Taking Care of Business, the classic blues rock tune from BTO, is a great one for everyone to learn. It is primarily made up of three power chords with the pinky adding the 6th degree. We have seen this kind of move before in a blues shuffle for example. We will also take a look at the intro lead licks.
In this lesson we will cover the song Never Been To Spain. The song consists on just 3 chords, the I, IV, and V chords in the key of E. We will go over the intro note for note and then come up with a strumming pattern for the rest of the tune. For those of you struggling with rhythm and strumming we will discuss and break down the rhythm, discovering how we come up with the Down Up pattern. This may really help! We will also cover some concepts for soloing over the changes
In this lesson we will be covering the solo for Amie note for note. The solo is based in A Pentatonic Major / Country Scale. We will be talking about the scales, chord tones, and general theory behind the solo so you can improvise of the changes as well.
In this lesson we will learn Buddy Holly’s classic Not Fade Away. The song was covered by many other artists including the Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones. The song consists of just 3 chords in the key of A – A, D, and E open chords. This is a great example of use of the clave rhythm pattern. We will also cover the solo break
Learn the classic acoustic tune Melissa by the Allman Brothers Band. Mostly written in the key of E, the verse applies a nice E major to F#m to G#m chord progression with the added B and high E strings ringing throughout to create a beautiful sound revolving around the tonal center of E, even as you glide through the minor chords. The pre chorus and chorus make use of several barre chords so be prepared for barre chord shapes using the low E and A string as the root.
In this lesson we will study the lead parts of Ophelia. Specifically, we will cover the guitar breaks and both solos that guitarist Robbie Robertson performs. These solos are great examples of chord tone targeting with each chord played in the rhythm section.
In this lesson we will learn Robbie Robertson’s guitar part to the Band’s 1975 tune Ophelia. The song has an obvious Dixieland, ragtime feel complete with horns and Garth Hudson’s experimental keyboard lines. Robertson’s guitar part, while prominent, fits perfectly in the mix while leaving room, sonically, for all the other instruments. A great lesson on using different chord voicings and finding a part that fits with the rest on an ensemble.
In this lesson we will be covering the Little Wing intro note for note and also studying the chord progression for the rest of the song. The song is in Em or G (they are relative) and uses a lot of barre chords. Once you have the chord progression down it can be a great tune to jam and improvise over.
In this lesson we will be learning a chord melody version of Oh My Darling Clementine. This is a great song to learn chord melody as the melody is fairly simple and just three chords are used, G, G7, and C.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain is played in the key of C and uses open chords C, G, F, Am with some transitional chords in the chorus. We will be covering the arrangement along with a couple strumming pattern options.
In this lesson we will be learning Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft on acoustic guitar. There are 4 sections, intro, verse, chorus, and bridge. Mostly open chords are used, but the bridge does present some tricky slash chords.
Worrying You Off My Mind is a solo acoustic blues tune by Big Bill Broonzy. It is played fingerstyle as most of the old blues were and uses an Eb tuning. It does not follow a typical 12 Bar Blues pattern but rather an 8 bar progression with the occasional extra bar added in. While solo acoustic blues is not easy, this is a relatively simple arrangement for the genre.
Come As You Are by Nirvana has a little of everything. Great riff, cool chords, and simple, effective solo. Must tune down a whole step to be in tune and get that sound.
In this lesson we will be studying Sugaree by the Grateful Dead. The song is in the key of E major or B Mixolydian. We will be covering the chord progression as well as some note for note licks as played by Jerry and some John Mayer licks from a Dead and Company version.
In this lesson we will be learning the main theme to Chet Atkins’ Jam Man. One of the main concepts behind Chet’s playing is his use of Travis picking and use of a thumb pick. Both are covered in this relatively simple piece of music. Great way to get started with the Chet Atkin’s style.
