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How To Jam With Yourself on Guitar – EP045

Description

It can often be frustrating if you’re a musician and you’re looking for a good jam session but other musicians aren’t nearby. One thing you can do is play along with a jam track (that can provide you with hours of entertainment), but you aren’t always in a situation where you have one. This lesson is created to show you how to play both chords and a lead part by yourself, alternating back and forth between them.

How To Jam on Acoustic Guitar - Part 1

How To Jam on Acoustic Guitar - Part 2

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Slow Walk-Through

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Comments

  1. jamesk628 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Very nice.  My first member view of site.  This gives me the enthusiasm to work on something this week.

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    • jim s says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:11 pm

      just joined this sight myself. I learned this song in a couple of days, had a good time. The thing that really helped me was so slow track with no talking. i find that many of these sights spend more time talking and less time showing. I like that we can have it both ways. I have been playing guitar for years but put it down for about twenty years and enjoying it all over again.
      Thanks for this sight and getting ready for the nest song…….jim

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    • terry b says

      September 17, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      I just joined this sight and so far, I have to say, I love it. I love the way you teach. I am enjoying this lesson. I love the fact that I can just jam by myself. Hopefully someday, I can play with someone out there. Thank you for this lesson. I am very impressed.

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  2. StratPlus66 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Come on now! Be honest!  How many?

    Strat Plus
    Strat
    Gibson 355 (I think)
    Telecaster
    At least two parlour guitars

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  3. StratPlus66 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Methinks you are getting GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome).  How many guitars have you got now?

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  4. Pwilsonscott says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Brilliant Brian, really love this lesson. Endless possibilities, i would love to see more of this kind of lesson where you set up a really cool groove and show us how to play around the chords with confidence. Many Thanks

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  5. [email protected] says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I’m going to nail this.  It will enter my repertoire along the the “style of”  SRV and Carl Perkins lessons, oh and the Claptonesque EP020.  Those are my three faves.

    I never knew it was going to be so easy to play with myself.

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  6. Brian says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    @StratPlus66 - Yes I know - it’s a sickness.. I have G.A.S. just as bad as anyone.  I can always justify it - for example, I STILL don’t own a Les Paul … which reminds me….

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  7. scottas55 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Thanks you πŸ™‚

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  8. katmando says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I can’t believe the lessons just keep getting better-Havn’t had time to master previous favourites when this comes along.Love this-very addictive.

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  9. gregd says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Hi Brian
    Just another great lesson.Im feeling a backlog -do we have semester breaks? Thankfully I,m retired now, work would have been a major inconvenience .Next lesson “how to placate your partner re your new found obsession"Your seriously a great teacher and very gifted guitarist
    cheers greg
    adelaide south australia

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  10. orient2k says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Hi Brian
    Many thanks for this fantastic lesson. I can honestly say that your lessons are so simple and easy to follow that even me as a beginner am able to master them with practice.
    Kim

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  11. Richard G says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    We veteran guitarists can easily fall into the trap of complicating arrangements at the drop of a hat; This lesson proves yet again that keeping it simple is by far the best melodic approach. Great lesson Brian …….

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  12. bucket says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    http://guitaridiot.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Flow-Chart-Have-Too-Many-Guitars.jpg

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  13. bucket says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    More like this please, wandering encouraged!

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  14. rdkraus says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Are you improvising with a minor or pentatonic scale?

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  15. cuvy says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I love the jam with yourself lesson concept: Rhythm and lead for a single guitarist which is exactly what I am trying to achieve. Thank you so much. Any chance I could request that future tabs are annotated with key signature, chords and notes. I am trying to develop my own lead lines as you suggest but am having difficulty understanding where your lines come from. It looks like most of them are from Am pentatonics. Memorizing the tabs is easy but I am trying to develop my theory so I can come up with licks independently and work outside of the tabs you provide. Thanks for a great lesson.
    Gregory

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  16. Bobs Ultra-339 Electric Guitar Level 2 Vintage Sun says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Come on guy’s , you just never have enough guitars

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  17. Bryce.AKguitar says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Wow Brian!  I really dig this lesson.  It is awesome to get a groove and a riff then practice soloing using the different position from the blues lead course.  I am starting to put it all together.  Thanks for the great lesson!

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  18. Bobs Ultra-339 Electric Guitar Level 2 Vintage Sun says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Just hope your wife don’t sell them for what you told her you paid for them

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  19. DaBlitzer says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Man.. love this lesson! Would love to see more type of lessons like this! Great Job Brian!

