Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Keep it simple! Create simple / melodic guitar leads – EP429

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn a slow and melodic guitar lead that’s created by thinking like a singer. Think, “sentences”, stop for breaths, don’t be afraid to repeat yourself, and make it memorable!

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walkthrough

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  5. Gary C says

    Brian, I would also love to see tabs for the backing track especially with this composition which I find very ear friendly. Others on the tube still want that fast squalling metal sound, and I left that way behind since I have always loved the smooth jazz sounds.

  6. Chris R says

    A beautiful, relaxing and moody piece of simple music. How refreshing, Brian. You should rip into writing plenty of this sort of thing every time you feel a bit down. I just love this sort of stress-free, melodic music. And it’s so easy to take the original example you’ve provided and just fiddle with each lick a little to create a longer, largely improvised piece that you can play to anybody, especially yourself, all on your own. In comparison to most other lessons, this one should take no time to get down and enjoy. Thanks for helping me become so much more accomplished than I was when I started subscribing to your site several years ago. You’re the best!

  13. Jeff H says

    Brian, I think we are all feeling Melancholy and Depressed a little at the moment, with what is going on in the world, your not alone, but your wonderful lessons pick us up, particularly with such a beautiful song this week. I love these lovely relaxing melodies, reminds me a little of Bread, maybe. Looks like a pretty easy one to learn, and I always enjoy listening to your thought process on how you come up with these tunes. Thanks again Brian, you are amazing!

  17. DouglasAlaskaDad says

    The way you voiced out that chord progression is pretty dang nice Brian and I definitely appreciate the rhythm tab too. The thing you mentioned about getting little chunks and bits from each lesson is absolutely how it is working for me here and that is exactly what makes your stuff the best. You kept on going right through that bummer/depressed thing and look at the super cool stuff you came out of it with and shared with us all. Thanks Brian.

  20. Biker13 says

    THANK YOU SO MUCH for doing a final play-through at the end of Part 2!!! A really helpful step. Such a beautiful song. Hard to believe you were struggling with writer’s block and this was the result. Amazing.

  21. Rich F says

    This is beautiful, Brian! And thanks for the chord chart tab: I really want to try playing the rhythm backing, so that PDF really helps.

    Just watched your tuition for the first three phrases, and it reminds me of he beginning of the Beatles’ Lucy in tbe Sky with Diamonds: “Picture Yourself on a boat on the river….”

    And as Jeff H says, Bread… the Guitar Man…

    Once again: wonderful wonderful wonderful!

  23. alasdair L says

    For those of us who are not naturally gifted guitarists this piece is a gift from heaven, Brian. Love it. The first time I heard it this morning I thought that it was something I could aspire to and at the same time it sounds really sophisticated- Thanks (yet again).

  28. Glenn says

    We are all feeling a little low, and maybe we should be doing more. But next time that low mood hits, take a couple of hours and watch the 1941 film Sullivan’s Travels. Terrific family film about a movie producer who wants to help people get through hard times. You are doing what you should be doing, and it means more than you can know to many of us. Cheers.

  32. Francois M says

    The A slide at the end of part 1 was my pickup for today. I’m been trying to build more double stops into my playing. It’s been a rough year and a half there in Nashville between the Covid hit to the music industry and all that flooding. Guthrie Trapp was pretty bummed out himself at the beginning of the year. I think he had Covid over the holidays last year. Not sure what he did to pull himself back up. Maybe just try to keep busy? You could use a break. Head to Florida and play island tunes? Head West and strum some good old fashioned cowboy songs? Or a cover version of Georgia on my Mind?

  34. ron D says

    Brian , hurray and thanks for a melancholy mood, (always good for the soul ), you nailed it on this one.
    I wish you would add a jazzy and melodic category to your video listings. This one is a candidate and a keeper, especially for the simplistic approach and beautiful sound . Thanks again , Ron

  36. Thomas J says

    Hi Brian, I have been a member for a few moths and just wanted to say thanks for the work you do. I am 65 yrs old and let my career take precedent over my love of playing guitar. I’ve been retired now for 2 yrs and enjoy playing guitar everyday. I really get a lot out of your lessons, keep up the great work. That Gibson and the story behind it is awesome. Your friend Tom

  37. Bryan S says

    Every once in a while, you have a lesson that just makes me proclaim “WOW”. This beautiful and simple song is so within my playing and knowledge range and yet “WOW”, what beauty and subtlety I am able to bring out – inspired by you. This lesson really delivers on your episode title and message.

    Yes. Melancholy can be so very beautiful when expressed in music.

  42. Mark C says

    Great, Brian.

