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...]
Rhythm and Timing Guitar Lesson – EP070
In this guitar lesson I'll show you how to play 2 different R&B rhythms. The first one uses palm muting and has a Freddie King feel to it, the second uses some sliding chords and is a combination of Bo Diddley and Steve Cropper. Outside of learning the notes, the primary focus of this lesson is understanding the timing involved. This lesson can be played on either electric or acoustic guitar. … [Read more...]
Funk Rhythm Lesson – 3 Versions
Rhythm guitar lessons seem to be somewhat overlooked in online guitar instruction and yet they are extremely important. I think most people assume that rhythm guitar is for beginners, but if you are ever in a situation where you're playing rhythm in a band (or even on your own), you'll quickly realize how critical it is to know different ways to voice chords and to have rhythmic variations that you can resort to. This lesson takes an upbeat funk / blues song and demonstrates three very different … [Read more...]
Funk Blues Rhythm Guitar Lesson – EP043
In this lesson I'll show you how to play an up-tempo bluesy funk rhythm on electric guitar. Techniques in this lesson include palm-muting, left-hand muting, and alternate picking. … [Read more...]
