Have you ever wanted to play that Johnny Cash style rhythm? This lesson shows you how to combine the Luther Perkins picking style, with Johnny Cash's strum style to create that classic country rhythm. … [Read more...]
Enhance a boring chord progression – Rhythm fill lick ideas – EP421
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how to enhance a boring chord progression by playing a different rhythm and adding fill licks. Lots of ideas for those of you that are learning to improvise! … [Read more...]
Chord embellishments – Make your 1st position chords sound better – EP407
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how to add fill licks and embellishments to basic 1st position (cowboy chords) to make them sound much better. … [Read more...]
Rhythm fill licks and embellishments – Bluegrass Style Guitar lesson EP394
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn several useful embellishments and fill licks to play over basic chords in first position. You'll also be learning a stand-alone bluegrass style composition that is the perfect exercise for practicing synchronization between left and right hand. … [Read more...]
Blending Mixolydian scale with the Minor Pentatonic scale to play chord changes – Bluegrass Guitar Lead Lesson – EP391
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how to easily find the Mixolydian scale by connecting it to the chord shapes from CAGED. You'll also learn how to blend it with the minor pentatonic scale to create a bluesy lead that works well over just about anything. Your practice song for this will be a Bluegrass lead style. … [Read more...]
Using Dissonance – Dave Rawlings Style Guitar Lesson – EP381
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn a Dave Rawlings inspired acoustic lead that is played with a 2nd guitar on rhythm. Learn how to accompany another rhythm guitarist using a combination of dissonance and slow bluegrass licks. Here's a Spotify playlist that I put together with 6 songs of Dave and Gillian on guitar in this style - just 2 acoustic guitars. … [Read more...]
How to write a simple stand-alone composition on guitar – Guitar Lesson EP360
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a simple melody and chord composition while also learning how to create your own stand-alone compositions like this on guitar. I happened to record the genesis of this composition, explaining my thought process as I began to create it and share that in the video. … [Read more...]
Rhythm and Lead Fills For Acoustic Guitar Using Chord Shapes – EP320
In this week's guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play melodic fills and lead licks that are based on chord shapes. This is particularly helpful for those of you who are frustrated when trying to improvise and feel like your lead sounds too much like you’re just playing up and down a scale. … [Read more...]
Country Lead Guitar Lesson – Learn how to play the chord changes – EP278
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a fun, country lead by playing the chord changes. That means you switch scales every time the chord changes. This is a different way of thinking about playing lead in which you connect licks to chord shapes as opposed to focusing on scales. The MP3 jam track for this lesson is available in 2 tempos (normal speed and slow). … [Read more...]
Guitar and Mandolin (Tribute To Levon Helm) – Learn How To Accompany Another Instrument – EP253
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll be learning how to play along with a mandolin by creating an interesting and melodic lead. When only 2 instruments are involved you have to be very careful about not over playing and always remembering to compliment the other instrument. This lesson is a tribute to the late Levon Helm. … [Read more...]