Guitar playing revolves around a lot of different skills… some of them are basic like plucking a string, while others are a bit more complex like strumming in time.
Some skills are what I call “hows” in that they revolve around how to do something – how to switch from C to G smoothly, or how to play the A minor blues scale.
Still others revolve around “whats,” and those tend to be a little harder to pin down – what should I play in my solo, or what variation of an A7 chord should I play?
Now maybe it’s the end of the year approaching (this always seems to happen around this time,) but lately I’ve been really focusing a lot on making sure that I have videos and materials that truly answer every question you might have, or solve every problem that you might encounter on your journey to be a better blues guitar player…
So to that end I thought it might be fun to get your ideas on what the essential skills are when it comes to being a guitar player.
But, of course, I’ll start, and you can leave any others you can think of in the comments below. If we can come up with a comprehensive list it’ll be super helpful to a lot of people.
- how to hold a pick
- how to position your left hand fingers correctly to make a single note
- how to hold your fingers to make an open position chord
- how to position your fingers for a barre chord
- how to strum in 1/8th notes
- how to read music notes
- how to count out loud when you play
- how to count triplets
- how to count sixteenth notes
- how to play the minor pentatonic scale
- how to play the minor blues scale
- how to play a diatonic major scale
- how to play a major blues scale
- how to play a major pentatonic scale
- how to find any note on your guitar
- how to name any note at random on your guitar
- how to strum in sixteenth notes
- how to play in a swing feel
- how to play the standard “blues in E” rhythm in a slow blues.
- how to play [insert song name here.]
and of course… there are a lot more, but that should get us going. I’m looking forward to your thoughts so leave them below!
196 replies to "Skills To Pay The Bills"
I wanted to make my list without looking at anyone else’s first, including Griff’s … so this should be interesting. I’ve been thinking about this sort of the thing a fair bit, and I think there are only three types of skills
1) Listening
2) Thinking
3) Playing
Some really great players seem to skip step 2, and I know from experience that it is possible to jump from one to three without stopping at 2, but I believe that some kind of cognition always occurs, even if it is so fast and effortless as to seem transparent.
Most people seem to focus their practice time on Playing (scales, chords, songs, chords, technique etc), while some more analytical folks spend a lot fo time on Thinking (theory, readying etc), but players who are really good at listening can do things you simply won’t learn no matter how strong your technique or how much theory you know.
Interestingly I first started thinking about this after playing (and watching others play) at the BGU up at Lake Arrowhead a couple of years ago. I was really impressed by how Griff’s guys played. But not just what they were playing or even how they were playing, but what/when. And it wasn’t the technical virtuosity (which was apparent) what impressed me was how they interacted with us, the nubs. No matter who they where playing with, they knew what was needed – to keep the train on the tracks, to build the energy, to get the band back at the top of the form … whatever.
By the end of the weekend I felt like I was playing with a safety net, that I could do no wrong. Because this amazing band was behind me. I didn’t have to THINK about what was next, I just had to listen to the band, and I knew that the band was listening to me.
So that’s how I organize my practice time now. Listening, thinking, playing.
Strumming Patterns in time
Fingerpicking vs pick
What notes are particularly satisfying under the different chords in a blues progression?
You provide a good amount of solo lessens. It would help if there were a suggested strum pattern to go with it
Hey Griff, Great topic & refresher since you posted this back in Nov 2016. I left my input as above back then. Now I have progressed.
I now find that it is easier to learn & practice always with your Guitar when doing your BGU email Lessons and Courses. It seems much easier to memorize your practice and your lessons on the guitar.
I have set myself a annual Road Map for Blues Guitar & Other songs. I have set up 4 stages of 6 songs including Blues songs to learn to play. Staring with Stage 1 being the easiest 6 songs and to try to get them all down in 3 months. This together with doing my BGU courses that reflect where I am at.
My hardest challenges are :Ear training for the How & What & to learn chords ,comping and when to Solo and turnarounds by memory of any song..
Some great ideas above.. all good.
Michael -Sydney- Australia – 3rd Nov 2018
How to thank Griff for all he does for us and for music!
How to thank griff for all he does!
Practice vibrato as part of every practice.
How to play fills between chords instead of just strumming all the time. How to developed your ear so that you can play most songs quickly.
How do you claim a riff or melody as your own?
aka How do you know it is original not something
you Subconsciously reproduce?
have several of griff’s courses and agree that he is at the top of line as a teacher. griff always says to count out loud, know where all of the notes are on the fretboard, and a few other things that make perfect sense. I noticed that I would count out loud for 2 or 3 measures and notice that my counting had stopped.tried to learn all of the note positions with limited success. as a result, i was addicted to tab and couldn’t do anything without that crutch. then, in a comment to one of griff’s on-line lessons, someone mentioned a book called “MUSIC READING FOR GUITAR, THE COMPLETE METHOD” BY DAVID OAKES. found it on ebay and bought it and it has made a major difference for me. by following the book, i am counting without that incessant stopping, i am no longer addicted to the tab and i am much improved on the note positions on the fretboard. it actually has helped me to play in position. about $15 with free shipping. very much worth a look.
Hi Griff,
An essential skill is bending to pitch. This has been the hardest skill for me to master and after many years of despairing I am finally starting to see great leaps forward. Working and practising is finally paying off.
Thanks for all the great lessons
Cheers
Eric
how to breakout of the box patterns and play more fluidly. After 30+ years of playing I still cant move around the fret board with confidence and ease. i watch some of the effect pedal demos, your lessons and youtube guitar guys and they are so fast, smooth and precise. Makes me feel quite in a rut.
