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Learn to play blues guitar.

Willie Nelson style guitar lesson – EP263

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, I’ll show you how to play several classic Willie Nelson style guitar licks. These licks all connect back to basic chord shapes so that you can play them in any key and incorporate them into your own playing.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walk-Through

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  3. jlg says

    Awesome lesson about a guitarist that is so good at everything that his guitar playing is sometimes overlooked. Kind of like Paul Simon. Hey maybe consider doing a Paul Simon lesson.
    Thank you.

  10. Will T says

    Another great lesson. I have always been a Willie Nelson fan. He has a very distinct sound, and you nailed it. And thanks for explaining the sus2 and sus4 and the ascending and descending runs

  17. Wallace N says

    Ok TONS of information—you’re the Sensai. Maybe teach the entire passage first, then do all the embellishments. The second part verbal was overwhelming. All the detours into where I could go was akin to you playing one chord of arpeggios on top of another on top of another. At about 5 minutes, it’s just all noise. Finally at the end you just finished the passage. Thankfully there was the slow groove clip too.

  20. sunburst says

    Hello Brian, this is very quality lesson , I hear you about Willi timing,, great tutorial !also, I noticed your thumb nail on you picking hand is positioned ( paralleled with the strings) hence the term “flat picking” on acoustic especially to get the acoustic strings to ring full and the best tone out of the string rather than as the angled diagonal sweep so many sweep picking shredders are practicing.. You should maybe elaborate more about holding the pick for flat picking these country acoustic tunes..as it does make a big difference and you demonstrate it here not sure if you explained it yet, pardon me if you have demonstrated different picking techniques.. anyways, enjoying this now in side too hot outside here in new jersey(air quality is one of the worst here in the country so are the taxes )lol

  22. Ian C says

    Thank you Brian. You bring so much to enrich the lives of we budding, would be, guitarists and I guess you could feel quite alone at your end without feedback…’is anybody there?’ Well I for one am and look forward to your lessons every week. This is another great one, thanks again Brian, all the best to you.

  23. Mehmet Erol G says

    At the beginning of this lesson I was’nt too convinced but after having followed both parts. I realised never to judge the book by it’s cover !!
    A very percuasive lesson, indeed;
    Thanks so much Brian.

  25. Steven m says

    Another great lesson but I think the numbering of the “bars or measures” is a bit
    misleading. Structure wise this is a 12 bar blues. The first tabbed “bar” is leading
    us to ” bar 1 of a 12 bar structure. The E to A chord change normally takes place at
    the 5th bar and the B7 enters at 9th bar. I think its important to see the 12 bar blues
    map being followed. Those basic changes should become almost part of muscle
    memory I think.

    I chose to subscribe to you because your examples are so exceptional. Chalk up
    another one!

  28. Nick P says

    Great lesson as always Brian – you’re getting a lot of bend on your strings which really adds to the feel of the piece. Can I ask what gauge strings you have on that super little guitar? I want to change my Taylor GS Mini to something more suitable.

  33. MYRX says

    Another good one. First chance I have had in my busy schedule to review lessons in two weeks. This will be fun to learn on the 4th will grilling and chilling.

  34. kevin m says

    Thanks Brian,

    Another great lesson!! It is great to see others expressing the same sentiments about your skill
    that I feel. The week rolls around to fast to absorb all the great lessons..

  36. Luca P says

    I can’t find the word to express how wonderful this stuff is. It would take me 500 pages to explain why this is so awesome. Not even difficult, just awesome. Perfect, it brings tears to my eyes when I hear it and I can’t believe how well explained it all is. Thank you, I want a whole website of this kind of stuff.

  38. Michael says

    Fun. Good job going to country roots music. It should be noted that your tutorials might sound disjointed to some because the jam track with the backing chords makes your embellishments and transitions make sense. But hearing them without the chord in the background makes getting lost easier. JMHO.

  39. Jarl N says

    Fantastic lesson: so many takeaways, and such great integration of lead/chord work. I’m just learning to play again (decades of neglect), and your lessons are the greatest motivator ever. Believe it or not, this lesson resonated with an indie-rock song I heard being recorded, and I may just apply what you taught to that, for the fun of it (self entertainment only):). Your lessons work across styles.

  42. Karl-Wilhelm S says

    Hi Brian,
    I am writing from Germany. So I may be wrong in “wording” now and then.
    I love your lessons.
    But can you leave a Little space/time at the beginning of your playing Videos?!
    Sometimes my Setup like Computer + Speakers Need at least 4 seconds to join in on the Audio.
    So please dont start your Videos/playing at the first half of a second!
    Just a minor complaint.
    Keep up the good work you do, I learn a lot!
    Thankx

  46. Blind Lemon M says

    Hi, I would like to see this part lesson expanded into a full lesson with the rest of the tune. I know this is not supposed to be Blue Eyes… per se but it is really and I would like to know how to get back into the routine strumming after the solo as well as other little bits and pieces. I know its the “easy” part thats missing but just the solo isnt enough to play the song (or a song) Just my 2 dimes worth.

  48. jack h says

    Found this site–and joined as a premium member–because of the Willie Nelson lesson and it’s one of the best lessons I’ve found on line. Very well done.

    Would like to see more on Willie as well as the same type lessons on Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Gordon Lightfoot.

    Enjoying the lesson and happy to join the site.

  49. Anthony H says

    Now I understand a bit more about the Sus2 and Sus4 theory. I never get tired of you explaining how to use scales, chord positions, roots etc., you can repeat it over and over in every lesson, as it really helps my understanding. This is a lovely little composition and I have enjoyed learning it.

  50. Tim N says

    Hi Brian, love the Willie style lesson and would really like more like this. I read somewhere Willie is a big fan of Django Rheinhardt, I think you can see that in his style. Thanks for all the great information and explaining everything so well. Cheers from Australia!

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