    Because many of the chord progressions are unique, it would help me to have them written down so when I’m playing along with the backing track, I know what chords are coming. Is there someway to do that?

    Many thanks, as always.

  47. Glenn P says

    Hi Brian, you have incredible touch and timing. What is the secret to developing a touch like yours? Do you use a light finger weight in the left hand, or do you press quite firmly? (for this kind of style) Appreciate any insights you can give in this regard as to what to aim for when practicing. Thx.

  48. Rich F says

    Hi Brian!

    Commented yesterday on your wonderfully melancholic and fantastic lesson. This has really hooked me, and I am watching it again now over my early morning Sunday cup of tea here in the UK.

    The more I watch it, the more I get out of it! I have just arrived at the B minor walk down chords at 10.55… this walkdown is also in Oye Como Va by Santana, when it goes to tge mellow quiet part.

    Brian , you are simply a musical genius! 😊🎸

  50. Rafa says

    Brian, another lovely and wonderful composition you bring to us, you are and endless source of incredible music melodic pieces, so happy to follow you! The quality of your songs together with the clear way you explain every detail is an unvaluable gift for us!
    Thanks for everything!

  52. Juan R says

    Hi, again. Could you elaborate on minutes 9:57 to 10:03 (premium member)Please? I know that you have a lot of Rock here but I would like to learn these specific Rock and roll patron that you are playing (9:57 to 10:3)? I want to play it too. Please teach it (or more details about the soul of this link)

  54. Gerard v says

    Brian, fantastic piece of music lesson!
    I very much like the new rhythm tab sheet , it tells me at which position and with what chord shape i have to play.
    Can you keep on providing the rhythm sheet in your next lessons? Its very good practicing material for me.
    To give you a positive feedback: It would be great if you could enlarge the fret numbers and cord shapes by a factor 2 or 3.
    Gerard from Holland

    • JohnStrat says

      You can alter the size of the text and the tab in the soudnslice copy use the tools cog and open the menu its in there as a Zoom feature…
      not quite the same but does the trick just in case you had missed that features avaliability.
      JohnStrat

  57. Paul N says

    I woke up today feeling absolutely down and out, physically and mentally, did not feel like practicing, and this wonderful melancholy melody lesson appeared, and it was just what I needed. Thanks Brian!

  59. Jeff B says

    Brian, I really enjoyed EP429. Your site is the best one I’ve come across (I’ve checked out the majority of them). I also joined Quist per your recommendation and it is fantastic. I’m convinced you need to belong to more than one guitar website.
    Active Melody, Quist, and Paul David are my favorites. I also admire your guitar collection and choices you make. Great job!

  60. Delwyn P says

    Thank you Brian for a wonderful lesson. Going through tough patch and this lesson was exactly what I needed to use music as a way to comfort my soul. You are a great teacher and I am happy to be a premium member.

  61. Wil W says

    Dear Brian,

    another excellent lesson. I’m glad I became a premium member. The people who are looking at the gear/guitars, well I can tell you I own a Gretsch G6122T model 59GE, but this guitar doesn’t make me play like Chet Atkins, who could play on any guitar. So stop this kind of discussions, because it services no-one.
    What really is helping is Brian’s thoughts and reasons why he is playing the song like this and some theory about building tension and release. I’m learning to understand the things he is telling in the video’s, although sometimes I have to pause and rewind some passages. But this is no trouble, because I am gaining a lot with doing so. And it is all about learning to play your own guitar songs.
    Brian thanks for sharing and showing this to us.

    Wil from the Netherlands

  63. Steve G says

    I’ve been looking for something to use for a different solo but keep along the same style for Tennessee Whiskey. This seems to be what I’ve been looking for and hope I can adapt to it.
    Thanks Brian for this and other great lessons.

  68. George H says

    Thanks for the rhythm tabs too. As a not so advanced player, I have trouble getting or coming up with a good backing track . Beautiful composition. Whenever your listeners leave your sets humming your songs, you have succeeded.

  70. Carl D says

    Just a Great lesson Brian….Very nice and smooth melody…. I am very glad to have found your web site…. It is lessons and melodies like this that keep me inspired and coming back for more…. I can’t thank you enough for all you do for your membership….Like others have said, your the best instructor out there…. ha ha, can’t get enough of this Lesson…. all the best, and keep positive….

