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Improvising Rhythm Guitar Lesson – Using the CAGED System – EP343

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll up your rhythm game by learning how to improvise various rhythm parts using the CAGED System. This also makes use of triads and harmonized 3rds in multiple neck positions.

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Comments

  1. JohnStrat says

    January 10, 2020 at 7:37 pm

    Hi Brian I am always pleased to have more rhythm lessons and emphasis on triads is very helpful.
    Thanks
    JohnStrat

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    • Ty T says

      January 10, 2020 at 10:56 pm

      Changa-langa Boom!
      Happy Friday y’all… phenomenal lesson as always. And…lessons within lessons are the reason I’m a member.
      Thanks Coach!

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    • David K says

      November 9, 2021 at 4:15 am

      I second that as member now for months, more rhythm focused tracks with backing track to practice with would be great.

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  2. Michael Allen says

    January 10, 2020 at 7:39 pm

    I can always use another great rhythm lesson. I need to become a better rhythm guitar player. I prefer to play rhythm as opposed to lead.Thanks for all of your help Brian!!

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    • John J Catania C says

      December 29, 2021 at 10:17 pm

      How do you connect lead shapes to chord shaped in caged

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  3. Sharon C says

    January 10, 2020 at 8:19 pm

    I am feeling some Zac Brown Band. Great lesson. Lots of take aways as usual. Thank you!

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  4. Jim M says

    January 10, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    I’m always up for learning more Rhythm Grooves. Thanks Brian.

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  5. sunburst says

    January 10, 2020 at 8:29 pm

    Isn’t this from a Grateful Dead tune..? sounds very familiar, anyway cool major rhythm lesson!

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    • Dr Skins says

      February 3, 2021 at 4:39 pm

      Yes, sounds like the GD version of Man Smart (Woman Smarter). Originally Harry Belafonte’s calypso tune

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  6. dave t says

    January 10, 2020 at 8:39 pm

    Hi Brian, at 10:47 you said a lesson on 3rds would be helpful. Other instructors I’ve tried until, I discovered your lessons ,explained 3rds but never explained how to use them your explainations are crystal clear and make rhythm playing so much more interesting. I know you get a ton of requests but 3rds could be a cool lesson..

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  7. Robert Burlin says

    January 10, 2020 at 9:24 pm

    Got a new year Cajun feel, I am grooving tonight. Well practicing the groove anyway!

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  8. Aussie Rick says

    January 10, 2020 at 9:43 pm

    Great lesson Brian. Have been looking to improve my rhythm improvising skills and this is right on the mark. Thanks a lot.
    Rick

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  9. jgreen says

    January 10, 2020 at 9:59 pm

    Brian – great lesson as always.

    FWIW – Regarding the G6 (Em) chord confusion you mention at about 16:00. Since were talking CAGED…I see it as a variation adding the 6th to the C shape G chord played there to help me understand it and stay in the CAGED mindset.

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    • Phil G says

      January 22, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      OR, you might see it as raising the 5th of a D shape to the 6th?

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  10. charjo says

    January 10, 2020 at 10:58 pm

    Thanks, Brian, great idea for a lesson. I’m guilty of not concentrating on my rhythm playing nearly enough.
    John

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  11. Rod G says

    January 11, 2020 at 5:10 am

    Hi Brian, Happy New Year!
    Another great lesson. My biggest takeaway is as always, the message you are sending to all regarding how things fit together.

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  12. Biker13 says

    January 11, 2020 at 7:28 am

    At the end of the day this lesson is entirely a right hand exercise, which couldn’t be more useful. The chords / triads and theory behind it are of course important but the entire piece comes undone if you can’t get that groove and play in the pocket. And it is always much harder to play in the pocket for an extended period than you’d think. That is why these rhythm lessons are critical. The lead lessons are always more intoxicating but these rhythm lessons are the foundation of being a great guitar player. So thank you Brian.

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  13. KEVIN F says

    January 11, 2020 at 9:36 am

    Another great master class on applied caged technique. I would love to see standalone lessons along the line of techniques and embellishments associated with each chord shape of the caged system. I know you have this disbursed in pieces in many of your lessons already, but more of a series of stand alone lessons of ‘ here are the techniques and embellishments I try to think about with a Major E shape’ , ‘here are the techniques and embellishments I think about with a minor D shape’. I realize that you cover pieces of this in almost every lesson and demonstrate them in context of chord changes and stand alone compositions which is essential and a great way to learn (and a big reason I subscribed). But I would also like lessons on each major and minor shape of the caged system in discrete lessons that I could find quickly to review it over and over. You could even break it into major shapes in the open position versus close position etc. , another lesson on E major shape embellishments going to 4 chord, etc. Maybe slowly build this info up into a new caged course to go along with the other ones such as your blues course.