I would like to learn more fingerstyle guitar. I don’t like the puck getting between me and the strings.
Bet the ol’ blues men didn’t always have a pick.
I agree with Rod Wooley’s List. That was well thought out and comprehensive.
We have a course on strumming and rhythm mastery but how about a course that concentrates more on right hand ( sorry lefties) skills.
Griff, you have classical training . I’m no Segovia. Would like to play fingerstyle jazz and blues and popular songs. Not just noodle around in scales, but play recognizable melodies.
Also I would love to find others to play with. Music is best when it’s shared.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion on this subject.
Timing and counting especially when playing.
How to memorise – licks, tiffs, chord progressions,
Triads – shapes & how to incorporate in solos
Arpeggios
How to avoid unwanted string noise in various situations.
when playing rhythm, when to use a little cord or a full cord?
I HAVE A FEW OF YOUR COURSES. BOUGHT YOUR FIRST BGU LEARN TO PLAY BLUES. PLUS LITTLE WING AND SOME OTHERS.
ONLY THING AFTER PLAYING PROFESSIONALY FOR 50 YEARS +, I STILL CAN’T READ, OR GRASP THE TERORY OF READING MUSIC. CAN’T WRITE IT, OR READ IT.
I DO LIKE YOUR VIDEO LESSONS. THEY GIVE ME SOME JUCIE AND SOME THING NEW TO LERAN. IN THE PAST 5 YEARS WITH YOU GRIFF, MY LEAD AND MY SOLOS HAVE GOTTEN 100% BETTER THAN I HAVE EVER HAD. THANK YOU MY FRIEND GRIFF !
1. How to identify the key of a piece of music by twanging the sixth string and going up and down the FB.
2. How to decide whether the piece is major or minor sounding.
3. How to decide if a piece of music is in a mode
4. Basic music theory sufficient to understand what notes are in any scale, chord formation and intervals, and what chords go with any particular scale.
5. Use of the circle of fifths (or fourths!). It has many uses and is a very convenient tool.
6. How to move smoothly and effortlessly between the five pentatonic shapes by frequent practice “noodling around” (including use of the two extended versions of pentatonic shapes)
7. Where the root notes lie in each of the pentatonic shapes
8. Where the blues notes can be added to the minor pentatonic scale shapes
9. How to use a looper to record your own backing and play along with.
Love this, thank you Griff, et al…my good friend is a guitar pro who you may or may not know of (Rafael Moreira); but Rafa constantly reminds me (& others in similar type discussions) of the importance of rhythm and timing – ESPECIALLY during your solos. My sense of that schooling is: You can become a technically efficient guitarist by learning and practicing all these important items on the list(s). But if you don’t learn to master the FEEL, TIMING and GROOVE of the music you are performing; no matter how technically-well you play it’s gonna sound like caca. So for me: TIMING/RHYTHM & ALTERNATE PICKING; those are my mountains/barriers to get over. And once I do; I’m going on a world tour 🙂 … my first; at 61…Rock on, friends. I’m thinking we’re all pretty fortunate to have the opportunity to hangout and learn music from such a gifted teacher & musician like Mr. Griff.
How to set amp settings to get blues tone with different guitars.
What are you thinking when approaching an unknown or unfamiliar song to solo
Though my guitar is in tune with a guitar tuner why does it sound out of tune
Is there a country blues scale?
Thanks Griff
Best regards.
How do you apply extended chord shapes 6th/9th or 13th etc. to a melody that has basic chords?
I’ve heard this done before a lot…let’s say a pop song is re-recorded with a Blues or Jazz arrangement, they would use a lot of these extended chord shapes that gives the song an interesting lift, opening an avenue for more fills and solos.
By the way… Great job Griff! You already have quite an impressive list.
Thanks,
Bhim.
Teach us the several (must know) basic blues licks or phrases and how and where to play them in relation to I, IV, and V progression. (Licks, phrases I still don’t understand the difference).
I did not see anything in the comments or your list about using and the theory of a capo(sp?). I see a lot of people using one. Thanks for you and your teaching style. Many relevant comments here. So much left to learn but still having fun.
How,what,sequences,lennght of time for each part of the practice……
I think that apart from the determination required to practice even when you seem to be making no progress, you need to be able to pick with plectrum and fingers and be able to play inside the pentatonic shapes rather than just play them from 6th to 1st strings
I think it would help on knowing on how to create your own licks for each chord change in a blues song along with knowing when to start your solo in a measure.
Understanding what a bass line does in blues, what rhythm does, how melody works, and what an accent is — and why it’s not the same as what you hear in pop music.
Okay that’s knowledge and not skill, but until you can hear it, what you have are guitar skills and not blues guitar skills.
I’m never sure how to position my pick hand while playing. Do I brace my hand with my little finger on the guitar body while picking notes; or do I do so by resting the back of the first joints of my middle, ring and little fingers on the guitar body; or do I let my pick hand float free over the guitar body? Or is it a combination of all three? I had lessons for some time and always let my playing hand float free, without any comment from my tutor. Then I changed tutor and was told always to brace my playing hand. Is there a ‘right’way to make one’s picking controlled and accurate?
