Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Learn a solo guitar melody + where it comes from. No band needed. Acoustic or electric guitar- EP501

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play an acoustic guitar composition by yourself (no jam track needed). While learning how to play it, you’ll also learn how it was created and where all of the notes come from.

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

    • mbact says

      You go so fast and speak so fast while you’re explaining things. I barely learn something and you”re already skipping to next section without really going over one thoroughly. Perhaps I’m just not ready for this yet.

        • Anthony F says

          I’ve just started this one – I can do the ‘bits’, but putting it together is a struggle for me too. I enjoy the way Brian talks through everything…I just play the chords without the licks to get a feel for a while first. I’m hoping to have the whole thing roughly together be end of weekend.

      • Stuart R says

        Brian is the best online guitar teacher in my view. There are some great lessons for all levels on his site. Why not try some beginner lessons & work your way up from there or rewind / slow things down?

        • richard b says

          I agree with Stuart, Brian is great. I do have to take a little time with these, but he does an excellent job explaining the theory behind the licks. I have learned more from Brian’s lessons in a few months than I did in years with other guys just trying to teach memorized songs from cords.

          • Greg W says

            Here’s a bit about my approach so that I don’t get overwhelmed with the note by note descriptions in the videos. I usually watch the video to get the jest of the lesson and then just work from the auto tab scroll. I can adjust the speed to 60-70% to get started. With the tab scroll – you can also play just one section of the song and repeat it over and over again.

            Then, as I learn the chords and licks and fingers get comfortable with the song I begin to turn up the speed and then work on memorizing the lesson. Once the lesson is memorized and I can play at speed – then I go back to the original video so I can disassemble the licks from the song and use them over chords in other songs.

            After I have the song memorized – I play with the backing track (or metronome if no backing track available) and record myself. Then, figure out where I’m weak or off on timing, accentuation, etc. and work on polishing up my weak points.

            Not sure if this is helpful… but thought I’d share how I have been approaching new lessons. I didn’t use the tab scroll for the 1st 9 months of my active melody membership – and now it is my favorite way to learn and practice songs.

      • cloughie says

        It’s easier for me now than it was 10 years ago. 🙂

        The ability to stop and rewind instructional videos like Brian’s ( & replay bits of them 100 times if necessary ) is a wonderful thing for musicians. He doesn’t need to pause – because I can do it … as required by me!

        100% personalised guitar instruction! Guaranteed to be calibrated exactly for my learning speed! Wow.

        Very grateful.

  5. Sandy B says

    YAY! #501 is here! Probably like all of your fans, I’ve been checking in and back again for the new lesson! I want to thank you for the many, many amazing lessons. I wish I could keep up and I wish I could FOCUS (as per your recommendation!) But little by little, I am gaining knowledge and fret skills that have really sunk into me. THANK YOU, for all the many hours you put into these videos. Your natural pedological skills are amazing.

  11. Max d says

    Congrats on reaching 501! Your little spiel at the beginning is valuable and bring you down (in a good way!) to the realm of us mere mortals – and struggling – guitarists. If we keep it up… we’ll get better and better. Thanks, Max

  16. annekaz says

    Wow. This was an excellent lesson. there are so many take aways. I will definitely be rewatching this many times. I also enjoyed the composition you taught us. This is definitely a masterclass. Thank you.

  19. Doug C says

    Brian, thanks so much for another fantastic lesson. I’ve been a subscriber for about three years now, and my understanding of guitar has grown exponentially thanks to you. I picked up several great “tid-bits” from this one that I will use.

    I really appreciate your teaching style.

    Doug C.

  21. Ian M says

    The theory actually IS complicated (to me anyway) lol. You’re modulating to the E-major scale from the G-major scale when you play that B7 passing chord. BUT, it sure sounds great, Brian! That transition chord back to the G (C# Dim7) is really interesting as it contains the G, E and the #4 of each of them (E A#, G C#). I’ll have to keep that one in mind as it now makes complete sense to me why it works. Thanks for that!

  22. Capt Dan says

    Brian, 1st congratulations on breaking 500 EPs (not to mention all the 100’s of ML and courses).
    My friend Jack Ruch will be hosting the blues jam at Kimbro’s this Sunday January 22 after the ENGC jam at the Underdog from 2-5pm. I would love for you to come out and so I could thank you and meet you in person.

    Ive been a faithful AM member since Sept 2018 (I think EP 250 something). I live just N. of Nashville and travel 100% internationally for work, every other month home. I have started and ended many online subscriptions over the years BUT NOT Active Melody! IMO, one of the best value and fretboard music educator online.
    This EP 501 has AGAIN turned on the lights in an ever brightening room (guitar learning journey). So much makes perfect sense, you did not over explain the topic in my options. Anyway, thank you again for your time and dedication to music education.