    AnyhowI have been a casual guitar player for 40 years now and although I learned about the caged system a few years back your lessons have taught me application better than anything I found!
    thanks.
    Kevin in Johnson City TN

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    • Rjung says

      January 12, 2020 at 12:13 pm

      ⬆️ This would indeed be useful! I strongly second this suggestion.

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      • Phil G says

        January 22, 2020 at 3:13 pm

        I like this idea too! Sometimes in the regular lessons, I have to look hard at those chord voicings to figure out what shape they are derived from. Especially that G9 in part 2, that is derived from a G shape. Once he said how the pinkie was on the root note on the e string, I saw that notes on the nut side of that root are a G shape. (Notes on the bridge side would be an E shape)

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  14. Roger says

    January 11, 2020 at 9:39 am

    This sounds like Jump Blues. I am busy with some other lessons now but will look at this in the near future

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  15. Raymond P says

    January 11, 2020 at 10:03 am

    Great rhythm lesson Brian. Always enjoy your detailed explanations too.

    Thanks
    Ray

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  16. peter v says

    January 11, 2020 at 12:59 pm

    Hi, Brian,
    Happy New Year.
    As a fingerpicker rhythm lessions are a challenge for me.(Sam McGee I like).…….nevertheless.I learned a lot in my first year as a prime member.I even can polish my schoolenglish I was taught 65 years ago.Its still bad,sorry.As a retired teacher,I must tell you,that you do a great Job.Somehow you are not only a teacher for me, you are like a doctor,who gives healings by music.In my age music is a good medicin for the brain, So my slogan is:I TRAIN MY BRAIN with BRIAN!
    As you can imagine. I like the fingerpicking lessons and the jazzy ones best.Im looking forward for more.(What about a ittle bit more Robben Ford or some easy latin music?)What ever you will do,Im sure it will be okay.Just continue.
    Thanks a lot Brian
    Peter
    .

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  17. Jeff Davis says

    January 11, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    Wow, there is enough information in this lesson to last me months. I’m definitely going to work my way through this one carefully. Thanks Brian for another great lesson!

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  18. wrightclick says

    January 11, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    A fantastic lesson not every one realizes you don’t use all the strings a lot of the time to form a chord you can just use a part of the chord or Partials as i call them . You have to know your “Partials” and identify them this is real guitar playing .

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  19. Michael M says

    January 11, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    Thank you, Brian. You are a gem! I started teaching myself guitar after I retired at 66. That was 9 years ago. I wouldn’t have even attempted it if it wasn’t for YouTube, and channels like yours. My wife passed 8 years ago from cancer, and while she was recieving treatment for about two and a half years before she passed, I backed off practicing during that time. We only had one child, a daughter, and thank God for her! She was a real trooper, and rose to the occasion during her mom’s treatments, and right up to the end. She was way stronger than I was through it all. She was a music major, and plays the sax, flute, clarinet, piccolo, bass guitar, and guitar. I say all that to say this…if we had also had a son, I would have been honored if he had grown into adulthood and been like you. Again, thank you for all you do. I am sorry for not joining as a Premium Member, but because of circumstances, I now live in a senior citizen complex, and just about all of my social security money goes for living costs. Others here are also learning to play an instrument. One is learning piano, but 3 or 4 of us are still practicing on the guitar. I have an acoustic, and a Squier telecaster with a 15 watt Marshall amp. None of us are really all that good, but we have fun trying, and continuing to learn. Take care, and God bless you.

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    • Brian says

      January 13, 2020 at 10:46 pm

      wow thank you for your story – makes me so happy to hear that a group of you are learning to play.. that’s a real inspiration. God bless you man – I had someone anonymously contact me regarding this comment and wanted to gift you a membership – so your account is now a premium membership account.

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    • jboy says

      January 14, 2020 at 1:10 pm

      I also lost my wife to cancer recently and through it all, my ” guitar journey” with brian has been a constant source of comfort and direction. I am very appreciative

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      • Michael M says

        January 16, 2020 at 4:26 pm

        So sorry for your loss, jboy. There isn’t a moment that goes by that I don’t think of, and miss my wife, especially when I’m with my daughter who looks just like her mother when she was younger. I too find so much comfort, and direction from continuing my guitar journey. I also have friends about my age who are also learning to play an instrument, and we help each other, not only with our musical journey, but in other areas of our lives. Take care, and take it easy.

