This guitar lesson was created to demonstrate a driving electric rhythm in the key of E. Even though I demonstrate this on electric guitar, this could easily be played on an acoustic as well. This rhythm has elements of something you might hear John Lee Hooker and Lightin' Hopkins play. I realized after watching the final version of this video that the intro was played much faster than the version I play when I break it down, but I figured that it was good to leave it as is, so that you can … [Read more...]
Rhythm Guitar Techniques – In the Key of G – EP019
In this lesson series, I'll show you several rhythm guitar techniques that I've learned and used over the years to make your rhythm playing a little more interesting. A lot of people assume that rhythm has to consist of a lot of heavy strumming, but that's not the case at all. I think a really good rhythm player knows how to create complimentary sounds to what the band is doing, and some times that means either playing very minimal, or not playing at all. Hopefully you'll be able to … [Read more...]
Guitar Solo Tip: You don’t have to change scales when the chords change – EP016
I get a lot of questions on the topic of soloing, so I thought I would start creating lessons like these that provide pointers on various topics. In this guitar lesson, I'll demonstrate the fact that you don't have to change scales every time a chord changes when playing a solo. I've had lots of emails from people on that topic so I thought it made sense to create a video that explains the fact that you DON'T have to change scales to match the chords. Hopefully this will help some of you out … [Read more...]
Eric Clapton Style Acoustic Lead Guitar Lesson: EP015
In this blues guitar lesson I’ll show you how to play an acoustic lead guitar part. This is a follow-up to EP014, the acoustic fingerstyle blues guitar lesson, in which I’ll show you how to play the rhythm part to this song. This song is an original composition and sounds very similar to something you might have heard Eric Clapton play on his Unplugged album. In the included jam tracks, I’ve included 2 versions. One version that has the rhythm guitar (so that you can practice this lead part), … [Read more...]
EP007: How To Play Amazing Grace on Guitar – Lesson
I've had a lot of requests for gospel recently, and even a specific request for this song so I thought this would be a good one to do in a way that both beginner and intermediate players could enjoy (never excluding advanced players of course). This is my own arrangement of this song and it's obviously pretty straight forward, however, if you wanted to spice this up a bit it would be easy to do. One obvious place for that would be when it goes to the "G" part, to throw in some bluesy licks in … [Read more...]
EP006: Jazz Rhythm Guitar Lesson – Part 3 (of 3)
This is the final part in the jazz 3 part mini-series. In this lesson I will show you how to play the rhythm part. I'll walk you through the fingerings on each of the chords as well as a detailed explanation of the strum pattern played with the right hand. This lesson also includes muting techniques used when making chords as it relates to muting specific strings so that you can do a full strum, but not get a sound out of specific strings. If you haven't watched the first to parts be sure to … [Read more...]
EP005: Jazz Guitar Lesson – Lead Guitar Part 2
This is a follow-up to the EP004 Jazz Guitar Lesson Part 1 in which I break down the second half of the guitar solo. Be sure to watch the first half if you haven't already as I explain not only how to play the notes in the solo, but I explain some of the theory as to how I derive at the solo to begin with - thus explaining the boundaries for this style of jazz playing. Stay tuned for part 3 which will be live in the following days! … [Read more...]
EP004: Jazz Guitar Lesson – Lead Part 1
I've had lots of requests lately for more jazz guitar lessons and so the result is this 3 part jazz mini-series in-which I'll show you how to play the lead parts as well as the rhythm guitar part. I'll be honest and say that I've always been intimidated by true jazz musicians and must state (for the record) that I'm not a true jazz musician by any means, however I've learned little pieces over the years that I'd love to share with you and can hopefully help you develop a feel for how to play … [Read more...]
Rhythm Guitar Lesson – chord variations – LEG003
I continue to get lots of requests for more rhythm guitar lessons. This lesson demonstrates some different voiceings that you can use in the key of E or the key of A. These are very simple to play and something that an absolute beginner should be able to do. There is no tab with this lesson as I thought it was simple enough that it didn't require it. Let me know if that's not the case and I'll create it. … [Read more...]
Funk Guitar Lesson – Rhythm and Lead – LEG004
This lesson shows you how to play a simple funk rhythm and three separate funk lead parts. The lead parts are incredibly basic, but I wanted to show you how to take a simple lead part and repeat it over and over again to get a really cool groove effect. Obviously with the jam track you can start to make up your own as well - so don't just rely on these... use them as examples, but then try to create your own. Just focus on trying to find a repeatable groove, that's one of the secrets to funk … [Read more...]