How to stretch your fingers into impossible shapes in nano seconds
How to strum 6 strings and make just one or two ring out
How to do five things at once without thinking about any of them
Well that’s what it seems like to me lol
When practicing a piece of music, not stopping when you make a mistake. Doing that can cause you too continue to make the mistake, it’s very hard not to do, I think it’s human nature to stop and fix it. I’m guilty of it, but I get past it much quicker when I play through the mistake and if needed, play the licks the are giving me trouble seperately.
PS what John wrote about the mental aspect and how he feels about his guitars, I concur 100%.
How to properly position your thumb on your fret hand. (I am left-handed, so I don’t like to say “your left hand”.) I had my thumb in the wrong position for months and it really made playing/practicing difficult. It made barre chords impossible.
Thanks Griff!
Hi.. humility,a Skill of the soul..
Get it all together before arthritis gets in the way?
How to MUTE unwanted notes/strings
I find this to be as, if not more, challenging than playing the ‘right’ notes.
Someone may have mentioned this, I admit to skimming through previous comments
Ditto.
Right hand (palm) muting is doable. I’m sure left hand (in my case fretting hand) muting is as well, but I need a lot of help with it.
-ed
You’re really got the masses round up this morning good job
Understanding the music theory behind each of Griff’s lessons!
Nice list of the physical attributes required to make a guitar sound good Griff. We also need some mental attributes in order to play. It takes an inner drive, motivation and desire to devote the time and put in the work to squeeze pleasant sounds from any instrument. Without the desire to pick up a guitar every day, even if just for a few minutes, no one, not even a guitar god, could play a guitar. All of us who play have that inner motivation. The source of My motivation occured 52 years ago as a 10 year old listening to Hendrix play Purple Haze. The sound of that guitar just blew me away. I can play Purple Haze but I don’t sound exactly like Jimi so the desire to capture that sound keeps me motivated to play on.
Over the years my guitars became my best friends. They do anything I tell them to do, never give me a hard time and are always around so I’m never alone.
I heard Dickie Betts say that if you want to play guitar you have to get close to your guitar. Close as in physicaly holding it and manipulating it to get the desired sound. And close as in its your friend. It’s An inanimate object but when used correctly can mesmerize the player and the audience. Who wouldn’tp want have a friend that wields such power?
A guitar can’t be played without acquiring the physical skills to manipulate the device. Nor can a guitar be played without acquiring the necessay mental skills and developing a lasting relationship with the instrument.
Is it just me or do others love to gaze at the shape, color, texture and beauty of the instrument in addition to reveling in the joyous sounds they produce?
How to select and combine box shapes and where to play them on the fretboard
How to keep a tempo! I play solo a lot and I find myself speeding up too fast. sometimes even when I am using a drum machine. How can I correct that?
also when I learn a new song it takes me about 5-7 days to get it down. I also sing all the songs so I need to memorize all the words. So I relate the cords to the words to know where I am in the song? Should I learn the Music first then the words, or learn the words then the music?
Paul:
I, too, sing while playing. I have found it key to actually be able to play a song (primarily strumming chords), know it inside and out, before putting the words to it. When you can make a mistake and not hesitate to keep going (Griff stresses this as a learning mechanism), correctly staying on course, then you “know” the song.
To me, singing really is a great way to put the chords in place to know where you are in a piece. It helps your time. If you have listened to the song you want to learn, many, many times, you already have internalized it, know it by ear. That makes the entire process, for me, go faster.
My problem, at age 63, is that I have “forgotten” all the songs I actually have learned because I don’t get through them all in a week. But, they tend to come back fast because I actually know them! Memory is a funny thing…
I think how to maintain a stage presence and not look like a stick or cardboard cutout while playing is important.
How to play the 1,4,5 cord progression !!!!!
When to play “Little Chords” and when to play “Full Chords”, and what beats to play them on.
Dynamics. How to play with feeling. What I hear myself playing in my head is NOT what comes out on a recording 😉
How to move your fingers quickly and smoothly, so you have enough time on the strings to play the note cleanly.
1. How to play the (vocal) melody
2. How to play a response to/variation of the melody
3. Chord embellishments/walk-ups
How to “feel the music in your body” when you’re playing…not just in your head or ears… Sometimes we need to forget about playing the “right” notes and just “feel” the rhythm and melody and put that feeling and expression into your playing. It sounds hokey until you actually do it and hear the difference.
Palm muting
How to set out a constructive practice schedule
😎🎶
Here, here
this is my number 1!!
Timing ! Timing, Timing ! For me, Almost all, if not all, of the challenges and difficulties come down to timing. I struggle with counting, especially dotted notes and rests. I have trouble applying a technique, like a slur or vibrato, for example, and having it sound seamless with the beat of the song. Not being able to count through the measures makes returning to the song on time, and in time, really frustrating for me.
Unplug the TV!
Understanding 3/4 timing -I get main idea, but when there’s like hit not 1 and 3, then 2 and 3, etc I lose it. Is also called 12 beats to the bar?
I took all my strings off and decided to clean, polish it. I’m wondering about inside the guitar?
How to keep myself motivated. I tend to lose interest when I don’t have someone to play with occasionally, so over the last 40 years leaving it aside more and more, to the point where I got back into it, and find, I can remember chords and stuff, but only 2 songs left out of dozens. (I had tests for Alzheimers and Dementia, results say my memory is fine -but reality quite disturbingly not? especially playing with no music in front of me -I think training my ear is part of this too?)
A former Colys fracture makes it difficult to hold bar chords, (arthritis there too) then when I broke my right wrist, I gave up, yet didn’t part with guitar.
