Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a simple melody and chord composition while also learning how to create your own stand-alone compositions like this on guitar. I happened to record the genesis of this composition, explaining my thought process as I began to create it and share that in the video.
Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson
Part 2 - For Premium Members
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Slow Walk-Through
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Video Tablature Breakdown
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
You need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets.
Learn MoreAdd to "My Favorites"
You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.
Brian,
You are a genius its jsut what we all want to know and have some guidance on terrific.
JohnStrat
This is great. As johnstrat says, just what we want to know. Great work.
This is just a beautiful soulful piece of music! Thank you for this!
This is really cool Brian! Thanks for sharing your thought process for us. I
I thought someone was tuning a dirt bike outside when you said it was Arlo snoring! 🙂
So Brian,
you have totally broken the mold here.
You have allowed us to see the process.
Thanks for allowing us into this inner sanctum.
Maybe one of the best lessons in a very long list of great lessons.
Ron
I also wondered if you live next door to a Hells Angel clubhouse. Let’s hear it for Arlo!
Great stuff Brian. Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I feel my creativity has been blocked for too many years. I’looking forward to this lesson getting my mojo working
I requested this process of showing how while you’re making the song, but was only thinking it boom, that is twice now. Our anticipation every week can effect what you come up with I think! How about something that will slow us down and even stop the time, so maybe we can see more clearly what is passing by in this viral time. Maybe regain a 2020 vision 🤓
Wow, LUV your “new” 6-minute segment at the end!!!! So helpful to see how you think & hear bits & pieces then put them together. I often over-complicate trying to create lead bits inbetween chords. This was REALLY cool, thank-you!!
Excellent Brian ! Thanks for sharing your approach to composing.
I’ve often asked for more Arlo.
Ron
Nice ,like the basis theory concept..good take away
Destined to be in my top 10, for now at least. So smooth and relaxed. Many Thanks!
This is perfect! I’m stuck at home with the flu or COVID (find out tomorrow) and need something to focus on.
You have included hints in each lesson, but it’s great to have a full episode dedicated to creating our own guitar compositions.
Faithful very early member,
Michael
Very good lesson need more of this kind of lessons really helps putting it all together in a smiple format. Thanks
Excellent 👌 .
Brian,
One point that would be nice to know is how do you actually transcribe the Tab and what software is involved? And what would you recommend in this area for beginners?
Super!!! and with some accomodations we can follow up behind your bluesy version of amazing grace EP258
That head with the hat is still freaking me out
Happy Saturday morning, Man Brian, you never disappoint !.. following along after watching your videos last night.. started about an hour ago this morning on my Martin… One thing I noticed right away is the skill you have embellishing simple progressions.. I noticed I have to loop to catch the right timing ..anyway,,.. think this is my biggest “take-away” to share.. I’m keeping the foot tapping and than count into the first measures .. the loop feature is also helping me get the right tempo as well as watching your video … great composition and instructional lesson..thanks man
Thanks for a great lesson Brian. And I can’t express enough how showing us your thought process has opened up so many different ways on how to dress up a song now. This one one heck of a great lesson. Wonderful.
Thanks again,
Ray P
Thanks, Brian for another great lesson. In think this lesson is a great follow-up to EP346. Having recently learned EP346, I can already hear some technical similarities between the the two lessons. I’ve often wondered how you compose a lesson (the entire thought process), and EP360 seems to fit the bill!
Larry
I learn something from every lesson but this one was huge! The light bulb went to 100 watts LOL
Watching the wheels turn in the thought process clip was great fun. More of that any time.
Well! This lesson is one I can really get into!! It is (another) great lesson. I really like the way you relate everything to CAGED chord shapes. But most of all, I really liked those last 6 minutes of part one! Thanks for sharing your thought process.
Hi Brian,
sitting here in Osnabrück, Germoney ……
and just thinking about the difference between “American first” and “First American”???
Since I joined “Active Melody” in 2014, I´ve (thanksfully!!) never noticed a political comment from you, even there would have been quite a few opportunities in the meanwhile to do so.
