Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Easy 2 Chord Jam Session (Rhythm and Fill-Licks) – EP146

Description

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to take 2 very basic chords and repeat them over and over again, while combining them with fill licks (in between the chords). This allows you to create a jam session by yourself, without the need for a backing track and is fairly easy to improvise over.

I’ll show you the strum pattern as well as 3 different levels of fill licks (the first being the easiest). You’ll also learn what the natural minor scale is (also known as Aeolian mode).

Part 1 - Free Guitar lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walk-Through Video

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

      • William L says

        So true. This is the best site i’ve ever seen for guitar instruction. I used to have a guitar teacher and a quit a few weeks after she was asking me all about one of the songs I learned off here! haha WASTE of money.

        • Karina B says

          Ha! I’ve just done the same! Had a guitar teacher for 6 weeks, dumped him and subscribed to activemelody for the price of 3 lessons and have learnt more in 2 lessons from Brian than 6 weeks with the other teacher! I used to tell him ‘i dont want to learn songs, i want to learn how to play, how to improvise, I want to learn my intsrument’ and he’d just look at me and didn’t know what to do!

    • Craig F says

      Yeah, lol, in a course of a week or so, I’ve been able to “impress” people a lot more with my otherwise mediocre playing; of course, when they ask to hear something else, I have to say, “Uh, let me get back to you.” Then I head to AM and pretty much click anywhere to find something cool to work on.

  6. SubmarinerJim says

    Dear Brian

    Only this morning I think I have just about cracked EP136 Slow country blues which I have loved learning to play and learnt so much in doing so, visualising chord shapes, where they are on the neck etc. This lesson alone was worth my years subscription as a Premium member. The one thing I do find as a huge distraction is however, the new lessons you come up with every week. I want to learn to play them all, NOW and have to really discipline myself to stick with what I’m doing, get it under my belt before I move on. More of a problem for me than you Brian.
    However this week you have excelled yourself with this lesson, it’s exactly what I needed to jam along with myself and where I need to move on to next (still keeping practicing EP136 however) Thanks Brian, I can’t sing your praises high enough and make sure I promote your site to my friends and colleagues as often as I can.

    Regards

    Jim

  7. Paul_in_spain says

    Hi Brian.
    I love your lessons and look forward every week to seeing them. I think
    though, your definition of easy is different to mine. However I keep trying keep them coming please
    regards.
    Paul.

    ne

  9. gbhstrat says

    Thanks for the break this week by making an easy one. I am still trying to finish memorizing last weeks awesome finger style lesson. One of the best finger style lessons to date!

  15. kenford says

    OMG Brian, I actually understood what you were talking about when you went through which scales you were using! Great lesson, it takes a real master to make great music from two chords! On, and yeah, thanks for the extra notes taken from the natural minor scale, I can really use them!

  18. floridason says

    Another great lesson that you make seem familiar and fresh at the same time. Thank you!

    The “jam with” lessons work great when Uncle Fred sees the guitar and says ‘boy, can you play that or is t just for looks?’ (Uncle Fred is 90!) Cheers!

  19. Simon W says

    Brian, I can only echo what all the other posts on here say, you are a truly great teacher. Like many of the others I particularly enjoy your acoustic lessons. What I really enjoyed this week was that you incorporated quite a bit of theory on scales and then embedded that into a great tune. Keep up the great work Brian and I will keep spreading the word on your website.

  21. jhs says

    Is it me or does anyone else have trouble “mastering” each of these lessons in just 1 week? Then Brian comes up with something else that sounds great and I want to learn that one too. So I find myself learning bits and pieces of these songs rather than the entire thing. I guess I need to quit checking out the new stuff and just focus on finishing what I’ve already got. I would be curious to hear how long it takes for most of you to thoroughly go thru a lesson and learn it.

    • tedd1955 says

      Believe me it’s not just you jhs. I can now keep up with the lessons but it took a lot of practice. The more you practice and learn the shorter your learning curve will become. So, just hang in there and keep practicing and it will come sooner than you think. I can now play things that I once could only dream of playing. Things only begin to click for me after I lucked upon this site. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to my guitar playing.

    • Don D. says

      Same here, but I don’t even try to keep up. I choose the ones I want to learn (a lot are from years past) and settle in. It’s the best I can do. I usually spend more than a week, maybe two weeks learning something so I can play it (but it’s far from the only thing I’m playing in those two weeks). I don’t think I’ll be learning this one. Of the current lessons, I’m currently mostly working on the F# minor blues (142), and also just pecking at the Robert Cray lesson (143).

  23. Clarence 'riverbank' Johnson says

    I feel I need some catch up to get these lessons dialled in, should I know scales before trying a lot of these lessons? as you keep saying very basic stuff when doing stuff what quite frankly scares me and makes me a little frustrated with myself. I always select basic acoustic lessons but they’re going over my head a bit sometimes…..having said that with a struggle, some swearing and a good few hours practice I do seem to at least get what your playing dialled and am learning a lot, just feel I need to play catch up a bit so any pointers to your more basic lessons would be appreciated. I’m loving blues/delta/folk/fingerpicking/country stuff – thanks, enjoying learning your stuff 🙂

  24. jaystrings2@aol.com says

    A so-so lick that became more and more interesting as you did a first class PLUS in describing the transitions between the grips. No one has ever done that any better or clearer for me. Great teaching; great patience. Makes being a Premium Member most valuable. Thanks, man.

