One of my catchphrases around my students is that, “we aren’t here for me, I already know how to play.”
Now, occasionally I’ll grab a guitar and play for demonstration purposes, of course, but it’s a lot more fun to see my students play and watch the light bulbs go on.
Probably for about the last 5 or 6 years I’ve been threatening to have a “Hall Of Fame” page, with student submitted videos… but (surprise, surprise) the time keeps getting away from me and now there are so many videos floating around it’s hard to nail down a few.
But that’s just what I’ve got for you today. These are videos of fellow “BGU’ers” doing their thing and playing either an example straight out of one of the courses, or just jamming with a band.
So if you don’t frequent the Blues Guitar Unleashed Member Forum (and if you’ve purchased ANY of my premium courses over the years you are eligible) this might serve as some inspiration (and prompt you to go sign in and introduce yourself if you haven’t already. Just use your email address as your username, and if you don’t remember your password just click the “forgot password” link.)
Before I start… it was SUPER hard to choose just a few great videos out of so many I’ve seen over the years. But hopefully these will get you revved up to grab your guitar today.
First, let’s start with a video from BGU Live 2016 in Memphis (with special thanks for Frank for the fine video work):
This next one is one of the songs from Blues Gig In A Box called, “I Believe” submitted on the forum:
This one is very popular, it’s one of the solos from 5 Easy Blues Solos:
Finally, a fantastic acoustic blues tune rendition. Most of these licks came from Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed, but Ron put them together in his own way over Clapton’s Drifting Blues as part of one of my “challenges” we sometimes do.
And, of course, there are tons more that I’ll be sharing “Further On Up The Road.” (I know… bad pun, can’t help it.)
63 replies to "We Aren’t Here For Me…"
Great stuff – well done guys. Found myself giving spontaneous ‘Yeahs!to the screen.
Enjoyed all of it! I doff my blues-jazz hat to all you guys.
Griff is the best teacher ever!
Hot stuff, all you guys, very impressed! Makes me want to practice more. Also makes me want to go down to the courthouse tomorrow and change my name to Mudcat Lemon Slim. And then start writing songs about unrequited love from Patti Boyd (I know, but it’s a good one), and red houses with changed locks but looky here I still got my GIT-tar. Highly inspiring videos, boys, in more ways than one. Thanks for publishing them, Griff.
That was great guys!! Very inspiring!
Color me shocked to see my video in the mix with these all-stars. I only filmed the video to see if I could do it front of an audience (the camera). I’d planned to remove that a long time ago knowing that I’d progressed so much since then, but left it on in case others might feel that not everyone is amazing and we all start somewhere–even if it is in your 60s. Griff Rocks and his teaching style is rivaled by none.
P.S. PW3 is a pseudonym. I like it that way. Peace.
Brandon and Ron get gold stars for not only playing great solos but singing along as well. You guys have my admiration. Great Stuff!
Hey Grif
just want to say thanks for posting the videos, and to the people in the videos very nice job!! Its watching videos like this that gives me the inspiration I need.
Great Job !!!
Great job guys!
Hi Ron! Nicely done my friend!
BTW, I use that same 5 easy blues solo every time I play Red House.
Really well done guys! It’s actually a very encouraging thing to see guys performing who haven’t reached Griff’s stellar levels of mastery yet but are still making some great music. It shows me there is still hope for me.
Nice job guys! I’ve actually played with two of these guys. So good to see Frank and Ron on this video collage! We must get together again! Keep up the good work!
Awesome to display a bit of what Griff has provided for so many. I am still picking up so many simple ideas from his daily emails. thanks to all!
Great stuff! I can’t wait till I can do some of that picking & grinning!
Wonderful stuff guys! Lots of tasty blues stuff there.
Awesome guys! Playing in front of either people or the camera can be nerve racking. It is for me. But take our teachers advise and do it. Griff you must be extremely proud. I’m pretty sure you’ll be in great company when you get to the big band upstairs!
Yes, incredibly proud of these and so many others. I’ll try and post more soon.
this was great I enjoy it
These guys are awesome and their progress is very inspirational….thanks for sharing Griff!
Hi Griff,
Hall of Fame sounds like a great idea for students that really make it like these videos and guys they set the pace for all us beginners & intermediates etc.
What would be good is to have a BGUer of the month from each level, that would then promote your courses at various levels and show how some elite students are faring..
Also it would be great if you would share some videos from your Live BGU from Lake Arrowhead in early April 2017..like you did for the Memphis..one..
All great and thank your for sharing the above which is all about motivation..
Michael-Sydney-Australia – 16 April 2017.
Absolutely awesome all of you, this is the outcome of hard work on the BGU courses and Griff as our teacher.. these videos show how the BGUers can really get stuck into some real cool guitar sounds.
1) BGU Live 2016 – You guys are real Pros especially with Sweet Home Chicago.. congrats
2) BGIAB – I Believe by Griff…Just out of this world congrats & cool ..I have this course & V 2 and have yet to start NOW I will be starting soon..
3) Solo 2 from 5 Easy Blues Solos.. Awesome & congrats.. I have this course yet to start but will do soon..
4) Acoustic BGU Ron that was absolutely awesome very pro, I have this course as well and started..
As others have said here I am going to work hard to join you all at the BGU live hopefully in the not too distant future..
I have to say that with Griff sharing your performances with us all BGUers around the world makes us all feel that we can achieve the ultimate goal of joining you all on stage for a Jam in the future…
Happy Easter to all the fraternity of BGUers
Michael-Sydney-Australia 16 April 2017
Well done fellows you all did an extremely good job. Go Jam!
