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 video shows you how to play the rhythm (and includes a version played with a pick for those of you that aren't comfortable with fingerstyle). Part 2 shows how to play the 3 lead parts. … [Read more...]
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 I'd create my own simple composition of the National Anthem. This is played fingerstyle, but it's VERY easy, so don't be intimidated by it. This is something that I'd encourage all levels to try … [Read more...]
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 also included two versions of the MP3 jam track (one at a slower tempo) to practice with. … [Read more...]
The Turnaround – LEG009
This is a fairly simple lesson that demonstrates 3 different types of blues turnarounds. If you're wondering what the heck a turnaround is, it's what musicians refer to when they're playing a few licks to get from the end of one verse to the beginning of the next. So in 12 bar blues for example, the turn around is the little riff that you play to get you from the 12th bar, back to the first bar. You'll recognize it in the video right away because it's such a familiar / even predictable sound. … [Read more...]
Robert Cray Blues Guitar Solo Lesson – LEG028
When I first heard Robert Cray I remember having a hard time processing what he does because it's really unlike anyone else's approach to playing blues guitar. To my ear, he's a perfect mix of old school Chicago blues mixed with James Brown funk, with some country twang thrown in for good measure. He's one of those artists that grows on you over time and the more you listen, the more you discover just how deep his stuff goes (actually I've noticed that the best artists / songs are usually the … [Read more...]
BB King Blues Guitar Lesson – LEG029
This lesson is part of a new blues artist series that I'm starting where each lesson will cover a particular blues artist and I'll explain how they play some of their signature guitar licks. This lesson focuses on Mr. Beale Street Blues Boy himself - B.B. King. Although B.B. has never been considered an extremely technical player, his phrasing and emotion that he uses when he plays in like no other. Even non guitar players can identify a B.B. guitar lick because of his unique vibrato. I put … [Read more...]
Chet Atkins Fingerstyle Lesson: Very Basic – LEG031
So you may be asking, what’s the big deal about Chet Atkins? When I first started becoming obsessed with learning the guitar I kept reading article after article about Chet Atkins and how he pioneered this or influenced that.. and to be honest, when I heard my first Chet Atkins album (my dad’s), I wasn’t immediately blown away. I thought it sounded clean and simple and… well, nice. It wasn’t until I analyzed what was actually going that I began to realize what a genius he was. Born June 20, … [Read more...]