Hi Diana, It’s wonderful to have someone to play with, and you should always be on the lookout for a jam partner. To get back into playing, start by leaving you guitar out, maybe on a stand in the living room. Pick it up and noodle around, it’s been a friend for 40 years, keep it close and handy. When you find a song you want to learn, go to YouTube and search, how to play “song name”. There are lots of good instructions. As for difficult bar chords, you don’t need a full bar chord, just a few strings (like Griffs “little chords”). Find a few strings of a bar chord that you can easily fret and practice playing just those strings. Get that old friend out, tune it up, and get it singing again.
How to sound musical playing the major and minor pentatonic scales.
How to play the melody notes in the pentatonic scales.
How to play the root, 3rd and 5th notes in a progression and stay in time.
How to play/insert licks at the right time to complement the vocals….
Keeping fingernails under control. Over the years I’ve seen many guitars with gouges in the fingerboard between the strings, especially around open position. These are dug out by (too long) fingernails over a long period of time. So, keeping your nails short is important, both for your instrument and your sound, and I’ve no doubt that Griff had to learn how to do it during his classical guitar studies. So, how about a video lesson on keeping fingernails under control? BOTH hands – fingerpickers use picking-hand nails too!
Cheers, ChrisG.
I second ChrisGSP’s request for fingernail advice. I am especially interested in the right (fingerpicking) hand.
Hey Griff
How to play the Cannonball shuffle, By Robben Ford.
Rudy, you are on the money with this request. Are you talking about the version by Robben Ford Trio Live in Paris? At the end Robben calls up Larry Coryell (R.I.P. and one of the greatest modern guitar players) and they do Cannonball Shuffle – amazing. I think Larry plays brilliantly and he really makes Robben stretch out. An incredible few minutes of brilliance by two of the very best. It’s up on YouTube – “Robben Ford Trio the Paris Concert 2009”
Chris G November 2018.
How to “hide” the pick in your palm while you finger pick a few measures and then switch back to using the pick
I’d like to know how this is possible. I have several songs that I sing but play the melody also. Also can you make a place on your guitar to hold your pick when you’re not using it.
Another “ditto” here for me. I’ve seen it done more than one way but can’t figure out the motion well enough to get a handle on it. What I’ve been trying isn’t working.
-ed
For me it’s learning a very basic set of small riffs that I can play over a blues song. Griff’s ‘How to start a solo’ example of the opening riff in A was a really great help . I learnt the easy riff to play over the one chord (which I can now play over any root) and I’d like something just as simple to play over the 4 and 5 chords.
Thanks Griff
How to figure out chord substitutions in music I’m trying to learn. I hear them but can’t find them all. Often I use a double stop or small chord that doesn’t sound quite right. Passable, but not right.
How do I get rich and famous and have to live in seclusion and die of liver failure from drinking a bit too much of the really expensive moonshine? Ok, just beer, 2 a day, cases that is. Y’all come back now, ya hear?
Hi Griff, When I first started to learn guitar back in the early rock & roll 1950s, I got into the habit of using the finger “tips” to fret chords and notes. But I notice a lot of players fretting notes with the “pads” of their fingers. Obviously there must be times when this is appropriate, but would appreciate your thoughts on the use of this technique and when and how best to use it.
I did not read every comment, so my apologies if I am repeating.
How do we make practice more efficient and productive.
I know you’ve done a lesson or two on this. I have been a student of yours now for 2-3 years and learned a ton. Lately have felt stuck. I created a daily lesson plan. 10 minutes or so of scale work, go through one lesson from any of the courses/solo’s, and then 10 -15 minutes of just playing which could be jamming, revisiting a song I learned years ago. I started this about two weeks ago and am glad to say I learned a bunch and no longer feel stuck.
Learn and Master all SRV rhythms and mutting techniques… Especially that circle strumming and mutting stuff (me like)… Thanks for the help Griff.
Will
Circle strumming was an illusion SRV did while he was really strumming very fast back and forth with his middle finger if you watch some of his videos you can see him doing it
Grif,
I think your list just about covers it…
I might add for me, other then what’s on
your list is a better more efficient way to
Memorize and recall …
Thx for all your hard work with these emails.
It helps to make this thing , playing guitar,
Enjoyable, exciting and just plain fun !!!
Would like more on
1 right hand techniques and tone.
2 little chord concepts (tie them to caged and the pentatonic positions that they connect to)
How to sing and play
How to make and play a melody when it comes to soloing
To be able to remember and recall what I have learnt, at least 5% of it would be nice, not being greedy.
the caged system learn the instrument first although boring R O T E everything else falls into place
Best pentatonic lead notes to hit when alternating between the I IV and V chords.
I love practicing on my fender stratocaster but my wife prefers ma to finger picking on my acoustic or classical guitar and sing along those oldies with her. Somehow I find it is easier to play on the electric guitar than the acoustic.Now I am splitting my interest to acoustic on weekdays and electric on weekends. Any comments are welcome. Cheers!
Not read them all, but here is mine
strumming keeping time
muting strings in a percussive way as you strum (Pride and Joy’s a no go! strumming wise for me)
raking the strings to sound, well, ok.
How to play what you hear. That seems to be the real trick, once you’ve got the basics– you imagine a phrase or lick, and you can sit down with your guitar and play what you’ve imagined. Or, you hear a nice lick, and you can find the notes on your guitar and play it.
I’ll be honest that I haven’t read all of the responded.
