This is really 2 lesson rolled into one. You'll learn a very cool blues fingerstyle rhythm (similar to something you'd hear Chet Atkins play). I'll show you how to palm mute the bottom 3 strings and use your thumb as your "bass player". There is a lifetime of fingerpicking in this one lesson! In addition to the rhythm, I've included a lead that is played with a pick (for those of you that aren't into fingerstyle playing). So there's something for everyone in this lesson. … [Read more...]
Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson – “Song For Brian” – EP197
In this acoustic guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a simple fingerstyle melody that requires no backing track or accompaniment. This sounds great on it's own and works on both acoustic or electric guitar. In addition, I've created a bonus video for Premium Members that shows you how to write compositions like this. It isn't as difficult as you might think. … [Read more...]
Drop D, Heavy Blues Guitar Lesson (With No Accompaniment) – EP190
This week's guitar lesson is a slow and heavy sounding blues that's played fingerstyle in Drop D Tuning. I'll show you how to play this composition note for note and will also show you how easy it is to improvise in this style (giving a few examples). Also, this lesson works really well on acoustic or electric guitar. … [Read more...]
Percussive Fingerstyle Blues Composition – Acoustic Blues Guitar Lesson – EP187
This lesson was designed to teach you how to play a percussive fingerstyle blues that requires no accompaniment. I'll show you how to tap the strings on the off beats to create a rhythmic sound that accompanies your playing. I'll also show you where these notes come from so that you can start to create your own compositions and even improvise in this style of playing. … [Read more...]
Slow, Easy Delta Blues Composition Played Fingerstyle (Bri Lefty Blues) – EP177
This lesson is designed to show you how to play a relatively easy delta blues fingerstyle composition. I realize that the word "easy" is totally subjective and will mean different things for different players, but the truth is that fingerstyle playing is just awkward when you first try it. It's awkward for everyone though. This composition has a droning bass line which fall right on the beat, so you're not trying to deal with an alternating bass line like you would if you tried to play Chet … [Read more...]
Slow Blues Jam (Rhythm and Lead) – Blues Guitar Lesson – EP158
In this blues guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play both rhythm and lead over this slow, bluesy chord progression. Both rhythm and lead are played without a pick, so you'll be using only your fingers on your right hand. It's all played very slowly, making it fairly easy to play along. In addition to learning how to play this composition, you'll learn the context behind the notes to help improve your ability to improvise on the guitar. … [Read more...]
Delta Blues Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson – EP145
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a solo delta blues guitar composition that's played fingerstyle (meaning no picks with the right hand). This is not a difficult fingerstyle composition because the bass (thumb) stays on one string at a time, matching the chord that you're playing. This makes it much easier to master than alternating bass lines where the thumb goes back and forth between different strings. You'll hear some Robert Johnson influence in this one as well. … [Read more...]
Minor Key Blues (in F#) – Chords, Fill Licks, and Lead – EP142
In this blues guitar lesson, you'll start by learning how to play the chords fingerstyle (you can use a pick if you'd prefer). In the next video (Level 2), you'll learn how to integrate fill licks in-between the chords to spice things up a bit. In the final video (Level 3), you'll learn the lead part. All three levels use the same jam track, so you'll have a lot of material to practice with. Lots of takeaways in this one! … [Read more...]
Chet Atkins Fingerstyle Rhythm and Lead – EP117
This lesson is split into 2 very different parts. The rhythm guitar part is played using a Chet Atkins fingerstyle technique on acoustic guitar, whereas the lead guitar part is a bluesy lead played on electric guitar (so this is essentially 2 lessons in one). I don't use a thumbpick when playing fingerstyle, but if you have one and are comfortable with it, I recommend using one. Most fingerstyle players use a thumbpick because it really makes those bass notes pop. I've just never been … [Read more...]
Star Spangled Banner Guitar Lesson – EP108
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the Star Spangled Banner on the guitar? For some reason, I've had lots of requests for this one through the years (I'm assuming because of the famous Jimi Hendrix version). So feeling patriotic as the 4th of July weekend approaches here in the U.S., I thought I'd create my own simple composition of the National Anthem. This is played fingerstyle, but it's VERY easy, so don't be intimidated by it. This is something that I'd encourage all levels to try … [Read more...]