  26. John T says

    That Alvarez you are using sounds fantastic. What model is that, how is the feel for you when you play it and did you do any mods to it? Does that model come with electronics?

    • Larry H says

      I might suggest looking at the Sea Gull line from Canada. Check, Youtube. Mine is the, Coastline Folk, and anyone who picks it up has but praise. Will come with electronics if you desire. Not a sales person just a happy camper. Price will make your jaw drop for the overall quality and sound. Everyone will tell you the same. No foreign off the continent, just across the boarder in, Canada, and for quite a few years. Youtube will provide lots of information including a tour of the facilities.

      Good luck with what ever your choice.

  31. Richard S says

    New to the site. Your explanations are clear and well thought out and teach beyond the limits of each lesson. I love your boogie woogie and play it as part of my daily warm up. Lots of fun.

  32. Habakkuk says

    Deceptively simple, but as a natural fingerstyle player, I need to work on getting the rhythm right. I’ve now got the previous acoustic lesson (delta blues) reasonably well under my belt, this is now the next project. Brilliant lessons, keep them coming.

  33. Daniel H says

    Hi Brian,

    I ran across one of your videos on YouTube today, and fortunately I followed it to your site. I enjoyed watching your instruction, and stumbled across your lesson on the three phases of learning. And I’ve been stuck in phase two for way too long! I can play half way decent, but never have I felt that I could actually play. Until, I followed this lesson, and all of a sudden things are starting to make sense! I became a member on the spot and can’t wait to learn more. Thank you! Any suggestions on where I should go from here?

  34. Robert H says

    Brian- Love these kind of lessons. I’m new to AM, only been a member for a month or so and you have really re-invigorated my passion to play. Have been learning a lot and really really enjoying the lessons.

    Though my wife may be hating it as she’s not getting the attention she deserves.

  35. Noddy57 says

    Like so many other folk … I love these lessons, they are really improving my playing .

    Interestingly it is the strum pattern I am most difficulty with.

    I need a little help on this Brian …. with respect to Bar 2. You describe the strum pattern as Down, Down(with mute), Up, Down, Up, Down(with mute) ….. but the Tab suggests ….

    Down, Down(with mute), Up, Down, Down(with mute), Up

  36. Neiles335 says

    These play alone lessons are really great..i eapecially like the description of how the licks are derived fro the chords or scales and which ones. It make the “why” easier to understand not just the “how” .

  39. johnontherock says

    Great Lesson Brian,in bar 10 i prefer to slide into the Anote on the 4th string 7th fret rather than play the open 5th string A. The reason i mention this is that your lessons are so enlightening that i always learn something more from them.You are getting plenty of compliments for your choice of music you present to us and its well deserved.stay cool.

  40. sunjamr says

    To all the people (like me) who can’t possibly keep up with learning the lessons as fast as Brian can produce them: Go to the Forum > Showcase Your Playing and sign up for the monthly Lesson Challenge organized by Bryce. Each month you have to learn one of the previous lessons as perfectly as you can, and submit a video or recording by the end of the month. I’ve found that seriously concentrating one lesson, as if preparing for a performance, has greatly improved my playing and my knowledge of pentatonic scale positions and how to tie them all together. Try it, you’ll like it.

  42. Rich F says

    Hi Brian,

    This is a beautiful lesson! I absolutely love it. This is my weekend lesson sorted out!

    When I heard the first riff, I immediately thought of Wish You Were Here, which is one of my favourites to play. Then you mentioned Wish you were here during the lesson.

    It also puts in me in mind of a Rolling Stones Song, but I cannot quite place it. actually, it could be “Waiting on A Friend”…. Just going to check that out….

    Thank you Brian for your great lessons!

    Cheers,

    Rich F

  46. Peter M says

    I’ve owned a guitar for years, I pick it up, play the same sequence over again & put it back down.

    Within a week you’ve transformed the way I play & approach playing. I love the way you unpack the reason behind the “why”.

    Plus my wife’s happy to hear something new.

    Thanks Brian

  47. leif kjøl says

    It is a very good site, and I learned more on one hour, than I do for a hole mounth at musicschool….even that I´m not so good in english, I understand by listning and lookking at the graphic you use, and the way you use it…Thanks!

  49. David B says

    Brian another great lesson, being a member I am spoiled for choice. I warm up with Spanish classical, then get down to business with your site. I am 67 playing on and off for since I wa 14 and you have renewed my enthusiasm to play more. I am doing your blues lead guitar coarse and acoustic etc. I am retired so have some time on my hands. I am so happy I found your site.
    Dave B England

  52. JiiHoo says

    This is a great lesson but as someone said earlier I’m pretty sure that the example and the detailed rhythm description aren’t the same. It sounds different, also the strumming hand moves differently.

