment on your comment at the end of Part 2 – For Premium Members where you say “Maybe they’re too easy”, referring to your weekly lessons
    Please don’t make them harder, or more complicated, or anything other than what you have done in your well presented manner for the past 10 years!
    Beginner guitar players can still “get it” and accomplished players can build off the lesson bits you present.

    Your style and approach to teaching is a Goldilocks Effect, not too hard, not too easy, but just right.

    And I want to comment on Douglas S, who was having a bad day playing guitar when he wanted less chitchat but didn’t know how to get less comments another way.
    Many members made helpful comments while others sorta piled on Doug.
    Who has not been frustrated when learning guitar? He was asking for help for goodness sakes.

  43. Phillip F says

    So it was pretty cool that I was able to through into it a few things without having to think about it.
    I have been working on getting the thumb independence and finally have all fingers and thumbs in sync.

  44. Phillip F says

    I have not been able to use a thumb pick well at all. I have thought a few times to sand the pick down so it’s not sticking out so far.
    Well, I finally did and what a different. I love using them now. Dunlop med thumb pick.
    I sanded it down where about 1/4 inch sticks out.
    Ya gotta try it if anyone has had problems with a thumb pick. That’s probably everyone 😂😂😂

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