(Maybe you did and I wasn´t able to realize them because of my limited language knowledge ………)
Brian, please, tell me: what´s the difference between the first “first” and the second “first” (in your opinion, of course).
Sorry, but I can´t concentrate on your lesson before getting an answer (even the lesson might be as good as I can read in the comments and even I know, that you lesson will be as good as many, many I enjoyed “such much” during the past 6 years …..
Take care. Norbert
Norbert, it’s an old t-shirt from a bank I used to work at back in the 1990s. Nothing to do with politics 🙄
So pretty Brian- I’m learning so much from you
super sweet one
That’s really nice, Brian, thanks! Not so much a “how to” but a “where to.”
I noticed the lesson which starts at 26:00 is tuned down about 1/2 step.
Best,
Michael
I’m new to this site but lessons like these are what I’ve been looking for. You make it look easy.
Hey Brian,
Got a lot out of this lesson.
One thing I always appreciate is you taking the time to explain why something works and breaking it down for us. For some that might seem basic, but it means the world to me. Even if you already explained the same thing in another video, you patiently will talk through it again. These ‘light bulb’ moments are the main reason I signed on to become a member. Hearing your patient instructions helps me cement these concepts into my playing. Thank you!
Bellissima! Grazie Brian
Thanks Brian for the 26:00 and on part of the lesson. You seemed a little more laid back in the creative process and you have a real dog.Im not at this level yet but I now know a process and can get there in my own manner.
Well Done
Very interesting Brian, thanks for letting us in on your thought process! What I would be very interested in is the process you use for creating your top-notch backing tracks. Which programs do you use? How do you program the drums? Do you play the bass on bass guitar?
Thanks so much and greetings from Austria,
Klaus
Great lesson, Brian. I noticed mandolins on your wall. My son is looking for some online mandolin lessons. Do you do those as well, or have any recommendations for him?
Thanks,
Another really useful lesson, thanks Brian (and a very interesting looking mandolin collection in the background!)
Thank you
I loved the discussion on coming up with a melody. I’m just a beginner at that, but I’m getting better. I still have trouble deciding what kind of chords and format to use – 2-chords, 3 chords with 12 bars, 8 bars, or 4 or more chords with some unusual chord patterns. I guess it depends on what I had for breakfast.
Brian, Is that a D-18?
It’s an 0-21
sorry, a 000-21
Bingo! I’m researching guitars and just had to know! I’m glad I kept scrolling, and thanks Brian for responding. I’m really interested in your style of music and knowing what guitars you are playing helps narrow down my search. Thank you!
Thanks again Brian! Loved seeing your process. Another valuable tool in your teaching…
That noodling at the end, taking us all over the possibilities, did it for me. Jeez, I could do it.
Me too, I could do that and will, at some point in time.
wonderful; especially the 6-minutes at the end. thanks
Started EP 360 today. Found I can merge it with EP346 for a longer thematic study. Anybody else merging similar lessons? I find many of the riffs interchangeable. Would like to hear your ideas if so.
I don’t know about you all but I’m hearing Willie Nelson all over this. Nice piece of music Brian! I still say guitar players are born not made.
This is such a great session Brian, very good !
I’m always wondering and amazed how you come up with you material. Thanks for explain the concept of creating a song.
Absolutely beautiful, so much there just trying to wrap my brain around it. Fantastic lesson!
Nice job!
Wow, I just saw this lesson, as have been a bit behind.
Another brilliant job, Brian. Thanks.
Great job Brian. I have often wondered how you come up with all these fantastic pieces…Thank you.
Can I ask what gauge strings you use on the Martin?
Another beautiful and coherent composition. But it’s not simple!
Thanks, Helmut
Thanks Brian, the triads have been my biggest take away, simple and sound great.
Hi Brian!
The lick you mention in bar 20 is really very useful. It seems to me that this can be linked to the C major pentatonic pt. 1. I have one question though: how is the 8th fret note in the D-string justified? Is it simply a passing note? It is a Bb note and it is not part of the C major scale either. Keep up the good work?
this great. Can u do a lesson and tab on the William Tell Overture…aka…LONE RANGER THEME SONG?