In this country guitar lesson, I'll show you how to improvise using harmonized leads (included harmonized 6ths and 3rds). I'll explain this from a theory perspective, and then give you a practical application by showing you how they relate to chord shapes that you already know. Several classic pedal steel licks are also included. … [Read more...]
Western Swing Style Rhythm Guitar Lesson – EP185
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to spice up your rhythm playing with some jazzy sounding chord substitutes. Western Swing is a great format for this because it combines, blues, jazz, and country and creates techniques that can be applied to any of those styles. In addition to explaining the theory behind the chords, I'll break down the rhythm pattern. The MP3 jam track for this lesson comes in 2 tempos as well. … [Read more...]
Slow, Minor Key Blues in A – Both Rhythm and Lead Guitar Parts – EP184
In this blues guitar lesson, you'll learn how play along with a slow, minor key jam track that is missing any guitar tracks. The jam track consists of a piano, bass, and drums and it'll be up to you to fill in both rhythm and lead parts. I'll show you how to alternate back and forth between rhythm and lead using the "call and response" technique. … [Read more...]
Away In A Manger Guitar Lesson – Bluesy Version – EP180
In this guitar lesson you'll learn how to play the Christmas classic, "Away In a Manger" with no accompaniment. No MP3 jam track or accompaniment is required to play this. I'll also talk through how you go about creating a solo composition from a familiar melody so that you can start creating your own solo compositions. … [Read more...]
Eric Clapton (Cream Era) Blues Rock Guitar Lesson – EP176
In this Eric Clapton guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a rock, blues solo guitar composition (no accompaniment required). This uses the "call and response" technique, which means you alternate back and forth between rhythm and lead. The rhythm parts are inspired by Robin Trower, while all the lead licks are Eric Clapton licks from his days with Cream. … [Read more...]
Slow R&B Style Lead Guitar Lesson – “Lovely Lisa” – EP174
This guitar lesson is a slow, melodic lead played over an R&B style rhythm. This rhythm is made up of 4 chords in the key of A, with an interesting sounding F chord thrown in to keep things interesting. This lesson is designed to show you how to play the scale of the song key (not changing scales to match the chords). Most of what you'll be playing will be the major pentatonic scale, however, you'll switch to the minor pentatonic scale over that 4th chord (the F). … [Read more...]
Western Swing Style Guitar Lesson – Lead Guitar Lesson – EP171
In this guitar lesson you'll learn how to play a jazzy sounding, western swing lead over a I, IV, V chord progression for a much more melodic sounding lead. I'll show you how to play a few jazz runs by targeting the notes within the chord. This gives you a much more melodic sounding lead, and you'll find it's really not that difficult to do! This works on acoustic or electric guitar. … [Read more...]
How to use a Diminished Scale and Chord in a 12 Bar Blues – EP170
If you're looking for a simple way to add a little jazz to your blues rhythm or lead, then you'll love this lesson. I'll show you how to use a diminished arpeggio and chord over the 4 chord in a 12 bar blues. This is a simple technique for adding a jazzy flair to your blues. The first time through I'll show you the rhythm part, the 2nd time through I'll show you how to add fill licks to that rhythm. … [Read more...]
3 Blues Rhythms with added Fill Licks – Blues Rhythm Guitar Lesson – EP168
In this blues guitar lesson you'll learn how to add fill licks to the 3 blues rhythms that were taught in last week's lesson (EP167). Here's a link to last week's blues rhythm guitar lesson. I'll show you how to play the same fill licks over all 3 rhythm patterns so you get a feel for how it works. This lesson comes with the same MP3 jam track that was used last week (includes 3 different keys so you can practice playing this in other keys). … [Read more...]
Learn 3 Unique Blues Rhythms, Played Over The Same Jam Track – EP167
Playing rhythm in a band doesn't always get the respect that it deserves. Rhythm is essential to any ensemble of musicians and is the glue that holds everything together - defining the parameters of the song. This blues guitar lesson is made up of 3 very different sounding rhythms that you can be played over the same 12 bar blues backing track. Notice how the feel of the song completely changes depending on the rhythm that is played. … [Read more...]
