In this week's lesson, you'll learn a solo blues composition (no accompaniment required) that isn't the typical 1, 4, 5 blues format. This has a jazzy chord arrangement to keep things interesting and give you ideas for other ways to play the blues (similar to Lonnie Johnson's approach). This also uses the "call & response" technique to allow you to alternate back and forth between chords and lead. Los of takeaways in this one! … [Read more...]
Slow, Country Lead and Rhythm Guitar Lesson in the key of D – EP274
In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a slow, country rhythm and lead over a simple chord progression. Most country guitar lessons online tend to focus on fast, chicken picken' techniques, but this is more in line with what a slow country pedal-steel player might perform. I'll refer back to the CAGED System in quite a few spots as well so this is a nice refresher to last week's EP273 lesson on CAGED. … [Read more...]
Jam Band Blues Lead Guitar Lesson – Using the Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales – EP245
In this week's guitar lesson I'll show you how to play a lead on top of a jam band style jam track (think Allman Brothers). You'll learn to do a lot with just 5 notes out of the major pentatonic scale. The first half is all major pentatonic, the 2nd half is minor pentatonic. MP3 jam track comes in 2 tempos. Also, I created a MicroLesson that has the rhythm part that I played on this, you can access it here: Jam Band Style Rhythm Guitar Lesson ML051. … [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...]
Slow, Laid Back Groove (Bluesy) – Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson – EP188
This week's guitar lesson is a slow, laid back groove that's played in the key of D. You'll be learning some J.J. Cale, Mark Knopfler, and David Gilmour licks in this composition. All 3 of those guitar players have one thing in common, and that is that they all are experts are saying a lot with just a few notes. Think "less is more". So we'll be exploring that style in this lesson, as well as revisiting the Dorian Mode. … [Read more...]
Bossa Nova Style Rhythm With Fill Licks – EP137
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play the Latin Bossa Nova style rhythm with no accompaniment. I'll break down the rhythm in detail and show you exactly how to count it. In addition, I'll show you how to improvise and play some fill licks in-between the chords so that you can have your own mini jam session. … [Read more...]
Country Blues Guitar Lesson – EP131
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play an original composition which alternates back and forth between a D5 chord and a C. In addition to learning the strumming pattern for the rhythm, you'll also be playing several lead fill licks in between the chords (and learn what scales they come from). I titled this "Country Blues Guitar Lesson" because I thought the rhythm part sounded country, whereas the lead fills sounded bluesy. This piece is played with no accompaniment - solo guitar. … [Read more...]
Country Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson (Bluesy) – EP125
In this country guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a classic country boogie woogie style rhythm (in the key of D) as well as a pedal steel style, country lead. I've often found that when I try to learn country guitar, I become frustrated because it's usually played at such an insanely fast tempo. Maybe you've found that to be the case as well? In this lesson, I've tried to take some classic country guitar licks and slow them down to a tempo that's within reach. You'll also learn how to … [Read more...]
Bluesy Lead Guitar With Piano – EP115
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a blues lead along on top of a piano backing track. It can be great practice (and fun) to strip music down to it's rawest form and try to play something that is interesting and complementary to the other instrument. This style of playing forces you to be on your toes, and leaves less room for error. It also forces you to really listen and to develop interesting leads and fills. … [Read more...]
Drop D Tuning – Original Fingerstyle Composition – EP085
In this week's guitar lesson, learn how to play an original fingerstyle composition in drop D tuning. I'll show you how to easily tune your guitar to Drop D and will discuss some of the advantages to this tuning. I'll also show you how you can take this simple rhythm and expand upon it, creating your own compositions. This lesson is great for anyone, beginner - advanced, it also works well on acoustic or electric guitar. … [Read more...]