Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

Guitar Lessons Online – Active Melody


Also Available:
MicroLessons: short, simple guitar lessons

  • Lesson Type


 

Found 761 Results
June 13, 2025 play these open string blues licks anywhere
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML115 – Open string Blues licks that you can move and play ANYWHERE on the fretboard – Guitar Lesson

In this MicroLesson (ML115), you’ll learn how to play a 1-4-5 Blues in the key of E with lots of open string licks. I’ll then show you how to transpose that composition and play it all in the key of F (closed position), so that you can play these licks in any key.

June 6, 2025 classic blues by yourself on guitar
Play Sample

Classic Blues by yourself (on acoustic or electric guitar) – Full of Blues lick ideas – Guitar Lesson EP612

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn a stand-alone blues composition that requires no jam track, just grab any guitar in standard tuning and follow along with this classic Blues in the key of A. Lots of licks to steal in this one!

May 30, 2025 must-know guitar lick
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML114 – A must-know lick that works in just about everything! (The “G-Run” Lick)

In this MicroLesson (ML114), In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to integrate the classic Bluegrass, “G-Run” lick into just about any style and in any key! G Run Lick

May 23, 2025 funky dorian groove guitar lesson
Play Sample

Funky Dorian Groove + Swing rhythm strum pattern for your right hand – Guitar Lesson – EP611

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a funky rhythm and lead using the notes from the Dorian Scale, plus a shuffle strum pattern that is used throughout for the right hand.

May 16, 2025 blues harmonies on guitar
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML113 – Blues Harmonies Hiding in Plain Sight (Inside Triads!)

In this MicroLesson (ML113), you’ll learn how to find Blues harmonies within 3 Triad shapes (all played on the top 3 strings). You’ll learn how to play a 1-4-5 Blues progression by yourself (no jam track needed) using these harmonies – a great way to practice them!

May 9, 2025 find the root and build a lead - guitar lesson
Play Sample

Part 2 (of 2) How one note can help build an entire solo. Guitar Lesson – EP610

This is a follow-up lesson to the Part 1 video on building a lead off a single (root) note. In this lesson, we’ll continue adding elements to the root note, which include: chromatic notes, the flat 7 for the 1 chord, and the minor pentatonic scale. The Part 1 video to this 2 part series […]

May 2, 2025 using 1 note to build a guitar solo
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML112 – Find the ROOT! One note can guide your whole solo. Guitar Lesson – ML112

In this MicroLesson (ML112), you’ll learn how to play over the 1-4-5- chords of a Blues by simply finding a single starting note (the root note of the song key), from there, you’ll learn which notes to land on over each chord and how they relate to the root note. The Part 2 lesson in […]

April 25, 2025 country blues guitar lesson
Play Sample

Country Blues by yourself! (seeing the chord shapes makes this easier) – Guitar Lesson – EP609

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a Country, Blues style composition by yourself (no jam track needed). Every lick / phrase that you’ll learn will be connected to a basic chord shape, making it easier to visualize what’s going on.

April 18, 2025 compliment cowboy chords
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML111 – Compliment “Cowboy Chords” with these 3 triad shapes!

MicroLesson (ML111) – Have you ever been in a situation where a person (or people) are strumming cowboy chords and you want to play a different rhythm, to compliment what’s going on without copying what they’re doing? This lesson is exactly that. 3 triad positions (on the first 3 strings) that will allow you to […]

April 11, 2025 One position of the Minor Pentatonic scale for guitar
Play Sample

Is ONE position of the Minor Pentatonic scale enough? Use notes sparingly – Guitar Lesson – EP608

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn to play a laid-back, J.J. Cale style lead using just 1 position of the Minor Pentatonic scale (Pattern 1). Limitation can set you free!

April 4, 2025 blues guitar rhythm ideas
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML110 – Blues Rhythm Ideas that sound WAY harder than they are – Guitar Lesson

In this MicroLesson (ML110) you’ll learn some fun Blues rhythm ideas that can add a nice twist to your Blues and make it much more interesting. These are easier than you think!