  73. Stephen L says

    Hi Brian.
    I spent last year going through Guthrie Trapp’s course on Artistworks. He is one of my favorites as well.
    His course really helped me to digest your content more quickly. I’ve been learning EP 307 for the last 10 days,
    both halves and from the cheap seats (free content). And just like you said, I’m learning the licks inside the three string triads
    in all the positions.
    Thanks for all the great content here. I’m going to learn a ton from you. Take care. Stephen L

  75. David S says

    Brian Hope you can continue doing songs or lessons like this more often.With all that is going on in this world we need a song like this more often to keep us continuing to better times.
    Keep up the good work.We need your enthusiasm. Thanks again for all you do. Dave

  79. Leonard L says

    Brian, this is by far one of your best lesson! However, having said that (could you tell there was a BUT coming?) I’m rather confused with your lesson around the 6:32ish mark of the first video. The problem I’m having is between the first and second measures. In the video demonstration, you play the tune the way it’s tabbed, BUT, in the lesson you add an extra 4, 2 on the G string before going back to the B string and playing the lick over. I think it sounds better with the extra B and A but that’s just me.

  80. Marie Jarreau says

    Brian,
    This is about a week late, but I couldn’t pass up mentioning to you how thrilled I was to open EP429 – AFTER – I’d created my August Challenge tune using only two chords, as you’d requested of us.
    You mentioned you’d been feeling a bit ‘down’ when you came up with this and I too (usually ultra optimistic) have been extremely depressed, especially as a veteran, with the recent disasterous events! But last Saturday morning as I sat beneath the tall pines they seemed to make me recognize that the world is still a good place and I was reminded with every deep breath that I have sooooo very any blessings to consider. I came out of that ‘phunk’ and focused on my quest to come up with a simple progression with a bit of fingerpicking around the A and D chords. The result took on a very pleasant, peaceful feel. My inspirations for this piece came from your two lessons – one titled “Chord Neighborhood” and also Micro-Lesson 052 – for slides and that sort of ‘call and response’ progression.
    But later that day at home and checking in for your latest lesson I was so amazed that you were focusing on several of the ‘things’ I had actually used in “Loblolly Lullabye” I was pleased the you were doing what souded like a couple of very similar ‘slides’ that I had included. It was also neat to hear your piece which has a more solemn yet soothing and beautiful feel. Your’s is also one that I could listen to for hours and I’m hoping to learn this one to add to my “mellow mood” music list.

    I’m so happy to have found the magic that happens under your nurturing lessons and teaching style, Brian.

    We love you,
    Marie

  82. robert g says

    Brian,

    What I appreciate most about you is that you are so open and real. We can tell where your at any time. You lay yourself out there with each lesson. That is why the stuff and soul that you express in your music is soooo good and powerful. You write great feeling stuff. Thanks for being you and sharing yourself.
    Bob

  83. Felix V says

    WOW!! HI! Brian, Even in your most depressed state of mind yet you brought out such a beautiful catchy melodic tune , so simple and pleasant to the ear. I must say you have nailed it . The lead tabs. & specially the Rhythm tabs. are great supporting tool. Thank you for imparting your knowledge to the many like me around the world who aspire to be good guitar players. I am happy to join the family.

  85. James E says

    Brian, please correct me if I am wrong, but on that slide up in the 8th measure, the second part where it siides for a whole step. It sounds to me like it resolves better to the A if you only slide a half step. Whart say you?
    Jim

  87. Barrie E says

    Lovely melody – the first part of the opening theme (3rd , 4th and 5th notes of the scale and return to the 3d) is very reminiscent of the beautiful “Portuguese love song” theme from the film “Love Actually”. The mood that it creates, a kind of wistful, longing for love, is similar to the movie theme.

  89. Lawrence S says

    Hi Brian,

    Just came across this as despite being a premium member life sometimes gets in the way of guitar playing. I really love this piece and play it with a mixture of chords and lead. I particularly like the B minor walk down which gives a nice bit of variety and colour.

  91. Mark K says

    Brian, I love this song. It is simple but yet touching! I think you really created something special, even though it seems simple to play. In a way, being blue seems to be a great source of creativity. Tabbing the rhythm is a great bonus. However, I would be so happy if you could tell us a little bit about how you achieve that spacy and mellow tone… despite unsing a beuatiful semi-accoustic guitar. Thanks!

  95. sukumaran u says

    This is the 2nd song i am learning. It just touches some deep levels of me when I hear this. All the more when I am able to play it myself. I spend an hour daily learning this bit by bit and time does not seem to exist when I learn. Reached the end. Fine tuning the most difficult part which is a 7 note walk in 2 sec. There is a slide down in the third note which is disturbing my flow. Time being I am avoiding the slide and going to the note directly and i am able to do it. With practice, slide will be possible but impatience to complete the song and play it over and over and feel it is compelling. Thanks Brian! Well, I am 59, self learning guitar hobbyist, no music training.

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