I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what you don’t know you don’t know… you know?
I mean, it’s one thing to learn a skill or a set of skills… but what if you don’t know what skill or skills you actually need to learn?
Here’s an example from a lesson the other day… the student came in and wanted to learn how to play the major scale all over the neck… not an unusual request by any means.
But in this case, I asked him why?
Turns out, he wanted to learn it so he could solo. He thought, or had been told, that the major scale was the best scale to use for soloing… perhaps you’ve been told the same thing at some point.
So the first thing I did was to explain that using the major scale is actually fairly complex because you have to know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, how the chords in your chord progression are functioning.
And furthermore, over a blues progression, the major scale won’t work over any of the chords (without some mental gymnastics.)
So today’s blog post is really a call for help on my part… help me to help you.
In the comments of this page, I hope you’ll share a bit about what it is you really want to learn how to do… as specifically as possible.
For one student, it turned out that what he really wanted to do was develop his ability to hear chord progressions and follow along on the fly even if he had not heard the song before…
For another student, he thought learning the 5 boxes was going to turn him into a lead guitar player and it turned out that what he really wanted was to be able to solo over Stormy Monday at the local blues jam and sound good enough to have some fun with it.
Another student really wanted to be able to perform solo (as in by himself) and be able to sing and strum while adding the occasional fill with his guitar between vocal melodies.
And believe me, I’ve heard a LOT of different goals from my students over the years… so many that I realize those goals are unique to each person and each player.
We all tend to have this little movie that we see in our mind’s eye when we think about “when I can play guitar well…” and I want to know what that movie that plays is for you.
From that, my goal is to design a series of road maps that will show you exactly the skills you need to get from where you are now to where you want to be, and how to connect those skills together to some degree.
I’m not 100% sure what that will look like but I’m sure it depends on what you all want to learn 🙂
486 replies to "Road Maps…"
Hi Griff,
This is kinda Back to the Future as I missed this lesson and a chance to provide my Road Map.
Basically, I am a quick learner and still have a good memory, hopefully will last.
My Guitar road Map. Learn key guitar technical foundations of Blues and Rock n Roll so that I know how to play the main chords in each Key and what notes to play when a solo break starts and finishes as I am keen to focus on being a guitar soloist.
I want to Learn about 20-50 songs in Rock n Roll , Blues so that I can Jam with some bands that I know or even join a band for mainly fun and petrol money.
I have purchased a few of your lessons but have not started them yet ( I was still working now retired). I now realise that I need to know the notes on the fret board which I am well into now.
I have just purchased through your Easter 2015 promo: Pentatonic Scale & Technique Mastery as well as 52 Rhythm Fills & Variations.
I started the guitar some years back and have dabbled on my acoustic over about 15 years for fun. I think that in 3-5 years time I would be able to jam with a band playing Blues & Rock n Roll. Your Video email lessons are great as I have not had enough time to open one of your lessons.
My method is Warm up with some phrases that I know well and play sounds that I have invented for about 15 mins. Then practice what I am learning now Notes on my fret board for about 20 mins. Then open one of your email lessons and learn that one if possible. Then next time do the same thing and start to repeat your email video lesson again until it is down pat in my memory.
Thaks
Michael- St Andrews NSW Australia
Griff – I admire you for seeking this real input. If you were with me in person right now, I would have you play backing chords (in twelve-bar mainly but in 8 and 16 too) and guide me through soloing and vamping over your back. I am a little wonky, so I like to talk about doing it in both the major and minor pentatonic, and blues scale, but I would let you slap me around and tell me to forget that if you prefer that your students just go for a sound. I am a hard worker/practicer but my weakness is that I don’t play with others enough. I don’t have stage-fright. I’ll play and sing songs I know, but I need more experience playing over a knowledgeable and helpful teacher/backer. Thanks. Brian 4/13/15
Wow ! A lot of pickers all searching for the same answer. I’ve been playing for a long time and I think what everyone wants to do is to be able to take a break when it is their turn, and take it with confidence.
So we need to know how to find the first note of the break quickly.
Then we can use the ” box ” to guide our fingers, but we need to know how to
figure out where to start the break.
This is true in any type of music..blues, country, or pop.
BB blends blues scales, with major scales, and
some guys seem to jam without really using a scale pattern, but the one thing they
have in common is they all know where the first note starts.
Teach us that.
Hi Griff,
I glanced over a number of fellow guitar players comments and for me, I’d have to say that timing and knowing when to come in is the (relatively) easy part. Being a drummer as well as a guitar player has clearly helped me in this regard. That’s why, when you’re teaching us a lick or solo section in one of your courses, I really wish you’d stop counting through the whole thing. I just need to know where the 1 is, and whether the lead starts before or after 1. (I’m glad to see that you’re doing that with some of the licks and parts you teach during the 52 RF’s course, which I love!) I do appreciate the way you’ve showed us numerous licks where the lead starts after the 1, as that is a necessary skill that we need to have a handle on.
This all being said, the Number One thing that I would like to be able to do better–and after going through most of your BGU course, large parts of Steve Trovato’s and Bob Murnahan’s courses, and many others, I still feel like I don’t have a great handle on–is to be able to put together cool, melodic sounding leads incorporating chord tones from each chord in a progression…Especially when the progression goes from the IV to the V chord and then through the turnaround. I’ve seen so many guitar lessons on YouTube, and have also bought quite a few courses, where the teacher shows how to play some cool licks during the I and maybe the IV chord. After learning a bunch of these I started realizing what I was missing and just wanted to ask all of the guitar teachers, ‘Hey, what about playing through the IV to the V chords and what about the rest of the song??’
Thank you,
Riche
Hi Griff,
My goal for guitar is to be able to play just about any song that someone can imagine and sing it at the same time. I recently purchased BGU. It has helped me understand a few more things. The format is very good. However when it came to the box scales after box two. I dont think you hit on them enough.
Thanks
Ken
1 to be able to solo when someone ask me to play something and sound good
2 to pick things up a bit faster and what to play the right time
most of all to enjoy and have fun
Griff: My goals are to be able to hear chord progressions and follow along on a song even if I have not heard the song before.
Also, to be able to play when someone is singing by strumming and adding the occasional fill in with guitar between vocal melodies.
One more vote for how to make music, not just playing a series of memorised notes.
I want to learn how to tell a musical story, fluidly, effortlessly, every time, like an old fashioned story teller telling tales by the fireside who knows the overall plot but makes up / adds / deletes many of the details on the fly to suit their audience, not just reading from a book someone else wrote.
Big ask. But if anyone can do it, you can!
Having read many of the comments I’m drawing a conclusion that I’d like to put out there for the group. And I’m going to use a artistic painting as a metaphor.
For many of us, our road map will lead us to a place where we can make music. For some that’s blues jams, for others that’s campfire sing-alongs, or church groups, or just playing along with songs or jam tracks in the home studio.
From a painting point of view, they want to be able to sit and paint something artistic that they can be proud of.
The challenge that many of us face is that we’re taking a very step by step approach to learning. We’re working though the exercises step by step and moving through the various courses one or two at a time. We’re learning boxes, licks, rhythms, fills and turnarounds and a few songs here and there but for the most part its all small bits of music. We’re on a path that in many ways is like learning to paint by numbers.
Now we all know that there is a huge gap between a skilled painter who can take a blank canvas and turn it into art and a person who can create a painting by numbers. But even with all the devotion and time spent in this approach it’s hard to see how this all fits together and trust that a paint by numbers approach will get us there.
So the road map if you will needs to be able to take us from being merely painters by number and turn us into artistic painters. That’s my 2 cents.
You guys make it look so easy , David Taub , Marty Scharz , Justin guitar and your good self .I know it takes years of practice to get that good and constant playing .
What frustrates me is you practice all the stuff you guys put out . Then you hit a brick wall ; get in a rut because you keep making the same mistakes ; can,t complete a piece of music beginning to end because you keep waiting for the same mistakes to happen again .
When you play the same piece over and over again , a thousand times , the piece you heard the first time soon looses it appeal .
I know the guitar is a marvellous instrument played when played well ,but I am totally frustrated.
Because I reach a certain level and cannot get to the NEXT LEVEL. and be on .
But I also know that I do not want to give up because I have invested a lot of time and money.
Hey Grif
I know I am a little late on this one but going to get a few words in, I am trying to find a few things, my goals is to be able to get up on stage and play like you and a few others that are no longer with us, I have played rhythm guitar over the many years and always wanted to learn how to play lead, So I purchased BGU and it has helped me piece together a lot of things in better perspective. I have seen other members ask for where to start on the 1 after the one, and others ask about just where in general. for the ones looking for how to connect and always making the same mistake, go the next riff learn it then piece the 2 together, if not u will always make that same mistake, think of it as don’t look back u been there and done that. I Think what I am looking for the most is to learn more about how to tie the rhythm and the lead together and then get back to the rhythm when being a 1 man band so that when that times comes for me to do a lead I can go into it with confidence on time and stop when the count is done so I can fill in the gaps for say. you do a great job and I do understand why your not teaching the hole songs ,as anyone can go to youtube and pull up how to do a song and each person will have there own approach to a song or a little bit different lead which is where a musical personality comes into play kind of like comparing SRV to Clapton to BB king they all have there own style, but yet they all have that perfect starting note to start there lead.
mainly want to say thanks for putting all this together and most lessons that you have showed in your course and via the emails have truly taught me more about why I am playing where and what, and has made it easier to play the same thing in a different feel with the same chord progressions and make them sound like something totally different just by changing the feel. Since then I have learned to play the same scales with a different feel just like the rhythms, nut I notice a lot has to do with technique and trial and error. keep up the good work and from what I have been reading I cant wait to see what you come up with for a new lesson, as there all very good and also very important and above all very detailed seems all you need after most is to listen to the songs u like to play and do a little homework to fill in the gaps so you aren’t infringing on any ones song rights directly. and last I say this to the members struggling don’t give up, but be willing to try some of this on your own and just go with the flow start out slow make sure your doing it correctly and work on technique and the speed will come when you think your close pull up the song try it and work on your sore spots, but never give up just walk away if frustrated or pick a different song till u learn that piece your missing you will find a lot of the fills are the same or very similar to ones that are taught right here is it just knowing and recognizing them when you here them. sorry for such a long response. and I mean no disrespect to anyone trying to learn we are all here for the same reason we want to be better musicians and the best way to get better is to practice daily even if you only play for 15 minutes take that time to play what comes to mind then try and do another lesson so you are always learning that one new thing, cause that is probably the one thing you have been missing, and if it isn’t it is still something new to someone. motto don’t go to bed till you have learned something new 🙂
John/aka
Classic Blues 527/CB527
Griff, Finding you was a real gift. I have been at the electric for about 4 years and am still figuring it out. I have a few of your courses and like one of the others find myself in a rut. What can I do next. What I would love to do is to to be able to hear the chord changes and progressions of songs. I can eventually find the right key, but it becomes problematic to find the changes. When it comes to soloing…..when it changes to the 4 or 5 chord, is there a certain note that you would go to first i.e the 4 or 5th note in the chord??
Thanks for being so persistent with tips, videos and insights. I think that one day I might be good at this. It just takes time and practice.
What I think can be really useful is for all of us to be able to play with others. If there was some website that we could go to to find people to jam with once a week…that could be very cool. Thanks again your help!! Gary
I first picked up the acoustic guitar in 1968 and between lessons (Mel Bay and others), I tried (and failed miserably) to play along with Chet Atkins records. When that didn’t work out, I picked up the electric and tried to play all the big hits of the late ’60’s and early ’70’s. When I joined the military, the guitar got left at home, and it was many years before I picked it up again. I had another long hiatus, then a couple of years ago, I came across your material on the Internet. What a breath of fresh air!
I bought a few of your courses after trying some of the online stuff, and it started to come back. So far, I’ve purchased BGU, Building a Better Blues Solo, Jam Tracks, and Clapton Tore Down. Along the way, I realized just how badly I had been playing all those years. Your material pointed out nuances I had missed before that have already made a huge difference in my playing.
I love the blues, 60’s/70’s rock, country, and lots of other styles, but don’t seem able to translate what I hear in my mind down to my fingers. Unfortunately, between a busy career, and a family, my practice time is spotty. I was heartened by an earlier post of yours that suggested I try to find 5 or 10 minutes between other activities to practice. I will focus on that for a while, and plan to redo each of the courses to refresh my memory.
All of that preamble to say … what I really want to do is be able to hear the chord progressions well enough, and develop enough of a feel to be able to solo confidently over them. If I focus on blues and blues/rock, I believe that should be attainable. Thanks for your common-sense, easy-going approach to teaching all of us wanna-bes, and I’m looking forward to see what you come up with next.
Thanks!
I would like to be able to play on the porch but also to play well enough to sit in with a band. I,m enjoying BGU at the moment and look forward to all your emails. Please keep them coming.
Big Pete
I’ve been playing by ear since about 1962 for my own enjoyment by accompanying but not copying recording artists. No lessons before BGU.
My goal is only to ‘get better’, to be able to express The Blues with an ever-increasing degree of skill and passion.
Play on.
it look”s like you have open”d a big can of worms,,,so this is how i see it,, your the driver..and your taking us down the blue”s highway..you have a awesome thing going i commend you,,,you have a unlimited knowledge of the blues..i know you work hard at this..i study marshal-art”s ninjutsu,,i”v been at it all my life..just like you,, study and practice,,so i”m a beginner and have the blues in my head swirling around (if you can mowen the blues bend those guitare string”s and make the people feel what you feel inside)mr.cole ,,you know the blues are a expression of oneself..i love to play ,,i have all the tools i need..S.V.& S,S. to help me along the highway i don”t think my lite is going to burn out to soon,, so keep on driving my friend ….by the way i really like the forum..thank”s for doing what you do..and keep it coming,,,
Hi Griff,
So pleased I found you on the net. First time on the forum, I’m another of your older followers (60+) and am really learning a lot. I have been playing and teaching Ukulele for a number of years now and playing in a band, but felt the urge to also get back to the guitar (played about 25 years ago, very basic). Been working at it for about 6 months now.
My “head movie” shows me playing a variety of music from Chuck Berry, The Eagles, Elvis,Eric Clapton, well, you get the picture. I have BGU, 5 Easy Solos and 5 more Easy Solos. Am working my way through them slowly.
So therefore my goals are:-
Smooth chord transitions (practice and more practice)
Soloing and fills
Play on my own for my own pleasure
Entertain others at our local RSL (Returned Services League)
and just have a whole lot of fun.
Thank you for your unselfish dedication to your internet family, I always look forward to your emails and great video lessons, you are making a lot of people’s lives so much better with your obvious love of music and your ability to communicate so well.
I Can’t wait to see what comes of all the feedback you have received.
Keep up the great work,
Regards,
David Swann.
Australia
Goal of better understanding the ‘lingo’of guitar. Some key things still confuse me and I don’t see any one place to address them:
1) the difference between the ‘Pentatonic Scale’ and the ‘Blues Scale’ in any given key.
The 2 are used interchangably but I believe they are slightly different (the blue note)?
‘Box’ 1 vs ‘Position 1 (or 2, or 3 or whatever. Are they the same?
U asked for specifics. How can I learn to play House of the Rising Son. I know all the cords I can’t find the proper strings to play. It sounds as if they pluck the strings one at a time on the down stroke and what sounds like arpeggios on the up stroke while using alternating base. All very fast. I know practice will provide the speed. How can I identify an arpeggio and how do I play the arpeggios if that is what is happening in this song ???
I have been studying guitar for longer than I care to admit but still can not “play guitar.” I started with the “Learn and Master Guitar” course before it was offered by Gibson and then was a member of Jamplay for over a year. I know how to read music fairly well and I know many chords and how they are formed, including most barre chords. I also know and can play all 5 shapes of the pentatonic scale plus the “blue” notes, but I really don’t know what to do with them. I know and understand how major scales are formed with the fret changes of “whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.” Notwithstanding all of this, I can listen to music and have absolutely no idea what scale a song is in nor when there are chord changes.
I quite frankly do not know what to do next. I took Griff’s “Strumming and Rhythm Mastery” course, which was helpful but it did not teach me how or when to change chords. I also took Griff’s theory course. I took the beginning blues course, which was excellent, and I can play the few songs in that course reasonably well, but have no ability to transfer what I’ve learned to other music. I am just now starting the “Blues Guitar Unleashed” course. Maybe I need ear training. I’m just not sure. Even if I learn something, unless I play it every day, within a few weeks I can no longer play it without a few hours of review.
It’s now a matter of just being stupid or not practicing. I’m college graduate from a major college and a retired professional. I practice almost every day. More than that, I’m frustrated but refuse to give up. I’ve always believe that you can learn anything if you put your mind to it. I hope I’m not wrong.
In the last paragraph, I meant to say: It’s NOT a matter of just being stupid or not practicing.
Hi Griff
I’m one of your senior Blues Players.
I’ve been playing Blues Guitar since 1968.
I have something that you have never touched on.
What to do when you get into a “Rut”!!
I would like to pass along something that works for me.
Almost everybody has their “Main Ax”…The Guitar that they play the most often.
When I get into a “Rut”…I search out a Different Guitar.
You play Differently on a Strat…than you do on a Tele……or a Gibson 335. I know that not everyone has access to different Guitars. Go to a Music store and just play some licks on a Guitar that you don’t usually play.
It is Truly amazing how Differently you play from Guitar…to Guitar.
At any rate…It works for me.
I just wanted to pass it along!!
You are doing Yeomans work with all the stuff that you do.
Keep on playing!!!
You NEVER Learn the Blues!! You just STUDY the Blues!!! 😀
JimT
Going beyond licks. Being able to create a “story” with a solo. Not just stringing one lick after another (although that sounds good, and I’m not saying that is easy at all). But what I love is a solo that after I heard it, I feel like I went on a journey. Call it “Creating a memorable solo”.
I really enjoy the tips and lessons, I tend to improvise leads and don’t always stick to the structures, I guess I like to make up some as I go, might not sound great but I’m o.k with that. I like to jam and play songs according to proper chords, and sometimes wing it, make up new sounds, I think outside of the box and always will, creative and unique, i will continue to learn and keep watching for new stuff from you, artistic freedom and unleashed fingers, i love to play and love the blues, thanks. I have been in different bands and like others to come up with new sounds too, played for money and played for fun, I like both, have a great day and look forward to more lessons, keep rockin’
I just need to have the confidence that I can take a solo without embarrassing myself.
Rick
Griff — I saw your email about this and thought I would oblige and give you MY “two cents”.
I would like to learn basic chord progressions or forms or song structures, and the turnarounds you can use with them.
This would help tremendously to create a basic framework on which to “hang” a lot of other stuff.
BTW – I just was listening to Jeff Beck and Imelda May do “Poor Boy” from Jeff’s Rock and Roll Party – his present for Les Paul’s 95th Birthday.
I’m sure you know it — but if not, try and check out 4:13 of soothing balm for your soul.
Much love and gratitude,
Lauren
Wow. There is a lot of pent up emotion and thought out there. I’ve mulled this over since i got it because I have never really asked myself that question. I’ve tried to not to read everyone else’s comments until I got mine down. Now that I am done, I’ll go back.
Just a little history. I played in a band for short time in college, went off to Vietnam, came back went back to school and started a family. Played with another band briefly then unfortunately put the guitars away for at least 20 years. I came back to it around 2004. I own a little speaker company and we had some great players, 13 to be exact; horns, keyboards, lots of guitars, etc. I haven’t put it down since.
I knew that I would likely never be anything but a casual performer if I was lucky enough to find folks to play with, which is fine, because what really does it for me is playing in the song usually along with records. I get lost when I am just playing. Sometimes hours pass and I am completely unaware of where i have been. Those are the best times.
I began just copying songs as close to the recording as possible, if a lick was too difficult, then I’d simplify it. Then on to the internet doing the same thing on You Tube. I finally realized what was bothering me and why I wasn’t able to adapt what I memorized in any significant way to any other song. I was copying, but not understanding what I was doing.
That’s when I came across your site Griff. Since taking your courses (BGU, ABGU and other small ones) i note that when I sit down and play one of the memorized songs from years back, I can now play them with licks and chord shapes that come to me from the theory and technique I’ve learned from you. I will never be done learning and I float from acoustic to electric, from practice to recording with a friend or two. But I just try to make sure anytime I sit down I add something new whether from one of your lessons or something that just pops out. That’s the single thing I want from my music, a step ahead (even if it means backing up for a while to refine or relearn).
To me the Blues is the essence of popular music, jazz, rock, country, all of it can be found in the Blues. if you can play that you can keep up with almost anything. Ultimately, that’s what music is about isn’t it? Its communication with others on a fantastic level, no matter how simple the part or the song, its about making music.
So thanks for the question, not sure I’ll ever be done with the answer. And thanks for the great teaching style and thought you put into it for us all.
-Chris
I’m starting out again after a long hiatus. Now that I am retired, I really want to learn the chops and sound, for want of a better word, genuine. I have been playing a long time but only went so far. I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I have bought some of the courses, especially the solos and backing tapes. I’ve just started a new blues band and am finding the little weekly videos invaluable.
I always was a reluctant lead player, usually because I was the only one handy who could make a fist of it. I have been blessed with the feel but need the knowledge of the variety of licks etc. I play with my fingers rather than a pick too, so it’s a question of adapting and developing a different approach. I get off on the feel though and am just as thrilled at learning new approaches to rhythm as I am with lead. Thanks for your attitude, Griff. As a retired school teacher, I can appreciate your humility as well as the obvious desire to teach and see people improve.
Blessings! Ian
Griff,
I have improved so much over the past 3 months. I have been frustrated for years trying some of the concepts taught by others. I have one really huge frustration point that I can’t find any teacher really getting into. How to transition from a verse to pre chorus or chorus and back and have it sound smooth and interesting and not boxy. Some example of chord changes and even walk ups or down and the concept used to move between chords. I know some single note walk ups in open position. That is not what I am looking for. If I am playing in the middle of the guitar what are some moves. This will help me tons. Thank you
Howdy Griff , I just like anything you throw my way , been at it for 50 + years & still learn something new everyday , your the greatest , say hey to you & yours , your ever faithful student……………….
I’ve read alot of the responses and I think everyone is trying to out think each other. It;s simple folks you get your guitar in your hands and you learn chords, then you;ll soon be plarying arpeggios out of bordom. You will then seek outside help from other guitar players,a a jam session amongst friends or a concert. It is absolutely essential to learn enough music theory that you can pick up a song and know how to determine the key and find the notes on the guitar neck but most of all you have to put in the time to become a great guitar player. THe more success you have with your playing will make you want to play more. Start with something simple and build on it.You can do what you set your mind to do. The pentonic minor and major scales should open up a new avenue of fun for anyone. Since we have universal tuning you can turn on the radio, tv etc and play along. this will make you a better guitar player and your ability to sit in with other pickers.
I have been playing for 50 years, on and off. I learned chords and some riffs in the first 10 years, but I can say I have learned more in the last 15 years than the first 10. I still have a long way to go though. Thanks for keeping things interesting.
I’m still confused how to combine the boxes in soloing. When and how can i move between two or more boxes in one solo?
I’m a commercial salmon troller. In s.e. Alaska. I want to be able to sit in the wheelhouse of my boat and play some song and do some noodling as I am traveling from fishing grounds. Sitting with other guitar players and being able to join in would also be a wish. I’m doing BBG and just bought the rythem course. Also bought POTP but it is a bit too difficult at this time. Think I have got my blues name figured out, “blind slough Dave”. It’s got a nice ring to it.
Thanks, Blind Slough Dave
Hello,
Yea woa I almost stopped scrolling to see if ther was a spot to leave my comment &finally I hit the bottom.
Looks like your a BUSY guy. So I’ll make mine short.
How do I find a good sounding set of lots say 3 chord songs don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to skip lessons. It’s more like I don’t have a lot of time in my day to do something less-laborious in the sence that once my wife here’s me start trying to play-“she calls out what are you doing?? Like she’s def or something. She’s got better things for me to do than try to learn something. So here it is.
How do I stay motivated to play when I have to squeeze the smallest amount of time out of my day to practice ? I’m thinking maybe if I could make 2,3orill even go as far as – no let’s stick with 3 4 now maybe 4 next year if I can get my wife to do some of the do’s that I know she’s comming up with just so she don’t have to listen to me try to put a little something together.
So sorry that was’nt so short was it???
And I don’t want no Yankee doodling old stuff ok??
Griff,
I have done leads using forms of the pentatonic scale most of my career, but I have never been good at developing leads that incorporate the melody. Perhaps I just don’t have the ear for it, but if anybody could help me I know you could!
Thanks…Old School and Still Rockin’
Hi,
I’m starting out in blues guitar, using your Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed (really liking it so far). I’m pretty good at jazz piano, so I know my theory. I’m not interested in trying to be proficient in jazz on another instrument. I really want to play blues guitar. I love the sound and feel of it. The question I have in terms of the “road map” is: How much of the fret-board do I really need to learn? I know it sounds like an ignoramus question. I’m not asking how I can get by with as little knowledge as possible. I’m curious where to focus my energies. Do I really need to know how to play every type of chord in every inversion all up and down the neck? It seems absurd at this point, but I do understand there are more keys out there than just E. I won’t need to worry about this until after I finish your course, but I’m curious what’s up ahead and what it means to be able to play blues guitar.
Thanks,
Charles
Hey Griff
thanks for you dedication, you’re a great instructor. I’ve been playing for over 45 years, mostly acoustic and vocals in church,for weddings, on stage when I was younger and Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin etc. were household names. In order to respect those covers it’s important to listen and grasp the nuance, the “hook” that makes the song great. For me, this meant hours of repetition and practice (I’m no prodigy). I’ve just started BGU and it seems to me that in order to flow with extended riffs and solos, the same approach may not be best. In other words “memorizing” progressions.Any insight into that idea would be great. Thanks again!!
Jeff
Hi Griff,
WOW I can’t believe the response to this post. The comments are GREAT and most echo where I’m at in my guitar playing.
In your intro you mentioned “Another student really wanted to be able to perform solo (as in by himself) and be able to sing and strum while adding the occasional fill with his guitar between vocal melodies.” This is my fervent desire also.
I have your BBG, Theory and BGU courses though I must admit I have not done all that well with some of the BGU lessons, others are OK. Some of the frustration is with muting technique, either right or left hand, and picking technique. For example if I anchor my right hand on the bridge of my Strat to control some muting my pick ends up right over the middle pickup and it gets in the way. The reasons I have given up on some of your BGU lessons are because 1) my left hand will just not stretch 6 frets and 2) my middle finger does not bend backward so I have to use alternate fingering on those chords which works fine most of the time until I get up to about the 10th fret. Any helpful suggestions on this will be appreciated.
Bob
Not so sure you really want another comment, but I do have a number of your courses, that have really pushed me forward. I am really stoked with your Acoustic Blues Guitar course. That may be the direction I would like to continue in. There is a lot to learn out there, to be an all around player with the abiilty to play leads and rhythms I believe is definetly where I would like to end up.
