We all do it every new year… the dreaded New Year’s Resolutions…
So I’m gonna make this real simple and get to the point, I want to know yours for the upcoming year… but there’s a catch (there’s always a catch 🙂
Of course, let’s keep them guitar-specific… I need to lose 15 pounds too but that’s not what we’re here for.
Also, goals need to be specific, so really try to focus on one (or maybe 2 or 3) single elements. And really think about what you would consider “success.”
In other words, “I want to play a blues solo this year,” doesn’t really help anyone (especially you.) But something like “I want to be able to play an improvised solo over a shuffle feel like Sweet Home Chicago for 2 choruses,” makes perfect sense and is WAY more easy to go after.
Or something like, “I want to play some songs,” also doesn’t really help you. But if you change that into “I want to play The Thrill Is Gone at my local open jam,” or “I want to play and sing Steam Roller Blues at the local open mic” is totally do-able this year.
Finally – we’re only going to think about the first quarter of 2016, not the whole year. So your goal is actually for the end of March (or maybe April since we’re already a week into 2016.)
Make sense? Good… GO!!! (in the comments below)
Oh, you need a why? Partially it’s selfish and hearing where you want to be this year helps me decide where to focus my time (in the form of new videos) but mostly I think it’s important for you to take a few minutes and think about where you want to be 12 weeks from now.
Most people way overestimate what they can do in a day, but way underestimate what they can do in a year and I’ve seen this many times as a teacher. Breaking things down to 1/4 of a year at a time seems to work much better.
OK…. now GO!!!
174 replies to "Where To In 2016?"
Hi Griff
To be able to count with ease similar to solo 3 count example,without first mimicking the tune repeatedly
Any short courses to satisfy the above?
Chesterboy
Make my improvisation sound more musical and less like a scale. Become better at memorization and retention. Be able to play well as soon as I pick up the guitar.
Hey Griff,
I am now probably an advanced beginner as I have learned & practiced very part time since Jan 2013 until April 2015 due to work. Now retired and able to apply a more concentrated effort.
I would like to REVISE my above 2016 GOALS as follows:
1) Complete learning BGU v2
2) Complete How to Jam ( All 3 Parts)
3) Learn all Boxes in each Key.
4) Make up my own Solos for Box 1,2,3,4,5 for every Key.
5) Play at least 5-10 Blues Songs from 5 Easy Solos & BGIAB & BGIAB V 2.
My 1st Qtr now my first 2 Qtrs combined up until 30th June 2016.
Complete 1-3.
Reason for the delay is that I have very poor eye sight and having a Op on my Left eye next week Jan and will be recovering for about 4 weeks. Then another Op on my right eye in July 2016. During my recovery I will surely practice what I have learned. I am retired now so planning to play in a Rock N Roll / Blues Band one day just for the fun of it, hopefully in a few years time.
Michael – Sydney- Australia
Hey Griff – In skill level, I place myself somewhere between advanced beginner and not quite intermediate. Your blog, videos and course have been really helpful. Last year I suffered a mild nerve injury that resulted in weakness and numbness in the little finger of my left hand chord fingering hand. I tried keeping up with the guitar playing and practicing but I can only realistically use 3 fingers and thumb on that hand. The feeling and strength is very, very slowly coming back so I’m hopeful I can get back into regular practicing and learning. Have you ever had to deal with something like this and do you have any suggestions for practice and playing while I wait for a hopefully full recovery? I can tell the injury has set me back a good ways.
I would like to know how to get great tone. Where to start – the amp volume and tone, then guitar volume and tone, then pedals? I’d love to be able to get the tone of Joe B or Gary Moore. Help, please!
Thanks, Rick
I want to learn the lead part to Lay Down Sally by Eric Clapton. I want to play on stage in a band with drums, bass, keyboard, and possibly sax. I want to form my own band. Think of a good name……
Griff, all this is possible, thanks in large part to your teaching.
Great thing to set a goal. I’ve been working my way through the Beginning Blues Guitar Unleashed and got slowed down at the barre chords. My goal is to got those last lessons on 6th string and 5th string barre chords under control by end of the first quarter of the year. While that is taking some time I am also moving ahead on the Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed course. Just opened it so won’t set a specific goal until I get the lay of the land.
Keep up the good work! Looks like tons of great learning ahead for a beginner like me!
I am having trouble with alternate picking , especially when trying to play triplets on a swing feel.I am doing well on 8th notes because you can play them on a down stroke. I bought your BGU course about 9 months ago and I am still working on the final solos of the course. my New Year resolution for the first quarter will be to practice alternate picking so that I can play those triplets a lot easier.
Thank You for all the online phrases and tips. The best to you and your Family for this 2016.