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  20. saimagee23 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Love it love it love,,, its so simple time for me to start from class 1 πŸ™‚ thanks, im lucky to find this site

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  21. Countryman says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Hi Brian. Really enjoed this lesson.It may take me a few weeks , but I intend to master this piece. As I have said before, your stye of teaching really enables me to improve my guitar playing.So many thanks once again. All the best Countryman.

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  22. cdaddyo says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    This lesson is the reason I signed up. I agree with previous requests; more lessons like this pretty please. Good stuff!

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  23. [email protected] says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Ugh, I can’t believe you actually got me to improvise for the first time.  Please post a note for note of “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter”  That should cure me.

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  24. Tryan says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Thanks for that, Brian. I would love more of the same maybe for electric. It’s hard finding time to play with others. You have a great teaching style.

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  25. mike pokai says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    just awesome lesson brian I have just about nailed it, being an old bugger from Brisbane Australia,i found this lesson easy to follow and should have this down pat today,all the best Brian, cheers Mick.

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  26. Case0 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    my rhythm seems off. I’m playing to the beat and i can play along with the video. But it just seems “off”
    .

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  27. jez ward says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    this is a really fantastic lesson: I’ve never come across this idea before of mixing up chords and lead licks with a pick.  Thanks very much for broadening my horizons.  I’ve even tried this concept on mandolin where it also works just fine.
    Well done Brian.

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  28. jez ward says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I’d like to 2nd cuvy’s request: generally in a lesson it’d be really helpful to know what chords we’re playing over.
    Having said that it’s a minor criticism of an otherwise outstanding lesson. I’ve never come across this concept in other instructional materials.  I’m so pleased with it I’m trying it out on the mandolin.

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  29. [email protected] says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    so cool Brian
    Love the slow walk through
    Thank you, Thank You!

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  30. essensian says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    This is really good. It opens up an approach that can be applied in a lot of situations.

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  31. frankiedon says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Hi Brian….The lessons are great and I am thoroughly appreciate your patience in explaining everything….what I am trying to understand about lesson ep045 accompaning yourself is : how does the Am D7 work when one is actually singing a song ….if I heard the style applied to a known song it would be more understandable ….does one change the regular chords in a song some how in order to play in this style?…..Thank You..

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  32. Brian says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    @frankiedon - it’s not intended for a vocal to be sung with it.  It’s really more of an instrumental jam thing - although you could sing over just the Am and D7 chords i’m sure.

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  33. try164 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Just wanted to thank you for the lessons have been working on the src diddy for awhile and can play it though not up to your speed. I went to a concert here in Amarillo last night and after watching Joe Bonamassa play decided my guitars would make a nice fire lol Then I saw this lesson and decided to keep on trying , thanks again

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  34. cheese8800 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    just a great start into the weekend - thanks Brian!!!

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  35. gmw says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Terrific lesson! But I too would benefit greatly from knowing the relation between the chords and the licks, that is to say, what key scales they are from: otherwise I’m not sure how I would take it and run with my own improvs as you suggest. I’m just a beginner so may be missing something. But if you can indicate keys or scales we can build our own leads following A7 and Dm hits. This is just what I’ve been waiting for. But, please, if you can let us know the scales from which you are drawing the licks that would be HUGE.

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  36. Brian says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    The scale is a minor pentatonic scale in the key of A - sorry I didn’t specify that.

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  37. lucianodeoro1 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Thanks Brian You just great i hope yuo wil teach us for a long time.God Bless you

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  38. lucianodeoro1 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Thanks a lot you are just great i hope you wil teach us for a long time.God Bless you

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  39. Alanmyrick says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Hi Brian,
    I’m really excited about these lessons.  On part 2 of the “45” “How to Jam with Yourself”, you don’t go into detail with the nuances.  I can’t figure out what the “X”  (5th string) on the tab stand for?
    Thanks,
    Alan

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  40. Brian says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Alan, “X” is meant to represent playing a muted string.. so you’re not fretting anything.. just muting.

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  41. ArtistSeagull says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Great lesson Brian !!!!

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  42. cornbarley says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Nice breakdowns Brian! would luv more Acoustic πŸ™‚ but thanks I’m enjoying   barleycorn

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  43. maradonagol says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    simply excellent, thanks!!

