Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Slow acoustic melody and rhythm composition – play it by yourself – EP406

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a slow (and easy) melody and rhythm in a solo composition (no jam track needed). You’ll be learning your chords in various positions and understanding how the major scale relates to those chord shapes. This sounds great on acoustic or electric guitar

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

  9. ron D says

    Brian. , love when you veer away from the blues and offer more melodic tunes. By the way ,this is the first lesson I received on a Friday morning ,usually have to wait until Sat. always wondered how others were able to reply so quickly. Thanks for all you do for us. Ron

  14. Frank C says

    Love the slow melodic ones. Also, it’s got me using the dreaded F chord (gasp!) in a non-threatening way haha. And love the walkdown into the Am chord. It’s all good – thanks for another beauty.

  20. Paul B says

    Thank you, Brian. Love this song you created and I think, I can, eventually, play it.
    That’s a wonderful guitar you have to play it on too, by the way. Your set is looking great – liking the darker shirts, nailed it! If you angle the guitar on the far right (background) your background light will may deflect off camera and not blow out with the blue light – or try another guitar or light position. Perhaps a block of foam on the left side to prop it up. Awesome, impromptu set!

    The song does sound a bit like Jim Reeves version of Welcome to my World. But, if I listen to it, I can hear a faint sound of the Sinatra’s version of, Fools Rush In. This was recorded in 1940 and the Reeves version was 1961. It amazing how a few notes stick in our subconscious. This is because they move us somehow, I believe. Isn’t that a wonderful thing? I recall listening to Reeves sing his song when I was just a kid and the album was played in the living room in the giant cabinet stereo. I think this is why I have such an eclactic list of music that I love to hear and play.

    Thanks again for your hard work and dedication!

  21. Paul R says

    I already see that people been sending you the same message that I am sending you….. to my ear it does sound like Jim Reeves’s “Welcome to My World”. but thanks for showing us how to play it…. I like it.

    • Henry G says

      “Farther Down The Line” …Let’s have a hand for that young cowboy,
      and wish him better luck next time.
      And hope we see him up in Fargo,
      or somewhere farther down the line.

      A great song, written by Lyle Lovett, who does it so well himself, as he does with everything he performs, but Wilie’s cover is, IMHO, equally memorable.

      I think, with eight notes and generally three chords, and maybe a fourth thrown in as a passing tone, all of us have internalized so many common sounds it’s no wonder the lines and harmonies show up in so many tunes. I wouldn’t call it plagiarizing, just something more akin to rearranging the lego blocks.

      • Henry G says

        Follow up thought….it’s great to read all the associations and tunes this line has brought out from amongst the gang here.

        Seems to me another echoed aural memory fragment could be Tex Ritter’s performance of Hank Locklin’s “Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling” from the classic movie “High Noon”.

        Fortunately we live in this internet and Netflix and YouTube age, so if someone doesn’t know of Ritter, or High Noon, go check ’em out; you’ll likely be pleased you did.

  25. Ted M says

    Hi Brian, I have no idea what song this lesson was inspired by, but it is coming at a perfect time for me. A few months ago you suggested that if we found ourselves in a rut to go try something different. I took the advice to heart and have been working diligently on Travis picking. Have a ways to go but this will be a perfect vehicle to use for practice. I have been adapting some of the blues stuff you teach to it ( and using other sources like BGI) but this will be perfect for me. Thanks, Ted

  26. Mark W says

    Another great lesson! I as well immediately thought “I have heard this”. I kept thinking about it for a bit and settled on one of my favorites, John Prine’s song, Souvenirs. Much slower tempo, but I can make the words fit with a similar chord progression.

  30. Biker13 says

    Laughed when you said you felt guilty saying out loud that you had a favorite guitar. I know exactly how you feel. For what its worth, of all the great guitars you play that Martin is my favorite. Well, its actually between the Martin and that old Odell hollow body. I love that one too.

  31. Antiuga says

    Hi Brian great lesson I am a bit confused. Is this like supposed to be a joke? We all know that’s Willie Nelson but I was not sure if we were just supposed to be funny about it. I hope you’re having a good weekend.

  32. David LC says

    I had my 1967 018 rebuilt just over a year ago.
    Wow! It came back like a brand new 53 year old, mellow, aged guitar.
    I know what you felt.
    BTW, it’s okay to say out loud you have a favorite. They don’t have ears.

  35. parsonblue says

    Each week when I open a new lesson, the first thing I look for is an acoustic guitar in your hands…Martin, Taylor , Alvarez, doesn’t matter.
    Then I listen to the tune, slow speed, and then…yep, just what I wanted, perfect. Thanks so much,

    Parson Blue in Thailand.