I’ve been playing since I was 9 and I turned 67 last July.
It’s all been about the Blues.
Here’s my humble thought.
It’s not about speed or outrages runs…it’s about holding notes until your whole body tells you it’s time for the next lick. I know many of you will get it.
I have read through a lot of the comments made below and as somebody who has bought ALL your courses I can see that many of the request for guidance are actually covered in your existing courses, therefore, it me be beneficial to us Griff students of guitar learning, to have access to a web page that consolidates ALL your course summaries in the one place. These summaries exist on the initial purchase decision pages.
If the comprehensive summaries web page already exists then its existence should be more widely referenced so it is easier to find.
Thanks for all your hard work and great course it is much appreciated.
Best Regards
Don
from UK
Ooops, sorry Griff, it does exist it’s the “Course Catalog” link on this web page above.
Well it is late and I’m tired!!!!
I concur with what Don said!
The tune is Blues at Midnight by Dickie Betts, a true back- porching it slide. The singing is easy but the unseen technique has so much to teach any aspiring blues or slide musician.
Good Luck
And as Italians say, Mille Grazie, a thousand thanks for all you bring forward from your heart in teaching us.
The song is from the Allman brothers “An Evening at the Beacon” It will be easy to locate. All our fellow students won’t get the melody out of their heads for weeks.
Ciao
Anthony\
Brooksville Fl.
How about how to jam with others and when to turn “down the volume ” and when to let others stand out .
How to get my pick to consistently strike the right string(s) … maybe a combo of pick hand positioning and something else?
Yep. this is a good one.
How to get into a solo late, such as when someone points to you on stage but it is already several beats past where you would normally start, maybe even the next measure?
Flatpicking skills
Fast single note
String jumping
Fingerpicking skills
Double thumbing
Thumb bass melody
Switching between fingerpicking and flatpicking
Skill to move pick from thumb 1st finger to a knuckle hold
Tapping skills
Hybrid picking skills
Right hand muting skills
Left hand muting skills
Bending skills
Vibrato skill
There is of course, lots of information to know as well.
Thanks Griff
One can kind of split up the skills into:
Right hand skills
Left hand skills
Musical knowledge
The knowledge piece (music theory, memorizing chord shapes, memorizing notes on the fretboard, the pentatonic scale/boxes, the major scale, other scales) is pretty broad and probably outside the scope of the list Griff is looking for.
1) Using phrasing and dynamics to make solos more interesting
2) How create a solo that has structure and getting it across to the listener, you know so it don’t sound like you’re just showing off your flashy licks, show how to make it something meaningful as it pertains to the song.
3) what you are thinking about when you are improvising and how you get it to sound so good off the cuff, you know like what’s going through your head when you’re actually playing.
1) Band instruction at jams
You’ve staked about “quick change” and “starting from the 5” but there ate WAY more variations that I never seen to be able to communicate.
Are there songs that you would simply not try at a jam?
How would you walk a jam band through a song like Walking By Myself for instance.
2) Laura fried to get me to “trade 4s” how about a lesson on that? (Maybe grrr Laura to play on it?
3) tips from you or Laura on “the business side”
-putting a band together
-Working with band members
-booking gigs
.
.
.
4) I love playing with your band. The next best thing would be to be able to get descrete tracks from your recordings of your his or BGU Live (I talked to Chris about this in Memphis.
What to do next with all what I have learned so far, how to put all this together.
How to transition back and forth from single notes to chords within a song. Not sure what to call it. Playing chords over notes…or vice versa?
How to play or transition chords and single notes within a song.
How to pluck the right string every time. (Right hand accuracy)
HOW to get a spot at the NEXT BGU Live!
+1 on that one 🙂
Hi Grif,
I think I mentioned this before, but I have a problem with palm muting, as well as finger muting on the neck. I see SRV and others playing awesome licks with big stumming patterns and for the life of me, I can’t seem to come close to getting that down.
Take what you know…then let it go….don’t think…feel.
How to adjust the tune of my electric guitar by switching pickups.
More specifically, what does the middle position on the toggle do on a strat?
Also,
How to adjust my amp to get sustain without making it too dirty.
Actually any tips on adjusting amp settings to get various tones would be very helpful.
btw, than you for all the videos. I’ve learned so much from you already.
Which brings me to “muting” …techniques and troubles finding tone. Do I use my pinky to mute or use the base of it or the whole side of the palm?”
That’s a tip worth at least 5 dollars but for you Griff it’s free.
My ask is… and yes it’s a big ask.
How do I take what I’ve learned so far and over the past couple of years apply it to learning actual songs in a more efficient way. I want to learn more songs which would include strumming songs for BBQ or Campfire, and songs from popular artists that I could play along with.
There was an email from Griff awhile ago that tried to relate song learning to recipes for cooking. I loved that concept and would like to see more done with that. Eg. This key, these main rhythms, and these licks or types of licks for the solos.
I know that ear training is also important but how do I take the ingredients I’ve learned in courses like BGU2, 5MEBS, SRM, 52RFV, etc and make it easier to learn and memorize actual songs that I will be able to play with people and in front of people.
Added bonus #1 – how to take what I’ve learned above and play along with Jam Tracks
Added bonus #2 – I’d like to learn more about how to get a tone from my guitar and amp that matches more of what Griff and others play. And how to vary that tone during a song for rhythm and lead parts.