In this lesson we will be learning Without You by Kid Laroi. The song has a simple arrangement and consists of just 5 basic chords. They are Am, Fmaj7, C, G and E7. Good song for those beginners learning their open chords and F chord.
In this lesson we will be learning Bill Monroe’s Blue Moon of Kentucky. We will be learning this chord melody style with a pick although you could use your fingers as well. The song consists of just 3 chords- I, IV, V in the key of A.
In this lesson we will be learning The Needle and The Damage Done by Neil Young. The chord progression consists of just a few chords but incorporates some very nice melodic lines and descending bass line.
In this lesson we will be learning the fast paced, hard rockin tune Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue. Be prepared for a workout on this one with its fast tempo and constant palm muted eighth note riffs. The various riffs make this one very fun to learn and play.
In this lesson we will be learning Hey Jude chord melody fingerstyle. It is highly recommended that you have studied the basic fingerstyle lessons in the Fingerstyle Lesson Category under Skill Lessons.
In this lesson we will be learning the solo for TNT. In classic Angus Young style, the solo is almost exclusively played using notes from the E Pentatonic Minor scale.
In this lesson we will be studying the R&B style guitar work of Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour. The song embodies the primary essence of old R&B guitar playing by accenting the upper register of the chords. A great song to learn if you are interested in this style of playing. Must be able to play barre chords.
Don’t Be Cruel by Elvis is a great tune for beginners to learn. The song is played in the key of D and uses just a handful of open chords, D, G, A, and Em. Start off with the opening bluesy riff and continue the rest of the song with the same strumming pattern throughout.
In this lesson we will be studying Sugar Magnolia by the Grateful Dead. The song is in the key of A and incorporates several challenging chord voicings played by the unique rhythm player Bob Weir. Learning this tune will increase your knowledge of different chord shapes and country rock style riffs.
In this lesson on Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles we will be focusing on the challenging rhythm aspect. While the song is comprised of the same four chord harmonic structure throughout, it is the rhythm that drives the tune. The four chords used are Dm7, Am, C, and G.
In this lesson we will be learning a chord melody version of White Christmas. The arrangement is played fingerstyle in the key of A. Due to the more complicated chord fingerings used it is rated for intermediate players.
In this lesson we will be learning a solo chord melody version of Oh Christmas Tree. This lesson is not for beginners as the chords used are a little more advanced. We will be playing a fingerstyle version in the Key of E. Once you get it down, sounds great!
In this lesson we will be learning the lead solo parts to Patience. We will be covering the intro solo and the main solo in the middle. Slash applies great melodic licks that follow the chord progression. A good one to study and analyze.
In this lesson we will be learning the blues classic Forty Four Blues. The tune has been done by various artists but in this lesson we will be closely following the Eric Clapton version. It basically follows a 12 bar blues pattern but does have some interesting additional bars. Trills, bends, and other articulations make it a great piece to study for those into the Blues genre.
In this lesson we will be learning the main theme song to Star Wars. The relatively easy melody is in the key of A. Fun, recognizable tune!
In this lesson we will be studying the acoustic tune Patience by Guns N Roses. The song requires you to tune down a 1/2 step to be in tune with the original recording. From a chord standpoint it uses mostly easy open chords but does apply some melodic lines within. The arrangement is made up of 3 parts, verse, chorus, and an outro vamp. We will be studying the lead solos in a separate lesson.
In this lesson we will be learning Twist and Shout by The Beatles. The song consists of basically one riff in the key of A. We will be studying this and the complete guitar solo.
In this lesson we will be learning Slow Ride by Foghat. The song is composed around an A power chord groove with lots of bluesy riffs.
In this lesson we will be learning the Blues classic Chevrolet by Taj Mahal. The song consists mainly of a blues riff in E pentatonic minor.
In this lesson we will be learning Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. The lesson is taught on acoustic guitar but could easily be played on either acoustic or electric. The most challenging part is the melodic chordal intro theme. Other than the intro, it is mainly open chord strumming. Remember to tune down a half step to be in tune with the original recording.