  40. JohnStrat says

    Good Morning Brian and all, well the moment I heard the first ring out from your guitar I knew it was much different from before. Much stronger in tone and brightness. We all know a brand new set of strings goes a long way on that front especially if the last were old but never the less I can hear a very substantial difference and obviously the luthier has done a first rate job and you must be very pleased. And to top that off you have come up with another very fine lesson. congratulations. There was a comment on the forum lamenting the recent lack of acoustic lessons as there had been a run of principly electric lessons. Jola chipped in that your Luthier was busy and I said I thought relief was on the way this week! So I suspect a few lessons in a row with your rejuvenated master peace will b very well received!
    JohnStrat

  45. charleydelta says

    Great melody line for guitarists of every skill level, but particularly for beginners, who must get frustrated trying to emulate more complex compositions. A big breakthrough for me – and I’ve been playing for >50 years – is tying things back to chord shapes, as you’ve been telling us for years. It has revolutionized my playing.
    By the way, love your Forties Martin. Martin’s may be pricy, but I love how my Martin HD-28 plays and sounds. I can’t put it down – the hallmark of a truly great guitar!

  47. Raymond P says

    Hi Brian,
    Great lesson as always. I noticed that since you moved the notation to the top of your screen it gets partially blocked out whenever I stop the video to look at the notation by your message about “Easy acoustic melody message… This doesn’t happen when you have the notation on the lower half the the screen. Just thought I’d mention it to you.

    As always a great lesson.
    Thanks
    Ray P

  50. Glenn W says

    Glad you got the Tablature to now open in a new window. Used to annoy the hell out of me when I absent mindedly clicked it (without pressing control button) and had to start the video again. Great lesson – as usual.

  53. chris b says

    another great lesson Brian.

    can’t wait to get my guitar back from the tune-up shop and work on this…i feel like i’m falling behind, and i have a test friday!

    your compositions are always thoughtful, great to play and listen to, and deliberately pulling us along the happy trail of connecting the dots.

    many thanks,

  58. Dennis D says

    Definitely “Welcome to my world” sung by many artists. Great lesson as always. I wish you could do more actual cover songs without the worry of copyright infringements. I think many of us could use your help in learning to play some of the great music classics created over the
    decades.

  63. Jeff H says

    A Beautiful composition, definitely one of my favourites. I reminds me of a number of songs, but probably “If Tomorrow Never Comes” the most. This rates along side EP282 and EP154. Thanks Brian

  64. Daniel H says

    Brian,
    I notice you frequently use your pinky to hold the A shape chord but you acknowledge most of us use our 4th finger.
    Is there a tactical advantage of using your pinky or is it mostly preference?

  72. Paul S says

    You say this is so easy but to me it is something I can learn and play all the way through and play over and over again. Comes in handy when someone says, “go ahead…play something!” This is a real gem. Just for fun, try ending on a C2 (?) that’s: C (5th string, 3rd fret), E (4th string 2nd fret), open G (3rd string), D (2nd string 3rd fret) and high G (1st string 3rd fret).

  78. Roger D says

    Your melody when the song begins reminds me a bit of “The Homecoming” ( Hagood Hardy 1975) although certainly yours is original. Nice guitar sound….I love these slow melodies.

  79. San Luis Rey says

    Hey Brian,
    I have never seen so many comments for a new lesson, 85 so far. Was just going add that this chord progression, in some form , has been used in a gazillion songs. It happens to be the very first progression I was taught in 1962! Thank you for adding the great lines connecting these chords!

  80. Jon M says

    Terrific composition, Brian – every time I think, “this one is too easy” I end up learning much more than I could have imagined. I think there are a few spots of confusion between the video and the tablature, but after you explain where the notes are coming from I found I could use the tab, or the video – or come up with something similar on my own, so all good… and many thanks, as always!

  82. daryl w says

    Hey Brian…as it has been pointed out…the song has several elements of Garth’s Brooks ‘If Tomorrow never comes’ but after I have this lesson under my fingers I’m going to add my own thoughts and words to this song. It’s a beautiful melody…thank you!

  83. Tim Read says

    Hi Brian! New joiner from York, England. The melody reminds me of both Welcome to my World and You’re my World by Cilla Black…am 62 today and my subscription is a present, so planning to be a better player by my next thanks to your lessons 😁🤣

  97. Stephen McConnell says

    This song is Make the World go away… Eddie Arnold sang it and made it popular first. Then, it was covered by Ray Price and Elvis Presley. Listen to it. I am gonna steal your arrangement to play an instrumental while I cover the song.

  107. vmulki says

    Hi Brian,
    I loved this lesson! And the minute I heard the tune I knew it was Dean Martin singing “You Belong To Me”. At least the first 3 lines for sure:-)
    Anyway it is nice and playable. I’m really enjoying the classes
    Vikram

  109. Tom D says

    Hi Brian,

    Back in the 1960s when I used to play in a Rock band called the Vagrants, the guitarist I used to try and copy was called Mike Bloomfield. He was the lead guitarist of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. I tried to copy his style of playing but could never quite get it. In one of your future lessons could you please do one demonstrating his style . I am sure he mainly used the minor pentatonic scale, but I would love to learn some of his runs, licks etc.

