Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a Ry Cooder / Sonny Landreth inspired blues composition on electric guitar that uses the hybrid picking technique. You’ll be “picking” all of the base notes while “plucking” the melody with your ring and middle finger. I’d encourage you to try this, even if you’ve been discouraged with hybrid picking in the past or have never tried it at all. It’s a great skill to have as a guitar player and this stand-alone composition gives you a fun way to practice and develop that technique.
Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson
Part 2 - For Premium Members
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Slow Walk-Through
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Video Tablature Breakdown
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clay says
Nice………and Brian you got this one in EARLY today…….
Brian says
I’m traveling today so I wanted to make sure I got it out earlier rather than later.
jimbostrat says
Then why didn’t you do a cover song lesson on a certain Allman Brothers hit tune for today, Brian!!??
:>)
Jim C.
(done in the style of Dickie Betts…………I know!!)
Francisco Javier C says
Great lesson B.!! Thanks
Remember me ep097 Jimmy Rogers style.
Richard J.R says
I became a premium member yesterday after following you the last month. I’m almost finished with ep153, practiced til 2am along with the backing track, a few things to brush up, however, that lesson inspired me to return to playing after a 40 year hiatus.I watched it as a free member several times. It’s simply beautiful and you play and teach effortlessly. I’m only playing about 2 months since I was a kid and young adult, and while I forgot much of the theory I was taught it’s coming back to me, almost like riding a bicycle, but a long way to go. Yesterday morning I asked myself,” wonder if Brian has a lesson on vibrato” as I am enjoying and learning the blues, about an hour later it was in my inbox? That was one of those “Sunday punches”!!!!!! I signed up as a premium member on the spot. To conclude it is also evident that you are a fine young man, your price charge is just one of many demonstrations of that among many other things that is evident to me and certainly many others. Thanks Brian, this is a great lesson, I hope to have both down within a few days or earlier, unless I can’t stop practicing and playing with your backing tracks. Great to be back. Bought a new strat, pro series and Blues Delux both perfect for my needs .Again, Brian, thank you!!!!!! Starting to feel young(er). lol……
Brian says
Hey Richard, thanks for writing and welcome! I’m glad to hear that you’re back in love with the guitar again after several years away from it – the fact that you’re starting to feel younger is a major bonus! 🙂
Richard J.R says
Hey Brian, Thanks for replying. Have been listening all day and praticing. Hope you have a safe trip. Enjoy!!
Caymandiverjj says
Good work, and a challenge. Love it.
wrightclick says
Instantly liked it on first run through can’t wait to get this under my fingers over the weekend especially like the style it’s in as well ..
jimbostrat says
Man………….and this is a very good thing, Mr. Sherrill…………….I so often hear the distinct influence of Robert Cray in your pieces and today’s definitely no exception!! Vey cool!! Jim C.
JohnStrat says
Brian yea I like this a lot.
Ive been hoping for a bit of Ry Cooder appearing and hey presto. Also the Hybrid picking makes it a real winner for me.
I love it all the best and happy travels.
JohnStrat
JohnStrat says
On second run through i think this just hit top of the must learn list!!
Michael Allen says
I’m loving this one and can’t wait to get it under my fingers! Thanks Brian! Be safe in your traveling today
Greg H says
Wow. What a great riff but very difficult. It requires a combination of coordination, dexterity (Hybrid picking) and left hand strength to accomplish a few of the chords. This one’s kind of out of my range but I will continue my journey and maybe eventually get it under my belt. I did take away a couple of tidbits like the Eric Clapton chord change trick. NICE!!
Greg
JamesD17m says
Just play it 100 times as slow as possible but in rhythm and I guarantee youll have it down.
Jim M says
Brian, you put out the best lessons. Thank you!!!
Ian M says
I didn’t know precisely what it was I wanted to learn when I first became a member but after almost a year I’ve figured out that way up the list are learning to incorporate harmonized leads like EP073, ML016 etc. and hybrid picking like this one. Someday I just might sound as if I have a clue when playing when unaccompanied. Keep up the good work Brian!
Raymond P says
Great lesson Brian. I really enjoy seeing the Hybrid Picking lessons and find myself using HB more and more now.
Thanks
Ray P
Dug says
Very cool!
Tremelow says
You should travel more often, Brian 😉 I am not kidding when I say that I often lie awake on Friday nights to see what new surprise (ie lesson) you have for us. I am 6 (or 7?) hours ahead of you on Frankfurt time, so I know I should be more patient. Anyway, I was rewarded this time with another fantastic lesson! Standalone… hybrid picking.. cool sounding … piece of art. What more can you ask for.?!
houliAK says
Awesome lesson! I only have acoustic guitars and always try the the lessons regardless of whether you use electric or acoustic. The percussive sound and hybrid picking are a challenge but what a great sound it produces. Opens a whole new direction for me. Thanks.
San Luis Rey says
Thanks Brian! I think this is a great lesson and a must know to get better in this style. Love Sonny Landreth’s music too and so many players have been influenced by him. This lesson is a big help advancing in that style!
JimD says
Loving this one. You just keep coming up with new and interesting lessons.
BillS says
Excellent.
Ian C says
This is great. Feels a bit like starting again with some fundamentals, but the hybrid picking is a tricky rythmic lesson challenge which I think I need to get properly under my belt in this simple familiar sounding blues in order to apply meaningfully where needed within other compositions.
cuvy says
Brian,
Love all your lessons and your web site design is awesome! I love how you teach to learn and not to memorize. Any chance you could do a full or micro lesson on gear sometime covering guitar selection, amp selection, and amp setup? Sometimes after I learn your lessons, I am frustrated because I can’t get the same sound I hear when you play the lesson. I know some of it is attributed to technique and talent, but I think setup may be an issue as well in some instances. Just a thought. Thanks you so much!!