In this lesson we will be learning Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. The song, played on acoustic guitar, is mad up of 2 parts. The majority of the song is played fingerstyle using mostly open chords. The bridge consists of open chords with a simple strumming pattern
In this lesson we will be learning Jesus Take The Wheel by Carrie Underwood. The song is relatively simple from and arrangement and strumming perspective. However, there is the use of some slash and barre chords along with melodic lines in the D chord before the chorus.
In this lesson we will be taking a close look at the guitar solo in the Beatles’ classic “Let It Be”. The solo is constructed using C pentatonic major.
In this lesson we will be learning Dance Monkey by Tones and I. The song consists of 4 chords with capo at the 2nd fret. The chords are Em, C, D, and Bm. The chords are played in the same progression throughout the entire tune. Since there are no noticeable guitar parts on the recording we have a lot of latitude to interpret the song on guitar.
In this lesson we will be learning No Matter What by Badfinger. The song consists of basically 2 sections that repeat. There are 2 guitar parts on the original recording and we have combined the 2 parts into 1 containing the most recognizable lines. The part includes a lot of melodic arpeggio play on the A major and Bm chords. This will be the most challenging part of the song. We will also be covering the slide guitar solo. Well written song with great chord progressions and melodic lines.
In this lesson we will be learning Somewhere Over The Rainbow as arranged by Iz Kamakawiwoʻole. The original version done on ukulele, is played in the key of C with a reggae like feel. Fantastic version and arrangement!
In this lesson we will be learning Can’t Buy Me Love by the Beatles. We will be covering all the parts including the guitar solo. This song can be played on electric or acoustic. Chords used are Em, Am, Dm, G, C, and F. The strumming pattern is pretty straight forward.
The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars is a relatively simple tune with a reggae feel. With a reggae feel you will be playing on the up beats rather than the downbeats. From an arrangement standpoint, pretty easy with 3 parts mad mostly of a I-IV-V progression. The challenging part is the key. Being in the key of B we have all barre chords.
I Get Around by The Beach Boys is made up of 3 parts primarily, verse, chorus, and solo section. For electric guitar it is mostly palm muted eighth note power chords in the choruses. For the verses we have an interesting single note part with a classic Brian Wilson melodic riff. For acoustic we will be learning the open chords to get for of the harmonic structure of the song. We will also be covering the guitar solo note for note.
In this lesson we will be learning Stand Back by The Allman Brothers. The arrangement is pretty straight ahead. The song is centered around a cool funky blues riff primarily. Chords needed are A, B7#9, D/A, F#7, E, and D.
In this lesson we will be learning Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette. It is a relatively simple song with just two parts, a verse and chorus. Chords needed are C, G, Am, F, Bb, D, Bm, and A. We will be covering a couple different strumming patterns that can be used.
In this lesson we will be learning the Muppets classic Rainbow Connection. The song uses a lot of chords because of the key change for the 3rd verse and chorus. It is written in 3/4 time with a very simple strumming pattern. Capo required on the 2nd fret.
In this lesson we will be learning Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song consists of 3 parts, the main verse riff, the chorus, and a bridge. We will also be covering the solo. Guitarist John Frusciante has a unique style that is difficult to mimic but we will show ways to get around his use of thumb to play bass notes. He uses all barre chords for the chorus and bridge with some extensions added for color.
In this lesson we will be learning Memories by Maroon 5. The original recording was played on electric piano and we have transcribed this into a fingerstyle guitar part. The chords shapes used are G, Em, D, Bm, and C with a capo on the 4th fret.
In this lesson we will be learning Me And Bobby McGee on acoustic guitar. The song consists of a simple 3 chord progression that switches keys about half way through. It starts in the key of G playing G, C, and D chords. The key change is to A using A, E, and D chords. The most challenging part about this tune is the intro strumming pattern.