  23. ron D says

    Brian , ths one was worth waiting for. Talk some more about the brain getting in the way of fingers knowing what to do. I have been saying and struggling with this for years, don’t know how but it could be a valuable lesson . Thanks again , Ron

  24. Phil G says

    Love this jazzy, blues lesson! Especially like the diminished chords! BUT, I sure have a hard time “seeing”/”finding” them! I try to relate all chord voicings back to the basic CAGED shapes. But diminished chords on the D, G, B, and e strings really get me! Maybe it’s because I don’t know my note names on those strings?
    Near as I can figure, that C#dim is derived by knowing where the A shape C chord is, moving up 1 fret and using that DIM shape.
    Maybe a lesson on “finding”/”seeing” diminished chords?

      • Phil G says

        So, Chris. I gave ep413 a look. Unfortunately, I already understood that. My problem is “finding” the DIM chord. When going from a 4 chord to it’s 4# DIM, I usually can find it. BUT, in this lesson, he is going from the 6m to the 4#dim. So, even though I know the DIM shapes, I don’t know where my notes are on the different strings. So, from that A shape Em chord, if I had realized there is a C# right there on the e string, I could have found the 4# DIM chord.

        My problem is actually a little more complicated than that. But, that is for another discussion.

        But, thanks for the reply!

  25. Gary W says

    Hi Brian,
    Another inspiring lesson. Thank you.
    After looking at your practice routine I’ve decided to work on these for 2023.
    Scales
    Caged System
    Triads
    And this lesson is how I want to be able to sound by the end of the year.
    Love your site and teaching.

  30. Alan L says

    I was on fussy baby duty last night and was looking for a distraction. I played the song example and he perked up and started cooing along! We must have listened to it 10 times or more. Can’t get a better review then that ! 😊

  31. Alan L says

    Also lesson request: diminished deep dive! How to build/find all the variations on the fret board, when we can use them, half vs. full dim… that would be awesome! Thanks as always!

  35. Rick S says

    New member to this format. Wow!! Truly, what a find (like your new Martin!…).

    A great teacher can inspire and connect to many regardless of whatever their level. You hit the mark well. Your Modes on a YT Video hooked me. Very cool stuff, indeed

    A musician for 40+ years I’ve done it mostly by ear and street grit. Thanks providing practical basic music theory that’s gonna be extremely useful as I journey through. Helluva ride so far and it just got more interesting.

    Cheers to you all.

  36. Angela C says

    I have a question about the chord sub you touched on.
    You said you can play the first play 5 of the chord your changing to.
    So if I was going from 1 to 4 , and I went to the 5 of that chord, I would just end up staying on the 1?
    So I’m asking I guessing , you can’t sub in a 1 4 5 progression?
    I’d love to learn more about chord sub. But I need it explained to me like I’m five years old lol

      • Michael L says

        Hi Angela,

        In a 1 to 4 progression, if you stay in key, the 1 chord is a maj7 chord, not a dominant 7 chord. To make it truly the 5 of the 4 chord you would convert it to a dominant 7 chord by lowering the 7th degree a half step, or one fret. That flat 7th will give you greater tension and stronger pull to the 4 chord. You can actually get some nice voice movement doing this as the maj7 moves down to the flat7, and moving it down one more fret makes it the 3rd of the 4 chord. This “5 of” concept is called “secondary dominants”. You “borrow” the dominant (5 of) of the chord you’re headed toward from another key to get the tension and resolve. Great sound, isn’t it?

  40. Fab F says

    Salut Brian !
    Te dire que tes lessons sont excellentes, tu le sais, tout le monde le dit ! Alors ,J’peux juste dire Merci, tu m’aides beaucoup !
    Le problème, c’est que la partie 2 (pour les abonnés), je ne peux obtenir la traduction, comme sur la partie 1 !! c’est dommage, tes explications
    sont un trésor, alors je t’en fais la demande peut tu faire de manière à ce l’on puisse avoir la traduction, car oui je suis Français et ai du mal avec
    la langue Anglaise !!!
    Merci continu comme ça, t’es le meilleur !!!
    Bravo et encore MERCI

  43. Kerry G says

    What I really like about you Brian is that you are really good and know what you are talking about, yet you are humble. No flash, no BS, just straight to the how and why. I wish I had more time to devote to your lessons.

  49. Donna A says

    Happy 500 AND may you keep that number infinite!

    Lesson 501 is so NICE!! I hear Willie singing “YOU DON’T KNOW ME” in a couple of those phrases 🙂

    Best regards,
    Donna A.
    Wrentham, MA

  51. William M says

    Glad you’re using an acoustic guitar!! I just upgraded to a Martin 000-18. Mine probably does not sound as good as your 1948 000-21 but not many guitars are around for 70+ years to be compared to. While l I follow your electric guitar lessons, I follow your acoustic lessons more closely and really enjoy them. Thanks!!!