March 28, 2025 map out melodic lead on guitar
Play Sample

Map out an amazing sounding melodic guitar lead like this! Guitar Lesson – EP607

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to map out a creative melody line when composing a lead. This will help you visualize the entire process.

March 21, 2025 ear training guitar lesson
Play Sample

Ear Training – Hearing the sound of and being able to create a Major 7, flat 7, 6th and 9th – Guitar Lesson – ML109

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn to become familiar with the sounds of chord extensions the flat 7, major 7, 6 and 9, and you’ll learn how to easily find those sounds on the fretboard.

March 14, 2025 connect double stop harmonies on guitar
Play Sample

Connecting double stop harmonies to chord shapes! Guitar Lesson – EP606

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play beautiful harmonies (harmonized 3rds and harmonized 6ths) by connecting them to the chord shapes – much easier to visualize this way.

March 7, 2025 blues rhythm guitar lesson
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML108 – Want better rhythm chops? Learn These Must-Know Blues Rhythm Ideas!

In this MicroLesson (ML108) you’ll learn essential Blues rhythm techniques that will elevate your rhythm and give it a more polished, professional sound.

February 28, 2025 create a simple sounding melody on guitar
Play Sample

2 Ideas for turning a simple melody into a great sounding lead! Guitar Lesson – EP605

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to take the melody from the song, “Ain’t She Sweet” and embellish it in your lead using 2 simple ideas. If you’ve ever wondered how musicians do that when improvising, you’ll love this lesson!

February 21, 2025 sweet spot in the pentatonic scales on guitar
Play Sample

MicroLesson: ML107 – The Blues lead “Sweet Spot” for mixing the major and minor pentatonic scales

In this MicroLesson (ML107), you’ll learn how to use the “sweet spot” for mixing the major and minor pentatonic scales, allowing you to dial in a classic Blues lead. I’ll also show you how to transpose and play in any key.

February 14, 2025 blending the major and minor pentatonic scales on guitar
Play Sample

Slow, Heavy Blues – Blending the Major & Minor Pentatonic Scales – Lead Guitar Lesson – EP604

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a slow and heavy, Chicago style blues (on electric or acoustic guitar) by blending the notes of the Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales.

February 7, 2025 playing the chord changes on guitar
Play Sample

MicroLesson: 106 – A quick guide to improvising over chord changes. Guitar improvising made easy!

In this MicroLesson (ML106), you’ll learn how to improvise a lead over the chord changes, while targeting those chord tones to create a more melodic sounding lead. I’ll show you an easy way to visualize the whole process by first seeing the chords, then playing through the arpeggios, then layering in the major scale.

January 31, 2025 using triads to play lead guitar
Play Sample

Using triads (chords) to construct a solo – Guitar Lesson – EP603

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to visualize major and minor triads (on the first 3 strings) to compose a Ragtime Blues guitar lead.


Page 1 of 3912345...102030...»Last »

  • Lesson Type

  • Lesson Categories

Lesson Courses

WEEKLY FREE GUITAR LESSON SIGN UP

take-the-tour-img

Take The Tour

Want to know more about how the ActiveMelody site works? Click on the “Take The Tour” button below for a behind the scenes demo that shows how the various features work.

  Take The Tour

Links

  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Refunds & Cancellations
  • Sitemap

Recent Lessons

Classic Blues by yourself (on acoustic or electric guitar) – Full of Blues lick ideas – Guitar Lesson EP612

Funky Dorian Groove + Swing rhythm strum pattern for your right hand – Guitar Lesson – EP611

Part 2 (of 2) How one note can help build an entire solo. Guitar Lesson – EP610

Contact

For all support questions email: support@activemelody.com
For all other inquires email: brian@activemelody.com
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Active Melody. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Weekly Guitar Lessons

Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Active MelodyLogo Header Menu
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up
  • Log In

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.