  111. Terrence Wong c says

    Hi Brian,
    It sound like a gospel song i have heard before.” Did you ever talk to GOD”.
    Beautiful and smooth the soul melody.

    I always thought a song will start at 1. In this case, Key of C ……is C chords.
    But this piece start with 4.5.1.2.( F.G.C.Am). Surprisingly is sound beautiful.
    What is the music theory behind?,

  113. Jason D says

    It is unbelievably hard to find people who have the gift to hear a melody in their head and to be able to create a really interesting composition and then teach you how to play it. Another spectacular leeson that shows why Brian’s ability and teaching methods stand out from the others. He is the ‘Prince’ of acoustic blues and constantly delivers brilliant content!

  114. Gary D says

    Brian, love your arrangement. sorry so late to the party but as I was playing this this morning my wife recognized it as “make the world go away” Her father used to listen to Eddie Arnold when she was a little girl. Great job.

  118. edward p says

    Hi Brian ,been a member for 4or 5 years and I really enjoy your laid back way of teaching,and variety of styles of music,I,m also an old(hippy)and can remember watching Jimmy Reeves sing welcome to my world on tv back in the 50,s and that is definitely one of the first renditions of that particular chord sequence,I’m sure there are many others and it is quite beautiful, looking forward to your next great lesson,thanks for all the great takeaways, Edward P

    Newmarket,Ont.

  122. Doug H says

    I like these pieces that can be played alone on acoustic. Too often someone says, play something for me, and since I don’t sing a lot, pieces like this are great to show off some skills. Thanks Brian!

  123. Mike N says

    That melody is from a David Allen Coe song from the 80’s called “Mona Lisa’s Lost Her Smile”. Beautiful song. We used to cover it in a country band I was in back in the 80’s.

  124. Jonathon B says

    It makes me feel better. I have a little tune picked out that sounds familiar but I’m not sure why either. I guess I’m not the only one…. lol. Your work is awesome. Thanks. Love the solo compositions…

  128. John S says

    To me this sounded like the beginning of, I think it’s called, you belong to me. An old song that starts out “ see the pyramids along the Nile, watch the sunset on a tropic isle “.

  129. Gary R says

    Love the lessons. I hear a cross between Rights of Man and Over the Waterfall. Both by Hull and Larson. Anybody listening and learning these genres of music with Brian’s wonderful breakdowns, might want to give the Cappuccino and the Moonbeams records a listen. My heart goes to the major minor chord structure melodic songs like a magnet. And this song has that quality, C to Am that I am just a sucker for. Anyway, Brian’s lessons track well with the above records for context in my brain. Bonus is, as I fumbled through this melody, I landed learning two other songs, dots included. Thanks!

  134. Seth H says

    Sounds a lot like the melody in The Prayer, written by David Foster and sung by Andrea Bocceli and Celine Dion. Really liking how it translates on acoustic guitar. Thank you for all your lessons and efforts.

  135. hansell says

    Have no clue if this is sounding similar to something Brian – I just enjoyed working on it bit by bit and now can play it almost as smoothly as you do (or so I think).
    It’s been a fun challenge and it has turned on some lightbulbs that may light the way to putting together something of my own .
    Thanks and keep them coming!
    Harry

  137. Neil L says

    Brian, re EP 406 , I’m with the people who say its like “You belong to Me.”

    To hear a great guitar version of it listen to Duke Robillard on his great album Ear Worms (2020)

    All the best, Neil L. from the Land down Under

  144. Mike F says

    HELP. I am a beginner and thought I knew TAB representation, but I do not understand the graphics that have notes connected with horizontal lines below staff lines. Can you explain? Without understanding , the tab print outs are useless to me……..
    Thank you.
    Mike F

    • John says

      Mike ,

      If you are referring to the lines below the staff then I think you are looking a timing. The single line would be 8th notes, the double line 16th notes. There are some triples (in music theory, a triplet is a three-note pattern that fills the duration of a typical two-note pattern). If you look at the ‘Full Screen Mode’ and the actual music, then it should be clarified. (Note: There are some slides and slurs shown in the tab as well.). Hope this helps.

      John

  146. Sam C says

    Good morning. I really enjoy this song. I have a hard time moving my hands on the frets or picking anything. I have Parkinson Disease. My hands shake very bad sometime. Slow songs are what I look for now days. I have played the guitar for more than 60 years. with my disease i am a beginner again. I remember how to do scales and cords but hands just wont work for me anymore. I am not griping. I am glad I found your site. You have allowed this old man to still play the guitar even if my music is awful sounding. Have a nice day

  154. rennie g says

    Brian
    I played for the Pfeil Bros Band for 15 years and our first album was welcome to our world. We were the No.1 country band in our area. if I can find a copy of the album cover, I will send it to you. definitely Welcome to My World. Eddie Arnold

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