Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Chord Embellishments and Hybrid Picking Guitar Lesson – EP204

Description

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a solo blues composition using just 5 basic chords. Instead of just strumming the chords, I’ll show you how to use hybrid picking to help embellish the chords. You’ll essentially be playing extra notes with each chord to create a more sophisticated sound. I play through this arrangement 2 times, playing it different each time to give you a variety of embellishment ideas.

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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Comments

  1. clay says

    Brian-this has got to be a record for posting this so early on Friday!!! I like this, nice “easy” blues feel to it……..seems like it would be fine on electric as well……is that a new Martin?

  3. sunburst says

    Another great lesson! Brian listening to the new Martin is a treat as well! I love Martin guitars,,that little one has great tones balance,, I’m using 12s Elixirs after trying many brands over the years ,,they sound great on all my acoustics

  6. JohnStrat says

    Hi Brian

    Thanks for yet another very useful lesson a real foundation stone in all this.. Martin seem to be in a class of their own as far as I can make out and a great guitar to give lessons on.
    All the best
    Johnstrat

  7. paul b says

    Thanks for this and the details so I can understand and change things. Also thanks for the hybrid picking. That F#M7 (6th in key of A) really gave it a ragtime feel. I played a F#7sus4 after realizing the F#m7 didn’t really work and the ragtime was gone.

  11. Cardo says

    Brian, Sometimes you put out the perfect lesson for just what I’m trying to do and this was one of those. I’m fairly new to hybrid picking and am excited about the possibilities. Thanks!

  12. Buster89 says

    Hi Brian. Very useful and complement well other lessons of the same type. Slow tempo makes it even easier to assimilate. Provides real foundation for building own melodies. Many thanks for your perseverance and your different ways to teach. Much appreciated !

  13. Bob Q says

    Thanks for the continued inspiration!
    By the way, the vocal seems just a little low in volume, imho.
    But that doesn’t distract from my enjoyment and appreciation of these lessons.
    Great stuff and we appreciate what your doing and your manner of delivery.
    BQ

  14. JackAss says

    Hello Brian

    I am from austria, i like your lessons and the way you play…. The only critique i have is you play the intro a little bit diffrent as you show.. there are view notes more and that makes it a little bit more difficult for me i always try to play it like you in the intro… it would be nice if you can show it the same way as you play it in the intro. Sooo thanks and greetings from austria hope my writing is´nt that bad 🙂

  17. Rodger R says

    Great lesson Brian, you are right this lesson will help with hybrid picking and I am grateful for your help on getting better. You are the best teacher on the entire internet. God Bless you

  18. Craig F says

    Thanks very much, this is exactly the kind of lesson I’m looking for because I can transfer it into my other playing easily– been stuck in a rut for years (before discovering your lessons). These kinds of lessons that can be used when I’m playing with other people with different styles of music are just invaluable.

  19. Teko Koa says

    Great Lesson, but even better timing! Just was released to come home after developing pneumonia. Really not much in the feul tank to make me want to play. But with this lesson is was relaxing and simple to follow.
    Also, I very seldom find myself playing the same guitars you play. But I noticed your Martin and had to grab my 000-17 Black Smoke with Martin Retro strings on it. I had just installed a LR Baggs LYRIC system about a month ago, but only have had time to dial it in before we got sidelined. Anyway thanks for filling the Prescription that seems like its made me feel better than all the other ones I’ve had filled. So this week I’ll just call you Dr. Brian.

  20. Tim Q says

    Hi Brian,
    Love this one!! I’ve just been subscribing for a couple of months, and it’s like being a kid in a candy store. So many great pieces to learn. This one is so easy, yet has such a nice melodic bluesy feel to it. Being about a 1/2 step above a beginner it’s perfect for me. Thank you!! Hope you continue with more blues for us beginners: both electric and finger picking.

  26. sunburst says

    Happy throwback Thursday and terrific hybrid picking lesson Brian!.. if next time .. would help by mentioning/ using the up down (V) for picking symbol in the tab .. M for middle and R for ring for the notes.. i see this in other tabs especially for hybrid alternating.. btw, new Martin sounds great and is that a blue phat cat pick I see? Anyhow, another fun lesson.. just thought I’d mention it would benefit beginners too! cheers! and thanks much!

  27. Bob B says

    Hey Brian,
    This is the first time one of your “easy” tunes was actually easy for me. I realize this is only because I have worked through several of your other lessons that cover some of the same concepts. Also, I have noticed that I can play songs I’ve done for years much cleaner, quicker – and I can add elements to them that I have picked up from you. Thanks for the work you do!

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