    Only problem with this that I have is to get that laid back rhythm. I seem to be off when I try to do the strumming example with the intro video. Been trying to listen the start thousand times but haven’t yet gotten it.

  54. larry alford says

    Brain I’ve been trying to play guitar for years now… your style of teaching is just what the doctor order. The way you explain the reason why you do what you do with a peace of is truly a gift. With you by my side I will become the guitarist I always dreamed I will be.

  56. Sharon T says

    New to your site and I found this awesome lesson! Thanks for the way you set this up in levels of difficulty, then broke it all down for us. Your method of instruction, and the variance of your videos is the best I’ve ever encountered. So glad I became a premium member — everything I could need is there in each lesson…videos, speed control playback, notation that is printable. You are my top recommended site for any level or style player!!!!

  57. Karina B says

    Hi Brian, thanks for this lesson (for all your lessons). It’s the first one I’ve done as a memeber and is the exact sort of thing I’m wanting to learn to play. I’m just a bit confused however as the second slide sounds different in the slow walk thru than in the mp3. There’s some extra notes in the slow walk thru I think? I realise they both sound great but as a beginner, can you please tell me which one is the same as the tab?
    Thanks

  61. webistrator says

    Hi, Brian

    Parts 2 & 3 aren’t playing…2 goes black and 3 just freezes. I’ve cleared the FF cache but to no avail. Part 1 works fine.

    And I know I’ve asked this before, but what have you done to electrify the Alvarez acoustic parlor guitar? I’ve only ever had acoustic guitars so I don’t intuitively know what you’ve done.

    Thanx from CO!

    Jack

  63. Robert M says

    Thanks for the lesson Brian.
    Just wondering if you could do a slow video of just the strum pattern.
    I seem to be having a hard time getting this down. I think it would
    really help if this was slowed down and could be looped to try and
    follow it along.

    • Woodworm says

      Totally with you Robert. I’m having the same problem with the strum pattern. I’m following what Brian is saying in the video but that doesn’t equate to what is shown in the tab. There are pauses where Brian has strum and crochets where Brian has a Down Up.
      Definitely confusing.
      Hey Brian can you shed some light on this?

  65. Jeff F says

    There’s a thread on September 2018 monthly challenge that discusses what key this might be in. I think this is actually in the key of G which is where this note he describes in the the second video (premium members). Meaning it would be a I, II (or I, ii)chord progression. That would explain where this note (3rd string, 4th fret) comes from as it fits in the G maj scales.

    The natural minor scale he goes on to explain could be simplified by realizing the natural minor scale of A, is really just the C major scale. Rather than creating a “new” scale, its easier for me just to remember the C major scale. (Am is the relative minor of Cmaj).

    Great Lesson though!!

  67. Dalton H says

    Yes another great lesson i just wish you could help me find a way to focus long enough to get through just one.i can play the first part of many lessons but can’t seem to get an entire lesson down before i get tired of it an move to another.I guess its a personal problem that i need to work out.maybe if i learn enough first parts ill get to a point where i can finish some of them later.

  68. Kevin C says

    Awesome lesson! Why does the Am and G chords work so well together? I understand the licks and the same notes in the scales, but not sure why the chords themselves sound so pleasing. Thanks! Happy New Year!

    • Duane C says

      Jan Falko,

      I completely agree with you. About 15% of the video pertains to the lesson. For a beginner lesson, a print out of strum pattern would be far more valuable that what scale the notes are from.

  73. Teacherguy says

    I really like the variety of lessons you provide. I also enjoy some of the theory behind the notes. However, the long explanations between the different sections really hinders the continuity and flow of the lesson and makes it frustrating to learn. I find myself switching between the different videos and tab just to understand the basic concept in order to play the lesson. If I can’t play it, then the theory doesn’t matter imho. Just a suggestion, create a theory video for your lessons that provides the in depth theory and background. The other videos should focus on enabling the student to learn the selection. Not a criticism at all, just something that would work for me personally. Thank you for the great site.

    • Brian says

      The slow walktrhough and on-screen tab viewer videos are exactly what you’re talking about. it’s just me playing slowly (with the tab on screen) – no talking at all. The Part 1 and 2 videos are the background information behind it – at least that’s what I was trying to do,.

  75. Mick H says

    Hi Brian, I have just been having fun with EP146 The 2 chord Jam Session. I loved it and have had lots of fun playing and adding little bits and Bobs. I am curious about the guitar you are playing in that lesson, Can I ask you what it is please? and do you have any tips on achieving a nice clean acoustic sound.

    Many Thanks
    Mick mick-andrea@hotmail.co.uk

  76. Teacherguy says

    You need to learn that less is more. You talk way too much and don’t teach enough. I had to sort through your rambling to get the ‘meat’ from this lesson. Great tune but the theory is way too much.

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