In this week's guitar lesson, I'll show you how to hold back and play less. This type of blues guitar comping is designed to enhance the music and complement the rhythm (as opposed to playing a solo on top of everything). … [Read more...]
Useful Fingerstyle Rhythm Guitar Lesson – Perfect For Fast or Slow – EP221
In this week's guitar lesson you'll be learning an extremely versatile and useful fingerstyle rhythm that isn't very difficult to play. It follows the same pattern throughout and can be played over ANY chord arrangement. I'll show you how to play a stand-alone rhythm to demonstrate the technique and will also provide you 2 samples that you can play over 2 different style jam tracks, so that you can see how it can be used in a different context. … [Read more...]
Chord Embellishments and Hybrid Picking Guitar Lesson – EP204
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a solo blues composition using just 5 basic chords. Instead of just strumming the chords, I'll show you how to use hybrid picking to help embellish the chords. You'll essentially be playing extra notes with each chord to create a more sophisticated sound. I play through this arrangement 2 times, playing it different each time to give you a variety of embellishment ideas. … [Read more...]
3 Essential Chord Shapes on the Guitar – Chord Inversions – EP199
In this guitar lesson, you are going to learn 3 triad chord shapes (a triad means just 3 notes). I'll show you how to play these chord shapes up the neck of the guitar and how to play a 1, 4, 5 chord progression with them. You can use them both in rhythm playing and when playing lead. This lesson contains both a rhythm pattern, and a lead - which is created by adding embellishments to the chord shapes. This lesson is a MUST learn! … [Read more...]
Rhythmic Acoustic Blues Guitar Lesson – Call and Response Blues – EP192
In this acoustic blues guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a driving rhythm as well as lead licks, and will go back and forth between them using a "call and response" technique. I'll break down the strum pattern in detail and have included a bonus video focusing solely on strumming (strum patterns are included in the tab as well). I'll also explain where the lead licks come from so that you can improvise in this style. … [Read more...]
Zydeco Guitar Lesson – Cajun Style Rhythm and Lead – EP181
This is a Zydeco style rhythm guitar composition (with a lead part as well). I've got this lesson split into 3 different parts. The first part shows you how to play on the off-beat (between the beats). The second part utilizes a double stop (playing 2 strings at one) and allows you to play different chord voicings. The third part is a fun lead that is primarily played on the high E string. Lots of takeaways in this lesson! … [Read more...]
Mixolydian Mode – Learn To Play an Easy Jazz Blues Lead in this Guitar Lesson – EP179
In this bluesy, jazz guitar lesson. I'll explain what Mixolydian mode is and how you can easily find the Mixolydian scale and use it in any key. I'll also show you how to play this slow, easy bluesy, jazz lead in the key of B. You could do this on acoustic or electric guitar. … [Read more...]
Carlos Santana Style Guitar Lesson – Dorian Mode Guitar Lesson – EP178
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a classic Carlos Santana style lead in the Dorian Mode. I'll explain what the Dorian Mode is and how you can find it in any key. Carlos Santana often uses this mode when he plays, so what better way to showcase this mode than to play a Santana inspired lead. I've included the MP3 jam track in 2 tempos (this includes a slower tempo jam track). … [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...]