Thanks for all your instructional efforts
Griff,
You have already helped me achieve my goal of sitting on the porch and stumming and picking a lick or two to the songs that I love. I’m slowly getting better too. Your courses and videos helped me figure out what was a mystery to me for years and years. I’m 60 and have been plinking around on my old Martin for 45 years. I freak out when other people are around. I am now finally able to relax, sort of, and play by myself with friends and family around. I’m intermediate but have significant problems in front of people. Slowly, that has changed as you helped me learn the clues that I was missing that gave me confidence to know that I knew the “mysteries” of the neck. ha. I’ve taught others over the last few years too. I’ve got more than I can take in with your courses and the blog and the videos, but I work everyday and get a little bit better every day. I saw a Les Paul documentary last week with him playing with his gnarled arthritic hands at 90 years old. He couldn’t play all the notes so he just played the important ones. ha. That is my goal now. “Play till i’m 90”. I was told I was dying at 50. I couldn’t even hold my guitar for several years but slowly I kept at it. It was painful and difficult. I am better now than ever and credit the guitar for helping me save my own life. I would play for like 2 min at a time until my hands cramped. Then later try again. 2 min turned into 3 then 5. I’ve stabilized and can usually play 30 to 60 min with no cramps now. It still hurts but is worth it. Thanks for what you do. Your friend even though you don’t know it. Jim
I kind of was like the 2nd guy that posted. I too picked up the guitar after a 30 year layoff thinking I could never learn how to pick, but then I saw your 4 note blues and gave a couple of your courses a try and talking about night and day. WOW what a transformation. In those 30 years I would pick up a guitar only when someone was playing, now my guitar is next to where ever I sit and everytime a song pops on the TV I try to play along. I play 20 minutes at a time several times a day and I would like to thank you Griff you truly transformed my abilities. Your Great!!
Jim M
Harrisburg, IL
My only short term goal is to play live at a blues jam and not embarreas myself too much.
My long term goal is to play in a band (any genre is fin to start).
I am closing in on the short term goal…..
When all this NH snow melts, I am going to go to the Tressle in Goffstown NH ( Sunday afternoon) doing a shot and sticking my balls out on the bar!!!!!
Hi Griff
The blogs, videos, etc are great and really helpful.
I would like to play solo acoustic, ‘on the porch style’, but don’t think I’ve got a proper handle on which boxes/scales to solo with over which I, IV, V. I’m sure you’ve probably covered this before/elsewhere but it may have been at a stage in my guitar playing when I couldn’t absorb what you were teaching. (I only get irregular chance to pick up my guitar so progress is painfully slow)
Keep up the good work 🙂
Hi Griff, I live in a part of the country where there is a big shortage of qualified guitar instructors. So, when I decided to start playing again (after 35 years), you were a godsend. Right now, I’m trying to learn to solo better. I can do a decent job but all of my solos sound alike. I’d like to improve on that and be more spontaneous. Also, I would like to solo for a longer period. Now, I’m lucky to get through 30 seconds. Thanks for all you do!!! Larry
Griff,
I’m looking to play better solos. I have a terrible voice and as much as I would like to sing, I don’t. My favorite guitarists all play lead with emotion and you can hear what they are feeling. That is what I am aiming for; not just a bunch of notes but to say something and contribute to the song.
Hi Griff
Sorry this is a bit later than most … what i really want to get to is UNDERSTANDING what I’m doing so i can figure things out from first principles. So when I play a blues it’s understanding WHY the progression is what it is, WHY the pentatonic major works on this bit, WHY the minor on that bit, WHY that lick works, WHY turnarounds are the way they are etc.
I find that when practice is informed by understanding its just so much easier to internalise and the improvement is cumulative.
More specifically, I’d also like to learn how to sing and play at the same time … that really messes with your head / fingers / both!!
Hope this is what you are looking for?
Best regards … Dave
How might we find other BUG pupils in our area ?
Hi Griff,
You are a great teacher, and sometime with “pin pointing accuracy” what I need to learn. However, rest is on me.
I would be very happy if you can demystify one song – Baby Night from Sweet Smoke.
I know, that I wouldn’t be able to play this (on acoustic guitar) as they did, but just to understand some riffs and and concept.
The “Goal” – make music with the band that sounds like music and not just a bunch of noise!- me and a couple of my friends get together on Friday nights a few times a month. We have about 30 songs that we “know” – none of us are “pros” but sometimes we sounds really good. We have Bass player, Keyboard/Guitarist, sometimes a live drummer, sometimes a drum machine and then me – rhythm and sometimes lead guitar. The issue I have is mostly with me – I tend to wander off and not listen to what the others are playing – but retreat into my own head and play what I think is good. And sometimes it’s not good – or I end up stepping on the other guitar player or bass. I have to learn that sometimes less is more! Also, we all need to learn how to communicate with the other players – your lessons are helping me understand that. Thanks for all the free stuff you let us enjoy. I really appreciate it. I am not a real “blues” man – but everything you teach is so universal. What a great teacher you are – and I do like listening to the jams with your bands you have shared. I live on the east coast (FLA) so will most likely never get to see you live. But, I will stay in tune with your blog! – thanks again. 57 years young and ready to jam!
I have learned to play the guitar 3 years ago, having had a very good teacher.I also enjoy your free video sessions and have ordered some programs of yours, which are great. At the moment I play for myself, but woul love to join a little group in our church. I like to write little songs for children and our church, but have still a lot to learn, with regards to notation. What I am struggeling with is to figure out the timing of a piece of music, are there any tips which could help?.
Griff,
I’ve played guitar, mostly acoustic, for 25 years. I’ve played rhythm guitar in bands, and have played acoustic solo and duo gigs. I understand a decent amount of theory, certainly enough to know what chords “fit”, and how to follow along to songs even if I haven’t heard it before.
I’ve never been a lead player, but that’s my goal. Specifically, and this sounds kind of dumb, but I want to get to the point where I can walk into a situation (band warm ups on Sunday morning before church, band gigs during the holidays, or sitting in the local Guitar Center and trying out amps), and I sound like I know what I’m doing…not like I’m just playing the pentatonic scale. I know the scales, and I can hear the licks in my head, and I understand that they are all found in (and around) that scale…but somehow the notes don’t naturally make their way to my fingers. I want to learn to play what I “hear” in my head.
Thanks for all you do to help us along the way.
Alan
“To sound like I know what I’m doing…”
Lol.. I think that pretty much sums-up what my road map destination would be !
I didn’t know where to start, and found your site by accident. I’ve wanted to play the guitar for years but knew it would be difficult during the initial period so didn’t start (until I retired). It also seems that the progression in material for beginners is too rapid and as you have commented, enough to dissuade some folks from persisting. To date, and it’s early days, I’ve found the material you provide to be at a reasonable pace and easy to follow (if not to copy). It’s great to be able to play even a short riff and have it sound like something! I didn’t know where to start but I feel confident in your approach and style so I’ve ordered the beginners course. Don’t know where I’m going but I’m confident I’ll get somewhere good!
Hi Griff
You know, I’m not entirely sure what I need to learn.
I like playing guitar, I want to sit and learn to play ‘tunes’ if that makes sense.
I’d never heard of the pentatonic scale until you mentioned it so I wasn’t aware of the fact that I needed to learn them.
My music taste is varied to say the least, blues is a recent thing for me, a recent convert you might say. I also like rock ballads, country and old style rock and roll.
So what do I need to know? Blues scales sure but major scales? What licks and tricks do I need, I really don’t know.
But your lessons are getting me near where I need to be, wherever that is!!
Cheers.
First, I would like to say “Great Work” in your overall online lesson program.
As someone who has recently picked up the guitar after many years off, I am not sure where I would like help. I’m somewhere around an intermediate player.
Anyway, I don’t sing or have anyone to jam with so its me solo. I would like to be able to solo up and down the neck and combine chords with the soloing on either an acoustic or electric. I also would like help setting the tone on my blues jr as I play through a strat or LP.
I’d also like to talk with a live body to know which course to purchase as I don’t want to start with a beginner course as i know the standard cords (C,D,G etc.) and various bar cords.
I can be reached at 303.859.8550.
I have a terrible time trying to count when I’m playing. Do you have any practice tips or ideas on how to work on that?
Hi Griff, first a sincere thank you for all you do for our guitar ‘journeys’; I have found every one of your tutorials and related advice entirely practical, useful and beneficial.
I have 2 summary objectives – one for myself, and one for myself and anyone I can influence
a) for myself, “play the right note(s), at the right time, for the right amount of time, interspersed with the right amount of correctly measured rests, as cleanly as possible and as as close to instinctively as I can get; I’m 59 in April, so I do have to be realistic too.”
b) encourage respect for and investment (in bitesized time chunks) in theory as applicable to the guitar – and discourage the pervasive tendency to treat theory as the ‘awkward, eccentric cousin’.
Once again, a sincere thanks to you.
Tom
Any tips or practice suggestions for getting to the point of not having to look down to ensure I am on the correct string?…both hands…quite frustrating for me.
Griff you know a phrasing course would be a good idea too
Speaking for myself, I would like to play well enough that I could play with a like-minded band — at my age (60) I like to joke that I want to form a band called “The Old Guys,” and play for free beer (we would do, what else? Classic rock, with maybe some newer stuff thrown in here and there, along with some blues stuff). I had fooled around with guitar while in college, but being a leftie, it was hard back then, and then I went out into the world to earn a living (started off as an Army officer) – also, I was engaged to be married, so being a Fine Arts graduate wasn’t going to cut it, if you know what I mean — so, while it’s easier being a leftie guitarist now, seemingly, I am playing catch-up — I don’t know that my input is any help, since i’m not a young beginner/intermediate player, but I can imagine that most young aspiring guitarists at there, no matter what genre(s) they want to become good at, would want to play with a band, ensemble, another musician, etc. Even professional solo artists have someone backing them up usually…and you want to be good enough to justify others wanting to play with you, and even take that (scary) leap to playing in clubs and seeing if you can make a living (or reach for the Big Brass Ring) at this thing called Music…IF you can become good enough…
Hi Griff, I have been playing 45 years. didn’t take any lessons until my 40’s. I am 64 now and playing with bands that I knew through the years. Usually one week gigs or just sitting in. We are working to put a band together but find the new players seem to play a groove or a feel that does not sound like it fits. I think the age difference is hurting the music. I need to be a little more flexible so I can at least meet them half way. I am always suggesting playing more blues but if they are not into it of course it sounds terrible. I’m trying to choose the genre and look for players but I can’t find many guys that are that old. I need to be more versatile, if I am going to play live more..
I found your 4 note blues on youtube perhaps five years ago. It was inspirational and changed a perception within me.
Up until then I’d been content to strum chords without ever getting the hang of using a plectrum but it didn’t matter because my primary concern was to write songs.
My rhythm was fine but my strumming had no finesse – I’d basically wave at the strings and get a rough but good enough approximation of the chord shape I was playing.
As I rarely wrote more than two songs a year, my ability as a guitar player wasn’t very important. The melody would find itself within the chord structure.
I’d pretty much run out of things to say by my late fifties and got fed up playing my own songs but, by then, had played with others and really enjoyed the experience.
It was then that I found your 4 note blues and the perception which changed for me was simple.
Somehow, I just didn’t ever believe that I could play notes and find melodic structure but that changed as I realised that your 4 notes were quite close together AND that I do have four fingers. This was not an impossible task.
It hasn’t been a task. It’s been a gradual opening up of many avenues from ways to strum to the scales.
It’s the five boxes which you go into in your Blues Unleashed course which has occupied my spare time over the last five years. I get enormous pleasure out of playing along to backing tracks.
Little chords are essential for me to learn and your ‘little wings’ lesson has been a great help.
Of course, the more I delve into music, the more there is to know.
Your lessons are wonderful. Hope this helps a bit with road maps.
I’m left now with this strong impression that you have to believe that you are capable of finding the music within and of bringing it out.
That’s essential.
I want to render into audible form the amazing music I’m sometimes capable of creating in my mind.
Just listened to your marshall DSL find. I would love to learn how to play the fluid way your doing it. doesn’t look like your moving all around the neck, staying in familiar box patterns but the speed and phrasing is way different then what i end up with when I play. Very cool and sounds great! would love lessons on how to develop that.
Hello Griff:
I have purchased BGU, but must admit have not pushed myself to do the lessons. I have dabbled on a few and know that in order to be where I want to be I must watch, read and practice these lessons. I am obsessed with the guitar, but find myself always trying to play and sing new songs. I jam with a wonderful group…a couple of good players. I sometimes feel inadequate…..I can strum along with most of the songs…but I want to be able to do some fills at the end of the lines etc and solo parts. As you say it gets a little messy with everyone doing the same stuff….I guess I just want to feel useful in the group instead of just a follower. So need to know how to do fills in the different keys….I loved your email lesson on inversions ie in the key of G but do not really know how to apply it, in a particular song in G…..ie do I play the B (3rd inversion) over the G chord? Do not know a lot about music theory. Also how do you know what other notes will be in a song in the key of G besides G C D. I see the 1 4 5 but Em? I see Am ? meaning the 9th…….I thought it was 1 4 5 (7) (9)
obviously not???/ Thank you for your lessons and continuous little email lessons.
Janis
I have frequently been asked to play a song on different occasions…but have been hesitant because in many cases I’ll remember a riff some chords and maybe a verse of lyrics but have trouble playing with out a cheat sheet etc. I would like to build a personal repitoire of 20 songs to arm myself with and was wondering if you had any tricks of the trade that might make it easier other than repeatedly playing a song until muscle memory and reflex kick in.
The guitar is an extensive hobby in my retirement years and is a lot of fun for me and some friends.
If you have time – comments back would be appreciated.
Thanks:
Gord
Gord, start with just 2 or 3 songs, if you have to, start with 1 song, get it down, then add the next one. Play through your set list regularly. If you make a list of 20 songs and cannot get through them all right now, you will learn none. I probably learn 2 or 3 new songs at a time, that is my pace,
If I let myself get distracted, I am learning licks and cords for 57 songs all at once and I learn nothing, I need to keep it structured, and 2 or 3 at a time is what I can handle. maybe you will be 1, or maybe 5, but less is more.
I have practice time for learning, and practice time for playing my set list. I usually practice my set lists at 10 songs at a time.
To memorize lyrics, there is nothing better than actually writing them out to commit them to memory. There is a trick in eye position if you are right handed, if you keep the lyrics slightly off to the left, so your eye position is to the left but centred as far as up and down, it will aid in you memorizing what is there, it is a neuroscience thing. Sorry if you are left handed or ambidextrous, it is probably a different location for you, but play around where you position it until you figure it out.
I have lyric sheets with the chords over top of the lyrics, like you find online. It is okay to have a cheat sheet to btw, you are not talking about playing on stage, and lots of people have cheat sheets on stage these days. Also while learning songs, play the whole song, if you just keep doing the first verse, you will only memorize the first verse.
I hope some of this helps.
Darryl
Griff ,
I’m amazed at the response to this I only hope you get a chance to read all of them. I am wondering about something I have heard several instructors mention over the years but don’t fully understand the concept. They call it “resolving the root ” when doing a solo. What does this mean ?
Hi Griff my goal is to be able to learn certain songs I like from the 50’s through to the 70’s and play them well enough to Jam with a band
I agree with what Bernieb said I want to play what I hear in My head I think one thing but it doesn’t get to the fingers especially while trying to make up ariff or solo
Hi Griff,
Love your classes , I learn something from you every time , my challenge is I just don’t feel comfortable playing solo and riffs and never think I am good enough, but in essence when I play, it sounds ok and sometimes better and more in the grove, sometimes it is a little rough.
I follow your tips and it just calms we down, I actually am able to make a few bucks doing this and following you , just gives me comfort and assurance.
For me music and blues are synonymous. My. Interest is in learning complete songs. Rhythm, lead, open and close. I would in particular like to learn Stormy Monday and Red House.
Develop “solo” skill set as described above. Little singing, little rhythm, little lead fill for a small group of family / friends. Thanks!
Hello good people. I was a young player who hung in Evanston I’l at a tough place called Biddy Mulligans where the blues great would play before heading to the south side on the weekends. I talked one night to a fiery player who could move the crowd with his playing and asked him how he did it without shredding up and down the neck as I was trying to do. He told me to play a one note solo over a blues song. II thought he was a joker until I tried it 15 years later. Best solos I have ever played is have been one note bend , slid, half toned. Pick attacked and muted. They are the hardest but the best ever. Try it with a backing track, pick a note on the neck and never play another. Thank you Buddy Guy for sorting me out.
This sounds interesting…you have peaked my interest…I would like to know more…
littleboo on the fourm
Hello Griff. My goal is to be able to attend a jam and instead of just stumming along with everyone else, construct a string of 2-4 beat phrases that compliment the verse and chorus. I’d also want to put together an 8-12 bar solo. My favorite music is rock classics from the late 50s and 60s but I also like some country. I’m not a big fan of the blues but I’m playing it more and more because, thanks to you, I’m starting to see some progress in that area. Playing guitar is just flat our fun regardless of the genre. Take care Griff. You’re a big reason I’m still trying to play this instrument.
Hi Griff, At jam nights I can usually solo over 4 or 5 bars but then it gets a bit repetitive and boring. So I would like to advance my ability so that my solos are more interesting, dynamic and musical. Also songs that are not blues are popular- such as Knocking on Heavens Door, Superstition, All Along the Watchtower, Moondance and a lot of Beatles stuff. I’d like to be able to solo better over these as well as blues.
Thanks for all your great courses and tips. Always enjoyable and informative.
In response to your project- I want to be Jimi Hendrix but not be Jimi, if you can understand that. I don’t like copy cats, only stray cats.
Thanx
Tom
Hi Griff,
The biggest single thing you could teach anyone is that 90% of being successful or recognised is based on luck, not talent. I’m old enough to know that several world famous bands – no names mentioned or implied but they know who they are – had all on to string 3 chords together when they first hit the big time.
I’d like to know:
More on working inversions of a chord (places on the neck) such as a vamp in E7.
How to picture the other chords in a song (IV, V7, ii-, etc) in the same position one is at and similar clusters at other neck positions.
Which chords are “working man’s” in that they’re used most often and are easiest to grab, including smaller parts of those.
Why some chords match melody notes and why other chords can also be used over that note.
Why some melody notes don’t correspond to any note in the background chord – and it’s corollary – how to match chords to melody notes.
More “roadmap” orientation as to intervals and spacial relations.
More clarity on how to mix minor over major (for voice and lead) but not the reverse.
Which notes in a full scale are the worst and most glaring, the ones to be avoided.
Which notes to lead up to and drop down to during improv, and which weaken it.
The chords and techniques in Clearance Clearwater Revival’s “Penthouse Pauper.”
The theory of the movement and harmonies in Brahms’ waltz beginning on notes d to a (d-) but ending on A major. Intriguing. Evocative. Lots of diminished and a key change.
Thanks for asking!
I love ragtime Piedmont blues. It is great sittin’
playin’ on the porch music.
Everything that you can help me learn, patterns, progressions,
songs will be appreciated and practiced.
thank you for all the help you have already provided to all of us.
Ed
timing…having trouble playing with the CD versions of Beginning Blues Guitar because my rhythm is so poor…I have a metronome but it just doesn’t seem to sink in for me –
Hello Griff
I’ve bought a number of your courses, and I haven’t completed any of them yet. I think I buy the dream and then life hits me with a reality check. Here’s a short history. Because I now have a band,
I was asked to play a blues piece for a lady to sing, I didn’t know how good or bad she was, so I was a little scepticle at first.
Turns out she is an awesome singer so I agreed to do it. The day of the performance came and I had found a drummer for the occasion. After the show one of my mates said he would like to record us and polish it for us. Then I had two ladies ask if they could do backing vocals with us. A week later a 16 year old student said she would like to join in, an acoustic guitarist, and she play better than me. So we got a couple songs together and started to practice. We haven’t done any performances yet, but we did attract a lot of attention. I should point out that I belong to a church group, and we are praising on Sunday arvo. Then a week before Christmas I suddenly had a bass player and a keyboard player.
We are having fun, but these guys are looking at me for direction and inspiration. I’m just following them and trying to keep up.
We are basically doing covers, we have some original stuff, not much though.
The student and I were talking about transposing, and she was trying to figure out how to change keys to get away from sharps and flats. I suggested she learn the song using the major scale patern and just move it up the fretboard to the key she needed. Please correct me if I’m wrong..
I didn’t really ever think I would be doing this, but here I am. I think the courses themselves are a good road map, I obviously don’t need them all to do what I’m doing, but I would like a handle on it I hope you can get an idea from this.
I think it’s my love of music and the skills I’ve learned from you that got me into this situation, it’s daunting, it’s fun, and it scares the heck out of me.
Thanks Griff
James.
PS, I still can’t play as well as I would like.
Hi Griff
I was just thinking about this a few days ago, where would I start, you know Gtiff this is a hard question to answer but lately I’ve been thinking about taking an indepth music course or theory course, you know the kind you would get in college like an associate or bachelors degree in music I think something along those lines would help us very much. I know doing something like that would take forever to put together but I think that would take BGU to another level putting BGU head and shoulders above the rest.
I don’t disagree with you that Theory is important, as the understanding of why something works and how musical ideas connect allows you to be more creative and more easily transpose key etc. But I must say that BGU is already HEAD and SHOULDERS above the rest. I think Griff presents a well balanced approach to teaching. I have “accidentally” learnt more about theory (useful theory ) from Griff than any regimented program on the subject because he constantly drops little gems along the way that are relevant.
I think most people here want to be able to play and make music happen. I respect Griffs manner and intelligence towards that end. He doesn’t BIG NOTE himself and ‘show off’ his vast knowledge of musical terms and theory, but instead, quietly includes relevant information that allows better understanding of why you’re doing it AS you learn how to do it. I’ve heard it said that we need a TOOLBOX full of riffs or a TOOLBOX full of songs, well, if you listen and go back over Griffs lessons you can also develop a TOOLBOX full of helpful theory.
A Bachelors Degree in music will not make you a Guitar player or Musician. You become a Guitar player from practice. No one can make you a Guitar player. It comes from practice. We are fortunate to be able to have the ASSISTANCE offered by some one of Griffs knowledge and expertise and the way he presents it. Griff is a PROFESSIONAL musician and shares insight to many aspects of learning and playing guitar. Personal time management, effective practice techniques, theory and much more. It is up to us to accept assistance where ever we get it and put it to good use.
So THANK YOU GRIFF.
Hi Griff,
At 70, I don’t sing as well as I used to, and I don’t plan to play very often with another musician, so I want my guitar to be able to sing solo for me, and occasionally, if the key is right and the vocal range is easy, I might want to play chords with some embellishments while I sing. I have learned to play “Scarborough Fair” (fingerpicking), and I am working on “The Shadow of Your Smile” ala Joe Pass, and ZZ Top’s “Fool for Your Stockings” (which I sing along with). I also like to sing and play some country songs for my wife, such as “Margaritaville” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”.
I have noticed that many, probably most, of your students are in or near retirement age, like me, so we have some specific difficulties to overcome, such as arthritis and, in my case, advanced peripheral neuropathy. This means that we need an easier path to achieve our goals, but yet we don’t want to sound amateurish when we play.
Hope that helps. Thanks for asking.
Probably I could use help on just about everything! To be honest, I mostly have no idea what you’re talking about when you say, “We’ll play this over the IV chord”.
I’m probably too old to have undertaken something this vast (because I’m just now starting to realize just how MUCH there is to know) but I’m really enjoying the process and don’t regret it. I think my brain is benefiting by the process of understanding the language of music and my physical finger coordination is also improving greatly.
What I really enjoy, is making up my own stuff. When I create a riff that sounds good, I can memorize it much easier than trying to memorize say, one of yours. Where I struggle is the transition from one area of the neck into to some other area and then have it sound good or mesh.
Bottom line here, I really appreciate all of your help. The several emails/ week of new things, old things and words of encouragement are always welcome!
Hi Griff:
I have been playing for over 45 years. Been playing in bands for almost as long. Many years ago I was thrust into playing lead guitar. Lead guitar player quit. Still doing it today. What I am working on is expanding my solo skills and adding new solo’s. I find during the course of a gig I am repeating leads over and over. I really want to expand my lead knowledge and abilities so that I can keep it fresh all night long. I also play worship in church and want to expand my soloing there as well.
Regards,
Steve
I have BGU and several of your other courses. I don’t believe there is any place in the blues that your courses can’t take me if I apply myself. Your teaching is outstanding.
My other requirements are outwith blues so I don’t know if that is of relevance to your question. For my sake I hope it may be.
I play in Church. This involves many hundreds of hymns and praise songs which I initially learn at a few days notice and may only play again very infrequently (many months – even years). It would be very helpful to be reasonably intuitive to chord progressions in general.
I also play anthems which can be tricky, with complex chords and usually at least one key change, often two or three (last week four). Usually a lot of dynamics.
The scores comprise vocals, keys and guitar chords. I only play rhythm but often arpeggiate the chords in the slower passages. I recently did just a couple of small fills – which was very satisfying to play and, I believe, enhanced the music a little. I would dearly love to be able to do appropriate fills on a regular basis; some tasteful electric lead is very atmospheric – especially at the high end. However, again, with the anthems, I only have a few days to learn them and may not play them again for a very long time (if at all). I would want to be able to apply perhaps pentatonic major and minor scales (I imagine) over any type of chord progression with key changes.
After 40+ years with guitars, discovering BGU was the most positive and exciting
occurrence in music for me. Thank you Griff for inviting me into your worldwide family.
Where would I start?
How to play better rhythm guitar
How to hear chord changes to improve busking skills
How to improve precision with the fingers
How to play and count at the same time (just can’t do it no matter how many times I watch you)
How to get rid of the panic when I play in front of other people
It goes on and on. Do you ever learn to play the guitar?
Hi Griff, thanks for the info so far. I wish to improve my soloing ability, I am not a novice as far as playing goes, but have lost my way since having a long lay off. I hope this is helpful,regards, Dave.
Hi Griff, Well, this is an interesting question. I’ve got no problems with boxes, and the major/minor distinction, and I can improvise something
just about acceptable over a blues jam track. Currently I’m working on
linking the boxes horizontally (rather than playing up and down vertically) and more exercises or tips on this would be useful. However, my main problem is technique. I cannot play with the security that I will always hit the right note cleanly, and not smudge it. I’m not short of melodic ideas and I think I have a feel for the blues. But if you can’t execute your ideas confidently, none of this comes across. Any suggestions?
Hi,
I just want to be able to count with the rythm and the solo in order to improvise later with back Tracks.
Just want to have fun alone with my guitar and do it properly.
Dont known if it is wath you want to know. Anyway sorry for my english ant Thank you.
I’m a real newbee when it comes to the electric guitar and I would love to have a road map so I can play more than scales. I took some lessons that didn’t help me. The guy was too good and I was lost.