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  20. Michael W says

    January 11, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Great lesson Brian – I’m hearing a little Aiko-Aiko, a New Orleans gem that the Dead covered live. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one!!

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    • sunburst says

      January 11, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      yes that’s the one I heard lol.. i wasn’t a dead head but remember hearing this lol.. ty ..

      https://youtu.be/2iUK9Pyl4FE

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      • Mr.Charlie says

        December 7, 2020 at 6:30 pm

        HEY NOW! I’m getting that too

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        • DertyHippieFeat says

          February 2, 2021 at 9:15 pm

          Exactly what I thought of as soon as it started. TALK ABOUT HEY NOW!

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  21. sunburst says

    January 11, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    Man this one blows me away! It is so unique here and totally cool! When I start your lesson ,I laugh because it really is fun learning these musical compositions.. I ean every week you come up with these incredible arrangements.. enjoying this tonight for sure!

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  22. Clay V says

    January 11, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    Brian,
    I just want to thank you for the great guitar lesson “Improvise Rhythm Using Triads and Thirds lesson EP343.
    This has truly inspired me, I needed something refreshing in my rhythm patterns, playing Bar Chords all the time got quiet boring for me, now I can switch or mix the Bar Chords with the Triads and Thirds to embellish my rhythm playing…again Thank You.

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  23. Theodore J says

    January 11, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    I really like this Brian, I can hear the Cajun Zydeco Rubboard Scrubboard ….

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  24. Glenn says

    January 11, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    WOW! Jam packed lesson!! I Love it. Just what the doctor ordered, Doc.

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  25. Glenn says

    January 11, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    WOW! Jam packed lesson!! I Love it.

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  26. houliAK says

    January 12, 2020 at 12:54 am

    Wow! Great lesson. Like a Thanksgiving meal I felt so full after the lesson I needed a nap…. kidding. I got so much out of it and I’m going to enjoy the leftovers for the rest of the week . Keep it coming!

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  27. Randall C says

    January 12, 2020 at 6:55 am

    Love this Brian! Been hoping for a little something leaning towards, “In the style of”, Little Feat. Was that intentional or did we just get lucky?! Is there any way down the road for a LF stand alone lesson? Great stuff thanks!

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  28. Stephen S says

    January 12, 2020 at 7:33 am

    This lesson is one of the MOST IMPORTANT of all. Brian, you are a genius teacher! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

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    • Israel U says

      January 14, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      Agreed!

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  29. San Luis Rey says

    January 12, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    This will be a fun lesson for an old rhythm player! Go Titans!

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  30. Stewart M says

    January 12, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    A good lesson. Will take away some good stuff from this one!

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  31. drlknstein says

    January 13, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    great lesson..these are best for me..loaded with caged concepts and usefull info…I get into aa lot of jams mainly because I can play along and do something useful even if i dont know the song..in fact most of the time i do not know the song and just use triads- caged and scales and get along just fine. more like this!

    thanks

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  32. David E says

    January 14, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    is it just me or does have a kind “Women are Smarter” vibe to it..? Thanks, Brian. This one is terrific.

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  33. Davie d says

    January 14, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    Great lesson Brian! Have been focusing on rhythm so this lesson is perfect! As usual you open a whole new way of applying rhythm and make me open my brain on the possibilities when playing rhythm! I cannot say enough about the quality of your teaching and site!!

    As you said Brian, God bless the person that purchased your site for Michael! How inspiring!!!
    Dave
    Boise, Idaho

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  34. Israel U says

    January 14, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    Just finished this lesson and I’m blown away. Still need to practice, but that’s the usual.
    As I learn and watch the moves I keep being amazed at how it all connects. This lesson is fantastic.

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    • Israel U says

      January 14, 2020 at 5:07 pm

      BTW, I loved the second and third cousins :), this is teaching at its best!

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  35. Patrick O says

    January 14, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    That ‘light bulb’ moment was golden! Very true.
    This lesson reminds me of of the intro to Lodi by CCR – going from a ‘Bb’ to a ‘Bb’ (or a ‘C’ to a ‘C’ the way I play it).

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  36. John H says

    January 15, 2020 at 7:07 am

    Sounds to me like a little Aiko Aiko!! The Neville Brothers and Grateful Dead covered this. This is a must learn!!