  54. MARCOS B says

    Para mi, EP501 resume el estilo propio de Brian y una forma de aprendizaje que huye de imitaciones muy motivador y hace que, para los que mas nos cuesta, sea una camino mucho más fácil y divertido. Además, lo haces todo tu solo!, según tu discurso de aniversario, tiene mucho mérito. Mi enhorabuena.

  58. AnnieC says

    Okay so I’m new here, but I’m a bit confused on how you came to the B7 rather than Bmin7 as the transition? It’s cool, but I need to know this as I will definitely use it if I understand the “formula” I guess. When do I know to change it from a min to a maj. Is it because of the G maj key? Meaning it follows tones and semitones etc? Sorry to be so vague, and in-articulate. I would feel better if I was sure.
    God Bless and thank you (whoever answers),
    Annie 🙂

    • AnnieC says

      Rflol…I found it. Ep370, and the circle of fifths explanation ep 408 I believe. I was confused on how you chose the Bmin7. Haha….maybe next time I should watch the video all the way through first. This is great. Definitely using this in my composition.

  59. Norman D says

    “Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town I’ve ever seen…”. This is the basis for a great solo break in this classic tune and many others “ Georgia On My Mind,” perhaps.
    Thank you, Brian. It only took me 50 years to find it. 4 months as a subscriber has given me 4 years worth of progress. You should give classes in how to teach guitar or write a manual for teachers.
    If there were a Nobel Prize in guitar instruction you’d soon be in Stockholm.

  60. Thurman M says

    This is the style I usually play and thank you for not covering up the way you play the chords in the free box. I am a paying member and I have spent hours looking up the way you play the chords in the past. Seeing how you play the chords, in this lesson, when I stop the tape is a wonderful time savings for me. I have books and programs that show the diverse ways to play the same chord and to take the time trying to figure out the way you play them is time consuming. When I saw this lesson and that the chord diagram was not covered up when it is stopped made my day. Thank you for all your work and your arrangements are excellent. Also, congratulations on five years of enjoying your profession.

  61. David W says

    What a beautiful tune you put together Brian! I’m still a novice at this but have been a premium member for a few months and at first I couldn’t see myself playing such a beautiful sounding arrangement but with your excellent teaching I really think I can do that. Actually the hardest part for me was doing the G cord using the C shape’, but with practice I know I can get it AND use that for other pieces going forward. Thanks Brian you are awesome!

  62. Scott L says

    Brian,

    I am able to play this piece, although slowly, and I understand how the individual notes that are played and where they come from using CAGED but you always say that these concepts should be used when playing songs or to create your own pieces of music. When i try that i go totally blank and nothing gets created. I can only copy you and then on to next weeks lesson. Where is the disconnect for me? So frustrating!

  64. Huub L says

    Hi Brian, thank you again and again, , i learn so much from you,,, i am a member for 5 years ….. every time it is so nice.
    and I go back and forth in all your lesson,
    Huub from the Netherlands

    Congratulations on the 500 th lesson Brian

  66. jeffrey b says

    question……..so the transition chord (B7) is the 5 chord of the relative minor (Em), but isn’t it also the 3 chord of the of the G major? Is it better to think of it as the 5 chord of the minor or the 3 of the major your in. It would be impossible for me to think of the minor and then that minor’s 5th chord. I may be able to handle……….ok, I can use the 3rd as a transition to the 5th.

    Would this apply for all keys?

    I worked out the C major. The 3rd of C major (E) is also the 5th of Am

    as I am typing this, I am answering my question, in that, the 3rd of the major is also going to be the 5th of the relative minor.

    My confusion still stands……..is it better to think about it as the 5th of the relative minor or just know that I can use the 3rd of the major as a transition.

    am I totally off base or am I only making sense in my own head?

  67. Phillip F says

    I’ve advanced considerably in playing the chords in different areas using caged. But, I’m still just using the pentatonic scales connecting chord shapes and not the major or minor scales 7 positions

  70. Bill W says

    Brian,
    CONGRATS on getting 500 lessons in!! Here’s to 500+ more!
    I really enjoyed EP501. You created a beautiful collection of chords, progressions and solos that I really enjoy playing.

    Bill.

  71. D L says

    I love this lesson – thank you, Brian! It’s so helpful to go full screen and loop the sections of the tab at slower speed to learn and then practice along with. I never feel you do too fast – all I have to do is hit the back arrow key and the video rewinds 5 seconds at a time!

    David L

  72. Roscoe V says

    Just beautiful, once again. Still have a bit of trouble navigating to the lessons I really understand, but I have NO music theory at all, I’ve been a drummer for 30 years – what’s all this talk about keys and scales and stuff? I always thought a major was a bigger drum and minors were the smaller ones! Doh! tee hee.

    I’d take private lessons from you in a hear beat!

    Cheers!

  73. Drew h says

    Whenever I hear something I like on the radio, I think to myself “let’s see if Brian has something similar that I can learn”. And sure enough I find just what I am looking for. Thanks Brian.

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