Since I first heard ‘Redhouse’, back in about 1971, I’ve worked at playing single note solos. After 40+ years I’m not bad at it. What I always neglected was being able to lay down good rhythms. I haven’t played in a band for about 15 years, but when I next get the opportunity I want to be able to comfortably play a variety of rhythms and not just rely on the other guitarist or keyboard player for this.
I suspect your new ’52 Rhythm Fills’ addresses this so I’ll probably get round to buying it before too long.
Hi Griff,
I gave up guitar in ’97 after many years (mainly rock, but I did do some Nile Rogers and Chili Peppers styles), but started again 2 years ago. I know loads about harmony (not much mystery anymore), but have never given rhythm principles much or enough attention before now, but you are already doing quite a lot on that front.
If I had to put it into one phrase, I would say I want to achieve ‘Freedom of expression on the guitar’, but these are some of the things I’m trying to achieve (I hope they’re not too vague to be of use to you).
To use the blues form (it allows the greatest freedom in musical interaction) with some added jazz influences i.e. 2-5-1s, swing feel etc.
To understand the blues repertoire, what’s important, whose important, who influenced whom (I’ve done a fair bit of research on that already).
To be free to improvise with confidence, without fear.
To not know what to play, but be able to extract rhythm from anything around me (to be able to mimic rhythmically), and to interact with others musically (Yes, you’ve guessed right, I did see the Paul Gilbert video).
To be able to not have to think about where start playing (almost feel it, because I know the keys and fretboard patterns so well).
To eventually be an improvising guitarist in a swing blues band.
To be able to play solo (e.g. playing on the porch) so it doesn’t sound like there’s something missing.
To be able to sing on the guitar like B.B. King. (He sings with his voice, then he sings with the guitar).
I bought my first guitar in the late 60’s at a Navy exchange in Mayport Florida. We learned to play at night to pass time….. I still have that guitar but gave myself the gift of a Epiphone Les Paul Custom III a couple of years ago. Reading, writing, bible study and keeping my sweetheart happy occupy the majority of my time these days and my skills have atrophied badly but at 66 I hope to be completely retired with sweetie soon and be able to devote more time to reacquiring and honing those skills again.
The movie that plays in my head is being in my 80’s and going into a music store…. perhaps to get strings or something….. and I see one of those dream guitars on display…… pick it up and start playing. In my dream I play well enough that several teen to early twenty year olds come in closer to watch and listen. They are like: “Grandpa DUDE! That was awesome!” And I thank them and leave smiling while the inner guitar god does the fist pump inside me. 🙂
Griff, let me say that you got me started on my blues playing journey with BGU and your email/ lessons continue to help and inspire.
Among the things I struggle with is remembering all the solos and rhythm progressions I’ve learned from you and others. Recalling solos is particularly frustrating. Is it more important to memorize solos that are available out there or understand chord tones, minor/ major mixing, boxes etc and make up your own Solos?
I’m 63 and performing at a local blues jam is on my bucket list but confidence, particularly with soloing is keeping me in the audience instead
I think that most of the areas have been covered by the other commenters. For my part I would like to add I would welcome anything that could improve with dexterity and chord changes. Also, as I have said before being a lefty and thus in the minority I am like a salmon swimming up stream to spawn all the time as far as mastering the neck. Perhaps something ‘Road Maps’ could just as readily be prepared for lefties as the majority?
Griff,
I’d like to be able to play what I hear in my head. That’s it. Thanks for all your great work!
You sure got a lot of response!Hope you can sense of it all.
I want to agree with Jeff above Viz how to increase the length of solo’s. Specifically how do you know which note to land on for each chord.I.E What note fits with a chord?
Also some knowledge on chord progressions would be useful.
Thanks for all the advice ; what I would really like is a few ‘standards’ being played ( with your variations ) with the camera showing close-ups of your hands/fretboard, so I can learn fluidity when playing
thanks
For me this is a nice journey to something I enjoy doing. I am 63 now and an acoustic player only and to date I have enjoyed all that I have learned. I just wish that I had the money for the real lessons as for now I am just battling to keep a roof over my head, but, learning the little things and once you you get a good idea how the fret board is laid out(like the 4ths and 3rds)and know the 1,4,5 theory and major chords are 1,3,5 and minors 2,3,5, it’s not to complicated, it is just now learning how to make them sound musical on your own and not somebody elses sound. Any ways thanks for all you do and I truly believe that you realy want to help us all in any way you can, lets face music is a wonderfull thing to learn and there is a lot to learn. Thanks for all you do and keep rocking.
I play for my own enjoyment some 50 years after playing in a Garage band in college. I picked up my guitar for the first time in over 25 years when I retired and saw the “four note solo” on the internet. My problem is that I only play the parts of songs that I like (and know). I am terrible on starting and ending songs. Also I still have trouble singing while doing anything but straight rhythm chording. Thank you for BGU and your continuing free videos to those of us who bought your product.
Hi Griff, Great question, to me learning all the scales, chord progressions, different music styles ect are the relatively easy parts to learn when playing guitar, most people will grasp some or all of these concepts given enough time, however,
None of this is worth much if you cannot learn how to keep the timing, know when to come in and stay out whilst playing with other band members.
Thanks for being a great inspiration to the masses and for asking the questions that will ultimately help your followers develop the tools to overcome all our obstacles,
Cheers
Dave from oz
Hi Grif – in terms of your comments on the major scale – it is vital to know the major scale because ALL ‘quality’ blues players (including yourself of course!) need to know how to mix major and minor scales. Most guitar teachers that I have been involved with also insist on this being the secret to ‘interesting’ blues solos.
Persoanally, I think there is a gap in the market in terms of ‘not WHAT you play’ but ‘How’ you play it i.e. a riff or solo etc because what turns me on to a solo is more the rhythm of the solo and not the actual notes necessarily. If you were to put out a DVD on ‘Rhythm, space, and expression ‘ as a guide to soloing – I and many of my friends would buy it! Regards Pete (UK) and thanks for your inspiration and guidance.
got the 5 boxes pretty well down and use them all . Can play B B’s box but sure as hell don’t sound like him !!
So I tend to constantly play 5 boxes which gets kinda boring .
I would like to see you cover double stops thoroughly and maybe inversions (which you actually Have ). The goal of this is to play lead with more than just the boxes . I guess think of Ronnie Wood maybe .
Thanks Griff for always looking for ways to make us all better .
A goal is a final destination – mine is to be able to play recognisable songs that someon may hear on the radio. Does not need to be technically complicated or fast just have lots and lots of feeling.
A Strategy is an approach of how you are going to get to your goal . In my case it’s probably BGU then “Playing on the porch”. There may be more, I’m not sure and I may need to add in some beginners courses. A strategy is the the roadmap of how to get to your goal from where you are now. Taking the analogy of an actual road trip 10000 miles long a strategy is picking out the major towns along the way and picking the mayor roads.
Tactics are the details. Using our imaginary 1,000 mile road trip. At some point we may need to stay overnight in a hotel so we need a local map of that area, showing street names. Musically this is would be for example being able to use a plectrum correctly. I’ve had to learn as I’ve never used a plectrum before, only fingers. I was working through BGU and one of Grifs email was about using the plectrum correctly . I was not doing that, agh! So I needed to change and incorporate that . It took me back several months however I’m much better now.. Interestingly not all of these techniques are in BGU? Another tactic my be using the boxes, yet another swing notes etc.
So where does this get me . Well to reach my goal I need assurance that my strategy is correct. That the major places I need to visit are all roughly the same line in and in the right order. Then I need help with ensuring the tactics I need are available at the correct point in my journey. I don’t need the detailed map of the town I’m staying in befor I get to that town. I don’t need dinner before breakfast! I don’t need swing notes before straight time. And I need all this presented in an interesting and exciting way. Simples!!!
But most importantly is to enjoy the journey and I am doing that. Thank but I still need further assistance
As basic as it may sound, it seems to me that it would be useful to know the different fingerings for various chords as they are used in fingerpicking blues and especially classical. Not all of us want to be limited just to blues and the nuances of the habits we pick up can turn into real problems later if we decide to switch guitars. Mentions of the various fingerings that are common and what they are most useful for would be helpful. An obvious example is the G major chord but even Em and A can be practiced (as thus put into operational motor memory and hard to change later.) obviously there are more than one way 2 finger Any chord- so just mentioning the options is all I am suggesting. Thanks so much for being a sincere teacher with both the ability and persistence to provide high quality learning. Sincerely David
1) Totally locked in rhythm playing (think Freddie Green)
2) Being able to concentrate on singing over a solid chord strumming base
3) Being able to spice up the chords with some little melody runs in between them now and again
4) Improve my listening skills – I mean really listening.
thanks for all the great lessons,I hope to be able to buy one in the future,but everytime I get the money another bill comes in if you get a chance please have a look on youtube at Anson Funderburgh,the clip is titled some jazzy blues its from 1988 I would love to know how he does some of his phrasing he is with David Sanborn he also has a great bluesy tone once again thank you Griff
Wow Great idea Be surprised if you get down this far.
I want to be able to hear it in my head before I play it.
I’m not sure if that is a learned action or if that is already in us. For me that is that magic moment you keep telling us doesn’t happen. I understand the importance of practice and more practice and more practice but is there a point where one just has to say hmmm nice day for golf. Maybe some of us are only cut out to play with music with the chords written above the words on a music stand in front of our face. I sure wish I heard it in my head, I think that would be my magic moment.
Thanks for what you do. I think you give all of us a great value.
Of course, my ultimate goal is to play a variety of blues solos (licks and rhythmic strums) that are musical, interesting, and which fits the particular song — instead of sounding nearly the same (i.e. caught up in the same few licks)behind every song played and sung (boring and limited in musical expression). Additionally, While many blues songs are played to the same chord progression — 8 or 12 bar — there are different melodic/rhythmic lyric lines unique to that song; I would like to be more innovative being able to lift out of those small song melodie phrases and transform them into a lick/riff phrasing that better matches that blues song’s theme and stream of emotion, with the goal of sweetening the singer’s interpretation with a complimentary, musically supportive guitar solo. For example: “Pride and Joy” is played over the same rhythmic movement and chord changes as “Sweet Home Chicago”. In fact, I’ve tried to play a medley of those two great blues songs. However my limited experience with a wider variety of unique licks/riffs (in other than box 1 and 2) made the solos in each song of this sweet medley sound pretty much the same. The solos (as opposed to the intro which is unique to “Pride and Joy”) as is the intro to “Sweet Home Chicago” (unique in itself) would have been more musically differentiated when playing “Pride and Joy” and then “Sweet Home Chicago”. In otherwords, I would like to learn how to transform small lyrically rhythmic phrases (lifted from individual blues songs)into licks/riffs that become unique to each piece and musically supportive of that particular song. Finally, While I know my Pentatonic boxes (including the Extended Pentatonic) pretty well, I still struggle with creating a musical connection (that sound natural in transition) between riff/lick phrases played in one box and moving to other boxes (e.g. playing a solo phrase in box 2 and then connecting to box 3, 4 and/or 5). Finally, as you take us through a riff/lick lesson I know it would help me if you explained along the way how a particular note (or series of notes) fits into the pentatonic sale within that Pentatonic box — especially when moving to boxes 3, 4 and/or 5. Maybe this second recommendation might be put into a special video, and I’d purchase it as I have purchased and enjoyed several of you other core video lessons. If I could master these above goals throughout the next 6 months, I believe I would be much further along the way with my confidence in the ability to play blues that’s musical and interesting; not just to me as the guitarist, but the listeners as well.
I want to be able to comp on some of my jazz songs and be able to do blues soloing.
Hi Griff
a chart showing how to count different note combinations would be a great help not only to me but Im sure to a lot of your blues unleashed customers.
I would love to learn to solo….be able to go to s jam and when asked, be able to play lead…I can sort of play a few licks but getting the phrasing or that blues feel I haven’t got yet….and learn about “small chords” as opposed to bare chords…I also have a huge fear of playing in front of people…I understand there is no course for that just saying…but I think if I could solo or play some lead I could get past that fear….I have been getting together with another BGU member on jamkazam (Micheal Kirby)….and thank you Griff for all you do for us…I am so looking forward to meet you in Tacoma in May…
Hi Griff,
I have having a modicum of success soloing, with the 5 easy solos and the 5 more, and the killer blues. I can also play over any blues jam using the 5 boxes. What I would to like to get better that, is hearing the chord change and be able to mix the major and minor better, and as I always play on my own, I would like to be better at keeping the rhythm . Actually, all the stuff you always go on about lol!
I would like to be much more confident that what I’m playing, rhythm , lead or fills makes sense musically and obviously I want it to sound great, sometimes when I play I am much better than other times and I’m not sure why. I would like to be better at playing the blues and truly now how I got better and how to continue to get better, a map sounds great. Thanks for everything Griff!
After 5 years of practice & study I am pretty well rounded,but still looking to learn whatever I can.I enjoy learning new licks & techniques-wd like to learn to play a little faster
I’ve always wanted to be able to play solos that are fluid, fast and diverse. That is, solos not sounding the same all the time.
My improvising is pretty good, but I always end up playing the same scales, fills and licks.
Also I seem to be stuck in the I-IV-V chord progression and this tends to keep appearing whenever I play original stuff…….
I’m still not getting the blues boxes…where to use them…when to change boxes or when and where to combine them…and I need to learn the different shapes for the same chord. On a more positive note, I had my Taylor acoustic properly set up and can now play Barre chords without having to use a vise like grip.
Lastly, you”re going to have to hire someone to help you read all these comments
As an ex drummer I was too lazy to pick up a guitar and learn properly – and play by ear. Sure I could play a few chords and play half a song – but not all the whole song. Now as I have got older and messed around with my acoustic I can play over anything on the radio – and its all because of your lessons – actually – your videos clips – i lent my grand-daughter your dvd on BGU on playing the blues as i never got past lesson 1 – never had the time ! I must get them back as she has not even looked at it either.
I would like to learn more songs, like your “Sittin’ on Top of the World” lesson by EC. But mostly, I want to learn how to play the sounds I hear in my head. Whether it is a song I have heard or something I made up, I don’t seem to be able to find those sounds on my guitar. Maybe I need “ear training.”
I invested in a looper. I add the rythm first, then the bass, then I practise my solo until it sticks. Works for my home use anyway.
Hey Griff
For me it’s just a matter of the more I pick up my guitar the more I learn and the better I play. I don’t have a particular goal except to play enough to keep slowly moving forward. I love the stuff you’ve been doing lately on rhythm and timing and also the playing on the porch style. I’ve learnt so much from you over the years and feel that even if I only use the lessons I’ve received from you so far it’s enough to keep me going for the rest of my life.
Thanks again Griff, your the best, Mark
Hi Griff, first time writer but have purchased three videos, beginners, blues unleaded and. playing on porch. My problem is I start one tape jump to another, but still haven’t played “porch” yet; then I receive your wonderful e_mails and I start attempt to play them. God Im all over the place, I love t h e blues and want to play rhythm and riff bends and little soloing all in one song, and Well PS I back to Blues UNLEASHED at chapter 6 cause I practise for two three hours a day and go b back to past chapter to practise n o yes, chords then I ordered onward. Then I get an email and I’m off track , I’m on your email. In beginners book page 16 is great to play a y when u go in th o a music store. I like that lesson, I put my bends in it. Griff U R adoreableably great ,with a beautiful soul and I thank U f poo r ALL YOUR TIME U TAKE OUT OF YOUR DAYS TO EMAIL VIDEOS AND TALK ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS,FEELINGS TOO. PEACE AND LOVE US, ROBBY
I could play several songs from the Kingston,Trio, lime lighters, peter Pual & Mary era but had no basic music understanding. I started relearning the instrument and realized I needed to focus, so I chose Acoustic blues to use as a tool to get a better understanding of music in general. I have found that while learning how Blues music is structured i also can see how other popular music is created. Very interesting!
So what you are teaching is what I wanted to know and is working for me.
I want to fill in the gaps. Play with heart and be fluid. I am finding it’s easy to whack the hell out of the guitar – but so much harder to really lay back and connect with listeners. The subtle Art of guitar in other words. I notice all the best players have a light touch. They are allowed to be emotive and elegant. That’s what I want. A bee-line from my heart to theirs
Hi Griff. I’m a recreational player. I jam with my computer a lot and meet with a bunch of guys on a regular basis to jam in the basement. We play mainly blues standards. To that end I want to improving my soloing and comping. I am also interest the “playing on the porch” style.
G’day Griff! I really do appreciate all of the amazing videos; tabs; demonstrations and explanations about guitar and life you have sent me over the decades. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO TO BECOME A GUITARIST? PICK IT UP ( a little bit often – rather than a lot rarely)PLAY IT!!!! (Listen to every thing and everyone as they play) ALL OF THE GREATS STATE HOW THEY LISTENED TO EVERYBODY ON THE RADIO (I have an MP3 player – I travel a lot on trains – I play while I wait; and also on the trains – I’m ALWAYS EARLY – NEVER LATE!!!! (I have had standing ovations on packed trains – I have happy snappers and grateful people on stations, waiting for late trains, who have come up and thanked me for making their lives less miserable)
I basically play guitar a minimum 4 hours per day (not counting FESTIVALS; GIGS; CAFE & PUB JAMS etc.) everything starts to ‘click’ – all of a sudden I’ll break through into a new paradigm!!! BEST YET – I CAN FEEL IT!!! I REMEMBER YOURSELF; STEVE STYNE; DAN DENLY: ROBERT RENMAN et al. SHOWING ME THE WAY!!! OSMOSIS MY FRIEND.
LEARN 3 CHORDS – PLAY THEM – LEARN THE CHORD NOTES – PLAY THEM – PLAY THE CHORDS – THEN THE NOTES – LEARN THE SCALE – FIND THE CHORD NOTES – LEARN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHORDS AND SCALE – FIND THE RELATIVE MINOR – THEN PLAY EVERY THING!!!! (THE MONEY PROGRESSION) IT IS All RELATIVE – WOODY GUTHRIE ONCE (APPARENTLY) SAID “If you’re playing more than 2 chords – you’re showing off!!!!”).
EC apparently – or allegedly – stated that all of the guitarists he saw went mad learning every scale – every arpeggio – every mode – in ALL & EVERY KEY!!!!
He simplified his practice by realising that the guitar is normally tuned to the key of ‘E’ So; ipso facto, ergo sum, he played and practised EVERYTHING in the key of ‘E’ – AND THEN?? HE LEARNED TO TRANSPOSE!!!!.
CHEERS FROM THE BLUE MOUNTAINS IN AUSTRALIA, Aedenn Rowan
Wow, what a response you got on this one! By the time you read through it all and actually gleam useful information that you can actually apply to a lesson we’ll all be to old to play it. I have not read it all so if this is a repeat I apologize. Anyway, this is my two cents worth. I am an old man and have been playing on and off, more off than on, since I was teen. At this point I am the only one I really want to entertain. I have the neck of the guitar down pretty well and can play most any cord progression. What I do not do well is move between cord rhythm and solos. More of the back porch stuff would really be helpful. Thanks for all you do. Lester
My goals for playing the guitar are: To play rhythm and sing along, play “Mary Had A Little Lamb”, play a decent solo. As long as I am having fun learning to play, I’m going to keep on playing.
Griff, this is a tough one to answer because I think to use a sports metaphor, the goal posts keep moving. I’ll give it a shot though. I want to become accomplished enough to the point where I enjoy listening to what I’m playing at home by myself (or for my poor wife who has to listen to me too). I also want to get to the point where I know enough and feel comfortable enough with my abilities to play with others in a band/jam session setting. I don’t necessarily want to join a band and tour the town/world and become famous but good enough that I can hold my own and have fun doing it. I’ve purchased most of your courses and am in various stages of getting through them and I think our goals are pretty much aligned. Over the last year or so my life has settled down to the point where I can take private lessons and spend the time needed between lessons practicing. This to some degree has taken time away from your lessons but the more I’m learning the more I’m understanding what you (and the private teacher) are trying to get through to me. It’s been good getting a couple of different perspectives. I’m probably rambling a bit and to circle back to your question here my more immediate “want” is to get better at improvising to chord progressions (and not strictly to dominant seventh cords but to them as well as major and minor chord progressions).
A good question & one I’ve wondered about. I read an article in Guitar World mag (I think it was) & it was described as finding your voice. Sure I want to be able to pick my ax & wail with the best of them but even it’s not quite what my head wants to hear. Don’t get me wrong SRV, Clapton, Hendrix, the Kings & the list goes on forever are/were great but the sound is just not right to me. What is the sound & what is my voice or my interpretation of saying the very same thing I haven’t got clue yet & I don’t have the skill level yet to get there I don’t think but that comes from time & practice. All I know is that my sound ain’t what I want to hear yet.
Thanks for all you do to help us. My best hope now is to be able to continue to learn at a very slow but steady pace. I don’t even know enough yet to start having the fun you promote.
Be nice to show in your instructions a whole song/tune/instrumental. That will set you apart from almost 95% of the youtube guitar teachers.
Hey Griff,
I hope you get this. I want to know how to play longer fluid lead runs. I suppose I mean how do I focus on the transitions or passing notes to keep a solo going longer than a bar or two “blips”. I know the 5 patterns, I know how they fit together, I know how to focus on roots, thirds (flatted or not) and the fith when soloing, I know basic chord progressions and their relevant major or minor, but I still don’t know how to make fluid, multi bar solos that sound good. I can make little “riffs” that last a bar or two at best that sound ok, but after that I’m lost, don’t know where to go. Maybe it’s a timing thing. I have your course on rhythm and timing, maybe I should revisit it? Finally, I’d like to know how many of my guitar “heros” claim to not know anything about theory or notes on the fretboad, but are still able to play beautifully (Alex Lifeson, Slash are two that come to mind). Anyway, any direction would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jeff W. Long time BGU Member/ course purchaser
Thank you Jeff.
I want to second that request.
Pat
Hi Griff.
What Dr Graham said
Thanks
Griff
Just a beginner and all I want is to play some solo, porch blues. Tks. I have fun with this, just loving it.
To know 2 things:
1. how to start a solo – pickup/lead in notes and
2. KNOW what notes to play when the chords change – e.g. be able to tell someone else, “I am playing these notes at this time because….”
griff, show us three blues chords that work together and show a solo that works over them, all in one lession. make it easy, will give the majority a boost of confidence..
Obviously it varies between players based on what stage of learning they’re at. Most great lead guitarists are great rhythm guitarists. For that reason I think becoming a good rhythm player is a good place to start. You can still learn scales or fills in between. They say if you want to get better at anything surround yourself with people who are better than you are. If you are a good rhythm player, nobody appreciates it more than your lead player. Then pick his brain every chance you get. JMHO
Thanks Griff, for this opportunity to comment.
For all of the individual licks I learn, I never know when or how to use them in whatever rythmn and key I am strumming. I don’t think I really know how to make the transition from strumming to keep the rythmn steady to throwing in a lick without breaking the rythmn stride.
This can become somewhat demoralizing when it comes to overcoming the urge to skip daily practice time. Sometimes I skip and then feel let down because I realize that maybe I could have discovered how to make the strum to lick conversions. And then when I do practice and pick up a new lick, I realize that I don’t know what to do with the learned lick or where or how to use it.
I can maintain rythmn playing any type of music with any group of musicians as long as I have the music with cords in front of me. A handicap of mine from my Catholic school days when the Nuns taught everything about reading music and nothing about listening to music (not anybody’s fault as you know only what you know or don’t know). I’ve been programmed one way and am working towards augmenting with new programming that makes the rythmn to lick connection and roundtrip back to rythmn again for me.
Okay Griff. So my goal was to be able to (after too
Many years of comping), learn to solo. As I had never even heard of the pentatonic scale (theory bores the crap out of me). Reluctantly, I clicked on your add window whilst on eBay about 3 years ago. And you taught me the pentatonic scale and I was on my way.
I was soon soloing like a good un. Next, I learned to express feelings in the notes with bends, slides, vibrato, etc from your lessons. Now, even my grand children are listening and tapping their feet as I comp and solo my way through tunes, as I had always wanted to. So, my first goal achieved.
Second goal. To solo without looking at the neck. I achieved this by watching TV or simply closing my eyes whilst soloing. Oh yes! now this is getting so much better, this is playing a guitar. I’ve found that looking at the neck through closed eyes is not as difficult as it sounds, as long as you study the theory and get what you’ve been learning planted firmly in your mind, you can see the fretboard in the dark.
I was asked to play lead guitar with 4 teenagers looking to start their own band, by the drummer and bass player. Now, if I had been asked that say, 40-50 years ago, but at 63, I don’t think so!!!!!! But, I took it as a compliment and proof that an old dog CAN Learn new tricks.
My current goal, just to carry on learning, cos history has always proven, when you think you know it all, your gonna get stuffed.
I’m in a good place with my guitar playing and with more practice and new knowledge, like the man said, “you ain’t heard nothing yet “. And the man who said that to me was a guy called Griff Hamlin and he was right.
Good luck to you all with your learning and playing and if I can learn to play solo at my age, you young uns can crack it, no problem.
And finally, Thanks Griff.
Hello Griff,
First I should tell you that consider myself an advanced beginner. I read your request yesterday and have been considering a response for about 24 hrs. I have been niggling on my guitar for about 45 yrs off and on. Very much on for the last 2 years. I started on the internet and tried to gleam some sort of knowledge there. There was no structure to lessons and short of learning a few songs and subsequently some different chords I found little advancement in my abilities.
I found you there as well and as I really enjoy blues music and your style I ordered your ‘Beginning Blues Guitar’, about 1 1/2 years ago. I really enjoyed that and soon after purchased your ‘Blues Guitar Unleashed’, also the Jam Tracks and Killer Blues Solos. I am on my 3rd time through the beginner course.
I do not go to jam nights as there are none in my area of southern Ontario, (Niagara) that I am aware of. I play for myself, my wife and occasionally friends who visit, mostly for myself.
My main problem is with my lack of results. I practice about 30 minutes daily, still working at 60, and play songs for about an hour or more daily. Actually I find I lose all track of time when playing and before I know it 2 or 3 hrs have passed. I allow myself this luxury about once a week.
I don’t feel that I am improving with my soloing to the degree I think I should. Rhythm is not a problem, I get it mostly, it’s the soloing. I follow your course again and again but seem to get lost and confused even with the simplest riffs and have little retention of what I’ve worked on. Maybe I don’t have what it takes to be a lead guitarist.
All that being said I refuse to give up the effort hoping that at some point it will sink into my grey matter, not hair, and come out of my fingers.
I am not kidding myself to any degree. I will never be a ‘guitar god’ as one of your internet competitors says. I will never play like the great SRV, B.B, Albert, Freddie or Griff Hamlin, yes I put you in that list, but some modicum of proficiency and retention would be nice to see.
Any advise or assistance with this frustration would be greatly appreciated.
