Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to leave space in between your notes when soloing on guitar. Remember to keep things simple and let the notes breathe.
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Slow Walkthrough
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ron D says
Brian, As I opened this lesson ,I wondered how you do this week after week and hoping you would share some of your process in creating these lessons. Thanks for that. As simple and basic as this lesson is (not a bad thing by the way) it’s very impressive that you created it in such a short period. A perfect example of sometimes less is more. In spite of your time restraint this is the earliest I have ever received one of your lessons . Can’t believe I am the first to respond. Thanks, Ron
Thomas N says
Very nice… Thank You
Michael Allen says
Slow and mellow – just my kind of lesson! Thanks Brian
Craig W says
In the premium lesson – can you include how you get the sound for the lesson – amp , pedals etc. I am finding that after I learn the tunes from your lessons, I have trouble duplicating the sound. It seems like a real audio science sometimes to figure out the amount of delay, reverb, drive etc, but so important to getting the tune to sound properly. Thanks for all your hard work with these lessons. In my opinion , your are top ten in all guitar teachers on the internet.
Brian says
I’m using the Kemper profiler on this – but it’s a little overdrive (always), some tremolo and reverb. The term isn’t too deep or fast. I don’t usually use trem, but will on occasion if it’s really slow like this.
kennard r says
I like this one a lot.
Yoly Stratman says
Brian, thank you for sharing! I definitely agree with Craig on this one! It would be great if you could include the effects settings in the lesson or provide a screenshot of your settings.
I understand that there are a million different types of gear available, but any guidance on how to recreate your silky tones for the lesson would be well received!
Cheers!
Charles B says
I agree Craig.
This is so beautifully simple but Brian, how do you get your tone quality? What settings and effects are you using.
San Luis Rey says
Thanks for this early surprise Brian! Opened the site to give 475 another go and found this gem. Nice change from the up tempo jump blues. Will get to it soon.
Mike
kennard r says
I like this one a lot.
Laurel C says
Impression work ethic Brian, under the pump for a deadline and to produce this chilled out gem. Regarding the copyright issue for ‘Keep on the sunny side’, the Carter family popularised the song but as it was written in 1900’s its written copyright would be expired [70-100 years] to go back into the public domain. To be safe and sure, someone at the Carter Museum should be able to give you a heads up if you need to ask permission, otherwise it would be under ‘fair use’ as you are using it for study and educational purposes.
Brian says
good idea Laurel 🙂 thank you
John M says
I see no evidence that AP Carter ever took song writing credit for the song, so it should be in pubic domain since it was written in 1899….but I also think that Laurel has a great idea. I used to check on things like this when I helped a chorus develop music programs.
Michelle G says
Nice! I do hope the sunny side lesson is permissible sounds fun!
Blind Lemon M says
me too
David S says
Brian, I like this lesson but in the morning I would really like to have my eggs (Sunny Side Up) before I start the lesson, if you know what I mean, I always like my eggs (Sunny Side Up) early in the mornings if you catch my drift. I really like ( Sunny Side Up) before I play my guitar. ya know what I mean. Keep up the good work,ya know the (Sunny Side Work) Thanks, Thanks, Thanks
Dave
Rich F says
Beautiful lesson, Brian! So slow and melodic! I love the laid-back spacey feel of this.
It immediately reminded me of another slow, laid-back lesson that I love… EP269… the slow pedal steel bend that you play at tbe start of bar 2 here is very similar to the one that you play at the very start of EP269… again in the key of C… C Major pentatonic…
And I love the way that you start off with a tension chord, F… and your explanation that this is not the key of the song, and that your brain does not know the key until you resolve to the C… that was a really interesting light-bulb moment for me!
Biker13 says
It’s amazing how you can write something so quickly that is so easy to play, yet still so beautiful. My biggest take away was how creative you can be with very simple playing as long as you are creative and thoughtful with how you deliver these phrases. And of course the breathing room and space was really impactful. There’s never a lesson where I’m not enlightened or being reminded of something truly meaningful. Thank you.
Robert C says
I too would like to see both gear and settings in lesson description each week, may at the end of lesson description. Like – Gear/Settings:
Also would more lesson that are slower and or lean beginner.
Last thought is have you ever considered one full lesson every two weeks rather than every week? I find that I barely have time to try to learn it than another lesson comes out. I have been thinking this for couple of years. Maybe on the off week is a Micro?
I can’t play that week but have learned a ton from you.
Thanks You.
Carl D says
Very Nice Lesson Brian… With my experience, these Slow and Mellow Lessons are just perfect for me, and keeps me motivated and interested in Guitar.
I thank you for another nice and easy Lesson, which, I am sure I will enjoy in learning for many weeks to come… Thanks for helping slow learners, like myself, keep interest
in playing Guitar. The Premium Membership is WELL worth what one can learn from it…. In my opinion, You have the Best Site, strategy, and knowledge, in helping others like myself
enjoy Guitar playing…
Thank you again,
c
charjo says
Brian,
There are times where you say things like I don’t want to go into that, for example that connection from the C chord to the F by going through the Bb chord ( or I chord to the IV chord via the bVII). I for one would be interested in the explanation. You even play a Bb 4th around the D shaped F chord immediately after, and that Bb is not in the key either. Have you temporarily modulated to the key of F or is this a C myxolydian sound? I know you have enough to do but I wonder in these situations if you might add a short theory sidebar video for those interested. The longer we are on the site many members are becoming more advanced and some might be interested in these more complex compositional devices.