The most important thing to me right now is learning hou to get off “auto-pilot” when I play and actually think about what I’m doing. Knowing where I am in the progression, what chord tones/scales I should be using instead of mindlessly playing what I’ve already played or just learned. I do integrate things I’ve learned into my playing, but I find I’m still kind of “robotic” and just let things fly instead of being an intelligent player, aware of where the music is and where I should be!
How to play along with backing tracks etc, I have played solo rarely having the wonderful benefit of playing with another person or group. I can play 100’s of songs in lead as long as I have the music in front of me. What I desperately need is a tutorial on using backing tracks, rhythm tracks, what generic?? tracks I could use for any song I am playing for whatever key the song is played in. I can play chords behind someone after some repetitions of the song we’re playing if I know the chord sequence for the song. At going on 76 years old, I am anxious to get a handle on this once and for all.
This involves timing and hearing the chord changes I am sure.
I’m supportive of this as well…
Hey Richard,
How long have you been playing?
I started about a year ago. I am 73 and having a ball playing.
Just thought I would drop you a line and let you know that there are still a few old dogs learning new tricks! ???
If want to get my tips for playing the old git box, send your $25 to “Friendly Dogs Unfettered” by human reasoning capability. Lol.
how to breath to help the nerves…later.
cowboy
Right, Cowboy has “nerves” problems. Sorry, I’ve seen you play too many times to believe THAT.
How to:
Correctly hold the guitar while sitting and when standing. Important to always have the guitar at the same spot if possible when you play in ether position.
How to:
play double stops, 3rd’s and 6th’s
selecting the best scale / mode for the song when playing lead
How to create a distinguish style like David Gilmore Albert King and Santana.
How to analyzing great players styles and try to create your own by mimicking them.
How to develop my ear faster, so that I can pick up phrases and solo’s more quickly. I personally have great rhythm and mechanical skills, but not such a great ear. The way I see it, is I just have to work harder, but there must be some specific training that would help.
How to bend to a correctly tuned note. How to vibrato. How to understand that, often, less is more.
Hey Griff,
I haven’t read all the suggestions, and I know you have covered it but, I haven’t seen ‘how to bend notes’ mentioned. As I write, I realize the same is true for ‘sequential sliding’ (using fingers, NOT slide). Also what about ‘sequential runs’ (using one finger per fret on adjacent frets, either up or down the fretboard, usually in rapid succession). Ok, what about slide technique? Also, there’s ‘rhythmic downstrokes’ (usually only the top two or three strings, and usually partly muted with the pick hand) as contrasted with strumming. I see your point about there being a lot here to list. I have the feeling I could come up with a bunch more, but I’ve got to leave for work… oh well. I’ll see if I can get back to it later. Thanks for all you do, Griff!
How to prevent your back from getting sore! Exercises or proper positioning?
How to set up your guitar so that you can play it comfortably in your particular style.
How to pick the correct string gauge for tone and playability.
How to use effects to get the desired tonal quality you need.
Several people touched on this but never actually said out right. The ability to look at a piece of music and know the number of beats each note gets and how it should sound without ever having heard the piece.
Lots of ground already covered here. I don’t want to be repetitive.
Nobody has mentioned this. How to pluck string with fingers on the right hand while holding a pick. Such as in BGU 2.0 lesson 9 (How-How-How) Billy Gibbons/John Lee Hooker.
But in addition to that particular style I notice in a lot of your videos you choose to play chords using several fingers on your right hand in addition to/in stead of using your pick. Especially when you play one string at a time but in very fast succession (kind of like play a harp or put another way flamenco style). You make it look so easy and sound so good. But when I try it the results sound “clunky.”
Coming up with a practice/progress routine would be nice as well.
Of course there isn’t anything that has been suggested that you haven’t covered in one or more of your many courses with the possible exception of playing a guitar while it’s on fire and standing in a bucket of water at the same time.
Basic how to maintain your guitar(s) – change strings; oil and clean fretboard and bridge if needed; lubing tuners; cleaning/maintenance of electronics….
Basics of set up even if it’s only the advice of “take it to a pro” if it goes beyond this; whatever “this” is.
None of it is how to play but good playing is so much easier with a well maintained instrument.
How to increase flexibility and stretch in the fingers for more reach on the fretboard
1. How to think two beats ahead at all times.
2. How to remain relaxed and ready during a solo so the licks roll out with effortless ease and controlled passion.
3. How to handle performance anxiety so you can do #1 and #2.
I didn’t see arpeggios listed. So, that would be a good skill for someone to learn. How about a little fingerstyle. It’s not super common on electric guitar, but those that do use it, have a unique sound and style that is all their own. Ear training: learning to recognize intervals, starting with the I, IV, and V, and moving on from there. Overall, I think your courses cover most anything one would want to learn about blues guitar playing and you have covered it from many different angles. Some people seem to have a problem applying the knowledge in new ways. Not sure if that comes from experience or if it is something innate?
If I’m playing let’s say chords E-D-A and I want to solo over that chord progression how would I be able to determine which scale to use or for any chord progression. When I’m jamming with my friends let’s say in the key C again I’m not sure what scale I should use, this would apply to any style of music.
I think the one thing missing on every training site, there are many, is a how to actually write a full song lesson. Everything is this part anb that part but nothing that goes here is how I constructed and original song. I would love one of you great to help put the pieces together. And a step further, how to tie Lyrics in. Ultimately that is what many of us are striving for
Correct strumming.
Correct timing.
Starting on correct beat.
Learn basic music theory.
Dedication,don’t give up.
Every day practice.
