In this guitar lesson, you'll be playing in the key of C minor and will be alternating back and forth between rhythm and lead. The jam track has no guitar tracks so you'll be filling in all guitar parts, which is great practice from both a creativity and a timing perspective. These types of lessons really force you to be on your toes (in order to keep up with the jam track) and help you develop a sense of timing. This lesson can be played on electric or acoustic guitar. … [Read more...]
Electric Rhythm and Lead Blues Guitar Lesson – EP067
This lesson was created exclusively for premium members. The jam track for this lesson contains only drums and bass, so your goal in this lesson is to play all of the electric parts (just like you would in a blues trio), so you'll alternate back and forth between rhythm and lead. Half of this lesson is devoted to the back and forth (call and response) technique and the other half is devoted to rhythm (timing). … [Read more...]
Mark Knopfler Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson – EP059
In this lesson, learn to play a Mark Knopfler inspired guitar part (both rhythm and lead). I realize that Mark Knopfler plays 3 finger style and doesn't use a pick. I'm not showing his technique in this lesson but showing how he would approach the notes (i.e. his phrasing). I might also recommend 2 albums of his that are must haves - "Sailing To Philadelphia" and "Ragpicker's Dream". Another classic is "Neck and Neck" with Chet Atkins. … [Read more...]
Slow Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson – With Piano – EP052
In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a very simple (yet powerful) rhythm and lead to accompany a piano. Sometimes playing along with another single instrument can be very challenging. It can be natural to want to play over them as opposed to play with them and create something melodic together. Just remember to keep it simple. This lesson is for both beginner and intermediate players and can be done on acoustic or electric guitar. … [Read more...]
Funk Rhythm Lesson – 3 Versions
Rhythm guitar lessons seem to be somewhat overlooked in online guitar instruction and yet they are extremely important. I think most people assume that rhythm guitar is for beginners, but if you are ever in a situation where you're playing rhythm in a band (or even on your own), you'll quickly realize how critical it is to know different ways to voice chords and to have rhythmic variations that you can resort to. This lesson takes an upbeat funk / blues song and demonstrates three very different … [Read more...]
Part 2 of 2 – Lead Guitar Lesson for “Jam in D” – EP048
This guitar lesson is a follow-up to last week’s lesson (EP047) which was a stand-alone rhythm that worked on it’s own with no accompaniment. This week, I’ve created a jam track that can be applied to last week’s lesson.. so you can now practice EP047 with the jam track in this lesson. In addition, I’ll show you how to play a lead part that incorporates both major and minor pentatonic scales. … [Read more...]
Funk Blues Rhythm Guitar Lesson – EP043
In this lesson I'll show you how to play an up-tempo bluesy funk rhythm on electric guitar. Techniques in this lesson include palm-muting, left-hand muting, and alternate picking. … [Read more...]
Cream Guitar Lesson – Eric Clapton – EP035
In this lesson I'll show you how to play an Eric Clapton (Cream era) bluesy rhythm and lead, using the call and response technique. Clapton's style has changed a few times through the years, but the way he played during the Cream years is still legendary because of his unique phrasing and perfect tone. Most ActiveMelody guitar lessons can work on either acoustic or electric guitar, but this lesson is really intended for just electric (because of the high position on the neck and the bending … [Read more...]
Blues Rhythm and Lead – EP034
This lesson features a more interesting approach to playing rhythm for a standard 12 bar blues. I'll show you how to incorporate some jazzier chords. The second video (for Premium members) will show you how to play a simple, yet powerful sounding solo / lead part that is featured in the second half. This lesson can be played on either acoustic or electric guitar and is intended for beginner or intermediate players. … [Read more...]
John Lee Hooker Style Guitar Lesson – Shuffle Rhythm – EP032
This guitar lesson showcases the very unique blues shuffle style that John Lee Hooker is probably best known for. This is intended for beginner and intermediate guitar players and can be played on either electric or acoustic guitar. … [Read more...]