Most students never go beyond the beginner stage and I mean the most basic beginner. The reason for this is that we never learn anything that can be learn quickly and that sounds good. Once we have that, most of us would be encouraged to go on to learn more. So how about some really slow blues in E or A. Some easy licks and how to put it all together. For the more advanced players this will most likely be nearly gross, but consider the majority and help us by giving us the encouragement (by being able to sound good with something simple) to go on.
Thanks
I just want to get out what’s inside of me.
I want to be able to play any blues or blues-rock type lead without any issues. I want to play fast and clean, slow with emotion. to use double-stops and jazz chords instead of the plain barred I IV V. Mix Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Michael Bloomfield, and Jimi Hendrix in a blender and then pour out…..me.
I gave up on Chet Atkins years ago. Since I have been following you, I have actually lost touch with Major Scales. My biggest issue is being able to use the minor blues scales to go from one end of the neck to the other while resembling some sort of run. When ever I try this all it sounds like is different boxes or separate scales. I would so much love to be able to do a run in the correct scale, given that I already know what the box looks like.
Doug
If I could really lean to play like Chet Attkins, his right hand picking is so fluid and seems effortless, then I would say , “I know how to play guitar!”. That is where I struggle the most. I can strum and play most chords at this point, but learning for do what Chet did probably just won’t happen for me.
I know just about everyone will say there are better players out there, and yes there are many very good players, but when it comes right down to it they can’t play like Chet. Certified Guitrar Player!
But also to each his own, how many players out there can play like Andres Segovia? Very few, but totaly different styles. He too was brilliant.
So I’m not trying to put anyone down, just expressing my opinion.
Good luck sorting through this stuff Griff, and a sincere thanks for doing what you do.
Stu
Roadmap huh ? I am finding that learning to play guitar well is a never ending journey. There is a universe of discovery. I am in my sixties and have been playing on and off since I was 15. Thanks to you, I have been steady the past 6 years and have seen real improvement in my playing. These days I am finding that ‘comp’ studies / practice mixes well and fills a whole lot of interesting structure for soloing. Naturally I want to play very well and be able to pick up and jam with a band, properly. I don’t have that opportunity normally.
I like Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, ACDC, SRV, Buddy Guy, Rodriguez, Dylan etc.
I’m at the second last solo on BGU, I’d like to be able to join in on jam sessions and look like I know what I’m doing, I’ve never been to one yet. I’d also like to learn more of Hendrix style, like the way he changes chord scales in Little Wing with each chord change.
Ok, here’s the wish list. I want to:
Play rhythm chords along with a bass and drums behind a lead.
Play fills around a vocalist.
Play lead. I’m not even sure anymore what that means.
Solo IN TIME, over/ with the chord progression. Chances are the cool lick no longer sounds good when the chord has changed.
Sing and play.
Random thoughts:
Keep emphasizing counting aloud. I count and listen for chord progressions on the radio. It works.
Learning some bass would help.
The drummer is back there rocking out, bouncing around in a flurry of arms and legs with more licks than Buddy Guy. What is all that?
I will be very interested to see where this leads us. I’m sure it will be a help in conjunction with BGU, 5ES etc.
Thank you Griff for all you do.
One of my goals is to be able to create better solos by piecing together several lead licks and phrasing them so I can connect the note I’m playing in the solo, to the root note of the chord as it is progressing thru the I IV V. Thank you so much for being such a persistent, and dedicated ambassador of the blues.
I want to sit by myself in my room and improvise something that sounds good. I have zero desire to “sound like anybody” or play any specific style or play with other people.
My system is this: practice scales, chords, arpeggios, and such for 10 – 15 minutes most days of the week. Then start or review a lesson from BGU or elsewhere for 10 – 15 minutes. Then just noodle around on my own.
Once I recall you dissing it, but I found the c-a-g-e-d system useful for learning my way around the neck.
If time and practice were all it took I should have passed Clapton, Vaughn, and BB years ago. That hasn’t happened but in spite of that I still pick up an axe at least once a day and “Play”. Meaning I no longer care about the time I have spent and my terminally slow progress and just have fun getting just a little bit better each year. I tried taking lessons twice as a kid and only ended up frustrated and discouraged. Didn’t touch a guitar again until my late thirties and have been toying with it ever since. I am 60 now and still just enjoy learning a few new licks and tricks.
phrasing
PHRASING
P H R A S I N G !!!!
thanks for all you do (and have done) for all of us, everyday!
I want to be able to play a melody on the guitar and have it sound like pure music.
……you know, without any harsh noises from fingers leaving the strings and the wrappings making that high frequency washboard sound, and each note that is played lasts just as long as it is supposed to, and the next one starts on time, and it all holds the listener in a sort of spell till the last note stops ringing. I play for my own enjoyment mostly, and occasionally for a listener, and I can hear/feel the gap in the wholeness every time a non-musical noise occurs.
Thanks For all your help
I just started playing with a band after a 45 year let off. I have two things I would like help with, 1 timing and 2, remembering chord progressions. They just don’t seem to stick. I use a music stand and I would like to get rid of that stand. It just doesn’t seem very professional.
What a great question!
I guess I headed down 3 paths. Here they are in order…
1. I want to learn 15-20 good campfire sing-along songs and be able to play them with family and friends. Both folk styles and common rock songs.
2. I want to be in a position where I can learn songs from my favorite artists relatively easily. By that I mean that I’m comfortable with the chord changes, rhythm sections, and lead parts.
3. I want to be able to jam both at home with jam tracks, and with buddies and play some basic both rhythm and lead across a number of common blues styles.
Favorite artists include: Rush, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Tragically Hip,
Griff,
I look forward to getting your lessons and takin some time to learn great new things! Your lessons are helpful in keeping skills sharp
I am. Business person with little time for practice or working through your causeateri T home.
I consider myself to be an inteediate player. I am self taught on guitar. And have theory from playing violin in high school and taking piano lessons. I play rhythm with a pretty good banand do a little song playing in my town.I also play bass in. Church
I recently had a mini stroke and my skill is a bid degrded. my goal woul be to get my skill level back up. I have time to wok through BGU now while I recuperate.
thanks for all you do for music in North America
I’ve started to play again now for just under a year of less. Started in college (circa 1975), stopped and let it get away until now. Wanted to play the blues since I’m a big Bonamassa fan over the past 14 years or so. Bought an Epiphone DOT and then said to myself, now what? Found your site on the internet(based on that 4 note blues thing you’ve got going) and went with the Beginners’ Blues program. Got hooked, and nothing has been better than your lessons, your presentations and your communication. It’s like having a personal teacher and mentor right in my own home. I’m part of the BGU family now and even though it will take awhile to get to where I want to be, there’s no doubt I’ll be able to play and hold my own with others out there at some time soon. Not looking for anything fancy or outrageous – just some fun playing the blues for myself, electric and acoustic (think I better get that Acoustic Blues CD soon). I don’t blog and I don’t leave a bunch of comments, except for this time. But I thought it was a good opportunity to say sincerely, “Thank you” for the all the work you’ve put into your lessons. In my mind, there really is no one better out there then you at putting this all together. Please keep the emails flowing and the lessons coming.
Hey Griff, I want to be able to navigate the fretboard and play solos properly to the I IV V chord progression. Also I would like to learn how to play songs I’ve heard on the radio.
My comment is to practice practice practice. Know what your practicing.
I prefer acoustic guitar, though right now I’m playing electric guitar at my lessons (go figure). I do not wish to play in front of people or with a band. I like the sound of a guitar and I like to play just for the enjoyment of hearing the music it makes. My ultimate goal is to be good enough at finger picking so that I can play both melody and accompaniment, together, by myself. I want to make the fullest, richest sound with just my one instrument, by myself. I don’t sing, so I want my guitar to do the singing (melody), but I also want the chords. I’ve played a bit of piano and I like what I can do on a piano with my left hand playing chords and my right hand playing melody. My ultimate goal is to make my guitar sound as full and rich as a piano does. Just one instrument playing a complete song that sounds complete all on its own. Does that make sense?
Griff, first off, thanks for all your lessons & tips. I’m 61 yrs old & have been learning/playing for a little over a year. I have your BBG course
& BGU course also. I play alone at home & sometimes with my roommate, who plays some keyboard. I consider myself to be an advanced beginner.
I want to be able to solo over jam tracks, play some classic rock songs, and most of all; not be terrified to play in front of others. I practice about an hr to an hr&1/2 5 to 7 days a week, but as one other commented, when a new tasty tidbit gets sent to me over the internet, I JUST GOTTA TRY IT, and down the rabbit hole I go!!! Sooner or later I get somewhat back on track. I know eventually I’ll get there (where ever that is) but some help not to get lost along the way would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks; be happy, be well, and keep on teaching us!!!
hi check out Jamie Andreas if you want to get good at picking – excellent teacher.
Hi Griff, I’m the on the fly guy…..I am a singer songwriter and I put music to my songs. On occasion I take someones advice on the style of music.
I am not able to back people up very well when someone else is playing their own tune. If I have not heard the tune before it take me a long while to tune in to the tune.
that is the case.
be blessed;
Harm…………………:)
I read so many comments about people with math problems. I’m 77 yrs olde and worked in engineering environments for about 40 of those years. It’s my experience that *math* is not the problem…it’s ARITHMATIC!!!!
Back to the basics!!
I have two things…
1: I would like to have the stuff I can play now, sound better. I mean I can play for instance, Sunshine of your love. However, it never sounds right. I want to be able to get the notes I play to sound better… does that make sense?
2: Vibrato. I have seen all the videos on this and no matter what I do, it never sounds right.
Griff,
My current goals revolve around playing in front of people and making all of the aspects more musical. The ability to move in and out of rhythm playing and soloing, playing and singing are key components.
Also, I want my solos to sound like the universe is crying.
Griff, Thank you for what you do and sharing your knowledge in an effective way with us. I have met many great players over the years who try to teach but just can no do. So you are not only a great player, your other great talent is your ability to effectively teach in a pleasurable and fun way.
I would like to know more about how to develop the skill to arrange a seemingly (but probably simple when you really look at it) arrangement ala Tommy Emmanuel, or Laurence Juber. People assume these fellows just play an amazing orchestral version of “Amazing Grace” off the cuff when the truth is they work hours starting with the basic chords and some over lays and then create orchestral walking and tapping baselines and treble parts…all going on at once of course to get that Emmanuel and Juber great and amazing sound. Once they painstakingly put together their arrangement then they learn it and practice it so that by the time we hear it it looks like it just flows out of the heaven’s through their fingers. Griff, is there a step by step format to this type of arranging for blues and others such as simple songs that can be taught and learned sort of like a template approach to composing or working an arrangement out on a piece that would sound and look amazing. A course like this would be a winner for sure and much needed because I think it is a very integral part to playing yet much neglected. There is nothing like “fancing up” a simple song and making it sound orchestral.
p.s. To stick to the Blues, SRV’s LENNIE was one such blues arrangement if we want to just talk blues arrangements in my opinion.
Much Thanks.
John Perrone.
Phrasing so that I can develop call and response licks that sound good. I have good “working knowledge” of the pentatonic scale but struggle with licks and phrases.
I want to be able to pick up my guitar in my room and entertain myself. I want to be able to play licks that sound good and keep the vibe going for 10 – 15 minutes (assuming that is not expecting too much).
I want to be able to play along with material that I acquired (such as your stuff and feel like the music is flowing rather than sounding choppy. I recognize that even if I play the same notes in the rhythmic pattern that someone else does that my tone will sound different so all I care about is that it sounds good.
I would like to learn some more chord progressions and be able to keep the rhythm going. I am not looking for something that is very complex – just something that sounds good.
I want to be able to say to someone that I play guitar and know that I can actually play as opposed to where I am now – a wannabe. I am not looking to acquire advanced skills – just the basics and maybe a few advanced techniques. I want to have as much fun as everyone else I see playing seems to be having.
Hi Griff,
I want to learn how music works. I swear it is like a math problem in high school. I have a blank look in my eyes and it goes way over my head. I’ve even thought about paying and instructor just on that subject. But as usual, money is tight.
My picture is me playing and singing some, just for myself mostly. But if guests came over, have the ability to play for them (without making a mistake every time I try a song).
Angus Young said you need lots of practice and mostly talent. I feel I am lacking in the talent. But I love my SG and will never stop playing.
Sandie out in AZ
Hi griff and all of you guitar men and ladies in the USA just. Loved. The steal you did from jimmy page. I’m getting it across the pentatonic scale and the box works fine as you said for A / G great help from you griff I am an intermediate guitarist. And getting much more professional my powerhouse. les Paul junior is sounding. Great on a slow or rocky blues griff. With a little extra gain for hiss thanks. For all your wealth of knowledge you are the Guitarman man Griff. Edward bargery. Plymouth England
I want my playing to be more musical and less mechanical.
I have several of your courses including BGU, SWS, 5EBS, 5MEBS and SBS but still can not put on a jamtrack and improvise. I know quite a few licks but still can not put them together to form a decent sounding blues number. A road map to help me do this sure would be nice.
PICKING is also a problem !!!!
Griff,
Enjoyed reading all these comments. I have been playing for about 5 years. I really think I am like a crow and go after all the shiny objects I find. This leaves me wondering where I am sometimes. I get started on a path to learn something and find a free video or lesson comes my way and I have followed them down the rabbit hole which in the end leaves me wondering where I was. I pickup B.G.in a B. and have enjoyed the methodical approach to learning. I guess what I would like to understand is when I see something that can be distracting how do I judge whether it is worth following, how it relates to what I am currently doing or whether it is a waste of time and energy.
I get nervous when playing in front of outer guitar players. ( i know there isn’t a course for that) i know the blues scale most positions and can play to backing tracks very well. I would like to learn licks.I would like to improve my acoustic guitar skills. witch one of your courses would you recommend ?
Hi Griff – First of all – to echo many others – thank you so much for both your courses (I have several) and for all your free smippets over the yesrs – absolutely invaluable.
I have 2 “goals”:-
1. to be able to count better and to stay in beat / rhythm while I’m improvising.
2. To sound like David Gilmour ! I only play at home and am very intermediate, but would love to have that “feel” for solos….. so not 100mph an hour shredding but tasteful, well thought out and emotional solos…. I can but dream !! Cheers, Steve
Hi Griff, I have been playing my electric guitar now for almost a year and a half and have been following you for most of that time. I contribute a lot of my skills now to your teaching methods. I love the blues and want to learn some easy pieces that I can play for friends and relatives along with my teen age granddaughter who has been taking lessons from me now for going on 2 months. I wold like some music that she can play the rhythm part and I can play the lead part–that we can jam with. Chord positions and tabs are great tools along with video.
Thanks for all you do!!
If I “mastered” all the material that I’ve purchased so far, I’m sure I could play at the professional level. The problem comes with “mastering” it, or maybe more appropriately stated, “practically applying it.” You mentioned something about a coaching program the other night on the BGU Live webinar. I think setting up such a program that would challenge us to directly apply all that we are learning to the real world, whether it be playing in a jam, a band, a party, etc. Telling me to take a certain concept or technique and focus on it until it becomes ingrained enough to be second nature and accessible in different situations is one of my challenges. I can take one of the solos you taught me, and play it very well in the context of the lesson. But when it comes to playing that solo, or parts of it in another song, my mind goes blank. I haven’t learned to mix and match, or plug and play what I’ve learned.
Hey Griff,
I don’t know what to call what I’d like to learn more about, maybe ‘faux bends’ or ‘bend-etts’. The idea is you bend about a quarter tone “on the way” to another note in the box, but when you HEAR it done, the IMPRESSION is of a half or full note bend. I have no problem DOING the bends, I simply would like to understand the philosophy behind them better so I can incorporate them into my own songs and improvisation.
An example of this (there are lots of them) is the very first note of the solo in Stairway to Heaven. Page bends up, but not very far. For a long time I thought it was a full half tone, but it really is not.
On another note, I want to say THANK YOU, GRIFF, for what you’ve shown me for absolutely free…and more importantly, for what you DO: you teach very well, and you do it very affordably. I suspect your main payoff isn’t money, because if all you were interested in was making money, you’d be selling at higher prices, and you wouldn’t be handing out info the way you do. Your email givaways are more valuable than lots of folks know – and as far as I’m concerned, more worthwhile than lots of expensive books I’ve seen in music stores over the years. Keep up the great stuff!
I would like to play solo acoustic blues mainly for my own enjoyment. I have been plodding my way through Acoustic BGU for about a year. I expect to eventually be able to approximate the styles of Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, and others. My ultimate goal is to excel at “playing on the porch” style where I could play four of five choruses of the 12 bar or 8 bar blues and sound like I know what I am doing, and not sound repetitious.
I can’t get my head around the concept MIXING MAJOR AND MINOR SCALES. Doesn’t matter whose website a visit or whose book I buy. I am an intermediate guitarist, but this escapes me.
Everything I do is by ear. I took lessons when I was 16 and now I am 62..and still love to play. I can do well by ear, but knowing the reason for what I do is a mystery to me..it just sounds right. Blues is what I love, some swing, country, but Clapton and such are what I love. The great masters have way the passion, the feeling when they play..that is what makes mere notes something special.
My immediate goal is to figure out when I should be playing in which box when and what dictates moving from one box to the next???
If your playing a simple 1-4-5 what makes me, forces me or predicts that I will be moving into say box 3 of that key; is the chord change or the melodie, why do I have to move out of the homebox???? It’s all the same notes in every box just in different patterns and registers, why can’t I just move vertically in the homebox???? What predicts the movement from box to the next box??????
Hey, Griff. Great question. I have been playing guitar for a number of years and have a number of your courses as well as books and DVD’s. Basic music theory, chords and progressions, some major scale and pentatonics and rhythm playing are in pretty good shape. The challenge which I face is taking these skills and knowledge and actually doing something with it. A focus on guitar soloing and improvisation with major scales and pentatonics is now by challenge and goal. Not looking to become a professional but to be able to do the above with my friends and places where I informally get to play.
I like to see more advanced tech like string skipping, economic picking, sweeppicking, in the blues styles
I would like to better my understanding of where to solo when someone is playing a song. I always seem to do the same thing.
Nothing to outta reach or to demanding, just to be able to play and sound like: Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmy D Lane, SRV, Eric, Griff and obviously like the great masters before them Robert Johnson to Buddy Guy etc. (should be mentioning a lot of names in here to do them proper justice but you get it) Now that my delusions of grander are out of the way I am really just looking to get comfortable soloing, adding cool chord fills and being a competent player able to enjoy jamming with friends and local musicians. (thanks Griff for releasing the new 52 fills great so far by the way) Note: home recording is becoming a subject I would like to know more about as well?
Be carefull what you ask for… you should have enough here to keep you busy for awhile..
Anyway… I have a huge problem with counting. As a result riffs/ chords etc never sound the way they should. If you could/would add counting to readouts that would be a great help to those like me who struggle with this. I think i bought a download lesson that had the counting displayed but my old computer crashed and i can’t find it… Also some down/up right hand arrows would also contribute to more accurate replication…
thx Rich
My goal is to play both lead and rhythm guitar, playing mostly blues with some rock, country and jazz elements incorporated into some of the songs. A lot of your material already covers this very well and I greatly appreciate the benefits I have received from your courses.
My weak point seems to be counting time, especially when soloing. A course on “counting basics” for soloing would be beneficial for me. If not a course, then maybe a section in a course. If it could start out pretty basic and then build to more complex solos, that would be very helpful. Sort of a building block approach. Tab doesn’t translate rhythm very well and although I can read music notation to a certain degree, it would be helpful to have you go through some examples of how the notation and the tab work together. I realize this request will probably be in the minority but I think it could be beneficial to a lot of your enthusiastic customers.
I also found your friend, Bob Murnahan’s course on themes to be very beneficial. Maybe you have more information or could expand on Mr. Murnahan’s BUILD method of using themes to build solos. Thanks for all you do!
I want to build a strong foundation based on proper technique that I can translate to any kind of music I’m in the mood to play. I want to grow and improve these skills over time. I want to develop a strong appreciation for what can be done with the guitar.
I would like to see some lessons for Old Retired Farts like me that have stiff fingers and have some limitations with their wrist and fingers. I mostly play 3 note chords, and some of your Vids have been on 2 note chords which have been helpful, but I would like to see more variations on these themes.
I am one of those old timers that won’t give up. I try to play blues but I also like to play country. Your blues lessons are great and you are a good teacher. Thank you for all the vids you make free.
What I would like is what your first example showed:
“For one student, it turned out that what he really wanted to do was develop his ability to hear chord progressions and follow along on the fly even if he had not heard the song before.”
My end goal is to play blues/bebop/swing on the order of Emily Remler:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxfGugocgo8
I’m a 73 year old advance beginner. I have your Blues Guitar Unleashed but have not had a lot of time (yet) to really get into it.
Thanks Grif
Griff,
I’d like to be able to play comfortably, well, any time, any place, any time. getting songs and riffs out of my brain and onto the neck is the goal too. I love to entertain others and when they ‘Get it” it is awesome.
Bill
What all the responses seem to have in common, is that no ” teacher” ever asked your question and thus never ever had to think of an answer….!
It was simply the student that “didn’t get it”
We all (students) have sensed there’s something beautiful around the corner…
please Mister Teacher, show us the corner! (….and not the city map!)
Bravo Griff
Griff l do enjoy many of your lessons ,even about what l already know. Occasionally 1 out of 10 will have a problem of clarity of concept , or sight visually. One that comes to mind is your secret of blues video, it is not complete enough,as many times on a 1 3 5 the major scale just does not fit . Also many of the blues greats have some songs where only the major scale works. Such as the Allman Bros Band of tunes like Blue sky , Mellissa, & Jessica for expl. Even some clapton songs like Wonderful Tonight ,etc. Also on some videos your knuckles block the actual strings you are playing which makes for frustrations so watch for that.l have played many years now ,and l know the 5 boxes well , but l am not as fast, or smooth as you, but l can move around the board alright. l just wish sometimes you would display the chords clearer,and not always play your own jingles which work exactly on your examples you are illustrating . As perhaps because of copyright concerns you only use your jingles to back up your lesson , the reality is most of us like to play comercialy known tunes, so it would be nice to see you show us more than just 1 3 5 progressions. For exaple a Hotel California , now that is a challenge, or Ride the river by Clapton , because only playing with the 3 chord blues progressions only get us so far. l mean its great for Louie Louie ,and countless others , but when confronted by different progressions it can be a surprise. So l just desire to get better learn more ,and see the guitar as fun,and relaxing. The challenge of learning is the most fun,and rewarding. You rhythm lessons are a good new thing as l’ve always thought that is what rewards an audience more than anything ,as the lead is really an embellishment over the satisfaction of the rhythm. Examples ,watch the crowds reaction when Deep Purple starts into Smoke on the Water, or Johnny Winter Starts into Jumping Jack Flash, or the Stones into Brown Sugar, or Tumbing Dice. Oh how about a lesson on Inagodadavida, lron Butterfly. Alright just some thoughts , but l’ll enjoy watching ,and learning no matter what you do next. Thanks Griff you are a good instructor._____________________Bruce
I would love to learn EXACTLY what the modes are for, why I “needed” to learn them (which I did) and EXACTLY where I use them. There has been volumes written about them, but nothing precise about where and how to musically utilize them. I would really love to have YOU show this to me. I know you could make it clear. You are an amazing Teacher.
Hi Griff, First let me say that even though I am not much of a blues fan ( a sacrilege I know)your teaching skills are incredible. I started late in life (70) and have been playing at least a hour a day for six years and would still rate myself as a low intermediate. I recognize that it will take 10 to 20 times as long for me to learn as a 30 year old, but never the less I feel I should be much further along. My game is strumming, with alternating base and different strums, singing and playing with my keyboard playing wife. Gone are days of seeing myself at the back of a small band on a stage. Consistency seems to be the main problem. Some days I think there is hope and other days I feel I should sell every thing. I have a great passion and refuse to give up. I have several of your courses and do pretty well through the first and second DVDs and then the course seems to take a big jump and I am lost. I go back to the first disks, believe I understand and can execute and still cannot grasp the jump. Sorry for all the words, but it was a good chance to vent.
Griff, your a good kid, and a good teacher. Seems like a lot of your students want you to show them, so they don’t have to find it on their own. The only problem with that is, their missing out on the most important thing. That is, find it on your own, work at it, then what they want will come to them. If you show them, it makes it easy, but will it stick.? It seems like they are trying to get around the hard work that it takes to really be the guitar player you want to be….
Griff, show us 3 or so blues chords, how to play the lead licks for them, all in a course or lession. With a course would be great. this i believe would be the biggest help ever..thank you.
Hi …..58 years old ..Retired and decided to pick up guitar after many years of wanting to .Took personal lessons for ~ 8 months and got tired of the cost and need to go someplace on the same time every day . Since then ..hunting around the net to find instructors and lessons that i click with . You and yours being one I ” clicked with ” so thanks for that .
Probably an advanced beginner. Good with open chords and blues scales etc.. I like to solo over backing tracks from u tube .. No plans on singing or playing in a band . I have avoided bar chords and don’t really understand how to play 7th or 9th chords nor where and when to play them .
Goal …since i like to solo and I like modern blues I want to be able to integrate rhythm and solo together…I like to continue to improve and I have a long way to go ..
As I write this it becomes clear to me that i don’t have a “specific ” goal . Just like to play …enjoy the challenge and want to try to improve every day ….
Hi Griff, I would like to have the freedom to play an idea in any position on the fingerboard, and to be able to change the idea to go to any other major scale key signature. Granted, that would suit playing jazz rather than blues, but it could give me the background to just play, without getting stuck on key changes.
I would like to be able to play in time and switch from rhythm to lead without losing the beat. I can do all the technical stuff (bends, pull-offs, hammer-ons, etc.)but when I have to perform, (usually family), I lose all sense of timing and my fingers will land on the wrong strings. I did this for some family members that wanted to hear me play, and I could sense that my timing was off but could not correct it. I was either counting too fast in some parts or skipping somewhere. I was nervous because I was kind of put on the spot without an opportunity to warm up. I know if I can get a sense of the beat and develop my timing that I will greatly improve my playing.
I want to write politically incorrect songs and change the world.
That is change/save the world
Griff,
i am still trying to learn the beginner coarse. I wish that you had more videos to support that in your daily videos.
Another student really wanted to be able to perform solo (as in by himself) and be able to sing and strum while adding the occasional fill with his guitar between vocal melodies.
Above fits me to a T
I’ve had a guitar (mostly collecting Dust) all my adult life, knew a few open chords, played only a little every few months, knew nothing of music theory, and never used my left hand little finger. After I retired, I learned ‘Classical Gas’ from the internet as an insane challenge. Then started with your beginners course and a couple of your others since, which I think you handle VERY well. I’ve always got tunes (mostly original) running around in my head and my ultimate objective is to get them out through my fingers cleanly without destroying them.. The tunes are mostly a cross between SRV and Tommy Emmanuel. You’ve been a great help so far, but I’ll have to have a very long retirement to come close to my goal…and it’s not the only thing on my bucket list.