Jonathan C says
Hi Brian,
LOVE this lesson. Just about got it down. I also love that guitar – looks like a 50’s Strat..may I ask what it is? Custom shop? NOS? Lovely tone from the amp too.
Brian says
Jimmie Vaughan signature Strat
Buford W says
things are looking great , thanks for so many lessons each week. thanks again Brian keep up the good work.
Reverberocket2 says
I Like this. I’ve been listening to alot of Tony Jow White recently. Sounds like something he would come up with.
john l says
Hmmm, swampy. I like it. It’ll be a challenge – but I’m ready for it. Well — let me get a beer and THEN, I’ll be ready.
Mike S says
Brian,
Great lesson as always. Some players overuse the key of E, like it’s all they know. It’s good for blues, and a dynamic guitar key, but shouldn’t be overused. Get to know at least five or six other keys, flat keys too. A while back I recorded an Elmore James style riff song in E, so I do use it. But I play in lots of other keys as well. Do you think E is overused by guitarists?
Leslie C says
Im enjoying learning this I Like this Thanks Brian
George H says
Thanks Brian. I usually use a thumb pick for this kind of rhythm (I don’t know what you call it). but only for certain licks. Now I can learn to learn it consistently to the end. I’ll work on the HB picking too.
Regards,
Geo.
Leslie C says
Hey
Help needed here
How do I use the Favourites part
I think I have sent a song to favourites
I am not sure ? where do I find
the favourite’s I think I have collected?
benny l says
GREAT LESSON BRIAN ! I REALLY GOT TO PRACTICE THOUGH TO GET BETTER ON THE HYBRID PICKING!
LOVE THESE TYPE LESSONS! THANKS AGAIN AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! CAN’T WAIT FOR NEXT
LESSON!!
Kent Schneeweiss says
Hello Brian, definitely a nice lesson, in between my painting and renovations gigs, your videos and lessons are the lifeblood of my existence. My knowledge of the theory behind music is expanding. Thank you for incorporating Music Theory into your videos.
Joseph A says
Just joined ..I’m lovin’ this !
mritalian says
Another Great Lesson, Thanks again Brian. My understanding and playing has really improved since joining you’re site. Continued success!
Candy M says
Awesome lesson! Thanks for making the left hand easy while I try to master the hybrid picking. Hours of fun packed in this one lesson.
strattastic says
Thanks Brian
I’ve been floating from fiddle to classical guitar to gypsy jazz so far this year but for the next month this is my blues piece.
Hope to submit it in the next free challenge.
Happy trails
david k says
Brian, I’m 68 and have been playing a long time, but in stagnant mode for most of that. You have really re-energized my interest in learning to play more. If only my memory was like it was when I was younger. Thanks to you, I play every day now when I can.
Tom D says
Hi Brian – A great exercise in what I have heard it called ‘flat picking’. Many years ago I played classical guitar and was fairly experienced with finger-style playing (not so good these days), but this is different. It takes a lot of practice. I can play the piece right through, but unfortunately still with a few stops. I am still having trouble with the Eric Clapton method of changing from E to A. However I will keep practicing and hopefully will master it and get the timing right. I have learnt EP 178 and EP179. Could you please do some more lessons on modal scales? I have had a book for about 40 years, written by a great Australian Jaz guitarist named George Golla on modes and Jaz improvisation. After doing your lessons I have finally understood what was in the book.
Tm D
Tom D says
Hi Brian – I’ve got it off. I also thought about trying it finger style using a thumb pick (Chet Atkins Style) and it worked. I can also play it Hybrid style, which is great. Have you ever given lessons based on Albert Lee’s style of playing? It would be great if you could include some of these in your lessons. I can hear the notes he plays in my head, but haven’t been able to copy them. He plays too fast. By the way I am now vision impaired and have to magnify your music. However I can usually pick things up by ear and commit the tunes to memory.
Tom D
sunburst says
awesome intro, I don’t even kmow the artists you mentioned, this is going to be fun nonetheless! ty Brian!
Eric2015 says
Special thanks for this one Brian. Just love your lessons & relaxed but concise teaching methods.
My issue is that I have trouble with my right hand and palm placement & mis-picking the strings.
Would you be able to arrange a lesson on hand/palm placement for both picking & strumming and any tips on reliable picking of the correct string.
Maybe some practice techniques for greater accuracy.
Anyway sincere thanks for all the terrific lessons you post.
mike jams says
Great lesson
Love this style
Lots of fun
Thanks
Kenneth K says
Brian; we need more hybrid picking lessons.
Robin S says
Thought this was way beyond me when I heard it but the lessons explain it so well it’s starting to come together. I tend to try and get the basic “gist” then return one by one to the clever bits ! It also seems to adapt/sound well at whatever speed you try and play at.
Thanks for some really great and beautifully presented lessons, Brian.
Robin from Brexit Island.
Christiaan I says
@Brian or someone else, I’m having trouble recreating the right sound on my amp. Could someone tell me what amp settings and guitar effect(s) you used? I have several effects on my Marshall MCFX30.
christopher R says
Brian…thank you……you are the best!
David B says
I have been hybrid picking for a while now out of necessity of certain genres. I have been avoiding syncopated bass notes though. Not this time………..
Thank you sir.
Fred says
Brian
As a relative beginner when I listened to this a was definitely intimidated. It seemed way over my head but I loved the piece so I decided to give it a try. I picked off small chunks every week. It was extremely difficult for my level but its been 3 weeks and I can now get through the whole piece non stop. I wouldn’t quite call it smooth at this point but it was definitely progress. Every week I get better. One small step at a time. Thank you.
Dale C says
Love your lessons. Hope to be a member for all the years I have left. 72 year old enjoying the lessons.