Chord Noodling “Little Wing” Style…
If you’ve ever been into a music store to try out a new guitar and wondered, “what the heck do I play?” I have the answer today.
I remember so well the first time I heard Hendrix play “Little Wing,” it just blew me away. I had never heard anything like it before and I absolutely knew that was going to be the coolest thing to learn.
But in “the good old days” there was no tab for the tune… I had to figure out the approach, not just the notes.
And that’s the most important thing about this style of playing – concentrate on choosing a chord progression and playing around it using pentatonic shapes. Do NOT concentrate on memorizing it note-for-note.
Heck, Jimi never played it the same way twice and there’s no reason you should either 
Downloads
This Video (MP4)Mac users should use the MP4 version to download the video
- This Video (WMV)
Windows users should use the WMV version to download this video.
The TAB for the example.This is the TAB for the example in the middle of the video
Hey Griff,
I love the beginning blues guitar course. The one thing I can’t seem to get is how to get the amp tone you have in your videos. I have a Fender Deluxe amp with a foot pedal with “channel select” and “drive / more drive” buttons. What settings should all the knobs be on to get that bluesy tone?
Thanks
David
brings back the little wing dvd course. i did strugle tru it, now i have a refresher course . thanks griff. like your custom fender. i use to custom make electric guitars, called dragonfire werks. i air brushed dragon’s and chinese characters on the body. made everything from scratch. the knecks i would buy. sold them at this store in hollywood. Hollywood Music. i like that trang your guitar has. did hear one buzz on the low d string. like the art work.
Awesome lesson, Griff. It’s impossible not to love this style. Also, it’s great to have the connection of ‘which boxes go with which cord formation’ made so clearly…including inverting box 1 and 5 and explaining why. As always, super useful. Thank You.
Sue
Another excellent snippet.
this example seems very easy compared to others i have seen . like the way you break it all down an explain everything. Is that one of your friends custom guitars. could that be the pink one repainted its kool lookin satch looking or even an ed van halen sorta look. the tone is nice . thanks Griff. hey when i was 13 my brother had a hendrix note for note and lics that he used music book . so how old are you anyway? I am 55. wish i could lay my hands on that book now!
I like.
Once again, thank you Griff- you’re the best!
Little wing lesson was great
Keep em comin lol
Thanks a lot. You are excellent at simplifying this stuff to make it easier to learn Thanks again.
This was very cool. I will definitely try it. Thanks
Hey Griff, I know you’ve done lessons before using the “Little Wings” version but every time YOU present it in a different way and I ALWAYS find myself getting something more out of it. Thank you, that’s a GREAT teacher
Hey Griff like your style of teaching. Do you play the Bass? I would like to see some of your Bass videos if you have any.
Thanks A Million,
Smoke
That is really cool. You make it sound so easy. I too like the sound tone and would like to hear more about your pedals and settings.
I always enjoy your tips Griff. They give me great songwriting ideas.
I purchased this course a while back – did not want to pass it up – it’s been on the back burner – I’m motivated to get that course opened up and learn this wonderful style. Thanks
Love this lesson. I also love your style of teaching. Keep it coming.
AS usual Great little lesson. You are Da’ Man. Thanks so much!
hi griff,i really liked that style,and i love your guitar you were using.thanks for the lesson
Hi Griff,
Great Little Wings which will be next to learn.
Yes I did find myself in a music shop trying out some Loop pedals not knowing what to play, so mucked up in front of much better guitar players and felt smaller than the amp I was using.
Great lesson. Love your guitar!!
Michael Sydney Australia
loved it: , I have blues guitar unleashed, a couple of other coarses from griff. 🙂 just love the teachings and ideas. Cant say a enough greates guitar teacher, guy freind ever. one of my things in my bucket list is to actually meet griff one day and play a tune or two it would make my day.
These lessons you throw out there make me veer off coarse from my blues guitar unleashed lessons, but the change is a welcome break and then I have learned something else to work with when I just improvise. TFP
Don’t like it. Don’t like Little Wing. Don’t like Jimmy Hendrix
sfw.
Nice lesson Griff once I figured out that your Box 2 is what I learned as Position 1! I’m still slogging through Blues Guitar Unleashed (which I recommend) but I enjoy these brief diversions. Thanks!
You simplify! Great lesson! Thank you much!
I like the way you explane things , I don’t get them quite as fast , but I do understand what your saying , and I’m having a great time , thanks again .