I don’t see many BGU forums based on songwriting. But for me, my guitar is my songwriting tool…learning to use it in that way even more effectively (melodically speaking) is and has been my goal for the past three years.
I leave the solos and riffing to those who play my songs, and its amazing how much it helps (as a songwriter) to hear other’s interpret your music. Often times I’ll walk away from a session literally rewriting and reworking tunes in my head because of what someone else has added to the mix…it’s a very cool process that gets everyone creatively involved and leaves you with a sense of shared ownership and accomplishment.
Thanks Griff for all of hour help.
Bb
Remember my DOH moment Griff? It has been years, far too long, since I last read notes and sang them. I was really sweating how I was going to figure out where my fingers went! Then you posted a vid with the music sheet, and low there it was, the FRET numbers with the six strings and the notes above that. WOOSH a great Ooooooh moment for me. We all meed to know how to read music, and apply that to our chording. That was a real break through moment for me!
Hi Griff,
I first learned to play guitar, by the seat of my pants, in the early 70’s and started playing,(faking it), in bar bands. Gave it up as career and family became more demanding.
Now I’m retired and have started playing again. I decided to take this opportunity to “rebuild” since I practically had to relearn anyway. I also am playing Bass for over a year now with a local band. Found a video of one of your lessons on another guitar site, I liked the way you were breaking down timing (and that’s the basis of sounding good) ordered Blues Gig In A Box, loved it, have ordered several studies since then, all have helped me rebuild my style and improved my playing dramatically. If I had this back in the day my career might have been music, who knows. This instruction really has worked for me so I don’t know how you could improve it, it’s great, good job.
Quit falling over my own fingers–dexterity, I guess is a better way to put it.
I feel that my 1st focus should to be the best rhythm player I can be. And not too put the cart before the horse.
I mean sounds good. 🙂
Total beginner but I would like to do songs solo on my acoustic. Chords (especially important blues chords) with a few riffs as filler. I can sing somewhat.
I’d like to make a more direct connection between the solos that it learn note for note and playing something that spuds good when I create my own solos.
I turned 72 yesterday. I have wanted to learn to play for years and had no time. Now I am impatient to play. So I breezed thru the first half of BGU, thought I did ok, but later I discovered it didn’t stick.. so I started over again. I am busting my butt trying to “count” that has really slowed down my progress right now.. I want to play the solos in the lessons cleanly clearly and on TIME. Then I can “noodle around” your words and make some of my own music by change the licks around etc. I take a break now and then and play mindless note based stuff like RebelRouser Raunchy and Sleepwalk but thats not blues
To add to my earlier response (around the #150 mark I think it was): rather than strive to play lead like Stevie, Eric et Al, in a nutshell my ultimate ambition would be to be a rhythm guitarist in the mould of Keith Richards, Pete Townshend et Al…..
I taught myself to strum chords with the help of a chord chart and the radio as a teenager. I would like to know how to add melodies to that as well as leads. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of information available on the Internet in the form of video lessons. I have just received your rhythm and fills lessons. Maybe they will be the answer. -ed
I would like to be able to play what I hear inside.
Best answer. Wish I had said that. -ed
I want to be able to just pick my guitar up when friends come round and play with them, without having to get my chord book out, to play songs that I haven’t been playing for 30 years because they are easy, and to truly come to an understanding with my electric guitar, it feels foreign in my hands some days, unlike my acoustic that resonates just fine.
Hi Griff
I want to be able play like a mix of Eric Clapton, Laith Alsadi and Duane Allman. What I really mean by that is their phrasing or the notes they play in their leads that add a fluidity to their playing. They aren’t just plinking the notes in the boxes or a memorized lead from the record. There is a story they are telling and it flows from beginning to middle to end, like a river, seemless and smooth and contiguous.
i want to be able to figure out how to play a song by listening to it and play lead over a blues song with a sound similar to Clapton or BB.
I would like to play well enough to be an accompliance with the church band. I, have been taking our guitar program and I’am begging to finalily understand the area’s of improvement that need,but don’t know how to get to where it sounds like the songs. I, hope you can understand what it is I’am tring to say, if I don’t hear from you then I’II, know that you don’t understand what I’am tring to say.
If I had any goals when I started, they have since been buried in the frustration of trying to make my fingers do what I see on the videos. My fingers don’t bend backwards at the first joint like “normal” people, so forming some chords that require the third finger to barre some strings is impossible. My fingers don’t bend forward at the first joint very well either, so everything that looks easy and sounds cool on the videos is beyond my reach. Maybe guitar is the wrong instrument for me; or maybe “playing” an instrument is just a bad idea for “iron” fingers.
I have several of your courses, but I always seem to get occupied with life and lose my head of steam. I like, a lot of people have pick up the guitar at a latter age. I have learned several things like my chords, some melodies from playing on the porch, learned my barre chords and some theory, but my biggest problem is , I can’t put anything together and play continuously. I just play parts of songs, and things.
Hi Griff
I’m sort of OK in box 1 and drift up to Albert and B.B. areas. What I’d really like to get a handle on is combining Major and minor scales into my solos. When this is done well it really opens up the possibilities and feeling.
Hey Griff, First of all my sincere gratitude for accepting my money on the videos I plan to watch in entirety some day….I enjoy your emails and learn from time to time my inadequacies. 🙂
I would like to be comfortable playing leads up and down the neck…mostly I resort to box 1 but I am slowly transitioning to melody leads. My question is there are 5 boxes and I still haven’t figured out which box to go to… I practice….sounding great I must add….in front of the TV and wife… then I take a lead on stage…(my voice is ok hence Im on stage..) and resort right back to box one sounding like Chuck Berry on gerital. Any miracle cures?
Learn to get as good a sound on electric as I do on an acoustic electric. I suppose learn to play more cleanly on the electric.
This is good stuff man you opened a nice can of worms Griff I’m gonna go with what alot of the guys that have some playing time under the belt are saying minimal yet tasteful almost speaking type solos the less is more approach thanks again for all you do for us players out here !!!!
The thing I most want to learn is exactly what I’ve received, rhythm’s and fills. I don’t necessarily want to learn lead but I do want to learn the “licks” with the fill in’s. Additionally, I probably need to purchase all the blue’s chords and the beginning blues course. Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves without learning the beginning. I do need to learn the scales associated with the songs I’m trying to learn. Patience and practice is the most valuable key. I’ve been playing rhythm, not professionally, and I’m just trying to add to it with some smooth licks that will add to the songs I’m playing.
Play short pieces with both lead and rhythm involved and commit them to memory to play anywhere..Thanks ie a repertoire!!!!!
I want to be able to play the blues with confidence so I am not so afraid of making a fool of myself. I had a band for 5 years, played the bass and rhythm guitar. I never felt I could play lead. I am trying real hard to master all the boxes in each key and I believe I am getting better but I still have the fear.
I want to be able to attend a local blues jam session and play with confidence. This includes playing rhythm and soloing. I will feel confident when I can play rhythm with fills and improvise my solos.
In addition to what I previously posted, it might be imprtant to know that I am NOT interested in learning to play “Like Hendrix” or “Like SRV” OR “Like anybody else”. My goal is not to be an “Elvis impersonator”, but to be my own original thing. I am interested in developing my OWN sound/style incorporating bits and pieces from all of them. I am NOT interested in learning other people’s solos.
I’ve been playing out now for about 5 years. Your BGU course gave me the ability to hold my own as a rhythmic lead player in a folk/blues duo and trio. Been playing electric, acoustic, guitars and even mandolin thanks to you and your lessons. The trouble is everyone I’ve been playing with looks to me to be the leading inspiration for them and their playing. I don’t think I’m near as good as they tell me I am or near as good as I want to be. I keep hearing music in my head that I just can’t get out of my fingers and into my listeners ears. Of all the musicians I hang with, I’m the only one who has any formal music education. This only consists of high school band and your courses. They are all self taught back in the day where records were worn out trying to learn to play by ear and a chord chart. That gives them an advantage of being able to play by ear better than me. The disadvantage of their ability is they sound kind of one dimensional and just play a straight rhythm chord progression.
I guess what I am after is the ability to play more naturally without having to think of what I am doing. More like all the theory just flows into the music that keeps haunting me, in my mind, and comes out my instruments. I want to be able to shift between playing rhythm with embellishments and playing lead fills and all out solos on the fly. All this while driving the groove that keeps the rest of the band driving the music forward. Pretty tall order huh?
You have been a lot of help Griff. I could not fill these shoes without your help. Keep up the good work!
Hey Griff. If I could play what I hear in my head it would be smooth and suttle rhythm style guitar with fills that were so good they were almost unnoticed. I will never be a “shredder” as I just don’t have that skill set. So I try to find little ways to add suttle parts to the music. Also, the guys I play with always play the same chords, major 1-4-5 with a minor 6. Yawn!!! I am always curious if it is possible to play another chord voicing over their chords without clashing or changing the mood or context of the song? Thanks for what you do! Blessings to you and family.
Hello Griff,
First of all thank you for soooo many free videos. That is very generous of you and allow players like me to pick up an idea, riff, etc.
My achilles heal is learning to play lead. I prefer to improvise on blues, country and southern rock tunes as well as independent pieces. Call and response is also something I’d like to become more proficient in.
I have purchased several of your offerings. I hate to admit it, but I don’t use them as efficiently as I should. Bottom line, you are one of the best web instructors I have run across. Keep up the good work.
I want to be able to step up in any blues jam session and feel comfortable and do well. That means being able to ad-lib over any blues progression for solos as well as being able to “comp” well with little chords for rhythm work. That, in turn, means having a pretty large “vocabulary” of licks to draw from and a very good grasp of the basic chords and alternative chords. I already have VERY good timing, can easily “get” the “feel” of any blues number, and easily spot the chord changes. I already have a fairly good collection of licks. I am very comfortable in boxes 1, 2 & 3. Still need to get comfy with boxes 4 & 5. I already have courses from you that will easily handle getting comfy in all 5 boxes and your 52 Rhythm Fills course and your Slow Blues Supplement. The 52 Rhythm Fills course will take care of knowing all of the chords and little chords and such that I need for good rhythm work … I have not been through it yet. I have not been through the Slow Blues Supplement either because the very first thing it says is to get comfy with ALL 5 boxes first … so I am currently working on doing that for boxes 4 & 5. I consider myself to be a fairly good intermediate player now. So I guess what I will need most to round out my dream is licks, licks, and more licks.
Hi Griff, I’m on lesson 5 of BGU. Like many others that have posted here I’m retired, 68 years young, and love music. I’ve been singing and accompanying myself on guitar for about 45 years.(Rhythm only) I got your course mainly because a new neighbor moved in recently and I found out he was learning blues lead guitar. I have a weekly jam that I put on here and really want him to participate, after all, it is all about the music. I really like your “small chords” and that really intrigues me. If I can do the odd lick between chord changes after doing your course it will have been well worth it! I still sing on a regular basis, and want get into those wonderful blues songs, and taking your course has already opened up so many other possibilities. “Playing on the porch” is one of the goals I would like to accomplish. Thanks for this and all the help you already have passed on to us!
I would like to.be able to transition from one key to another smoothly.
Play country blues in the style of Doug MacLeod.
Griff I have also recently retired like some of the other comments. Picked up a guitar a year and a half ago. Practice on the acoustic mostly but I also have an electric. I love the blues and would like to just be able to play a little for me, family and friends on the porch. Haven’t mastered anything yet. I like it slow and easy. Love your videos. Thanks
I don’t know how to do any of it, but I really admire your efforts in taking on such a task as this. Thanks for the free lessons, and the best of luck to you.
Ron
OK When I started out I wanted to play like Jimi Hendrix. Not Impossible look at Stevie Ray Vaughan he could do it. So along the way I wanted to play like Stevie Ray Vaughan. Add Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy, The Three Kings, B.B., Freddie, Albert and Jimmie Page Ect. Ect. you get the picture by now. But Hendrix has always been my main goal. Still out of reach but gettin closer. Counting has always been a problem for me how do I count out this that you know. How do I count from rhythm to a lead part. keeping time. A lot of the Stuff I have got from your site. All has help me a lot,for one thing you stress counting in most of what you do. Playing lead parts has always been a thorn in my side. I can play some stuff but adding a lead part to it just freaks me out can’t do it. I bought 52 Rhythm fills & variations and I have been working on it and working on learning the 5 boxes inside and out so i can make use of the slow blues supplement.If I take the time and put my mind to it I should be able to reach my goal. But Life gets in the way along the way and I but things off lol. lose my focus I have taken lessons along the way. And Have learn stuff from tab books and other methods all help me on my skills. But the counting that you add and stress seems to be helping me the most right now keep it up. Hendrix, Guy, Albert, BB, Freddie, Buddy, Steve Cropper, Johnny Winter or even you Griff. If these guys came over to my place and said lets play something I would want to be able to pick up a guitar and add some tasteful guitar that maybe they might come back over and play some more lol. Is that asking a lot ya probably but even for some of the guitar players I do know even to just have the skills to keep up in a small jam with them would be nice. I have some of the skills needed but others still elude me I’ll just keep working and playing all I have is time.
What Stanley King said in his posting is EXACTLY the same problem I have when watching your videos. I will quote Mr. King:
I know the 5 boxes in Em, Am, Gm, where I get confused is when you (Griff) are playing a solo, say in box 2 for example, and you slide up the neck a few frets and say “now you’re in box 1″, and I should be comfortable because now I’m in a box I already know. That loses me every time. I never know if you’re in box 1 of Em or Am, or Gm, and why its box 1 further up the fret board than the position I originally learned it. I’m sure that its something simple that I’m missing, please fill in the blanks. Also, when I try and improvise, I never know which box or boxes to use.
If this concept could be explained much more thoroughly, I would love it. When you slide or down the neck, and say you are in a new box, why is it that box? How does it connect to the box you came from? Is this new box in the same key? And so on, and so on, and so on . . .
Thanks!
beyond practice…& that’s core to it all… i struggle with picking. fingers alone work ok, but when i use a pick i often hit wrong strings, pick orientation shifts, and i go back to bare fingers. even then, coordination of multiple fingers works when i make up the picking pattern, but struggle with any others. i’d like to develop that proficiency because i favor wanting to play more leads and fills.
then there’s terminology. to the extent i play i’m self taught, so i get lost in some of the terminology…very weak in any theory, but i’d like to get into that.
i write a lot of lyric/poetry and noodle around with different chord progressions but never can quite connect or finish out…really would like to understand what i’m lacking to put it together.
at 66, pushed into retirement, divorced a few years and so, alone with a lot of time but stuck in a state that isn’t home, self-motivation is a major hurdle to overcome.
Griff, your lessons, presentation, attitude and understanding are a significant help… i could only wish to be hanging around and having direct interaction with people like you…thanks for all that you do!
I just want to get up and play with other people, with confidence. After 50 years playing I am still just a bedroom guitarist who lacks confidence.
Well for me it is to play a guitar like Rory Gallagher or Jimi Hendrix or should I say, songs like they do whatever they just go off on a tangent improvising fills and solos with ease.
In that movie in my head, I would like to perform one day with my own band with my own cool set list, im 51 now,so not sure it will happen but I hope so .
Wow, Griff. Are you really going to read every one of these? Ha Ha. My goals probably mimic many of the others. I want to be able to play songs solo or with others in any situation from around the fire pit in my back yard, to a jam at a friends house, to the stage at a local bar with a band. I wouldn’t mind doing a solo or duet type of gig. So, learning a good repertoire of songs (blues, blues rock, classic rock) that people love and can sing along to would be my first goal. Second, improving my ear well enough to learn new songs just by listening to them. I like a lot of music that is not as popular, that I would probably never play at a local bar. I just want to learn those songs for me. Third, I would like to be able to play what’s in my head. I often get song ideas in my head, whether just lyrics, or sometimes lyrics with a little tune. When I sit down with my guitar, I can’t ever seem to work out what chords should go where in the tune in my head. Four, I would like to be able to play some chord melody type stuff with little fills. I love jazz music and would love to be able to comp and solo in a jazzier style. Last, ROCK and ROLL! Who wouldn’t love to belt out some awesome power chords. I would love to learn some of the harder side of music, like “Crazy Train”, “Back in Black”, and “Money for Nothing”. Thanks for everything, Griff. I do have BGU, ABGU,SWS, Little Wing Lesson, and 52 Rhythm Fills. One day, I will finish them all.
I would like to make every putt within ten feet. Not (be late) miss my beat or cue when it’s my turn to solo, when I’m jamming with friends. Most of all I just want to play by myself and sing and fill with with an unawkward solo. I just got “playing on the porch” and that might be just what the doctor ordered. I know I have to put the time in and practice, probably the same goes for those ten footers.
My goal is to play well enough to accompany someone and to solo a bit with confidence. As i started playing late in my life , with your courses I have been able to progress quite well but will never be a pro .I just want to have fun.
Hi Griff, I’d like to meet the devil or whoever changed Robert Johnson into the great guitar player he became. I’d love to be able to improvise, recognize chords by ear and just play bluesy tunes on-the-fly.
Well, since you asked:
1. Anson Funderburgh – great player … so what’s distinctive about his style, and how does he do it? Seems like sort of a mix of Texas, Chicago, and West Coast Blues; a lot of T-Bone Walker there, but more laid back; plays over the changes, a few sort of jazzy diminished transition licks thrown in; interesting phrasing and dynamics; comps respectfully; just the right fills. Show me how!
2. Vyasa Dodson, out of Portland, had a band called The Insomniacs – again, to me a very interesting and subtle player – same question: what is it that makes his playing distinctive and recognizable, and how does he do it?
I have bought a lot of your courses but haven’t had the time to really get in to them until now, I am recently retired. I just gotten thru the beginning blues and now working on the BGU. I am also working on Box 1 from your email last week but don’t know how this will tie into a riff. What I really want to learn is what you call “Back Porch” playing. I want to be able to sit and play for my enjoyment and maybe play for the family. I enjoy slow blues playing, BB King kind of stuff, maybe throw together a song and just enjoy yourself. I’m thinking about getting your new course “Playing on the Porch” but want to get further in BGU. Thanks for all your help and keep the emails coming.
I play acoustic mostly, I have ABGU, I know the 5 boxes in Em, Am, Gm, where I get confused is when you (Griff) are playing a solo, say in box 2 for example, and you slide up the neck a few frets and say “now you’re in box 1”, and I should be comfortable because now I’m in a box I already know. That loses me every time. I never know if you’re in box 1 of Em or Am, or Gm, and why its box 1 further up the fret board than the position I originally learned it. I’m sure that its something simple that I’m missing, please fill in the blanks. Also, when I try and improvise, I never know which box or boxes to use. And can I play solo’s from the Am boxes if the key for the song is in Em or Gm, and vice versa?
Hi Griff, I’m 62 years old and got my first guitar when I was a teenager in high school. Chet Atkins was a hero of mine and his style of playing still ranks high on my “wanting to learn” list. I love the guitar but kind of lost touch with playing over the years. Life kind of pushed the guitar into the back ground for many years. I’m retired now and am getting back to playing once more. Finger style is probably my biggest interest and like some of the others here, I am wanting to learn how to get that fuller base accompaniment that goes along with melody playing. In peticular, “the Chet sound”. Its best described as finger thumb independence. I’ve been told you just need to practice the thumb part by itself and one day it will become automatic…you’ll do it without thinking about it. What happens to a person mentally that allows them to be able to do that? No one can tell me how long that may take though. I would like to bring this style of playing into the blues as well as other styles of music. It has bothered me for a long time trying to figure out just how long it takes to break that finger/thumb independence down. Is there something I can do as a student to get that done faster…I guess is my goal? Thanks for all your help Griff.
Like Robert Jenks, I have trouble with licks that sound the same. Shortage of creativity, I suppose. I wish I could just play what’s in my head instead of hitting notes that I’ve memorized.
“be able to sing and provide accompaniment while adding fills under and between vocal melodies”
Hi Griff,
I’ve wanted to play guitar all my life. I mean play for real, not just strum a few chords as I did when I was a teenager. I’m 50 years old, the kids are in college and I have my time back. And I had the good fortune that a friend I visited over XMAS mentioned you and your courses as the best he’s ever seen. I immediately jumped on it. I must admit that my main interest as I thought about this over the years was to be able to play classic rock and all the popular stuff from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. For example, I would love to play Sweet Home Alabama or the Van Halen solo in Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”. I never gave much thought to the blues, but after having done BBG, and now that I’m into BGU, I absolutely love the sounds. I’m adding blues to my main interests, but I still have a strong interest in the other music I mentioned.
This is primarily for my personal enjoyment–something that I can do and love as long as I can play. If it works out that I can hook up with other folks and play with them for fun, then all the better.
Thanks for the excellent courses that you have provided.
Mark Holden
Griff,
Sorry this shows up as a reply. For some reason I can’t get the comments button to work but this is really a comment to Griff and not a reply to Mark’s comment. Reply worked.
I couldn’t care less about speed. I am intrigued by economy of notes such as used by BB King . Also, if I play an old song, Beatles for example, by chords it can be the same chord for 2 or 4 bars so in the end it is monotonous. That is why I tend to learn the lead intros. I’d like to be able to play the basic chords with the addition of some economically placed notes that make it sound more like the music when no voice is accompanying it.
I have the bgu course and the only real thing I was attempting was to figure out is how the blues created rock and how they could be simuliar. Since You play some rock I have been able to get a picture of how this all works. The SRV and the stormy side stuff is more a Blues rock feel but they do not have any major note cords in them . M
Griff, In this busy, hurried life, I think what we all need when it comes to learning guitar or to many other things, is more patience with ourselves. If we don’t “get it” almost instantly, we feel we never will. I have purchased many of your courses as well as courses of others and what I am finding is, (surprise, surprise) the more time I take to practice and learn one small item at a time, the better I become with it. Your courses are excellent and I can imagine your frustration in trying to create something new, beyond what you already have available, to satisfy those of us who as yet don’t get it. I now have to believe the reason we are not getting it, is that we are not working hard enough and long enough at each individual item in the courses provided.It does not take days or sometimes weeks, it actually requires months and years, but if we adhere to the existing course curriculum and spend the time, we will succeed. I had recently read the bio’s of two famous guitarists and noticed in writing of their first few years, they ate, slept and lived nothing but guitar. With that amount of dedication and a little individual talent, being a great guitar player had to happen for them. How do you eat an elephant ?
Hi Griff: I think what I want has been mentioned in many of the prior posts. I am well past age of majority as well ……..it is nice to see by these posts I am not the only one. I cannot tell you how much your course and the email lessons have helped me to enjoy my guitar over the past couple of years. I don’t know if it is my age or just my stubbornness but what I need is the short lessons you send to help me sort out the scales and how and when to use them. I have been concentrating on the boxes and it has helped me to move around the neck. I like the transitions between chord and fill (solo) and this is where I need the most help I think. I cannot carry a tune in a bucket…so this puts me at a disadvantage when I play it has to be all about the guitar…….hope this makes some sense to you : ) Wib McMullen North Bay Ontario…..69 and a huge fan of yours to bad you weren’t around when I was younger..(obviously you were not even born LOL) I was really hungry then without all the stress of juggling family and work and etc etc… I did play in a band in my twenties now I realize how poor I really was LOL Thanks for Everything Griff!
Griff,
I’m 66 and have been playing with your help (and a neighbour I play with) for only 4 years.
I have no other musical background. I mainly play rythm but like to use boxes to
play some lead when alone. What I use my learning of the neck and notes and scales etc for
first of all is to help me to figure out and then play along with a song recording. I can usually I figure out the chords before the song is half over then I try to use my knowledge of the neck to add some lead playing. I play every so often with very good players – jazz guitarist, blues players, some John Mayer type guitarist etc so I have no expectations of upstaging those players. However I really enjoy your lessons and feel I’ve made good progress over the years. Must admit I’m way more motivated playing with other people and I play almost everyday with my friend for 1.5 hours. That said your lessons have been invaluable to my learning and development. What I struggle with most is “hearing” the rythum of a song. A lot of times I hear it differently than my buddy. When you google a song “lyrics and chords” you don’t get the rhythm given to you. My ability to read music is improving but not there yet. That is my biggest challenge which impact both rythum and lead playing. Anything you can do to help
picking up the rhythm would be helpful. Example I had no problem with Free Falling John mayer and but still really struggle with Sultans of Swing Dire Straits and JENNY JENNY Tommy Totone.
Anyways I am so happy I started learning to play the guitar and found you as my coach.
Scott
A DVD Course on Blues Phrasing.
A little background – 55 yrs old, played banjo in high school for 3 years and could get through 5 songs right along with the record. Had no idea what I was doing, just memorizing the tab and the rolls. Playing guitar off and on from about 1994. Took lessons for 1 year and got some basic theory and easy chords. Fumbled around for a few years, wife and child and bills came first. Over the last two years decided that I should try and play with people, so I started playing at church. An eye opening experience. (35+ member choir, piano, flute, trumpet, drums, 3-4 guitars). They let me play but it was 6 months before I felt comfortable enough to plug in. Learned lots of chord shapes. Learned to look at music, figure out what key I was in, learned to follow the chords in time, learned why a capo can be your best friend. Learned the major scales in the CAGED system. Bought your courses and learned the boxes, don’t know what to do with them, but that will come. Need to spend more time on the courses. I get distracted because I hear something and go, I need to learn that. Then I’ll spend two weeks trying to learn a song, sometimes I get it and other times I don’t and I’m off on another tangent.I had to move for job reasons and have not played at church for about 6 months. I guess what I would really like to do is hear it and play it. Keep up the good work. I have enjoyed your approach to playing the blues. Will try to be more focused.
Hi Griff, I also discovered something the other day while working out on some 12-bar stuff. I always thought I needed to watch my left hand along with always looking at the neck. Well, much to my pleasant surprise I took one of the licks I was playing, straightened my head to upright, & closed my eyes. I was stunned that not only could I play it … it was better, cleaner & I could actually “feel” what I was playing. Maybe some “eyes off the neck” exercises. I would like to see them and maybe others could experience what I did. I know, it sounds totally “rookie” but I have been playing a very long time and believe it or not this was something new for me.
Tx for all you do!!
NYE (need your experience): sometimes the guitar just gets put down for periods of time due to life stuff. it never fails that when I pick it back up I seem better that I ever was. have you experienced anything like this early on?
Regards
Del Rio
Know chords and scales but still cannot play music be great to apply this knowledge into playing music.
Griff; would it be possible for you to demonstrate by a video, if faced with the sheet music in notation and tab of a piece that you were totally unfamiliar with how you would go about learning it. Namely how you would go about learning the all important rhythm and timing plus what other steps and procedure that you personally would take to master the piece. Thanks for all your material, greatly appreciated.
Griff,
Thanks for asking! As a guy who picked up the guitar late in life, my goal is to just ne able to play rhythm in time and let others take the solos. I just want to sound musical!