A tab chart of items 10-14 on your list would be helpful for me.
Thanks!
1. Knowing the scale degrees of a chord or scale.
2. How to read standard notation.
3. Understanding time signatures.
4. Phrasing.
5. Dynamics
Looking back I wish I put more time into rhythm, counting, staying in time, etc.
Find someone to jam with. I think that can help a lot and…..it’s fun! Gotta have fun!
How to find the time to do any of this stuff
i tend to pick a 5 note patern and figure out how to play it everywhere. it doesnt have to be 5 notes it could be 3 no less . sometimes i just dont look at fret board. I have to say alot of music tends to be from the heart not the mind . Its great if you can remember all 5 boxes but I thik if You just get the first 2 down You really will find the last 3 eventually . I have gone over and over one song for many years . Found that some cords are sounding better than then the ones transcribed. Get a cord book like i did because i find it hard for me to form cords . Griff had a lesson or two on that subject I would like to repeat that one again. If your like me I have over a year of His e mails . I really like Your friend and teacher Steve his approach is great only trouble i cannot download any of the lessons . Something is wrong with that . The only video from him that I was able to download was the Jimi Hendrixs Red house inspired solo and I play that alot. Whats gone wrong or diffrent I ask . The one song that I work on is stormy monday perfecting it. its got alot of soul it also covers alot of minor cords its a great tune . HEY for kicks go to a LOU REED TUNE DIRTY BOULVARD AND WHOS PLAYTNG GUITAR ON STAGE WITH HIM .
How about discussing the roles of band members.How does it all fit together.
I guess this would actually fall under desire…which has already been listed. But I have disabilities in both hands stemming from injuries. I would say “how to work around some physical obstacles when there’s something about your body that you just can’t change.”
Playing guitar is worth the effort!
Thanks Griff and everyone.
Listen to Django Reinhardt! I know it’s jazz, but he played with 2 fingers on his left hand due to a disability. Without having your disability it would be difficult to suggest techniques specifically for you. One thing you could do is learn theory, then apply it to your physical limitations to create small Chords and perhaps single note transitions between them. Keep at it, best of luck!
Amen to what Jimmy said. Watch how someone with hands built for perfect, effortless guitar playing does it (like Griff, lol), and then figure how you can accomplish the same thing with your hands and your limitations. My fingers aren’t short little sausages, nor are they long and silky spider legs. But with a pinkie finger broken long ago that bends in toward the palm of my hand, and smaller hands to begin with, playing four note chords, barre chords, and scales without moving my hand up and down the neck, is almost impossible. But its all about the desire you have to do it, and the reward you get when you figure it out. Between the desire and the reward there will be MUCH frustration, but its just part of the process in achieving your goal to play the guitar. Don’t quit. Stay determined. Be imaginative. Know your limits, and strive for what is within your reach. Let passion drive your desire, and let the frustration fuel your determination, and one day before you realize it, you will be playing the guitar like you never imagined you could.
Timing is a problem.
How can one obtain the rhythm and timing in a logical and easy method?
How to identify what key you are playing in by name.
How to identify what blues chord progression you are following by name.
How to identify the rhythmic feel you are using by name.
How to identify the tempo you are playing at in BPM.
How to communicate all the above to your bandmates quickly and efficiently.
(From your keyboard player saying what skills the guitar player should have.)
How to play and incorporate the different modes with my blues soloing.
Answer for Dave McKenna- Try tinting different shades through the gradient
How to use your pinky finger in a solo instead of just using it for chords! 🙁
There are a lot of great suggestions . All of us are concentrating on playing Lead guitar , and that is fine . I think we should also be able to play rhythm guitar . That way , we can switch back and forth , and have some fun . Mike Z.
Take time to reflect and appreciate on how far along the journey you have come, Don’t beat yourself up over what you have not yet accomplished, just rededicate yourself to persevere.
How to put it all together
How to put some sugar (vibrato) on a full step bend
How to sing and play at the same time
I really appreciated an earlier video of yours called “Speedy Pentatonics”. I would like to see more detailed videos on how to develope speed.
Hi Griff,
This is a great idea of yours..
My List:
1: Best method to be able to Play a Blues Song from Start to Finish -Guitar such as Sweet Home Chicago..Johnny B Goode,Rock n Roll Music, My Babe, My Pride & Joy, Kansas City, Roll Over Beethoven Beatles, I have BGIAB v1 & 2, & 5 Easy Blues Solos which I have not started yet. To pay bills playing the Guitar I need to learn about 50 Songs of which maybe 15 Blues songs from start to Finish. Maybe a BGU Course could be based upon learning 2-5 Popular Blues Songs..
2: How to get the Guitar effects you use in your Courses..Email Video Lessons..It would be good if you could include the Guitar Sound Effects you use in each Course or Email Lesson. I have recently purchased the Boss ME 80 which combines about 80 different Pedal effects including Boss Blues Drive 2 and others and a Tuner and Looper..The Tone Controls/ Volume on each Guitar are usually simple; but Effects Pedals are a Cockpit of learning to fly by sound with your Guitar..
3: Prepare a Roadmap of all the BGU Courses example Which one would I need to Purchase in Intermediate first..
4: How to Learn the Pentatonic & Blues Scales in other Keys other than Am on the Fret Board.
5. How to change Keys of a given Song such as Johnny B Goode is in Bb How do you play it in G..
6: How many Measures/Bars in a standard Solo- How does a guitarist count and know where to start and stop..