Thanks Griff. You know, I don’t even play guitar other than a few cowboy chords. I do play other instruments. I have listened to all your videos and find them very interesting. Learning how guitarists put all this stuff together and how the “boxes” work has really made watching a music video a learning experience. I can watch now and see how this all goes together. Of course since I am not serious about guitar I am not interested in your courses so this little compliment is all I can give you as a thanks.
jim
Great lesson Griff. I will now be able to hold my head high in Denmark Street in London. (Guitar shop heaven)
Thanks
Griff, I love all of your videos – pity I can’t play a note yet! But you present to well, I just get pleasure from watching them!!
As us-ual You Da Man Griff…Thank You for the Nice Tones….LATERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
As us-ual You Da Man Griff…Thank You for the Nice Tones….LATERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Well Done Griff,that was great.
So this is where Slash got his song Starlight, from!!
Thanks Griff and staff , loved the tutition you give . Really enjoyed this last post . Still yet to play for anyone . Even after purchasing 10 guitars .
fabulous lesson….i’m beginning to see the light !!!
Great lesson Griff- I love learning something new!!
Thank you!
Nice shirt. Oh yea, nice lesson too!
Thanks for the great lessonGriff. I too love Hendrix little wing. It takes me away when I listen. I can’t wait to try to play it.
Many thanks for your Hendrix little wing lesson. You showed this as usual with your mastering profession. I love this and remember times when Jimmy played this on stage. I belong to his generation. On that time I started also my first guitar steps with Hank Marvin pattern instrumental solos.
Hey, people – this works. I tried it in Macari’s in London’s Denmark St just before I went to a Rich Robinson gig. The guy in the shop took a Gibson custom shop RR ES335 off the wall and stuck it in my hand, I came over all ‘I’m not worthy’ but he insisted I try it.
I did a E, B, Cm, A progression with these embellishments and it sounded great.
Honour was preserved, but I now definitely need one of those guitars and they are £2800 🙁
Griff,
It is a Truly GREAT Guitar Player that MAKES HIS PLAYING LOOK EFFORTLESS AND EASY.And Whi is ALSO Constantly Plying Down HOW GOOD HE/SHE REALLY IS : ) .
Another AWESOME “Mini-Lesson”,and,I have learned MORE From your Free MINI Tutorials,than MOST of the PAID Courses I’ve tried ! Money is TIGHT For me Griff,Otherwise,I WOULD Be Jamming Right Up There with some of Your Best Students,But,I am HOPING That my Military Disability case goes Through for my Gulf War “Field Exercise”,and Money won’t keep me from learning from a TRULY TALENTED GUITARIST/INSTRUCTOR. PLEASE Say A Prayer that 2015 is The Year I’ll be getting your Course GRIFF!
MERRY CHRISTMAS,and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Bob Malin
Clementon,NJ
After re-visiting this lesson I now get the box one aspect; especially on the C chord. At 62 I’m slowly getting better. I’ll be as good as Griff when I’m about 95.
Solid, as always. Happy Holidays Griff.
Great timing for the holidays, I usually play along at parties, purchased and downloaded Little Wing Style lesson. Thanks Griff. Happy Holidays.
Griff,
Great lesson!
Specifically, the part about which pentatonic boxes go with the various types of barre chords.
I have BGU and would like to understand that concept further. If you or someone on your team replies to these posts please point me in the direction to learn more about that concept.
Thank you for the great instruction.
Tasty stuff! Thanks, Griff !
Griff, great lesson on playing Hendrix style riffs. I have to go back a few times to be able to play it. Thanks for sending it. Mike Z.
When I think back to how many times I listened to “Little Wing” trying to figure out that magical intro it’s almost crazy how easy it is to reproduce with the right knowledge. Your the best Griff!
Thanks Griff got me thinking Hendrix flavored Christmas songs,
Might work
I like the lesson – the sound of little wing, but I don’t see the “Box 2” – any box beyond 1 is not easily recognizable. Also, the “F” in a “G” progression? In C, (C-Am-F-G) it seems normal.. Never heard of a G-Am-F-C-G.
Lot’s of questions from this lesson…thanks, I think!
Did someone give themselves an early Christmas present? You can just close your eyes and imagine Jimi still lives. Very nice Griff, you are the man. Keep up the great work and take a break over the festivities and enjoy it with your family. Hurry back after that of course. Alex.
The main springs of my guitar interest sprang when I heard this. Please do more of this type for it prowls and rattles through my marrow. Scratches all my inner guitar heart strings.
Sid Chaney