Got the gear, got your courses, Beginners and BGU, got the room and the solitude and of course, the love of The Blues . . . . . . Just need the motivation and to be able to play!!!!!!
i have been playing guitar for over 55 years, i play bass and drums as well, and am a singer. recently, 3 years ago, an opportunity came up for a lead guitarist. i jumped at the chance, thinking i would be able to do this because of the knowledge i had from past experience. oh, hahaha!. i found i knew nothing, took some lessons, got the patterns for the 5 boxes, and the patterns for 3rds. and 6th.s. those were all a godsend, but i still have trouble “playing out” what i’ve rehearsed at home. i’m told that i “just don’t go over it enough”, like if i can’t get it in 100 tries, do 101. that’s fine, but when i get on stage, sometimes it’s like “what am i supposed to play here” when it comes time for my solo. i have the ability to do this, but just can’t figure out how to “sink it in”. i’ve been told “just play within the chords”, “every note in the song is in the major scales of the key in which our are playing”, sometimes i play note for note the solo version of the song, and sometimes i make up my own. any suggestions?? thank you.
Karen: By any chance do you live in Illinois and have a friend named Debbie? If so you’re one of the inspirations for me to keep at learning guitar ! Best wishes!
Hi Griff,
Thanks for the question. I’m a 71 yrs young guitar player (mainly for myself). Taken some lessons over time, can read music OK but am basically a rythym backing to songs I like. My interest is to yet be able to solo knowing the changes in scales needed (if any) through a chord progression, viz. I,IV, V for any of the basic songs I like to play and sing along with. In other words, if I start with say a key of C (R&R, Blues) using the C minor pentanoic scale when I change chords from a C to F and then G do I stay with the C minor pentanoic or move to a different scale as the chord progression changes. Hope this is understanable! Thanks Griff.
I just want to learn. I started when I was 8 and took lessons for about 5 years. But the teacher wanted to teach me classical and all then aI wanted to do was play little black egg. So now I am approaching retirement and just picked the guitar back up. I just want to learn and see where this takes me.
HI GRIFF. I’M 70 YEARS YOUNG AND HAVE JUST STARTED YOUR BLUES GUITAR UNLEASHED. I WOULD LOVE TO GET BETTER AT SLOW BLUES. I HAVE SOME SKILLS AND FEEL THEIR IS A WHOLE LOT I HAVE INSIDE THAT COULD BE BETTER EXPRESSED MUSICALLY. YOUR TEACHING IS FOCUSING ME ON BASICS I WOULD ALWAYS TEND TO SKIP. MY PROBLEM IS I WANT TO KNOW AND DO TO MUCH WHEN I SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON MY MAIN INTEREST ESPECIALLY GIVEN MY AGE. ANY HELP IN ACHIEVING THIS END IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Simply, or actually, not so simply, I want to learn: To. Play. The. Guitar.
I know that sounds presumptuous, or possibly unfocused. But I need to learn WHY chords, scales, modes, etc. work together so I can play several styles fluidly. Occasionally, I play rhythm guitar in a blues band. It is fun, but not uber-challenging. I need to learn how to use arpeggio chords to create solos, how to grow into jazz chord progressions, learn alternate rhythm patterns, and to play melodic / “vocal” style instrumentals. Then, pull it all together with nice turnarounds, fills, and endings. Easy, right?
Well, thanks for putting the question out there. Love your courses and tutorials. Thanks for helping us become better guitar players.
I’m in the same boat as Bob I think…I don’t feel a need to learn specific songs or licks of songs. If I KNOW why the notes and chords fit than I should be able to play along with anything within reason.
I would like to use the diatonic scale and understand it’s complexity beyond any shadow of a doubt, and how the chords in the chord progression are functioning.
Griff,
The main thing beyond the boxes, scales, notes and chords is that your one hell of a Musician, Teacher, and Mentor is that for me to be successful I need to practice, practice practice. With what you’ve given me I can and do play better than I ever thought possible and for that Thank You from the bottom of my Heart. Brady
Lots of great “I wanna” comments. Like many others I want to do a better job of entertaining myself and others in a small group/jam. An invitation to Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival is not on my bucket list, but I will take one!!!! Again, like many on here I want to make better music within my limitation to reach only 4 frets at the top of the fret board due to a busted up pinky from college frisbee tossing/catching. It was the catching that did it :-). Jerry Reeds “breakdown” you posted the other day was a great example, I never saw him reach more than four frets and it sounded great. Even guys with big hands that aren’t busted up often times stay within a 4 fret reach. Mark Knopfler talks about being efficient or economical with his movements in this playing and adding to the notes with small amounts of vibrato and staying on pitch with his bends. Thanks for asking Griff, I think we all appreciate the work you’ve put into the courses most of us have purchased and the free on line lessons and blog.
I want to be able to play blues guitar
I been trying to learn the same song….. Hey Hey
for the last 10 years and I am no closer now
than when I started
I been told by many guitar teachers…… that
this type of music is no good
I need to learn another type of music
I need HELP
I am 59 and my kids are making fun of my playing
telling me … how long have I been trying to play that song
I been finger picking for 10 years and I rate my playing as
bad
The course formats are great ! For me it’s about practice . As you say Griff , if I find something difficult , then that is where I need to focus my efforts. So , I just bought a looper pedal which I hope to use with the courses. Also a great tool to combine learned skills from your “Strumming and Rythym Mastery” with Building a Better Blues Solo courses. So it would be great to have your input on how to incorporate a looper into practice.
I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY AND REMEMBER ONE HALF OF WHAT I LEARN
Hi Griff
For me I would like to be able to hear /train my ear to hear chord progressions, there are people that are naturals at hearing what note of the scale is being played as they hear them. I’m not a natural So what’s the easiest way to learn/devolop this ability that seems to be a gift to some musicians?
I’m a retired guy just learning for pleasure. No great ambition but I would like to be able to busk along for folk to sing. I’ve learned from you the blues progression so when I hear it I can mess around to find the key then use the 1,4,5 chords. I can also( again thanks to you) sense where the changes should be. But everything else I just don’t seem to be able to sense the chord progression or even in many songs just where the changes happen. That’s basically it for me. I guess I don’t have a natural ear for this so I will need some structured practice. Thanks for your wonderful lessons.
I have been learning to play a dobro for 2 years, but I read and watch your tips almost everyday as I can’t find similar help for a resonator. I play country and gospel and can chord no problem in any key to a song I know. I am more of a singer than a player, but I would like to know how to add some fills to my chording, and if I could do a 2 line solo, that would be great. Sometimes I can figure out how to adapt your tips to an open-tuned resonator.
Hi Griff, I was one of your early signer oners. If there was any one thing BGU did for me it was “opened some doors that seemed to be stuck shut”. Can only hope that my playing will always continue to evolve and so far it has. OK, here’s one that just came up on my screen. Having more FUN with our playing. How to lighten up and in that let it flow.
NYE (need your experience): sometimes the guitar just gets put down for periods of time due to life stuff. it never fails that when I pick it back up I seem better that I ever was. have you experienced anything like this early on?
Regards
Del Rio
For me, I learned a bunch of licks, its kinda like trying to pick up a girl in a bar, I know the words, now what ?
The videos where you teach a full solo over all the chords and how to connect them and why are a big hurdle for me. I can pick a minor penatonic scale position and do it all day, but there is no continuity, just a bunch of licks…….thats why I purchased the easy solo dvd’s, and would like to see more.
Another one, more theory, but easy to understand theory. such as chord progression. I know I can go from G to cadd9 no problem, everyone growing up in the 80’s knows that.
But in a bridge, or a chorus where maybe you change to a minor, which one and how
Thanks Griff,
I have to second Jalepenos response about a road map. It is hard to get to the desired destination if you don’t know where you are at any point in time. I’ve gone thrugh several of your courses and pick up valuable techniques, but still struggle to put it all together. I try to learn at least one new lick or work on a particular technique at each practice session, but the whole reason I took up guitar is so I could play (and make) music. Some beginner level songs, some intermediate level songs and some advanced songs would be great. I do have one or two in each of the first two catagories, but it still seems like the jorney has no real roadmap.
Still working on that and realize guitaar is a life long journey to be enjoyed.
I’m not interested in learning to play other peoples songs. I want to learn to play the guitar well enough to play any song.
Hey Grif great question- like asking me what I want to be when I grow up(I’m 48) 🙂 I love the blues, blues leads to the great rock of 70’s, 80’s 90’s… I want to first learn enough about the blues to know and understand the basics and learn a few songs so my friends and I can paly a bit of a jam session at the house, eventually leading to getting to the point of being able to play the music I hear in my head but I am very musically ADD so I start one place and think I’m going to x then BAM oh look a squirrel and I’m someplace totally different in my head then I was when I started. My biggest challenge is I am learning a few songs(rock) and without tab I can’t seem to remember the notes I am supposed to play where. I get bits and pieces then it evaporates as soon as I’m playing. Mostly I just like noodling around and want it to sound good.
Hey Griff
I have not bought a course from you yet and although I would like to. I would rather you had a guitar camp for like 3 or 4 days somewhere. I live in Vegas and I know that learning from you in person would be a great experience and I’m sure other would agree. You are an excellent teacher from all the stuff I have seen you post. You have such a passion and a desire to teach. All that said (I know that it does not pay your bills). If you do decide to run a camp I would definitely go and I would also help you if you need anything to set it up here in Vegas. Please email me if it is something you have ever considered. Thank you for your knowledge and teachings.
I just wanna play…really good!
My goal is to be able to pick up a acoustic and be able to play music.
I don’t want to go on stage or on a road trip, I just want to sit on my front porch and play and have it sound like a song.Thanks for all your great lessons.
As others have already mentioned, I’d like to be able to solo along a blues progression on the fly. I know almost all of my scales but I’d like to be able to turn that into something musical rather than sound like I’m running through some finger exercise.
Good call Griff, understanding what/why you want to play – understanding the instruction – many hours of putting this knowledge into your participation in playing music – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I use the term “participation” instead of work because if that’s what it is to you then you might look for a different source of entertainment. I’ve heard it mentioned many times how we are doing this for the joy of playing (in this case the guitar). Let’s face it…! Most of us aren’t going to be super stars but we can all improve our existence by expressing music, be it achieving near perfection or just the journey trying to get there. There is no magic pill or secret lesson – you got a put in the time so you might as well enjoy the whole process. Playing/practicing, what’s the difference – YOUR PLAYING MUSIC – enjoy the whole process.
Sorry about the long intro – I think you have covered my goal from several approaches – I think it’s too late to try to develope a massive library of songs (I didn’t start when I was 10 years old or even 50) so my goal is to understand the foundations so I can enter a jam with fellow musicians and at least fit in without stepping on anyone and make what ever contribution I can to the event. Thanks for asking that question Griff.
Good call Tom! I’m in the same space you are. Same goal, but I would add to it a Busker bent. One where I do sing, play slide and harp. And like you, I don’t think at my age I’m gonna be “The New Wave,” but who knows maybe 80 will be the new “Clappton!” In the meantime Griff’s lessons are helping me get there. I would like more info about being a multi-instrumentalist or self-accompaniment.
I’d like to be able to play a tasty lead on whatever song is being played.
I would like to use the guitar sound, to help develop in the listener, an emotional
connection with the music.
Really would like to be able to play just one song. Sounds easy? I don’t sing, newbie at guitar. So even if I hit all the chords exactly it still sounds like blah blah blah. Oh I love your lessons but still need to find a way to make the song sound complete without singing. Ie: I can strum and play the chords to Mellissa quite well. I hear from those listening that it sounds nice but what is it I am playing(picture head hanging down here). Thanks for all you do!!!!!
After years of classical lessons, I was introduced to the Blues and found your website. But, like Bruce Haley (above) said…I do not want to perform or play in public. I play for ME. However, with that said at a gathering someone always breaks out a guitar and invariably someone know that I have taken classical lessons for years and then I am asked to play something, which I gracefully decline. I don’t want to play classical for anyone (I always need the sheet music and never have it with me.) But, for once, I would like to be able to play something for ME that someone else might like to hear. I don’t know if I will ever reach that goal but who knows…I am getting a little “long in the tooth.”
Hey Jim I feel your pain – I was taught classical piano as a kid and I have always thought that if I had come across someone who would have shown me some Fats Domino or Floyd Crammer or Jerry Lee (you get the idea) I would probably still be playing both. I didn’t hate classical, I just would have been more inspired if I could have been playing rock/blues as well. Two things sparked my interest in your comment – one was the similarity of your connection to classical training and my condition and second and more to the point – I think you are probably more interested in being able to play publicly, even if it is just for a group of friends, than you realize. Don’t dismiss that aspect of playing too quickly (just my humble opinion).
Hi Jim,
My Father …John Perrone…was a famous Classical Concert Guitarist and recording artist in Canada. He also taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music for years. I am his son and I started studying Classical Guitar at the age of five and then of course got distracted by the Beatles (I’m 59 yrs this year) and played in too many bands to count until the age of 19 when I kinda shifted gears into other interests. You never really appreciate what you have at home and I regret how much more I could have learned from my Dad…that being said, my true love has always been rock and then later in my life the blues. Classical guitar is a much different animal than rock or the blues and I find that many classical and especially Flamenco guitarists are completely lost when it comes to the other styles.
I like you have suffered from the same playing affliction if I may term it that …yes…you study classical scales, go through the Shearer books, Carcassi, and the 26 Melodius studies etc etc and then work on individual pieces that you can only play parts of or at best all of NOT WELL in public because as you wisely state you do not have the sheet music. Then some twelve year old comes along and plays “Heaven” by Eric Clapton all over the fret board that he just picked up that week and you feel like you have wasted your guitar playing life, wish to hang yourself by that new set of strings you’ve been meaning to put on the Ramirez ‘A’ and have to talk some sense into your self over a bottle of fine bourbon, a Cuban cigar, and some Stevie Ray Vaughan at the El Mocambo filmed here in my home town of Toronto. I know you get what I am talking about better than I am expressing it. My Dad, God Bless him, can still play wonderfully at 87 and still entertains. He put it best when he told me that “the guitar is a journey, and it should always be a FUN journey.” He’s correct, if noodling around or serious study ever becomes a second job then it is just not worth it. Have fun.
John.
I would like to hear more about your statement of – if you can hum it you can play it
I can hum many songs but I do not have a clue how to play them how does that work ??
Griff,I would like to know just how true jazz music works,to me it sounds like a bunch of runs around chord progressions with the odd musical note of the song thrown in here and there,I thinks its amazing how talented the jazz greats are,but how do they learn it,especially the guitar greats.Len.
Like a movie opening. Sun going down, an old black sharecropper sitting alone on the porch of a rundown shack fingerpicking his blues. Maybe, throw in a hound dog howlin’
Over thirty five years of playing I’ve gained a lot of tips and learned a lot of tricks from many people! I still want to ‘feel’ the music better than I do and that’s a continuous goal. I just have to keep working at it, along with listening to and watching other players. That’s why I like listening to and watching your videos Griff – It’s all good stuff, beautifully explained and often inspirational – Many thanks!
Echoing what others have already said, your materials and guidance are quite brilliant. And thanks for posing this roadmap question: trying to formulate an answer to it has actually made me focus on what my immediate goals actually are! I’d like to be more proficient at knowing my little chords and their many variations in the subtler form of rhythm playing; triads; double stops; how to add that extra note from a chord to turn it into a 9th; or 13th… Which kind of points to REALLY learning where the notes are on the fretboard. I’m OK on the 6th string (and therefore 1st) and 5th, but very hazy on 2nd, 3rd and 4th. That’s my homework sorted then!
But as has also been said,maybe it’s the journey that’s more important (or fun) than the destination itself…
Boiling it down to what matters. I’m working on modes and arpeggios but it would help so much to just learn what matters. Let’s be fair I recon I’m an intermediate player but at 56 I’m only ever going to be playing for enjoyment or at best for family and friends. So it would be good to save time and memory to just learn what’s needed to get by as a guitar player rather than spending hours learning something that never really gets used.
Also, chord alternatives. I’m ok with barre chords, well, the A and E shapes of the CAGED system. But when I learn a song then watch someone play it on You Tube say it sounds the same but they simplify it by using chords that are far easier and keep the same chords just play them up and down the neck but they are not barre chords.
Cheers Griff.
Hello, Griff.
Still amazed at the insights you continue to share with us all. How about a little advice on combining plectrum with a little finger picking to add an occasional something extra to our licks, fills and solos?
Many thanks from the UK.
Hi Griff,
You have probably hear more about what I want to be able to do than you care to hear, but you asked…
I want to be able to walk on any stage and know that I’ll be able to play and not embarrass myself.
I want to be able to play comping rhythms that other guitar players like so much that they want me to play with them.
When it’s my turn, I want to be able to take a solo that sounds great and doesn’t sound like scales or every other solo that I play.
I’ve recently hear that I sound on top of the rhythm or ahead of the rhythm. I want to play in the pocket.
Let me know when the pill is ready.
First of all, thanks for your dedication to music and teaching guitar. You bring up good points. For me, I would like to know how to match some soloing to the chords within the boxes. I dont quite get how they fit. You can solo in C or A minor in the boxes, but finding the real sweet spots on the fly while chords are changing quickly is something I would like more information on.
Hi Griff, I would like to find a drummer and bass player that knows how to lock in with the groove, play and feel the same groove I’m playing. I’ve noticed the best classic rock bands, Zep, Stones, Hendrix, Stevie ray, Pink floyd, ect.. The drums and bass lock in and everyone is playing with the same feel. This seems like something that is hard to do and find. I’ve played with numerous drummers and can’t find the right one. I taught my girlfriend to play bass keyboards and got her to work closely with me and we have a pretty good groove going. Just started playing with a drummer from one of my own bands and its getting there. But I noticed that when the groove is tight and the feel is there with everyone soloing and improvising is so much easier and the people really dig the music. I ‘ve also notice simplifying solos and only using box two and one and the long scale that connects the two makes solos sound better. using a lot of bends and trying to play vocal like, singing throught the guitar is best and gets the most attention. Less is more, passion and soulfulness in one note, bending and singin goes a long way.Compared to playing a lot of fast notes.
i really just learn a few measures of a solo and then just turn it into my own solo. Would really like to learn how to write songs, both the lyrics and the music!
Rhythm.
How to count and know where I am in a song/jam. Nobody talks about counting. Since I started playing about 5 years ago, I can find a million sites that teach licks or complete songs for that matter. But how to count and where everything fits is always left out.
Hello Griff
I bought a guitar nearly 60 years ago, in the days when ‘skiffle’ was big in the UK. I learned a lot of chords in the various keys, and a few tunes I could pick out with my thumb in the key of C. Over the years I watched other guitarists getting younger and younger, playing all over the neck, and I could never figure out their secret. Well, now I’m going to with your help, and I await your course. Your e-mails and videos have been a great help. I think the fog is clearing!
You absolutely need to pick up some of Griff’s courses. IN his latest videos, he counts out EVERYTHING. After learning one of his solos, you will hear the counting in your head as you play.
Griff, thank you for your lessons. I think where I would like to be is to “noodle” along with jam tracks. To be able to hear a piece of music and play something that sounds good. Counting out loud while playing is also a struggle. I have your 5 Easy Blues Solos and Soloing Without Scales lessons. I’m working on taking what I’ve learned from these lessons and playing with the jam tracks. Thanks again for your help.
I am a Correction officer from probably one of the most infamous prisons in our country, Attica State Penn in New York State and it is a stressful job for sure, playing guitar is my relaxation outlet that I use and love, while a majority of my fellow officers use alcohol as an outlet ! I am a novice to be sure, but I am improving in leaps and bounds, I oft play on my front porch and when I 1st started my neighbor came over and said, Joe, what the heck was that noise and last summer he stopped over and said wow, that song sounded great !! talk about inspiration, I want to be able to be at a camp fire with fam and friends and be able to sound good as my 1st priority and as my dream goal to join and old timers band and play out occasionally just for something to do !
Hi Grif,
Great question and thanks for asking. I am 62 years old and recently retired. I started playing guitar at age 13 and continued to play off and on over the years. Many years off due to work, raising a family and life in general. I picked the guitar back up at age 50 (after a back injury so no golf) and started taking lessons with a teacher (Pebber Brown) in Pomona, Ca.. He really opened up my eyes and got me interested, I now live in Washington and find myself without a regular teacher except for you (thanks).. So I have a decent knowledge of the fret board, scales, some modes and cords. I am mainly focused on blues, soloing and playing along with cd’s to improve my music ability. Someday I would like to jam with a band and see where it goes. Best case would be to play in a band 2-4 times a month and have fun. My challenges are many but here are a few: when playing lead, I struggle with finding the right phrasing. I tend to end up playing more scale type licks/leads then good solid solo’s. Sometimes I still find myself questing what scale play within the song and cord accents. Hope this helps. Thanks for doing what you do. You are an excellent teacher and bring a lot of passion with you. And what I have found out in life is that one doesn’t need to be a subject matter expert but if you bring a lot of passion and dedication to the table you will succeed. So I tend to concentrate on the passion and dedication to move me forward.
Good luck and thanks again.
Rick
Griff,
I don’t want to perform. I don’t want to play for the public. I don’t want to impress anybody. I don’t want to memorize covers. I just want to be capable of sitting back and getting lost in a very slow, finger picking, blues improv. Thanks for listening.
Boy Griff, you really set yourself up for a lot of reading this time! I don’t know where I want to go with my guitar playing (this is a lifelong constant with most areas of my life). I know this and it hasn’t stopped me from making the playing of guitar an important part of each and every day. I recognize that starting this endeavor at age 57 wasn’t going to give me enough time to learn to play everything I wanted to. I’ve been seriously listening to almost all genres of music for decades so I have a good enough handle on what my choices are. I started to learn guitar as a journey and that journey is the destination. I try not to get sidetracked attempting too much that is beyond me at the moment and like everyone else I can rush through too fast at times. I focus on figuring out what basic skills are needed to play, rhythm, chords, scales, theory and left and right hand motor skills learn those things. Your lessons and teaching technique are very well suited to filling those needs. If I had more time to practice I’d be further along the path but life does get in the way of pleasure. Your current course offerings and email lessons keep me busy. I have 3 of them, BGU, Rhythm Mastery and 52 Rhythm Fills and I’m not close to successfully finishing any of them. If and/or when I do there are others that I will avail myself of. Your services are just what I need to keep me going. Maybe someday one particular style or component will win out over others but I doubt it and I don’t care. If the lesson or area is in the realm of Blues, Rhythm and Blues or Jazz you have my attention.
Thanks Griff for all you do and for your concern. The fact that you even asked this question says much good about you.
AMEN!
Hi Griff,
I’d like to play lead better over chord progressions, and know what notes are going to sound right over the chord changes. I’d also like to know why they sound right. I’d like to be able to move that anywhere on the fingerboard. I hear some really cool stuff in my head, but I can’t seem to figure out what I need to do to get the sound out of the guitar. Everything I play sounds the same.
I would like to master Blues rhythm guitar. To be able to identify the chords, the changes and know the techniques I’m hearing and wish to use. I would like to add to this rhythm mastery the ability to understand and find on the neck the notes I would use for fills and lead work. I’ve always admired great rhythm guitar work, especially the session musicians of Muscle Shoals who seem to be able to hear and play anything well. Thank you for asking. I’m currently working with your 52 Rhythm Fills & Variations. I love it. You cover so many styles. It’s much more and better than I expected. So far, you are the best blues teacher I’ve found.
I have been with the BGU program for a number of years now. Have most but not all of the courses. I find myself struggling with chords. If I look at a sheet of music that includes chords many times chords are listed that I have not seen much of before. So I go to a web site that shows chords and find some to be very complicated.
How does one take a list of chords and simplify them? I keep hearing that one only needs to know a few bar chords to play any song. So how can I take a list of chords and change over to bar chords? It would help if you had a few lessons on chord structure and how to convert. Also Capo?
I have learned a lot from u Griff I have been playing the guitar on and off for 2 years been a blues lover at an early age but my goal at this stage in my life is to play in a worship band and to be good at soloing but i am struggling with understanding the pentatonic scales help please. Thank you for your help.
In Blues Guitar Unleashed you do a fine job explaining when and how to use boxes
1 & 2. I have no idea what to do with 3-5……..
Hey man.
First of all I would like to thank you for your time and your commitment to helping people who want to learn how to play. I have been beaten on the guitar for about 25 years now and I’m Still not able to play but just a few songs all the way through.
And I really want to learn the barr cords. And what cords are what. Like how to make what I’m playing sound like it is supposed to sound. And know what cords I’m playing. you see I have never had any lessons at all and everything I know I have learned from watching other people playing and videos. So now I really want to be able to play a song by looking at the notes in song books
I have tried reading how to play some major cords And some minor but it just don’t make a hole lot of sense to me. Maybe my learning part of my brain is not working I just don’t know. But it does help to have someone to just explain it to me. And show me that is why I would like to thank you again for taking the time to do this for people like me. Two thumbs up my friend. Best Wishes. Joey Chambers.
I am not a blues guitar player but I follow your emails because there are always little nuggets I pick up. I am playing dobro and a bit of lap steel. My. being 64 years old and just learning to play I realize I will never be a flashy super fast or slick player My fingers no longer can maintain the speeds although I am getting close enough.
My goal is to learn to solo not in the style of jerry Douglas or anyone else, but just to be able to go to a jam, join in when I can and put together something on the spot that catches corners of the tune enough to be recognizable, but does not sound just the way (insert favorite artist here) played it note for note. If I want to hear that, I have the record, cd, MP3.
Lofty goal?
Hi Griff,
My goal for me and my guitar is to solo well at the local blues jam
Stopped playing after a successful nightclub career in the mid 70’s. Didn’t touch a guitar until 2012. I’ve come far enough along to be able to have fun at local blues jams with some really great local players. My needs are simple. I just want to tighten up what I’ve put together so that I can comfortably fit in all blues styles. No interest in being a shredder, rather want to “make love” to that one progression and get back out of it tastefully.
Hi Griff,
My goal for me and my guitar is to be able to solo well at the local blues jam.
Hey Griff,
I have been playing for 2 years, self teaching myself with the help of your course and other youtube lessons playing (attempting) Blues and Rock.
My problem is dedication……….I really do want to learn but if I get stuck on something I lose enthusiasm for persevering with something new and go back to tunes I can sort of play like “Knockin on heavens door”. The knock on effect is that I get bored, and move on to something else, thinking I will come back to real learning following your course. Consequently that doesn’t happen straight away, so I forget where I was up to and have to start over. Which frustrates me even more !!!
I do try to practice at least an hour a day (where work allows) but really feel I am getting nowhere fast, though obviously I know more than I did 2 years ago, I still only have a couple of songs under my fingers and although they sound like they should to me, friends (who would know) can’t recognize them so I guess I still have a long way to go with them too !!!