7: How to Tune a Guitar WITHOUT a digital Tuning Clip. I know when a string is out of pitch but without the clip I don’t know How to tune it back in.
8: How to develop Left hand Finger speed … Practicing Scales? or is there an exercise.?
All good.. I am currently doing the BGU V2 and the Strumming & Rhythm Mastery as well as Learning Pentatonic Scales & Technique Mastery as well as your email Lessons that fit into my progression.
Thanks
Michael-Sydney- Australia Nov 2016.
How to begin a practice session without going over the same stuff every time??
The biggest help for me would be if every BGU lesson started with a demonstration of you playing the complete piece at normal speed, then go into the lesson.
Using BGU 2.0 means I am playing /practicing alone most of the time and the only measure of improvement is recording myself and using constructive criticism to identify my weaknesses. I believe that the course should include an option to send a video or recording for your opinion on what you see and how to improve technique by setting up a personal list or method of practice that will help to iron out the bad parts!
Earle
How to avoid 2nd string “noise” during 1st string bend
Perseverance, but someone else covered it. How to do finger exercises for dexterity.
How to do Billy Gibbons style “squealie” harmonics
thats easy hold pick very close to the edge as you hit the single notes its kinda of harmonic thing .
Number 1
How to listen.
1. WISDOM to know what you REALLY want.
2. DISCIPLINE to to persist with your quest.
3. PATIENCE to take the time to do it right.
4. CONFIDENCE that you will succeed.
5. HUMILITY once you make it!
Using a metronome to develop better time and increase speed. Maybe a quick tutorial on how to actually use a metronome for more than just a background click, click, click, click…
How to use the volume & tone controls & pick up selector to achieve a specific sound.
Oh, and how about some critical listening skills so that we can decipher when a guitar part is actually an overdub with multiple parts… Keep us from twisting our fingers all up into pretzel shapes trying to figure out how to do something that’s impossible to do!
This was a good one. Like what you said, All a good question.
I agree with this comment. How to sound musical along with the metronome.
I second this suggestion.
How to tremolo pick.
Moving the right (picking hand) fast enough to tremolo pick single notes and chords.
When playing chords at least, one doesn’t even move the left hand when playing them tremolo.
For me at least, it’s a problem on the upstroke part of tremolo picking.
I practice all upstrokes, but still haven’t got it.
And, I imagine I’m not the only one (with apologies to John Lennon).
How to do vibrato.
How to properly do bends and WHEN to do them and when NOT to do them.
Desire!…if you have it everything else eventually will come.tenacity! Will keep you doing when it’s tough.a teacher such as you (Griff) that teaches thoroughly but simply to the point that you understand.
Learn the fretboard, forward and backward, in every key. And the boxes. And music theory. We have questioning minds: USE THEM!
How to make it all “look easy”.
Mastering the entire fretboard to improvise across the entire neck.
Well, this is what I’m struggling with at the moment.
1. How to keep in time when playing fast.
2. How to play fast without sounding rushed.
Seems you guys have hit almost all the how to’s Griff missed except one. How to be cool while wearing tri-focals,
progressives
How to make harmonics better!
How to tune your guitar and keep it in tune. After playing for a long time, the one thing that helped me the most was gaining muscle memory in both hands. All the skills listed so far in the blog and suggestions are so to the point!
How to ” let the guitar play you, instead of you playing the guitar”.
Play the chords and sing the song. People want to hear songs they know. Tjey are not concerned with how good a guitar player you are. They want to sing along!!! It’s easy. learn your chords and sing the song!!!. Twenty years at it and I know that people love to hear songs they know. Give them a list of songs you can play. Askthem to write on the back of coasters what they like . You will be amazed at what they ask for. Songs you know!!!
This response should have gone here. You just hit the nail on the head! Great comment!
How to create and play chord/melody arrangements.
You just hit the nail on the head! Great comment!
I really enjoyed the acoustic blues course, and would like to see more lessons in that “playing alone” type of style.
How to persevere when everything seems to be going badly.
How to transpose sheet piano music or any music to guitar playing and or tabs
Hi,
I would put way at the top of my list: How to listen to a song, and these days watch someone play!
When I try something new I always look and listen to it being well played and I then think how would I try to do it – usually simplified to begin with, before putting my own stamp on it ( or often failing in my attempt!.
Nice idea though Griff!
KenR
This might seem pretty basic but:
How to practice standing up as against sitting down. The strings are easier to see sitting down but my posture is poor. Standing up it is more difficult to see the strings unless I tilt the guitar with my leg.
Maybe a combination of both, get used to playing a piece sitting down and then try to play standing up.
How to play with the guitar behind your back, how to play using your teeth, how to play with a guitar that’s on fire! How to play an electric guitar while standing in a bucket of water!?
How to read music instead of using tab.
Hot to mix and play major and minor pentatonic scales
Patience!
Not that it’s a ‘how to’ but…
How to play and mix major and minor pentatonic scales when playing a major blues solo
How to develop finger speed and accuracy.
How to position the picking hand so as to ensure accuracy when playing across all strings, e.g. playing a run
how to go from one note to another without making a screeching noise when the finger moves along a wrapped string.
how to dampen unwanted notes
how to hammer on a note
how to pull off a note
Some of the must-knows….
1. How to look cool while playing a gi
2. All sorts of muting techniques
3. How to improv a solo from the chords
Play in front of an air conditioner to look cool. One muting technique is to always press the Mute button when an annoying tv show comes on.?