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.
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.
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 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 solo for TNT. In classic Angus Young style, the solo is almost exclusively played using notes from the E Pentatonic Minor scale.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.
In this lesson we will be learning the 80’s rock tune Your Love by The Outfield. A big portion of the song is made up of a palm muted, 8th note, power chord progression with specific accents. Some nice sus chords are also used in various parts. Fun song to play!
In this lesson we will be learning Never My Love by the Association. To be in tune with the original recording it will require a capo at the first fret. There are several chords in this one, C, G, Bb, F, Am, Em, Em7, Esus4, E, Am7, Dsus4, D, G/D, and Cmaj7.
Jesse’s Girl by Rick Springfield, a classic 80’s tune, is written mostly with power chords. Pretty easy tune for the most part, but the Bridge could be challenging when attempting to emulate the synth parts that drive the Bridge.
Finish What Ya Started is in the key of E and is built primarily around a twangy, honky tonk style riff. The Verse and Choruses consist of Eddie playing around this riff in E and A. He plays the riff a little different with every pass, so we are going to focus on a few variations and hit some key licks note for note. Challenging and fun tune!
In this lesson we will be learning Me And Julio Down by The Schoolyard by Paul Simon. The song consists of just 4 chords, A, E, D, and G. The challenging part of this song is the rhythm. There is a consistent 16th note strum pattern with dead notes that creates a percussive sound throughout. There is also some Time Signature changes going from 4/4 to 2/4.
In this lesson we will be learning Birthday by the Beatles. The song consists of basically 3 parts plus a short guitar solo/interlude. The verse is comprised of a I-IV-V riff in the key of A. For the bridge the song modulates to the key of C while the guitar copies the bassline and moves from C to G.
Lights by Journey is made up of basically 2 parts. Neil Schon uses a lot of Hendrix style chords putting the 3rd on the bottom of a major chord to create a progression with some melodic lines mixed in.
In this lesson we will be learning the theme song the movie That Thing You Do. The song has a real 50’s or early 60’s feel. The tune has some great chords progression reminiscent of the time period. We will also be learning the lead guitar solo.
In this lesson we will be learning In The Ghetto by Elvis. The original recording was done with a capo on the first fret. The main riff of the song is played with a hybrid picking style. The rest of the tune is arpeggiated chords and strumming. Chords used are A, E, D, and a Bm barre chord shape.
In this lesson we will be learning the song Last Kiss by Pearl Jam. Very simple song and great for beginners. The song uses just 4 chords and the arrangement is the same throughout the entire tune. Chords used are G, Em, D, and C.
In this lesson we will be learning the instrumental Rumble by Link Wray. The song consists of just 4 chords and a descending pentatonic minor riff in the key of E. The 3 chords used are D, E, A, and B7.
In this lesson we will be learning Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana. The song requires an alternate tuning of Drop D plus tuning 1/2 step down from there. Two main parts make up the song, a verse riff and power chord driven chorus. We will also be covering the guitar solo.
In this lesson we will study Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Youngs’ Ohio. The song was played originally on electric guitar but also played acoustic often in live performances. We have chosen to do the lesson on acoustic but it can be played the exact same way on both electric and acoustic. The song has just 4 chords, D5, F, C, and Gmin7. It requires you to drop both E strings to D so you are in Drop D tuning. The arrangement is simple. It involves a riff within the D, F, and C chords for the intro and breaks and everything else is strumming.
In this lesson we will be learning Outshined by Soundgarden. The song is played in drop D tuning and contains some really heavy power chord riffs. The song was written using 7/4 and 4/4 time signatures. Mostly power chords in this one minus the Pre Chorus that revolves around a different D major chord voicing.
In this lesson we will be learning the riff oriented Good Times Bad Times. The main riff is based off of E5 and D5. The chorus is a 3 chord arrangement that modulates to a different key each chorus.
In this lesson we will be learning the Foo Fighters’ My Hero. The song revolves around a chord progression of E to C#5 and a double stop melody line that opens the tune in the intro. This melody comes back around in the middles section as well. The chorus is made up of A5 and E5 with some octave lines creating the driving sound of this rock tune. This song is heavily over driven so get out your fuzz boxes and distortion pedals!
In this lesson we will be learning Cream and Eric Clapton’s Outside Woman Blues. The song revolves mainly around a bluesy riff in E pentatonic minor. The two chords used are E and B dom7#9.
In this lesson we will be learning the acoustic version of Fell On Black Days. The song revolves around a main power chord type riff. Bars of 4 and 2 make for interesting timing and feel. We also cover the instrumental interlude in its entirety.
In this lesson we will be learning the Beatles’ classic Rocky Raccoon. Just 4 chords in this one with a simple strum pattern and easy arrangement. The chords are Am7, D7, G, G7, and C.
In this lesson we will be learning the classic outro solo to Stairway To Heaven. Jimmy Page covers nearly every position of the A pentatonic minor scale in this one and also throws in the occasional F, the b6 from an A minor scale, to target the root note of the F chord played in the progression. This is a great chops builder!
In this lesson we will be learning Lay Down Sally by Eric Clapton. The song consists of just 3 chords in the key of A, A, D, and E. The tune has a country blues feel with a little bassline within the guitar part. The parts combine chords, basslines, and blues riffs. The recording has 2 guitar tracks throughout. I have combined these two parts into one resembling the most noticeable of the parts.
In this lesson we will be learning the riffs to ZZ Top’s La Grange. The song consists of some classic bluesy style riffs played in A and then shifting to C. The riff can be played fingerstyle or with a pick