So I guess the short answer to your question is that I need a map on how to FOCUS without losing enthusiasm when I get stuck in a rut without 4 wheel drive lol !
Cheers
Ian (age 51 from the UK)
At least I do have 4 rather nice guitars as wall furniture adorning my house 🙂
Well since you said be specific:
1.) I know the 5 boxes up and down the neck
2.) I know where all the notes are and can do the exercise playing all the notes on the neck with the metronome at 60pm
3.) I know how to play barre chords cleanly and quickly
4.) I know the little chords and can play them in any key with the metronome at about 50 bpm, 80 bpm for the I-IV-V in the key of E
5.) I know the 3 notes on a string major scale (and it’s modal incarnations) in most keys
6.) I know … etc. etc.
I need a roadmap on how to get MORE with LESS. Unless I am playing one of your solos that I’ve learned, I always feel like I play too many notes. I DO NOT want to be another one of those players that just sends out rapid fire 1/8th notes constantly going up and down the pentatonic scale or another one of those guys reeling off random licks that don’t say anything cohesive. Those guys are BORING. I want to be able to say everything with just a few well timed licks and a few notes here and there. But the RIGHT NOTES at the RIGHT TIME. Is there such a road map?
I need a roadmap on how to use some cool substitution chords, especially in slow blues, without causing major league clashes with the other guys just playing the dominant 7th barre chord (if that’s even possible 🙂 ) Is there such a road map?
Hi, simple question but so many damn answers, “what do you want to achieve from these guitar lessons ?”. I assume like most new students I want to be able to play like the people that inspire me, eg, Peter Green ( fleetwood Mac) bonammassa, marc knopfler, etc. But as a complete beginner these pentatonic scales, minor chords and major chords all seem too much so a simple way to be able to play without getting bogged down by the technical side of things would be nice for me. Ta.
I will go along with Bob Schultz. I would be content to play well enough to enjoy myself, and feel comfortable playing. I have some physical challenges and playing guitar I find to be relaxing therapy. Not sure anyone else would be entertained by my playing. As Rick Nelson sang in “Garden Party:’ You can’t please everyone so you gotta please yourself!'”
Good morning, currently I have at least two thirds of you’r CDs and love them! I’ve been in the Navy for 27 years and take the on my deployments!! I would love to have a series on singing with the guitar using the 145 progression. Teach how and where to place the cords/ notes while singing. I do a lot of writing as well and need the boost. Any advice would be great. Thanks for asking!
Your timing is perfect, because I have been thinking about this a lot, lately. There is so much I want to do: I want to play like Stevie, and like Joe B., and like CSN, and James Taylor, and Dave Matthews, and Mark Knopfler, and B.B, and finger-style blues, and….
I’ve spent several years on many of your programs, 1-2+ hours every day, and I have learned a lot, but I can’t seem to put it all together. I learn slowly and I forget what I don’t practice. It is difficult for me to maintain all the different skills you have taught me.
I want to get past the shorter lessons and exercises, and learn to play some “real” songs. I guess my next goal is to play something solo, that sounds like a complete song. I can play one or two of the porch style blues on my own, but after I learn one of your lessons, I don’t really know where to go from there. Improvisation doesn’t seem to be in my blood. I am not a “natural”, but I haven’t given up.
If I sound lost and confused… it is only because I am, in fact, lost and confused. Funny… my father is a composer, conductor, musician, music and music theory professor, etc… [retired], but i didn’t get the gene!
Just like my father was a mechanic, handy man, etc. but I didn’t get that gene! Seems my DAUGHTER got it!!!
I would like to learn to play entire songs, from beginning to end, including solos. I don’t seem to good at improvising, but I am a pretty good mimic. My strength is my voice, but when it comes to playing I seem to need to be fairly structured and follow a lesson. However, once I’ve learned it I’ve pretty much got it.
I’m working my way through Beginning Blues Guitar, so at the moment I’m just focussing on short term goals and trying to train my fingers to do what my brain is telling them to do. Smooth chord changes without muffling the strings, and hardest of all for me, playing in time. I think I already know the answer, though. Practice, right?
There are lots of music theory things I would like to know more about. But that’s just me and the way my brain works when I’m trying to learn something. I’m sure all that will come in time.
I think the whole format of the course could not be better.
Hey Griff! I like to keep things simple…I want it all, lol. Electric and acoustic from Country Blues and the Delta through Modern Blues. I also love Classic Rock and Singer/Songwriter type songs. I am an older “late” starter (started at 43 an I’m now 51). Right now I feel like I need to improve in cleaning up my timing, chords and inversions, speed, theory understanding, and being able to improvise over chord changes on the fly. I am weak in being able to connect the 5 boxes all over the neck, but am getting better with persistence. I have never sung along while playing, so I want to work on that too. I would like to get a bucket and then carry a tune in it! I retire in a couple of years and would love to teach lessons and play in jams as well as join a local band. I have all of your courses except the Slow Blues supplement and 5 More Easy Solos. I have worked through BGU and Strumming and Rhythm Mastery, and I’m currently on Lesson 22 of Acoustic BGU and Lesson 9 of Soloing without Scales. I’ve also worked through the slow blues section of 52 Rhythm Fills and Variations. I try to work on some new material every few days, and I regularly review stuff I’ve already worked through. Some areas need more review than others, but I’m confident that it will get better with practice over time. Your materials and presentation are excellent, and even these almost daily extras via email are top shelf. I also need to get active on your forum community so I’m not just sitting here in my own little bubble!
Awesome..! Someone else like me..! I too have most of Griff’s courses. I find that it helps keep me motivated. If I hit a rode block in one course, I jump to another that has a different pace. Might not be the best road map, but it does keep me playing longer. I too am a late starter. Although I played in a shitty rock band for a few years in college, it was certainly nothing serious. Just learned a few songs and played fraternity parties/battle of the band type venues. The most we ever earned was free beer for the night. (I kind of miss those days actually… :-)). Stay on it brother… Sounds like you are closer to your goal than you might think..! Cheers..!
really liked your right hand rhythm style on Mary had a little lamb and found the little wing instructional really great would love more teachings on that type of playing that combines rhythm with lead work.
Griff
Killer blues solos is what made the light bulb go off for me. I know theory but did not understand how to integrate it with all the scales. Your killer blues solos course broke down the rules and enabled me to use the timing and sweet notes of the chords to use in developing my riffs with major, minor pentatonic, and blues, scales. I also now understand how to apply other modes into my riff development such as dorian, and mixolydian modes.
Thanks
Griff – I am somewhat undecided and like the idea of roadmaps for different end goals. Once you have published them it will help me decide what is realistic given my work schedule and other commitments. I can spend 20 minutes a day studying, learning and practicing guitar. I like rock and blues, I am impressed by solos in those styles and would like to be able to play to backing tracks and sound really good. My ultimate goal is to be able to improvise my own versions of popular rock & blues leads with a backing track. I have wandered through a number of courses, websites, & YouTube videos and am so far unable to find the roadmap I need.
Timing seems to be at the top of the list. I do not understand how to incorporate the timing to tablature. If you could explain how each beat falls in each measure (1/4, 1/8, 1/16 notes, etc.) would be great. This I feel would take me to the next level in my playing. Thank you for all the help!
“For one student, it turned out that what he really wanted to do was develop his ability to hear chord progressions and follow along on the fly even if he had not heard the song before’ I’ve written you recently Griff on this exact comment/quote; I’d love to become accomplished even a guitarist that I could walk in on you and other jamming on any song and be able to join in without much if any hesitation and have FUN with everyone. That would be my #1 goal. Thank for asking the question
I would like to learn how to connect the boxes any where on the neck without thinking about it. It’s easy for me to connect two boxes that follow each other, but if I move to another location on the neck I get totally lost and need to think about what I need to do.
Hi Griff,I would like to be able to recognize what chord is playing in a progression.I think that means some kind of ear training.I sure like your almost daily lessons and thanks for all the help.
Great idea Griff. Like some other following the changes is an issue for me. In some songs I have no trouble because they’re clear while in others not so much. I’d like to get the timing of in my blood. In relation to this, even when I hear the changes often I don’t have the feel for how to fill 2 vs 4 measures with licks and stay with changes. Hope that makes sense.
My goal is to continue to advance, specifically from my advanced beginner level into an intermediate player. And, Id like to be able to play one complete set of songs both as asoloist and as a lead guitar player. As an advanced beginner, I can alread play rythem for about one or two sets with a band. Id like to play lead with the band on those same songs. I have also worked hard to get sbout one half of I Believe but am struggling with my acoustic on the second 12 bar lead. It will take me a year to nail it but I will get there. Wish you had an executive summary supliment for that course.
I think the insistence on counting out loud is great for beginners, and it works best when you are reading a piece for the first few times, so you know where you are. But IMO it’s not always the way to go. For example, I often sing as well as play. Unless you have another mouth in the back of your head, it’s kind of difficult to count one e and a two e and etc. at the same time as singing “an’ the rain’s fallin’ down my door”. There is no doubt at all that a sense of time is the most important thing we can learn, but it has to be internalised. The great jazz guitarist Emily Remler was noted as having one of the finest time senses ever in jazz guitar, and she advocated working with the metronome over and over. She used to set it to the off beat, 2 and 4 for swing and bebop and blues(about 48 bpm), and she said she developed a serious left foot, tapping on 2 and 4, but also moving her head and sometimes whole body(dancing, she called it), just so she could internalise where that 2 and 4 were instinctively. Then she could concentrate on playing great lines(which nobody can do if they are counting one and two and etc.) Griff sings(very well, as we know), so I would like to see a lesson from him about timing while singing. I have to say that this applies much more when you are solo, because otherwise you can lean on the bass and drums to be your time.
At 70 years of age, I have no interest in joining a band or any of that. I just wish to be able to play well enough to please myself (and perhaps family and close friends).
I don’t have much problem learning to play the notes or scales. THE problem for me is TIMING!! That is what I try to work on every day. For myself, counting out loud while listening to a musical passage is easy. Counting out loud while PLAYING is something else. Especially 1/16th notes if the piece has any speed at all to it. It’s sort of like patting my head and rubbing my stomach at the same time. Very frustrating.
My goal is very similar to yours, Charles. However, I am ONLY 63 😉 and started playing about 8 years ago. I do have some small issue with timing, but I can overcome them with practice; start at an appropriate slow tempo and increase the tempo as I progress in keeping the tempo. However, 1/16th notes are difficult for me. I try not to convince myself it’s my physical limitation due to age. I’ve learned a lot about scales, and I am slowly learning how to use them in a “break” between verses. But, my issue is articulation. I stumble with barre chords, especially low on the neck, and I would like to be able to learn how to use portions of a chord to ornament (or fill) between chords. It seems to me that movement within the tempo is very critical to the pleasing sound we are after.
Andy if I can weigh in here; I’m leaning on 62yrs, having started about 10 yrs ago out of need to keep my twin boys involved in something and out of trouble. Glad to say it worked praise the Lord. Don’t fret (no pun intended) on barre chords. I know a few younger player who can’t barre well so they improvise. 1/16ths I found are a matter of playing to a metronome and working on them as a daily exercise as I do anything that is initially hard for me to conquer. I make the challenge an inspiration not a defeat (part of my natural personality). If you can jam or even play in a church worship team like I do, it helps tremendously as you get to practice with others each week and learn. Good luck and press onward, Art
Hi Griff, I’ve been playing around, mostly on my own, with the guitar for 40 years. Now that I’m retired I have the time to focus on playing better. Playing by myself for so long my timing is not good and therefore my ability to play with others is not good. I want to improve enough so I can find some people to jam with. I also play and sing around the camp fire so I do a lot of strumming…..would be nice to mix in some riffs with that…..mostly country, but I love the slow blues. Thanks so much for everything you do for the guitar playing community.
Sunny, Do you have a metronome? It would help you keep time; just start slow and move the bpm’s (beats per minute) up as you get more comfortable with playing ‘in time’.
Hi Griff,
Have enjoyed BGU course and the Delta Blues Slide course. Also enjoy the frequent little extra lessons. I have been playing
for about 35 years. Have played in bands but never really enjoyed it. I most enjoy pulling out a guitar and playing along with a song or jam track. I pause and go back as I like and don’t have to deal with others in the band being grumpy or giving me the “look” when I make a mistake.
Your lessons have made me a much better player. I truly understand the minor pentatonic scale thanks to you. My family thanks you too! I’d like more instruction on slide guitar techniques, tuning styles, riffs, etc. I know that most of the riffs are minor pentatonic notes. sometimes getting to hear and see someone else play them is VERY helpful. Just hearing someone else’s interpretation of the phrasing is valuable. As you have pointed out before, the notes are not useful by themselves, it is how you put them together.
Hi Griff
Having played by myself for some 30 on an off years, I would like to get to a place where I’m comfortable enough to play with other people.
My purpose is to lead people in Worship. I love the blues, always have, always will, I’m using my God given desire for the blues and my ability, to drive and motivate me to understand music Timing,rhythm,counting etc, better, to play corporately.
I have made a commitment to your lessons and really try to practice daily. Though I do know a lot of chords and have good finger dexterity, what I lack is when, where, what and why. I’ve had a lot of ahah!! moments already.
While My purpose is to be able to lead people in Worship. My Desire is to comfortably sit around a camp fire or outing of some sort and play the blues well.
Either way I’m confident your lessons and your heart for teaching is the way that will happen for me.
Thanks 🙂
whew! Where to start. Once I get all the fundamentals down like boxes and note names, I’d really like to have the coordination to sing and play at the same time. I always use a separate vocal track on Audacity, but when I see someone like Jorma Kaukenen sing while playing intricate blues tunes it’s as if his head is separate from his body. I’m using him as an example but you know what I mean. Clapton is another good example. Once I start singing my fingers twist into a knot! HELP!!
As a natural lefty playing a right handed guitar, i also struggle singing while playing. My timing is good on the chord changes but sometimes throw up an airball strumming or hitting single notes. My timing seems to generate from my left hand, not my strumming hand. So, my sound is fairly unique. It compliments the very structured rythem players Ive jammed with. Kind of like Otmar Lieberman and Carlos Santana blend of styles. Wish I could play one tenth as good as they do.
I would start with songs that have repetitive rhythm parts where you are strumming chords i.e. and 1, and 2 and 3 and 4 like ‘Midnite Special’. Get comfortable with rhythmic stuff that you don’t have to think about playing too much so you can concentrate on your vocals. Don’t get discouraged watching Jorma do all them complicated rag time tunes…
So the movie of what I’d like to get to to consider myself a “good” player includes the ability to do a good job on rhythm for more skilled lead players, handle the occasional solo with skill and ease and have it sound good, and be better at mixing chords and flat picking while comping. I can strum, I can flat pick, but I fumble when trying to augment my strumming with some well placed tasty picking. The Little Wing lesson is a great one for me, but I still struggle with that on not only little wing, but most other songs I try and augment my strumming with. I’m also still fumbling with soloing over th changes in a 12 bar blues – I know many players don’t bother playing the changes and stick with box 1 and maybe 2 over all 3 chords, but I’d like to be more proficient at playing over them with the changes. I started playing about 7 years ago, in my mid 50’s, and try and play for at least 15 or 20 minutes minimum every day. Some days I can get 1 to 2 hours in, some days much less, but I try to play at least a little daily. I have BGU, Soloing without scales, acoustic blues, strumming and rhythm mastery, and the slow blues supplement, working through those in a haphazard manner but working through them. 90% df the time I play electric, 10% acoustic. Probably a big stumbling block for me at this point is the lack of time spent playing with other people. I play along with recordings daily, but feel that I really need to work with real people to advance my skills to the next level. At this point I’d say my playing is like those cable and internet providers that aren’t Verizon – a little “half-fast”.
What I would love is that you could inform how to play solos, or for that matter doddle around, by following CHORDS. In other words, rather than figuring out the key, which isn’t always so obvious, to follow along the song’s chords and play appropriate notes. We had a substitute guitar teacher attend one of our practice jams (every other week). I watched him play leads to our basic blues practice warm-ups. He didn’t use boxes. He played within each chord at the chord change, mostly. (Average age of us three students, 70)
It’s an interesting question…maybe part of my problem is I don’t have a solid ,defined goal. As a result my playing (and practice) is all over the map. I bounce between acoustic and electric and have convinced myself that playing either is better than neither.
I’m a novice, playing a little over 4 years but , am old (70). I forget stuff but, it’s easy to “relearn”. I truly want to be able to play some basic 12 bar blues solos and I routinely work on the pentatonic boxes; however, when I play them to a jam track it’s monotonous in sound and rhythm.
I’m left handed but, have learned right handed. My right hand strum skills are limited. Any tips for improving strum skills for both speed and rhythm.
OBTW: thanks for all your help
I think what I most want, and thanks to lessons from you and others have made some progress with already, is the ability when learning a new song to be able to play a workable version of it even if I can’t get every not as recorded. The more I have increased my knowledge of what is in the scale, or how a partial chord might work in lieu of a full chord, the better I have become at working out that I might not be able to play a particular part note-perfect like Steve Cropper (or whomever) but I can understand what he is doing in a particular part and I can work out my own version of a fill or other part that is in the spirit of the original without worrying if I can exactly mimic the record (yet).
Hi Greg back in the early 60’s I used to play in a rock&roll band than I wasshipped off to Vietnam,,when I got back it took me awhile to readjust to normal living again both mental and physical,and its been only around 4 years that I have been trying to gain my music back and its real hard,like I forgot everything but its coming,my problem is when I play a certain song and the lead comes in im lost,i don’t know what scale to use when its time to go solo with the lead example if im playing a song in the key of G and it has some lead how do I know where to start the lead,lets say its a 4 chord progression do I take every chord and break down whwt notes are in the chord and than go from there,im just lost when it comes to the lead,all help would be appreciated to give me the direction to go. Your amazing Grif.
Can you hear what you want to play in your head? As Griff has demonstrated, you can play a whole solo with four notes. If you can hear it in your head you are halfway there. Don’t think about it too much. Feel it…
I would like to see a course on using a looper and how to play a base and or rythem on the looper and then how to play a solo with it that sounds cool!
Blues and maybe jazz
my long term goals are to cut an album. (dont we all want to be a star, quit our jobs, go on the road, etc etc etc.
at 53 years old and one year of guitar under my belt i have learned i must understand some theory . Some people want to learn songs. I wish to become a really good rhythm player. To be able to join in at a local jam , and no matter what they are playing reconize the chords and progression and tag along. or atleast reconize the I chords and just strum it in the background. (does it really work that way with the one chord?)
By the way, why is it so hard for a newbie (or just me) to sing and play at same time?
Thanks for what you do, budget does not permit me paying for lessons,
Griff, I am 57 and have hade several lessons, since my first guitar at 15.a little piano.my goal is to be able to play blues like BB ERIC C AND JOE BONAMASA. to me BLUES playing is a felling you hear when playing say lead. comes from practice. rhythm comes from timing and practice. I have most of your courses and e-mails. by following them in progression and practice daily my playing is coming along nicely. I have no desire to be a band member, when people hear me play and want to play along that’s great fun. You are doing great, it is my discipline and practice time that will get result’s. I took lessons from a guy that played with head liners for 20 + years, specifically blues. one on one for months. I have learned more in 3 moths from you.you are the best. thanks.
I want to sit at the camp site and play a little rythem then a little lead lick then back to rythem, all while singing the song. Oh and I want to be able to do this with several songs.
Griff, I am 61 and picked up the six string electric after playing rock bass as a teenager. Always wanted to know what the lead guy was really doing. I have purchased some of your offerings and a few others off the Internet to complement my 1 on 1 lessons for the past 3 years. So, thanks for your instruction.
The journey was been diverse. Pentatonic scales, Blues scales, major scales. But we dont want our solos to sound like scales, right? And the major scale is the mother ship because the music theory derives from it.
Timing is so important. Only then can you fit a good solo properly into the measures in the chord progression
I want to learn:
Freer, faster and more fluid soloing. Breaking out of the scales and boxes. beyond the blues scale. Using the 2nds, 6ths, all the notes at different places on the neck. So, I can jump in with a blues jam anytime and be confident.
Hey Grif, thanks for asking. First let me echo what’s been said many times before, your material is fantastic and you are a superb teacher.
There is not much that I need that you don’t have. Blues Gig in a Box fulfilled my biggest need which was learning all the stuff a guitarist does when NOT soloing. I could always use more comping lessons, though the Jazzin the Blues course gets at it pretty well.
So what would I like? More Chuck Berry. Seriously. You did one Berry-esque solo in 5 easy solos, but I’d love a whole course devoted to the styling a of Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, and Brian Setzer.
Hey Griff,
I enjoy learning passing chords and walks from chord to chord when strumming and singing. We need more of it.
I always know what I wanted to learn but I never know the road to get there. As an example my first teacher told me to count using a metronome. I try but for years I tough I was to stupid to be able to achieve that. But one day I bough your Strumming Pattern Course…and then I heard the only sentence that I need to change my opinion of me for playing and counting: YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ALONE OUT LOUD BEFORE YOU WILL USED THE METRONOME. That simple sentence that take less then a minutes to say change my life. The other thing that help me a lot from this course is knowing that the down stroke is the beat and the up stroke is the offbeat…make my life so easier.
The only thing that I know about what I don’t know, it’s that sometime it’s just a little trick or a simple way of doing thing that nobody never teach me.
Thank you Griff for your generosity and devotion teaching guitar lessons.
Your the best!
Jean-Yves
If it was just one wish it would be to learn my choice of ten blues songs
and have the ability to be able to extend them into 15 minute jams.
Who doesn’t want the tab and the skills to play
BB King and G Moore playing the 10 minute version of The Thrill is Gone !
Absolute heaven.
I got a ear for music. understand the language pretty good. don’t care to play for anyone but me. its the funnest thing I ever done. just need to work on the brain to hand connection and my speed. playing up to par is a problem. just enjoy learning new things. I figure I got the rest of my life to work it out.
Your students are asking to be taught solutions they think they need to get from point A to point B. They do look at the problem from the top down – because they don’t know to think about the problem from the broader principle driving their immediate question. That’s sort of what mentors do – teach the student to think. I’ve spent 30 years doing one of life’s crafts, and I have to teach the younger folks (and journeyman) to elevate their view points and think slightly different so they can be receptive to multiple paths from A to B. The more inexperienced (and this isn’t just about age) they are, the more they want to dive right into the weeds (solution) without thinking about the bigger picture. This is common for everyone in all trades and endeavors. I have no particular goal – other than being good at guitar. It can be blues, rock, fingerpicking, electric, acoustic, minor, major, songs, scales – keep teaching. I’ll be waiting to learn.
oops – can’t write. Second sentence was they do NOT know how to think from top down. I need coffee…
I’m pretty good at rhythm and can understand the theory well. When I play solos that follow progressions other than I7; IV7; and V7, I basically end up playing random notes from the scale while NOT really knowing while (or sometimes knowing) what chords the rhtythm player is on at the time. It sounds just okay, but when I hear someone else solo that is experienced, I say “Man, that guy’s sounds good, how does he do that?” Or “Where do all those sweet notes come from, what does he know that I don’t, what does he do that I can’t do yet?”
I am doubting many of my assumptions about soloing. And I think many folks on this blog have the same assumption. That is that soloists just make it up as they go along. That as the music rolls along, they just improvise and these great, melodic solos just flow. I am beginning to understand that this is not the case. Griff, tell me if I am wrong here but when you’re performing, you’re not making it up on the fly, right.? As I learn the solos in BGU, or 5 Easy Blues Solos, note for note and practice them over and over and over until I get through them flawlessly, I am playing words and sentences. Now and then I will just try to “make something up” and create a solo, and I draw on those words to try and make new sentences. But watching guys like Clapton and Mayer, I firmly believe that for every solo that rolls around they already have a complete solo, practiced and perfected, in their pocket. They may modify bits and pieces as they go or cover up little mistakes and go with slight variations to the plan, but I gotta believe it’s mostly planned and only slightly made up on the spot. Am I all wrong here?
I am 53. Been playing since I was 12. My motivation in Jr. high and High School: get the girls. Happily married now and finally in a place where I have some discretionary income (translation: can buy guitars I always dreamed of owning), my goal is to be able to be a band member that the others can count on to be what the songs need. Rhythm, lead, singer, back up vocals, whatever. I have never played in a serious band. When I do get to play acoustics with guys, I understand the traffic jams that can take place with everyone playing the same thing while singing Brown Eyed Girl, or Ain’t No Sunshine. So I back off, play a more compimg style. Let others shine.
My dream has always been to be able to play lead or solo guitar. Griff’s stuff has been perfect. My wife has made comments about how quickly I have been able to play these solos and sound good with the jam track – although she does ask to turn it down. I watch Claptons video from Hyde Park playing I’m Tore Down. THAT’s what I want to be able to do. I can’t sing as well as Eric, but I could pull it off in a pinch. His little licks in between vocal phrases, which are very repetitive at fantastic. And they can be repetitive because as a listener, when a fill rolls around, I have forgotten the last one. If I recognize it as a repeat, I don’t care. It sounds just as cool the 2nd or 3rd time. And the solo is amazing. No way it’s made up on the fly. Even if he is Clapton. If you could follow him on tour show after show, I am willing to. Et his solos are pretty much identical night after night.
I am a professional in the Oil Services industry.
I want to find some players and put together a cover band. Play at local venues on the weekends. Blues, classic rock, adult alternative, etc. I figure learning blues soloing will get me a solid foundation then I can learn to mimic the classic solos like Hotel California, Sweet Home Alabama, etc. Not only am I struggling to learn as quickly as I would like, it’s tough to locate like-minded guys that could get along, have similar goals, schedules. Frustrating, but I keep dreaming.
I bounce around in Griff’s DVD lessons. BGU solo 3 is kicking my butt, the solo with all the triplets. So I went to the bonus DVD Killler Blues Solo and spent a couple days mastering that. I’ll bounce back to the BGU disc next. I had to do something to get my confidence back. I keep practicing and reaming of getting a bunch of songs and solos down then seriously seeking out some band mates.
You are EXACTLY right about that… very little is actually improvised. The difference is simply the size of their vocabulary compared to yours and you can make up that gap.
Would like to learn finger style to get a fuller sound when playing alone.
Look forward to your emails each day. I would like to learn how to hum, like you said, if you can’t hum it, you can’t play it. I have trouble starting to play because I can’t seem to hum the tune. this also makes counting and playing at correct speed a problem. May not be a fix for this, could just be the way my 69 year old brain works.
Keep the email lessons coming, really enjoy them.
Developing a lyrical solo style is a goal of mine.
My long term goals are: to be able to recognize a progression and play/solo along in any informal jam; to be able to figure out a song from listening without searching for tab (that is mostly wrong; and to play a well built repertoire for family and friends. I have been trying to learn for almost 4 years. I picked up the Blues Unleashed system last September and have been progressing nicely. I get about 5 days a week of practice about 45 minutes each day. I follow the BU system and try new songs I hear and want to play but I really have no plan to accomplish my goals and feel I am wasting precious time.