Well done guys, great job. While watching these all I could think about was seeing myself on screen doing the same thing but that would probably put me out of my comfort zone. Enjoyed it all the way through, more please Griff.
Hi there guys,great job I’m watching all these from the Nederland and it was good and in this moment me my zelf haf Bluese,Jazz guitar lesso.Bay, bay,James grrrrr
Good job by all, just wish I had the same moxie as you guys! Keep up the good work.
WoW ….. these guys are the same vintage as me and how wonderfull to see people doing their thing and lovin their music. Makes me feel sooo good, that’s what it’s all about. Must be so satisfying for BGU Griff congrats. 😁
Hey, if none of you even knew what an E chord was you had the Moxie to get on stage & show your stuff. That’s the gig about performing & why y’all are working so hard.
Congrats to everyone
After watching these guys play, you gotta wonder how proud their teacher must be? I bet hes a great guy and fantastic player himself. If he were my teacher, Id be Here for him!
Top Marks Griff
Well done guys! I enjoyed every one! INSPIRING 🎸
Well there’s hope for a 73 year old f__t who gave up the guitar as a teenager in the early 60’s because that word “practice” kept coming up and had no Griff Hamlin to lead him out of his sea of darkness. Whoever first said: “Youth is wasted on the young.” certainly knew what he was talking about. You older guys will understand this. As you get older the hands, the eyes, and he brain all become very independent. I have found over the last couple of years with Griff’s courses and blogs and all of your comments that practice is now a complete “hoot” and tremendous benefit in maintaining mental sharpness and hand, eye coordination. So thank you Griff and to all of you out there on these videos and the others too many to show in one sitting . . . you all have my utmost admiration. I’m having a ball.
Really excellent stuff, guys!! Nice work!!
Nicely done, one and all!
Gee, after 29 compliments..I feel a tad redundant I say these guys pass the test…all of them. I’m 74 with about 4 years into this adventure of learning guitar… and I remain focused on theory…my own choice. Learning a song will be a goal one of these days I’m sure. Learning the guitar is a bigger challenge. I’m truly inspired seeing all these players perform. Blues is where it’s at. Still going for it. PEACE…Griff has my best efforts in mind and definitely my loyality. Keep UP the Good Work.
Watching these videos inspired me to be more patient, more consistent,and above all try to stay with one song I like and play It until mastered.Thanks for sharing.
Great job guys , Thanks to a great guitar teacher named Griff !!!
I loved it!
Awesome! All of them! I love that you post these videos!
Very well done, all of you. This too is why I chose to spend my time and money with Griff. I’m inspired to keep things going even when the spirit lags. Someday (in a galaxy far, far away) I’ll be able to sing and play at the same time.
Old dudes/dudetes (PC inclusion) rule..!! Love that acoustic blues.
Love what you posted here. Excellent performances showing off your lesson results. Happy Easter!!
Wow! Well done all of you guys!!!
I’m going to play until my fingers bleed.
I want to be on one of these videos.
Well Griff, tie me down and call me Ludvig; Witgenstein or Beethoven, I don’t care, what sweet examples for a Saturday morning, not perfect all striving, all audible and the last guy, Ron, an authentic. Gives a guy hope for the future of all your legions.
Now there’s something to aim for- it’s one thing playing for myself and having a great time; it’s quite another to play for other people. Way to go guys, you give this 59yo hope!
Great job by all those on the videos! This was a great idea, Griff. Hope you post some more.
Inspiring – well done to all for proving what we all have in our hands if we want to put the effort in. Thanks for sharing (now back to the drawing board for me!!).
Great inspirations fro every one happy Easter all
Posting these inspired musicians is a really cool thing to do.
Griff has taught me to “stay tuned”.
It’s great to see the progress of BGU student’s. Very inspirational. Keep up the great work guys.
These guys are all my age, I am soooo inspired.
Wow! Some really great tunes and performance. A real testimony for us all to “keep on keepin’on”. Thanks to all the Players, really nice job! Have a Blessed Easter Celebration,
Terrific job by everyone! Looks like everyone was really enjoying themselves. Keep up the great work!
Cheers!
Great vid wow you guys have got the rythm,glad to see people having fun in thier guitars. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!
HAPPY EASTER…..EVERYONE!!!!!
GOD BLESS
Very inspirational! I may submit one myself one of these days, gave me courage. Thanks to all.
I was going to leave a comment but these guys caused me to drop everything and grab my guitar 😉
Great way to start a Saturday! Enjoyed all these vids especially I Believe…
All of them did great. Wouldn’t they be awesome if they all played together some time?😬
Show Offs! (Just kidding) All three sounded great to me. I was left with the feeling that soon I will be able to play that well, but I am not quite there yet, so the videos were very inspirational. I loved the feeling conveyed in the slow blues number. It really illustrated how expressive the guitar can be, and showed that to be really effective a blues number does not have to be fast or complicated. To my ears the timing, phrasing etc sounded great.
Welldone to all enjoyed everyone of the videos
😎🎶
Excellent guys, great dulcet tones on the acoustic.keep pluckin. H.uk
Maybe there’s hope for me.
Sounds great.
liked them all great job guys
Excellent selection to aspire to! Very nice to see the superb company we are keeping and talent sharing the same website.
Inspirational stuff! Especially enjoyed the acoustic blues thing….but then, that’s where my head is at…