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. […]
“Alfie” – Original Acoustic Guitar Composition – Guitar Lesson – EP124
In this acoustic guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a solo guitar composition played with a pick. The song is titled, “Alfie” after my dear old cat that had to be put to sleep this week. He was a very faithful companion and followed me everywhere I went. He would also come sit and […]
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 […]
Elmore James Style Rhythm and Lead (Simulated Slide) – EP122
In this blues guitar lesson you’ll learn how to play a classic Elmore James style rhythm and lead on electric guitar. You’ll learn how to emulate Elmore James’ classic slide licks, without even using a slide. This is a technique that is commonly used in blues lead guitar. You’ll hear artists like Billy Gibbons from […]
Acoustic Blues in G – No Accompaniment – EP121
In this blues guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a blues arrangement with a pick that requires no accompaniment. This is something that can be played on either acoustic or electric guitar and is lots of fun to play! It’s also not that difficult, so even beginner guitar players should give it a try. […]
Hybrid Picking Blues Shuffle – Guitar Lesson – EP120
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to play a blues guitar shuffle in the key of E, played using a hybrid picking technique. Hybrid picking is when you use a pick to play the lower (bass) strings and you use a finger on your right hand to play the higher strings, either playing a melody […]
Cream (Eric Clapton) Style Guitar Lesson – EP119
In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a lead using several of the signature licks that Eric Clapton used when he played in Cream. It’s hard to believe that he was only 21 years old and had only been playing the guitar for 6 years or so. Clapton was (and still is) a […]
Vintage R&B (Rhythm and Lead) Guitar Lesson – EP118
I had a chance to spend a few days in Memphis, TN last weekend and while I was there I took the Sun Studio tour. I highly recommend that tour to any musician – so much history in that small building! Throughout the tour they were playing some of the great Sun Records recordings by […]
Chet Atkins Fingerstyle Rhythm and Lead – EP117
This lesson is split into 2 very different parts. The rhythm guitar part is played using a Chet Atkins fingerstyle technique on acoustic guitar, whereas the lead guitar part is a bluesy lead played on electric guitar (so this is essentially 2 lessons in one). I don’t use a thumbpick when playing fingerstyle, but if […]
Lead Blues Guitar Lesson In The Style of Buddy Guy – EP116
In this blues guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a lead part on electric guitar in the style of the great Buddy Guy. Buddy is famous for his stage presence and showmanship, but underneath all of that is an excellent blues guitar player who has influenced just about everyone. If you haven’t had a […]
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 […]
Acoustic Blues Guitar Lesson in The Key of G – No Accompaniment – EP114
Back with another “no accompaniment” style guitar lesson (because they’re so popular). This 12 bar blues is played in the key of G and contains both a rhythm and lead part, so it will be up to you to play them both, alternating back and forth between them. These lessons are so popular because they’re […]
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 […]
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 […]
Acoustic Blues Guitar Lesson – No Accompaniment – EP111
This is an acoustic blues guitar lesson that shows how to play an up-tempo blues in the key of E with no accompaniment. No jam tracks or other musicians are required to play this, all you need is a guitar and a pick. This works on acoustic or electric guitar.
Mark Knopfler Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson – EP110
I’ve done a few Mark Knopfler style lessons in the past, but I wanted to create one that shows his very unique way of playing fingerstyle (using 3 fingers). This lesson has a repeating rhythm and every other time a 1 bar lead is introduced (playing within the A minor pentatonic scale). The Part 1 […]
Jimmie Vaughan Style Lead Guitar Lesson – EP109
In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a Jimmie Vaughan style lead using a hybrid picking technique. Although Jimmie primarily plays with only his fingers, this style allows you to use both the pick and fingers to get a similar tone. This lesson also includes 2 versions of the MP3 jam track, one […]
Star Spangled Banner Guitar Lesson – EP108
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the Star Spangled Banner on the guitar? For some reason, I’ve had lots of requests for this one through the years (I’m assuming because of the famous Jimi Hendrix version). So feeling patriotic as the 4th of July weekend approaches here in the U.S., I thought […]
Surf Guitar Lesson (Dick Dale meets The Ventures) – EP107
In this guitar lesson, learn how to play a simple surf style lead and rhythm. This lesson has some licks from the great Dick Dale and some licks from The Ventures. This lesson is also a great exercise for those that are interested in improving your picking technique and speed with your right hand. I’ve […]
Keith Richards Style Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson – EP106
This guitar lesson is split into 2 parts. In the first part, you’ll learn how to play a Keith Richard’s inspired rhythm (this rhythm works on either electric or acoustic guitar). Part 2 takes that same rhythm that you learned in the first half and introduces a Keith Richard’s style lead on top of it. […]