Grif,
I would like to play both rhythm and lead by myself. I can write some lyrics and sing, but I want to play along in rhythm and lead.
I’ve always been fascinated by what the lead guitar does while the vocalist is performing. It’s what’s been called by one of my very favourite guitarists, Paul Jackson, as taking the chord apart. In other words playing arpeggios while the song unfolds, complimenting my enjoyment while I listen to the singer
Hi Griff,
Following along with a song I have not heard or played is paramount for a guitarist’s confidence .
Having the ear and timing for this is on my bucket list.
Cheers
Thanks to your internet lessons I am starting to make headway into my goal, but what I want most to learn on electric guitar is to play 20 simple blues solos that sound good well.
Hi griff hope your well and happy mate interesting thing this cause I love the blues love soul love all types of music but love rock roll mosti don’t think any scale should be ignored but if you most interested in blues then yes the minor Blues and the blues boxes got to be learnt should learn the anyway but I do believe you should mess a a little with mixolonian wich is Spanish sounding I do find theajour scales useful many a good tune in them
And I thought you only had a few old farts like me (69) taking lessons. Like others, I’ve been playing off and on for 50+ years. I envy my local mentor who seems able to progress through a dozen chord progressions at the same spot on the neck. Just beautiful when there’s another guitar or a voice at work. Most of us seem to have the basic CAGED forms down but I’d !love to see you do a video on some smooth 6ths, sus’s , etc. that add some style to chord progressions. Thanks, Griff.
I would like to learn how to fill in those areas in a song where you have half notes or whole notes, like hitting notes above and below the target notes (melody notes)in a song, or other techniques like that.
For all your retired friends time is of course valuable. I spent hours this winter listening to music theory on youtube and pulled some enlightening facts out of it. The best was the C key on the piano and maintaining the 1-3-5 KEY position to play all the chords in that key and how that revealed to me that (for the most part) in most of the songs I mess with, the 1-4-5 CHORDS are all major and the 2-3-6 CHORDS are all minor with the 7 CHORD being diminished. INTERVALS I could not determined were improved on with on-line interval training. A note is played followed by another and then you start out guessing the distance/interval between them. Good feed back and development. Blues training from your site and TIMING examples really helped. Playing my fiddle at nursing homes with plenty of guitars has been rewarding. Griffs blues training helped me get a standing ovation ( a big surprise ) for Milk Cow Blues with a real Blues feel and sound. Thank you. Griff, you need more “bow” training examples. ha ha Your dedication to teaching has been of value to WAY more than you can imagine.
Hi, Griff,
I’d love to get better at recognizing how various blues/rock artists are approaching their solos. By this, I don’t mean learning a solo note for note, or even having a series of licks that I can draw on. Instead, I’d like to be able to understand the framework within which someone is soloing: what parts of the different boxes (if it is blues-based) or scales (mode based?) define a particular player’s “go-to” sound. Things could be grouped by songs, instead of player, too. I find memorizing solos note for note very difficult. However, when I recognize the right framework for a solo, I can have a blast playing along. One of my problems, however, is that even once I find the right key, the box I’m working in seems too confined, and I have trouble getting into and out of other boxes…. I get the impression that great players move in and out of favorite parts of different boxes with practiced ease, while I just move clumsily between different parts of the neck. Is there a “Stevie-Ray-Vaugn” box 1-2 subset that defines a lot of his work? Same for other artists? … I hope this makes some sense, but like you say, you don’t know what you don’t know, and for me, it’s hard to write about that! Thanks!
Griff, you are one patient guy.
I purchased Beginning Blues Guitar, and am stuck trying to get up and down strokes into my brain. I’ve covered the basics, but when it comes time to play from memory, I revert back to the old ways… Using down strokes only. Also, I don’t always play with the cd’s, just using the printed manual.
Guess I need discipline on the best way to use the course, especially on time restricted days. Always afraid of not knowing a technique now, that I will use later, so I won’t have to “unlearn” it in the future.
Keep doing what you do…
PLAY WITH THE CD’S!!!! Sorry to put that in all caps but it’s SO important for developing your ear and brain connection.
Hello Griff…Although I’ve had a guitar for decades and know a few chords, I really don’t know squat when it comes down to it. You said in your intro here. You don’t know what you don’t know!—I’ve recently purchased your newest course, the jam tracks etc….What I really need is your BBG course, which I’m going to get here shortly….But since getting your email lessons, I’ve come to see the enormity of my ignorance in how much I don’t know.
I have exactly the same scenario as Dennis. I have purchased your jam tracks and realized I was lost. What I needed is the BBG course.
Hi Griff
I have been seriously playing guitar for the past 5 yrs. My skill level is advanced. ..at this point i have all knowledge and skill to play well. In fact i play lead in a local band. People tell be that i play well. However, this is my problem:
I can play the guitar very well, but I cannot “make music with my solos” in the context of blues playing.
in other words, I have all the skills etc to solo but don’t know how to solo in a fluidly, melodic way.
best
Walt
best
walt.
There are several things that I need or would want for myself to be a better guitar player. The biggest issue is time to practice and you have made lots of suggestions in that regard and I thank you for that. The next is strategies for navigating between boxes to improve soloing across the whole neck. The last is the hardest and I don’t believe it can be taught. How do you tap into your emotions and have it come through the music – it is one thing to be technically proficient, it is another to emote through your instrument to bring it alive. The first two items takes practice, but the last one…the only way I have been able to come close to that was playing with no or very little sleep – barriers drop at that time and the emotion bleeds through. I would like to be able to do that whenever I pick up a guitar.
Greg, I appreciate your teaching and assistance in helping us learn to play like someone else we admire. I know those we admire have worked long and steady at what they’ve developed as their identity in what they play. There is no short-cut around that, but it sure helps to develop more of the person than just their ability to mimic others. So, my wish is to be able to solo as I think, so that my improvising mind-notation can flow as a seamless extension through my fingers. I find this relatively easy with a violin because the tuning lends itself to my ideas more so than ‘normal’ guitar tuning. I love Flat-picking, and a syncopated finger-style that I’ve recently developed — but neither of them allow me to soar in releasing my ‘heart’ into the music unless I work at it repeatedly note-by-note. You might notice that I’ve written this little response, based in your request, as a seamless flow of thought which was entirely unpremeditated. I would love to improvise likewise in composing music. Meanwhile, much love to everyone X 12StringPete
Hi Griff,
My main goal is to improve on all levels! Thanks to you it is happening!Biggest leap came when I found out there is more than just box one! And now I am learning all the boxes (and correctly this time) You have inspired me to start playing regularly again. Every video you send has me learning something! I love them all.
Many many thanks to you! Gus.
Griff,
I would like to learn phrasing and how to build my own explosive solos for each of the blues styles. I’d like to feel comfortable going to a blues jam and being able to solo over any song.
Learning fretboard and relatnship to chords. Blues seem to use a lot of triads and two note chords. I am 63 and a living room legend in my own mind but variations in chords i think will open a new style
Griff I have a short term goal of completing some songs that I have partially written and want to record all the guitar parts and bass, I will probably even take a whack at the vocals, drums will be click track of some sort. Other than that I do want to learn to solo better and I have plenty of information on the boxes etc but really as an instructor who I recently auditioned one of my song too said ” Steve you have skills more than you realize, what you really need to do is spend more time with you instrument.” So I need to organize my practice time and I have decided to concentrate on playing in Box 1 & Box 2 and use the extended vertical patterns too and stick to those till I get more proficient. I gotta focus and concentrate and target the root notes where ever they may be. Long term I would like to learn finger picking patterns and some slide work too. Keep Rockin’ Those Bluz!!!
I would like to improve chord progressions with up and down the neck solo fills. I would like to learn acoustic version of Eric Claptons ” If I Could Change the World”.
As for me, it’s mostly about playing solos over blues and rock tracks, specifically making my solos more interesting. Also strumming different blues and rock rhythms whilst counting is a topic that is utterly essential for me – I find this extremely hard to achieve.
Your work is great and I appreciate very much that everything you are trying to teach us you are weaving into the context of counting, bars and measures! Very helpful, professional teaching.
Thanks a lot, Bob
Transition from rythm to lead. Knowing where the notes are does not help me to know which ‘C’ (for example) to use. I’m at a stand still here.
My biggest setback is articulating clean chords. My pork chop fingers can do great cowboy chords but when I get into the 5th String root 7ths and the like, my ability to keep chord changes fluid and clean is almost impossible.
I can play chords, and strum rhythms when I play solo. But I’d like to be able to add some fill to my chords, to be able to hit an occasional note or riff that works in with the song. Essentially, I’d like to be able to embellish my playing, to make it sound as though I am doing “more.” I know it’s all about the little things…
Griff, I have purchased most of your courses, finished Beginning Blues Guitar and am still working on Blues Guitar Unleashed. My abilities have greatly improved since picking up a guitar a few years ago, sometimes I’m impatient but looking back there is clear evidence of progress. I find many short term goals to pursue on a daily basis, depends on whether I’m working on one of the 5 easy blues solos, one of your email lessons or a lesson from Blues Guitar Unleashed. Longer term goals which are integrated into my daily time with my guitar(s), regardless of what I’m practicing are cleaner, faster chord changes and better timing (yes, I try to count it out). I take time to work on your Theory Made Useful occasionally but, to be quite honest, the most important and enjoyable aspect of learning/playing guitar is the journey not a clearly defined destination.
I would like to get better at switching from rythm to lead and back as in a 3 person power trio situation.
Griff,
Here goes. I want to not only be able to play the tunes I like from others, but also to compose my own songs. I have written lyrics for years and always needed someone else to collaborate with me in orderto get the music to them and make a finished song. My desire is to be able to take one from start to finish on my own. Collaborating is fun sometimes, but not real conducive to creativity. Blues is my passion and while it would be fun to have the skills to get up at a local jam. My true goal is as a songwriter.
Ultimately, I would like to play a popular blues song from beginning to end very well. I know how to play parts of many different songs, but I cannot connect all the pieces to complete one song. Usually, I stop at the beginning of an intricate solo, but there are times when the tempo changes, and I don’t know what to do to complete the song. Two classic examples are “Stairway to Heaven” and “Should I Stay Or Should I Go.” I could play “Stairway” up until Page starts his solo, but I gave up on the song. I can play this Clash tune until Jones starts playing in double time if I’m not mistaken.
Again, I would like to be able to play a “non-watered down” version of a classic blues song. I prefer Clapton because I am a huge fan, but I’m sure I’m way out of my element, so I need help identifying a song and completing the song.
Thanks,
Dale
Griff; i watched a YouTube last nite on a 10 yr old who has been only playing 2 years and already “gets it”–I’ve been playing for over 50 years and not able to see where i need to go on the fret board yet. I’m confused as to whether to follow the chord progression or have the chords follow my solos.
I do and read everything from you—I am a doc and love to learn but still need help
Keep the stuff coming.
Thanks
My biggest hurdle is learning the notes on the fretboard. I’ve been playing for YEARS, but the notes just don’t stick. I’d like to be able to find, for example, a C# anywhere on the neck without having to think about it …
I would like to know more about using a capo and how it changes the chords and any other knowledge you could share about them.
You can supplement your experience by searching for “how a capo works on a guitar”.
How to use the box system to transition from one chord to another. I’ve seen demonstrated plenty of times how to do a pentatonic run in one key from Box 1 to Box 2, for example, but how about transitioning from one key to another?
Hi Griff. Thanks for you virtual lessons. My goal is to be able to play rhythm guitar for my church. Since I play bass and keys for church already I know my main weakness is being able to take a chart and play little chords almost by site. I don’t like rhythm players that play real chunky chords and leave not room for the other instruments to fill in the sound. Little chords are awesome for that, but I have not been able to wrap my head around finding these quickly on the fretboard. I need to be able to see F#m7 and quickly find and play it from several places on the fretboard. OK not just the chord, but I hope you get my meaning.
Biggest thing holding me back is difficulty in fluid chord changes – brain and fingers do not seem to work in tandem. Not being able to progress through a song reasonably smoothly really is affecting me. Don’t have anywhere near the same problems playing solos.
I love all kinds of music, classic and southern rock, country, blues … I like to learn little riffs or chord progressions from songs and put them together even if they are not in the original key. Sometimes sub out the words to fit my life to add a little humar.
Getting better at barre chords would help. Not having my dogs or wife leave the room when I play would be nice too 🙂
First, thanks for asking! My soloing is improving. My focus has been playing changes. Some say that if you are playing a blues scale over 1-4-5 progressions you can’t hit a bad note. I don’t buy it. I have focused on learning where the root of the 4 and 5 are in the box patterns and that helps but I know there must be more to it.
Also, I would like to learn how to solo better over the 4 of a minor blues jam.
BTW I have the 52 Rhythm Fills lessons. I started playing one of the blues rhumba rhythms to start off at a jam and it was great!
Hey Griff-
I really think I’ve ‘learned’ just about everything I need to know to be a continuously improving – maybe even great – guitarist. What I haven’t done yet (in almost 50 years of playing) is spend enough time implementing what I know to be as effective as I’d like to be.
I can play some kick@$$ stuff ‘in the box’ so to speak, but I’m still having trouble seeing the interconnection up and down the neck. I feel that’s one of the most important ‘tools’ I could posess. That’s not because of what I’ve ‘learned,’ but what I’ve done. Or NOT done, might be more correct.
It’s not that I don’t understand it – it’s clear. It just doesn’t click fast enough, feel automatic enough, for it to work smoothly and quickly for me. I still have to think about it too much.
I just gotta pay my dues in that respect. I have a nasty habit of just picking up the axe and playing – not getting the homework done. I have learned a lot over the years, including some poor practice habits.
All that being said, you have great courses and methods. IMO, you’re one of the top three out there and I’ve learned a TON of stuff from you. I’ve learned why some stuff works and some doesn’t and I’ve gotten better at heading in the right direction. Still, the onus is on me to make the rubber hit the road.
Maybe something I said will trigger something for you. Thanks for doing what you do.
-Jim
I have often thought about what I wish to accomplish with the guitar and over the last 20 years this has changed so frequently I have most probably confused myself. When it comes down to it my goal is to be able to play a decent set of tunes from varying styles (blues, country, rock etc etc) that I can enjoy playing and progressively add to. I am also in the process of emigrating to the US from the UK and would be good to have a skill that I both enjoy and can use to meet new people with similar interests – to that end be able to step confidently onto a stage at a blues jam and know how to play along and blend into the band.
Griff,
I really enjoy your videos and you have been a tremendous help to myself and my buddy Michael who just started playing about 6 months ago and has really progressed quickly thanks to you! He’s already playing pretty well for a beginner and learning how to Solo!
Don Durden
I’d like to learn how to build my own solos, AND have them sound good over the chord changes. How to get what is inside my head to come out of the guitar.
Griff for me It is all about timing. Also music theory is mistifing
“music theory” is ALL over youtube.
Just want to be able to play for myself and not annoy my wife who is a pretty good guitar and piano player.
Timing it’s all about the timing! Have the boxes down pat, understand basic progressions and yet my playing sounds anything but the blues.
It truly not all about what notes you play, but when and silence is golden.
I know – you have said it about a gazillion times – count out loud and practice.
I play lefty due to a childhood injury and have a right hand brain, so what to do??
I am in agreement with the other acoustic players, but as I have a thirst for Learning, I also like to learn the why and not just the how. I realize that the how comes first. I want to be able to play both popular songs and eventually my own compositions. fingerstyle goes extremely well with acoustic guitars, but strumming and lead licks are also important. Actually proper strumming is the most important skill for any guitarist.
At 66, I realize that this is a tall order,but I still have all of my flexibility and the grey matter activity has not slowed down.
Being able to hear chord progressions and then improvising “on the fly”. I took up the guitar 50 years ago mainly because I wanted to sing in public but needed accompaniment. (Pianos being hard to lug around in those days!) My more or less accidental approach has been to learn as many chord variations as possible and then arpeggiate them for fills and solos. I still perform successfully in public, but still am insecure when it comes to soloing. Even though I’m mainly into jazz and pop standards of “yesteryear”, Griff’s lessons have helped me a great deal. Thanks.
Hey Griff!
The skills I need to focus on is music in general. I played 20some years ago
With a friend, Fred, who was really good. We played about 10 songs and worked on others, but Fred SHOWED me just about everything. He had an ear for music.
I picked the guitar back up last year and wish I never put it down.
I play with another friend now, Buck G. He’s REALLY good. But as a teacher,
not so much. That’s where you come in.
I find if I try and practice, I can get it and sound halfway decent.
I really enjoy it. Two of my three sons are in bands and I would love to play with them and keep up. The oldest, Zach, has traveled with a band and has music on soundcloud.
BGU is a great tutorial,’thanks for it. Bar chords are a challange for me. So keep blogging and I’ll keep practicing, thanks again Griff.
I just do want to improve my fingers “hardness” in order to practise daily longer than what I can do by now. By this and with the support of DVD lessons I could become a more reasonable player (I hope at least) even for those who occasionally would hear my “noise”: i.e. learn to play guitar. Jokes apart, This could be a good step, then, obviously it would be great if I could learn other styles, strumming or soloing whatsoever.. Thanks Griff.
Griff,
I’m 90 % acoustic and bought your acoustic package(s) and lead licks one. Have half a million DVD’s and books – still cant’t play for sh*t. Working on keeping a shuffling bass going in E, A and Dropped D and want to play fills and solo over that bass. Particularly interested a smooth country blues feel close to a blend of Texas blues and southern rock. Have a suggestion for you: Since you can sing do “performance sections” of your lessons where you apply the fills solo or whatever into an old standard type jam song and sing the tune. Hearing “it” put to work in a complete package is useful and singing along with you will help me and others with the vocals. PS Key of G won’t give me a constant bass.
Ron
I want to improve my soloing and be able to perform songs and drop into a solo seamlessly
Love your stuff
I would like to play the guitar to please myself and have that sense of accomplishment. I want to play rhythm then throw in a lead solo then go back to rhythm. I will never play Carnegie Hall, or Albert Hall, only by my hall(way). Singing along? Forget it, dogs blocks away would howl for hours. I use the scales and boxes to loosen up my fingers since I am not young anymore, so they are good to practice.
I can so identify with you. I picked up guitar last year at the age of 66. I have loved jazz and blues all my life and now I’d just like to be able to play half way decent blues and just maybe for my wife and daughter to say,”Hey! That ain’t half bad!”
I would like to be able to hear a song and chord in.
Sound notes without over flow in 8 time and higher.
The I7-IV7-V7 chords are giving me fits and are bumming me out. Can’t get the barre down correctly and then my thumb gets stressed out. Is there a secret?
Much like Frank S. above, retired, I play in church Worship Band, and for personal enjoyment, no aspirations to make a living playing anymore. I like noodling around with lead, and know a handful of riffs, but not well enough to take center stage. Watching your videos inspire me to keep on keeping on, til arthritis takes it out of my hands 🙂
more acoustic slide maybe some standard acoustic blues songs i’m sure i could learn these all over the internet but i’d rather learn them from the best teacher on the net
Grif,
Timing and counting are a big problem for me. I know I need help in these and other areas also .
Bill Edman
I’m not much of an inprovisalationist and I doubt you can teach me that skill (but I suppose I could be wrong
Over the years, I have quite a collection of guitar instructional books/tapes/dvds. I like many kinds of music — blues, pop, country, blue grass, some classical, etc. I’ve decided to stick with learning how to play the blues for improving my musical knowledge but I have the most fun just picking up the acoustic and singing along with some chords. I have no aspirations of standing up on stage and playing with a band and I freak out playing in front of family. I guess I just get the most satisfaction out of learning new things and getting good at it.
I suppose I want to see at a speed I can follow, know how you manage to do that at full tempo, and then be able to try it out and practice it, which is exactly what you already do for me.
See
Why
Try
I did play brass for some years long ago and I “know” music to that extent, and can pick out notes/chords on the piano, etc.
I’m hoping that when I retire in 4 months I will actually open the music lesson I bought from you and go through it and practice. It will happen on some level, but not on a open mic night level.
I have my guitars handy, but I go on binges where I pick them up every day for a few weeks and then I get tired of it as I don’t feel like I’m progressing, so I set them down for months. Your videos keep me interested and give me hope for some moderate skill advancement.
I appreciate that very much!
Hiya Griff Although I can play the Hank Marvin line of tunes,sing, and accompany myself………I have problems with improvisation( lack of imagination) unless I’m picking the notes from the chord progressions. Mind you I’m 68 years old and my brain to finger link has slowed down,there are also the physical things of wrists and fingers beginning to complain getting them damaged by work and hobbies . But, in a nutshell, apart from the lack of imagination, I can still make an acceptable melodic, rhythmic noise according to the people at the guitar club.
Lets hope we can all keep playing……….until the last.
Cheers,
Mike
My goal is to be able to play a few blues type tunes for my own enjoyment. I would also like to add a few tunes every so often. I’m 62 years old and have been learning from you for about a year but I would like to progress a little quicker.
Thanks for your help, Chuck
Hi Griff;
I’m not much of an inprovisalationist and I doubt you can teach me that skill (but I suppose I could be wrong
I would like to be able to pick up the guitar and play music that is recognizable and feel comfortable doing it. I belong to a little guitar ensemble and we play songs that we know and each have their own part. I’m the only one of the trio who can read music so I usually get the melody part. One member is a good finger picker so he provides the arpeggio chording and the third has recently taken up the bass so he is adding the low end chords. This works great for us when we’re all together but doesn’t sound like much when i’m at home just trying to play “on the porch” if you will. I would like to improve my ability to play chords and strumming so that what I’m doing actually sounds like the song I’m trying to play. I have your BGU course and Strumming and Rhythm Mastery Course but there is something missing in trying to take the skill to an art. Hope this makes sense
I’d like to learn more about the fretboard, beyond the first 5 frets, not just notes, but chord structures up the neck. I’d like to augment my music theory knowledge, to gain a better understanding of what I am doing, beyond memorizing songs. Even though I read music, I feel unaware of how the song is constructed.
I’d like to hear a key signature and be able to play along in some fashion, whether soloing in accompaniment or playing chords underneath someone else’s soloing.
Griff, I’m retiring and want to get back into performing (probably solo) with self recorded backing tracks. I mostly played rhythm and base for 20 years in my early days. Now I love the blues and have learned a lot from you. I want to learn lots of licks and master techniques like hammer ons and pull off.
Thanks for all the help and support!
i don’t need to know the fretboard inside out i just move the blues scale around depending on the key
like learning the different licks that I can play
Yes Griff. Road map is a great way for a direction to travel in playing leads.I give my students a choice to take the short way home or the long way..Or if they want, The scenic route and explorer new areas. It works.. pete.
I go along with Bob Shultz’s comment . Sometimes I play with my brother who is better than me . I try to follow him when he plays something , and then later on I find myself trying to learn what he tried to teach me . I surprise him now and then whwI play some of the solos I pick up in your lessons . I haven’t told them where I learnt them . It’s my ace up my sleeve . Thanks a lot for your lessons .
“Ace up my sleeve” yuch that is selfish. IMHO
Hi Griff. You really do a great job with your blog and virtual teaching. Thanks for all of the time and effort you put in to it.
My goals have changed over the years. Now, I’d like to do a better job of adding a guitar layer (solo, melody or rhythm)to music of which I’m a part at this point in my life. The most regular music I participate in is church music (Catholic stuff, not Christian pop, some of which is good, but doesn’t work well in the Catholic liturgy); show tunes (I have four girls, all with fancy classical training but they still love show tunes ); campfire jambs; and, of course, blues in its varied forms. Hm. Guess I’d just like it all. Best, Mark
I’m with Bob Schultz. Thank you
Hello Griff,
I have been following your lessons – whenever time permits – and really appreciate the way you explain everything to make it easy to understand. I work from home with a guitar by the computer and usually break off work for a few minutes to follow your lessons when they come in.
The area where I am struggling with at the moment is fluidity. I will be playing along quite OK and then mess up the rhythm. Maybe I just have to practise more, but guidance here would be useful and this may help others.
My other area is with left hand fingering. I keep fouling adjacent strings, usually because I don’t get the string under the center of the finger tip. Again, things will start out OK and after a bit I start to make these mistakes. Maybe a lesson definitive left hand technique, how to hold the guitar, hand positioning would help many – or a pointer to it if you have already covered this.
Thank you again for the great lesson.
All the best,
Robert Kelly
Cambridge, UK
Retired and too old to develop all the skills I would like to have. Not a professional.
Would be contented to learn to be a good rhythm player to backup my singing or that of someone else.
Play mostly acoustic guitar in settings with just small groups – friends and/or family.
(Really enjoy your lesson presentations and your style of communication.)
Cheers – Frank
I’d like to be able to have the coordination between left and right hands, and my right hand fingers to be able to play tunes that sound like more than 1 guitar is playing … not quite fingerpickin’ and not quite classical, but somewhere in the middle
Hi Griff Good advice as always! One of my goals is to figure out how to use the diminished and (harmonic?) minor half a step higher than the tonic to give that “out of key” sound which is also very melodic. Is that something you have or will cover?
Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and skills and for your support and encouragement! Much appreciated!
Best wishes
Rob
Hi Griff,
My only interest is in strumming and rythim blues guitar.
I don´t want to solo.
Hi Griff,
I learn a lot from almost all of your lessons. I buy many of your Dvds too.
I wish I could learn to solo faster.and memorize solos, rythms and just memorize better in general.
Other than this I am very happy with my progress and I want to thank you. I find your lessons very helpful please continue.
Hi Griff,
I’ve been playing ( cowboy chords) for about 4 years.i can’t seem to master the barre chords. Love the blues. I would like to play a few fill in notes at the break of a song and at the end.
Thanks for your videos. Al
The comment “Another student really wanted to be able to perform solo (as in by himself) and be able to sing and strum while adding the occasional fill with his guitar between vocal melodies” really sums it up for me. I like to entertain which includes playing the guitar (mostly rhythm with a lead or two), singing, engaging and interacting with the audience. I realize that is a tall order, but I will be retiring soon and want to have a outlet for my energy and time. So I have been kluging things together by taking singing lessons, learning strums and chords, learning your leads and ways to gesture on stage as well as make eye contact.
Hearing chord progressions/changes is my aim, am finding it difficult.
My main goal is to improve my soloing. When I decided to pick up my guitar again the Griff Hamlin videos were a godsend.I am on disability and purchasing a lesson package is hard for me.Your videos are helping me get my soloing to not sound,to me,like I am playing the same solo on every song.
I would like to play guitar (acoustic) well enough to enjoy the instrument myself. In other words, not to entertain anyone else, as I am sure I would never be good enough to accomplish that. I just want to learn it well enough to play music that makes me happy and feel good. I want to master the guitar to a point that I feel comfortable playing. I enjoy learning new things and the guitar presents an unlimited amount of new things to learn.