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  44. Bob Thomas says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Just love these jam with yourself type lessons. It’s like the lead is having a conversation with the chords? Just nice to be able to play a complete piece. Would love more like this?
    Bob.

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  45. eastcoastguy says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    learning more from this lesson and faster than any other on jaming by myself . An ah ha moment for sure . Great job Brian

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  46. Laurent says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Hi Brian,

    Love this lesson.
    Just noticed that in your demo in the beginning of the lesson, you are using a different D7 chord than the one you teach later on (the 4th time around, after the “walk down lick”).

    I think it’s sounds better, but also places you finger closer to the A position for the following lick.

    I just can’t see the exact position of your fretting fingers. Can you tell me how you play that particular D7 chord?

    Thanks,

    Laurent

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  47. genedivincenzo says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    As a former band guy now working a solo career, this lesson is outstanding. Hope to see more lessons like this one. You are an outstanding instructor!!

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  48. francesco says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Great lesson! new member after following your lessons off U-tube, love your teaching style. been struggling for a while, but your lessons work for me. thanks

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  49. LouSead says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Hi

    This piece of groovy music really wants me to play nonstop for 24 hours. Nice job Brian! Will you get mad if I steel the riff for my own song?

    /Peo

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  50. Brian says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    @LouSead, steal away

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  51. Ne14_activemelody says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Brian : Any change for a part 3 “How To Jam on Acoustic Guitar” :-) just love this stile of playing. :-)

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  52. Vilgrid says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Great guitar and great lesson .

    ’ Loved a How To Jam on Acoustic Guitar 2 !

    Thanks again.

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  53. Henbu08 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I love this kind of lessons too! It’s inspiring if you’ve got stuck in some other topics.
    But I do emphasize that music theory helps a lot if you know how chords and scales interact. I’ve spent some time with music theory and I have learned a great deal but of course there stille stuff to learn.
    So I agree totally with Brian: Understand what he does in the video and you can figure out other chords and mess around with them - go for it!

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  54. seasick shaun says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Can’t thank you enough mate,  this lesson and one of your early ones before you started numbering them (solo rhythm and lead)  I think its called also in key of A have taught me so many licks and cool little rhythm things. I feel like I can really play and jam with backing tracks now. Learned more in the last couple of weeks since I signed up to your site, than I have learned the whole of last year. I think I’m going to have to get me an electronic guitar now I know things worth playing on one. Also now from learning these I have made my own versions which is even more rewarding. Thanks again more of these rhythm and lead lessons would be very welcome.

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  55. 153776 says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Does this sound a little like early Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO)?
    Just sayin”

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  56. DKB says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    In the last year of playing these lessons at night, I have picked up so many riffs and melodies, that my playing is really impruved. I am learning just by Jamming with Brian in his lessons. I think I am learning, by osmosis.

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  57. Manley says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Had a lot of fun with this one. Enjoyed moving the Aminor and D7 up and down the neck with the use of first and second position of the Aminor pentatonic was nice.

    For me I got more out of figurring out what you where doing next. Until purchasing this all access pass I was lost with just playing scales and chords and licks from here and there. Your making me realize what it was for.

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  58. essensian says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Great stuff Brian - thanks!

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  59. Habakkuk says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I really love this groove! Until I got all the fills figured out, it was like an ear worm going round in my head! I would love to think up some more fills, but can’t think of any other variations that would be as pleasing to the ear - everything seems to build naturally. It took a while to get the timing right - if you start a phrase on the off beat, you have to get the emphasis on the right note, otherwise it falls to pieces.

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  60. benneyy says

    August 16, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    this is a great lesson and really improving my understanding and playing THANKS!

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  61. dada says

    August 21, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Hi Brian,
    really enjoy this lesson! make me understand how to play with groove…a pleasure!

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  62. stan b says

    November 4, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    love this lesson ! the groove is the hardest thing for me get , its hard for me to keep it going , the leads are easy . will keep working on it, along with some the other lessons.

    Brian , think about a Toy Caldwell of Marshall Tucker band. would be a great lesson additison
    stan_b

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  63. richard t says

    March 17, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    Has a Santana groove to me. Just add some drums.

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  64. Miran K says

    May 1, 2016 at 7:50 am

    can i get tabs for this exercise

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  65. Mick D says

    October 13, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    This is the reason, I wanted to learn playing guitar.

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  66. Geof C says

    August 15, 2019 at 11:12 am

    I’m mining some of these early lessons and I’m thrilled to see how my exposure to the later lessons is paying off in returning to these.

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