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  37. Chris White says

    January 16, 2020 at 9:13 am

    Really helpful lesson
    The D9 is actually a C6 when you are rocking back and forth with the G
    You say I -IV I know it’s the same notes, you taught us that.
    Working out the actual intervals of each of this triads helps keep things organized
    Sliding the six down to the nine is super cool.
    It can help to realize that the 9 is rootless, while the six has a root.
    Awesome Brian
    Thanks

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  38. Henry G says

    January 16, 2020 at 11:18 pm

    Always good! Excellent and enjoyable compositions and great teaching. Humbly suggest you identify ” this (particular) finger on this string at this fret” with fraction of a second added talk noting “…which is a (particular) note.” I think this would help many of use learn our fretboards better and grasp the lessons more quickly. Could be wrong but think its worth considering.

    Thanks!

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  39. Roland says

    January 17, 2020 at 7:18 am

    this is a mindblowing lesson! thank you very much! it opens up a whole new world for me.

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  40. Billy B says

    January 17, 2020 at 8:22 am

    Thanks again this really open up alot of questions I had for year’s but didn’t know how to say it in musical language.

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  41. eames28 says

    January 17, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    Just brilliant, Brian ! I see a minimum of 5 macro lessons here – just saying.

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  42. Jack W says

    January 18, 2020 at 12:04 pm

    Brian , It is like you are reading my mail….I was really wanting a lesson on the use of triads to spice up rhythm and you come up with this little gem!! Thank you

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  43. Adam W says

    January 19, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    Amazing lesson! This one just blew the doors off my playing and has opened up the fret board to me in ways I couldn’t achieve for years just toying around on my own. Thanks, Brian!

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  44. Ian C says

    January 21, 2020 at 10:45 am

    For me this is without doubt one of the most valuable lessons in the last year.

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  45. Phil G says

    January 22, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    This is a GREAT lesson!! A great, practical application and extension of ep273. THANKS!!

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  46. Phil G says

    January 22, 2020 at 3:59 pm

    LIGHT BULB!! Part 2, 7:30 you play the lick over the D chord. I’m like, what? Then around 7:45 you explain it is the G minor pentatonic pattern 4. Then I remembered pattern 4 is over an A shape, and I saw the A shape G chord there. SO, if your index finger is over an E shape 5 chord, the A shape 1 chord is right there. Conversely, if you index finger is over an E shape 1 chord, the A shape 4 chord is right there. Pretty cool!!

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  47. Stuart M says

    January 23, 2020 at 11:14 am

    This lesson is huge for me. It makes me want to open any guitar book with chords and see what voicings and embellishments would be more musical or interesting. I could work on this for a long, long time, but wait, the next lesson builds on this! Awesome, Brian.

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  48. Phil G says

    January 28, 2020 at 2:43 pm

    Question: Right away in part 2 you go to the G9 at the 12th-15th fret. It took me a while to see it, but I finally figured it out. SO, you are playing the 3rd on B12. This fingering is difficult for me. So, I was wandering if moving the B12 up to B15 (the 5th) would work also? That way instead of b7, 9, 3, 1 it would be b7, 9, 5, 1. And, an easier fingering (for me).

    This is an awesome lesson!!

    phil

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  49. Jeremy T says

    January 29, 2020 at 5:55 am

    Hi Brian, Jeremy here from the UK – I’ve been a premium member for about 3 years now and have learnt so much from your lessons. I combine your teaching with private lessons each week so I can go thru anything that I didn’t understand with my teacher. But lesson number 343 which I have just gone thru is up there with the best. Playing lead on individual notes is fine and good but playing a sort of lead following the chord changes and using different voicings is something I see all the time in bands that I listen to. This is first time I think that it has been explained so well and how it works so well. Im off to practice some more using the tab. Thanks again for the insights. Jeremy

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  50. luis Sabbag Mambrini says

    January 30, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    I’ll be with you for a lonnnnnnggggg time!😊

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    • Mike S says

      February 10, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      Yes, you are a wonderful teacher and this lesson is right what I need. Around 7:49 you moved from the D-shape voicing to the A shape voicing. I would have been less confused if you would have mentioned putting your pinky down two frets accounts for the space the C chord shape takes, making the next voicing of the chord voicing the A shape.

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  51. Scott Fowler says

    April 3, 2020 at 7:12 am

    This is a great lesson. Im still on part one but I love playing the triads on the top 3 strings. Lots of learning in this one!

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  52. Bernard P says

    April 5, 2020 at 11:17 am

    Hi everyone, this Cajun feel is incredible, it reminds me of a song with a Southern Belle, some lambs & chicken too……….

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  53. Mr.Charlie says

    December 9, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    wow. one of your best lessons. top 5 imo

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  54. tomgattiker says

    May 11, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    This lesson does not appear on the results list when I search for Jerry Garcia or Grateful Dead. Might want to add as keyword

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