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Slow Funky Groove – Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson – EP138

Description

In this guitar lesson you’ll start by learning how to play a laid back rhythm groove in the key of G.  At the beginning of the rhythm lesson (Part 1), I’ll spend a few minutes discussing chord theory, so you understand where the chords in this arrangement come from and why they work together.  In the second half, I’ll show you how to play the lead part, note for note, and will explain where those licks come from to put it all in context.

Part 1 - Rhythm - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - Lead - For Premium Members

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Slow Walk-Through - Rhythm

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Slow Walk-Through - Lead

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  1. madams says

    February 5, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    Sounds great! I’m looking forward to diving into the lesson this weekend.

    Michael

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    • San Luis Rey says

      February 10, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      Wow! You really seem to know what we need next. This major lead begins to fill a big void in my playing. Thanks Brian!
      Mike

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  2. Aussie Rick says

    February 5, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    Another great lesson thanks Brian. Can’t wait to get into this one. Cheers,
    Rick

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  3. Maradonagol says

    February 5, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    Brian, this will go down as one of the great lessons of all time, given the theory and technique content….but also it just sounds plain great!!!

    Thx

    Roberto

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    • wrightclick says

      February 15, 2016 at 11:11 am

      I can see this one going into the Active Melody Hall of fame just when you think it can’t get any better he pulls this one out the bag i was going to skip the lead on this one at first it sounded like to much hard work and just be happy with the funk rhythm glad i didn’t. Brilliant this is definitely up there with the best learnt a lot from this ..

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  4. smilefred says

    February 5, 2016 at 11:18 pm

    Great lesson! Thanks Brian

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  5. barry says

    February 6, 2016 at 2:13 am

    Brian Another Excellent Lesson !Great Sound !!Thanks Again Barry

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  6. Doug T says

    February 6, 2016 at 4:16 am

    Nice axe, New? Great tone I hear Los Lonely Boys influence. great job

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  7. Rip says

    February 6, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Brian, you mention in the rhythm lesson that the premium members can see the strumming pattern in the tablature. When I think of the tab symbols for strumming, I usually am looking for an arrow for either up or down strums; do you use something else or was this an oversight? This looks like a good lesson.

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  8. madams says

    February 6, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Nice balance of theory and practical rolled up into a great song.

    Michael

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  9. mexstrat says

    February 6, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Love the Rhythm on this one. Thanks Brian.

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  10. CliffordLance says

    February 7, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    One of my all-time favorites!

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  11. CliffordLance says

    February 7, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    I definitely hear Los Lonely Boys too!

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    • Brian says

      February 7, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      That’s funny about Los Lonely Boys – I didn’t really even know anything about them, although I did hear their song, “Heaven” back when it came out and really liked the vocals and guitar work. I can definitely hear some of that song in this, although it definitely wasn’t intentional.

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  12. Patrick D says

    February 8, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Wow B-man, again rhythm & lead just awesome 🙂 !!!

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  13. Don D. says

    February 9, 2016 at 6:00 am

    Great lesson, great-sounding tune. The harmony/progression is the same as David Bowie’s “Sound and Vision,” which is very similar to Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl,” so if you learn this, you’ll be a few steps away from playing those.

    One thing you might want to compare is how many notes in A minor are similar to C major, same for B minor and D major (all are present in this key, except the D appears as a dominant chord, so shun the natural 7, the C#, in most instances). Saying this if you’re looking for notes to grab when improvising.

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  14. Richard W says

    February 9, 2016 at 10:41 am

    Hay Brian Real like that funky music .What I like about your classes you don’t just show licks you put it all together in a song . what kind of amp do you Use ? thanks

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  15. CLUTCH N says

    February 9, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    Love this!!!!!!!!!!! The lead will take some time cause I am more of a rhythm player. the C6 and D6 are difficult for me cause of switching from a barre shape to an open shape (not sure if that’s the right name). I developed a habit of avoiding them cause I end up strumming more strings then I should so I will barre the chord but now that am close to 60 as an intermediate player it’s harder on my hand. Any suggestions?

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  16. sunjamr says

    February 9, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Awesome! I’ve always wanted to learn how to play something in this style. And that’s partly because my wife loves it, and when she’s happy, I’m happy.

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  17. mikeanders says

    February 9, 2016 at 11:46 pm

    I was feeling kinda down in the dumps today, until I saw the ActiveMelody notice in my mailbox. Pulled out the guitar and started following along. Lifted me up!

    The chord changes played arpeggio style, with a little hybrid picking, here and there, for emphasis, brightened my day, and I hope it brightened yours!

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  18. Stobes says

    February 10, 2016 at 2:19 am

    Been working on the rhythm for a few hours over a couple of days now! Still struggling with the down ups. Could you do the riff with down ups on the score, with the ghost strums – it might just get me the right sound?

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  19. gregd says

    February 10, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    Hi Brian
    Yet another fantastic lesson
    The enjoyment I have gleaned from your efforts over the past few years has been immense.
    After 30 + years of playing on and off its all coming together, my enthusiasm has been fired up like never before – thankfully I,m retired
    because work would be a distraction.
    Listened to some Robert Cray the other day ,searched your archive and bingo! a great lesson “in the style of”
    The development of the site has been exponential
    I feel privileged to have been able to enjoy the guitar journey and look forward to see where we go.

    cheers greg

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  20. drlknstein says

    February 10, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    very fine lesson-packed with juicy riffs-
    keep hammering on those concepts.
    I have come a long way and I am starting to be able to apply some of those those concepts up and down the fret board in different keys.

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  21. Bumpa says

    February 11, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Brian this is a great lesson. I’ll have some fun with this one. You always hit the nail squarely on the head. Thanks for the commitment and dedication to us “students”.

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  22. MJR1164 says

    February 12, 2016 at 10:39 am

    Do you monitor my e-mails? How else did you know I was just about to play ‘Valerie’ a jam session with some old mates?

    Great lesson yet again, Brian.

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  23. Jeff says

    February 12, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    Need more hours in the week!

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  24. john O says

    February 12, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    waiting for the next lesson on friday. love then

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  25. david1363 says

    February 14, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    Love it!

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  26. Ginter says

    February 16, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    Brian what a great lesson, Really did a terrific pick-me-up on a rainy day like today. I hope you’re ok with me putting it thru my Looper. been playing today for about 2 hours. It really is mesmerizing. Love the organ too. Thanks again for a great Lesson, keep ’em comin’.

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  27. G David B says

    February 19, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    Hey, Brian…loved the tune. Are there parts of the song that you would consider “verse” and “chorus”?

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  28. steffejc says

    February 22, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Brain Pls let us know what are yr setting and pedals .. Like u did b4
    Pls
    Joe

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  29. John B says

    September 15, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    My new favorite rhythm song. I struggle with rhythm but this has really helped. Combined with the lead I want to play it all day!! Thanks Brian. This really helps my get my rhythm working. Cool!!

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