John
daniele f says
What about Bb being the 4th of the 4th ? Bd F ?
For the D shape F , Bb just an nice approach note from the key of F ?
And by the way I do like the way you analyze….
I do to … I got to understand where everything comes from.
Thanks for all your comments and questions.
charjo says
Thanks, Daniele. People often embellish with the 4th in the IV chord and listener’s ears are pretty used to it but it’s never in the key. I’m not sure about the 4th of the 4th, interesting idea though. I’ve only heard of that being used over the I chord. I think the answer here is he’s switched from C major to C myxolydian, briefly.
john
daniele f says
Yes John I know 4th to 4th is stretching it even though going 2 frets down then a 4th chord works where ever you are on the neck ….
I like the myxolydian idea ,a little bluesy note…
And it does sounds good !
Thanks Brian !
And thanks John !
Let’s keep our fingers and our brain going and have good time 🎶
Brian says
Yes, I would describe this is a mixolydian thing as well – just for that one moment. you hear that all the time in chord progressions. Kind of a bluesy way (chordwise) of getting from one part of the song to another.
charjo says
Thanks, Brian, and Daniele, I retract my previous statement. I hear what you’re saying about how the 4th chord can be used.
John
Jeff H says
Another Great Lesson, I also love this type, Slow and Easy. Thanks again Brian
Darrell Arnold says
Necessity is the mother of invention. I play lead guitar for my wife and work a lot right in this area of the guitar. I found this really helpful, offering me a couple more sophisticated ideas. Those bends are great but a hassle to get right. This will give me incentive to practice them. Nice!
Darrell Arnold says
You talk intermittently in the lessons about bends, like in EP355. If you have any tips on how to effectively practice them, a micro-lesson on that would be great.
Jeff H says
Would it be too much to ask for Chord Boxes in the Tab Brian ?, just thought I would ask. It would be very helpful for those of us who don’t know some of these unusual chords. Just a suggestion.
Jim M says
My challenge is to let the notes breath on the correct beats. A simple melody, but difficult timing.
William B says
The Library of Congress should be able to help you with copyright questions. Or point you in the right direction. https://www.loc.gov
Robert M says
Beautiful song – thank you! I’m eager to learn this!
John Tillis Jr. says
Great explanation of the licks light bulb moment
Max d says
Looking forward to getting back home once my Covid quarantine in Darwin NT is over, so I can pick up my guitar and follow another very uplifting lesson. Thank you and best to you, Brian
Simon brewer says
Like many comments above, I too love this kind of lesson for players like myself who struggle a bit with the lead fills etc and the theory side of such. Slowing things down allows one mire time not only grasp what’s going on but also in moving between shapes etc. Oh and thanks for the addition and inclusion of how your sound was achieved as it well suits the tune. This is a cracker of a lesson Brian…thanks. And thanks to everyone commenting above for some further useful nuggets of material. I do believe I’ve found the best guitar tuition site to help my playing advance. Marvellous!
Bob B says
Lovely lesson Brian, very calming. Less is often more as the saying goes. Thank you.
jimvince says
Slow and Easy is nice Brian. Pushing yourself to create within 3 hours turned out super👍 Thank you
jimvince says
Slow and Easy is nice Brian. Pushing yourself to create within 3 hours was the way to go for this week. I hope you can find the copyright answer to your other lesson and post it. Thanks
John Y says
The more I learn, the more I like Brian’s lessons. And, I love this one.
michael f says
Thanks for the weekly lessons. This lesson presented as an exercise to ” let it breathe.” I guess I could get through this by pure imitation of your timing but I’ve had the most success with your lessons in counting it out bar by bar many times bar by bar. much more of the lesson sticks in my case. You often give a great introduction on how to count it in as you do in this one but then not much more is said about timing. Your choice of counting it in using sixteenth notes (1 eh and a) is counterintuitive for such a slow groove. Do you maintain that counting for the whole piece. I need to be be able to know how to count it before I can let it breathe on this one. The notes are not the difficult part here.
Michael J says
G/day Brian,
To be able to cobble this together in 3 hours is an enormous credit to your overall musical ability. Seven year member, yet you never cease to amaze me with your exceptional talent to do this each and every week. Just makes me curious to find out what it was that you decided to reject. I don’t comment very often but you’re the best!
M.J.
Russell M says
In had the words to a song running through my head and hadn’t put them to music yet… then you did this. It fits perfectly! Thank you!
Dennis O says
So sweet and mellow. I love it
JULIAN C says
Thank you Brian for the outstanding lesson – many take aways from learning this material.
Steve O says
Well, just signed up, and this lesson was the one that got me across the line, subtle and really enjoyable to hear and play, looking forward to looking over existing content (so much, where to start!!) and up coming lessons, thanks Brian, good to be hear!
Steve
Jeff W says
Hey Brian – When you’re walking down from the C to the Bb to the F in the 4th and 5th bar, it sounds better to my ear if you leave the G string open before you hammer onto the A note. Does that make any sense theory wise? The only thing I can think of is that the G note is the 5th in the C chord and the song is in the key of C. To me it just sounds better than hammering onto the A from the G#. Does it matter? Does this make any sense musically? Thanks!
Brian says
if it sounds better, then do it – always.
Michael B says
Brian my friend,
Your gunna need a back up tune in the bag when the crap hits the fan and the clock is ticking!!
I love this one though, well done in such a short time.