In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how easy it is to play a Reggae style rhythm (includes 2 rhythm tracks). You'll also learn how to play a rhythmic, funky lead on top of it all. Lots of takeaways in this one! … [Read more...]
Acoustic Jam Guitar Lesson – Jam With a Buddy – EP209
In this acoustic guitar lesson, you'll learn both rhythm and lead parts for a 2 person jam that can be played on acoustic or electric guitar. This is designed for you to be able to play with someone else, however, if you don't have another guitar picker nearby, then you can use the provided MP3 jam tracks. I've included one jam track missing lead, one missing rhythm, and one that has both parts. … [Read more...]
Have a Jam Session By Yourself – Funky Jam on Acoustic Guitar – EP193
In this week's guitar lesson you'll learn how to have a jam session with yourself, alternating back and forth between 2 chords for the verse, and then switching to a 3rd chord every so often to break things up. In between those chords you'll be playing fill licks while never breaking the rhythm! Lessons like this are great for both your strumming and for improvising, and they allow you to become a virtual one-man-band. … [Read more...]
Funk Blues Guitar Lesson – Rhythm and Lead – EP147
In this guitar lesson, you'll start by learning how to strum a funky blues rhythm on the first 3 strings. You'll then learn the "call-and-response" technique of playing a rhythm, followed by a lead. I'll give you several "response" lead examples and show you the scales I'm using so that you can improvise your own leads if you want. In the Part 2 video I'll focus more on lead and how to switch scales as the chords change. … [Read more...]
Slow Funky Groove – Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson – EP138
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. … [Read more...]
Vintage Jam – Rock Guitar Lesson – EP123
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a vintage (Robin Trower style) rhythm guitar in the Part 1 video. The Part 2 video contains a lead that is made up of influences like Dave Mason, Carlos Santana, and Peter Green. I'll break down everything note for note and show you how to play both parts. I'll also explain where the lead comes from by explaining playing in thirds, as well as the dorian mode, so get out your phaser pedals if you've got them :) … [Read more...]
Funk – Lead Guitar Lesson Created By ActiveMelody Community – EP113
This lesson is a follow-up to EP112 Funk Rhythm Guitar Lesson. In the previous lesson (EP112), I asked ActiveMelody community members to submit audio or videos of themselves playing a lead over the funk rhythm jam track. Several people responded by posting their submissions on the forum (you can find them by searching EP112). I didn't get a chance to include everyone - some of them came in too late in the week, but I did listen to and comment on submissions. It's always difficult to put … [Read more...]
Minor Key, Funk Blues Rhythm in A – EP112
In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play an up-tempo bluesy sounding rhythm in the key of A. This is a great lesson for practicing strumming and timing, complete with up-strokes, down-strokes and muted strums. This lesson works on acoustic or electric guitar, no effects are needed. There are 2 versions of the MP3 jam track provided, one at normal tempo, and one that’s at a much slower tempo for those of you that are new to this style of strumming. … [Read more...]
Strumming Technique – Funk Rhythm Guitar Lesson – EP095
This guitar lesson is all about strumming technique. I'll break down an up-tempo, funk rhythm in detail, and show you how to get your right hand moving to improve your rhythm playing. This style adds a percussive element to your playing as well. I've also got the on-screen tab feature available for premium members, as well as the tab, and 2 versions of the MP3 jam track (one normal tempo, one slow). … [Read more...]
Wilson Pickett – Stax era Guitar Lesson – EP077
I had a recent request from an ActiveMelody site member for a Wilson Picket style guitar lesson and so after thinking about it, I realized this could be a fun one to work up. I listened to a lot of those Stax recordings, classics like Midnight Hour, and Mustang Sally and pulled out several guitar licks and compiled them into this composition. This would sound even better with a horn section! … [Read more...]