Hello Griff. My problem is time management. I bought your Strumming & Rhythm course as my new years resolution. Mainly to improve my strumming skills and counting, but I would love a timeframe guide. I try to play for at least 10 minutes a day, and when left to my own devices I might play a few times during the day for an hour or so, but learning takes time measured in hours. So how much time should I spend consistently (On average) to achieve a good outcome?
I hope this is usefull Griff, I know it’s the biggest inhibitor to my learning. With a guide coming from you it gives me a real reason that other family members will consider legit and allow me some quality time.
Thanks Griff. All the best for the New quarter year.
James.
My goal for 2016 is to have dinner with Halle Berry.
And complete Blues Guitar Unleashed 2.0
I figure the two are equally attainable.
I would like to learn how to figure out a song that I listen to,figure out the count and how to use a metronome effectively for practice.
Great topic for me it’s the big three I need to get better at playing rhythm,harmony and melody all at the same time and be able to throw out a good solo as well I like instrumental music so it’s a tall order but nice for 2016 thanks Griff !!!!
I want to play a simple blues tune such as Lil Green’s Why don’t you do right? from 1941
I just acquired a mini wah pedal and realized I don’t really have any strategy on how to use it properly or even when to use it. Sure I’ve played around with it, but could use some tips. Thanks Griff
Griff, I believe that short term goals are the only way to encourage improvement. I am 65 and retiring this year so I will definitely have the time to practice and improve. I got my first gutar two years agoo, took a few lessons and the had a wrist injury. In the last four months I can finally play everything but barre chords comfortably, have done some fingerpicking etc. I have decided now that in the first quarter of this year I will learn the fretboared,practice and learn scales and play House of the Rising Sun. I have several of your courses that will help me with rythym and strumming and as I progress I will be diving into them whole heartedly. I really do enjoy the tips and lessons you provide.Thanks for the help!
Nn
This year I am playing in a Blues Band. I need to learn to relax, they think I am ok I think I suck… Every time I get a 24 bar solo I forget everything I know, or miss the start and that throws me out for the next 20 or so bars. I am struggling big time.
I am trying to give the guitar another try.I played three or four hours every day for about 12 years. Mostly classical guitar. I had a great teacher and was really starting to get it together! I played some small recitals for friends and my church. This really helped me to get over the nerves. The guitar and the music I played was so cool.
I’m now suffering with Parkinson’s disease. The illness has completely destroyed my ability to play.I love the guitar and now I’m trying again. It’s been five years since I’ve played.
Griff you have inspired me to give it a shot. It feels like a long shot though. I am having trouble just holding the guitar, let alone play. I’m keeping it simple and my expectations low.
Is there anyone else who has had or is having a similar experience? Any suggestions for me?
Thanks everyone for your love of guitar.
Sorry to hear that man, any consolation I think I am losing it (just my mind) in my 52 year… I wish GH was around 30 yrs ago.
i hope to be able to switch from cord to cord,and notes with out any delays to keep tempo.THAT alone would be great.Learning any songs would be a plus.
Hello Griff. All I can say to you is HAPPY NEW YEAR. TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY and after checking out all the things that folks are asking of you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,GOOD LUCK. AND THANK YOU. GENTLEMANGEORGE!
Count.Count.Count.Count. (that’s four) Who would have thought that in something as mathematical as music that counting would be so important?
Be a better soloist. Currently working on the John Lee Hooker classic Boom, Boom. Hint, Hint.
Gain enough confidence to get up on a stage and play. I don’t need to be lead or play solos, just play along will be the ice breaker.
Stones in my passway so it sounds like Robert Johnson
For this first quarter, I am dedicating a bit more time to the warm-ups and exercises in the Pentatonic Scale and Technique Mastery course. I want to get to the point where I can at least get through all of the sequences-of-3 and -4 in Boxes 1 & 2, and the hammer-ons and pull-offs in the other 3 boxes.
I think spending that time on technique will get me over the hump with BGU Solo 3, so I would like to get that recorded and posted, and get started on Solo 4.
I am polishing Solos 3 and 4 from 5 Easy Blues Solos, so I want to get them recorded and posted and get started on Solo 5.
If I have time, I would really love to start working on a song from BGIB, or BGIB2. Maybe “Deep Ellum Blues”, or “I Believe”, but that may be more of a Q2 Goal.
More generally, I am aiming at sitting down for focused, undisturbed practice of 60 minutes or more at least 4 times a week, and on at least 2 of the other 3 days, getting at least some time in to noodle around and play through all of they Solos I have already learned in order to keep them fresh.
I would like to learn a solo for Sweet home Chicago. Or I would prefer lessons to learn the whole song with a supplied backing track.
I want to be more effective in how I practice. I want to increase my practice time from 30 minutes to 45 minutes each session. I want to have six practice sessions per week. Each session will include 10 minutes of finger board exercises (I have arthritis), course work from one of your courses, and 5 minutes or so to work on a new song. Learning new songs gives me motivation and it’s cheaper than constantly buying new guitars (G.A.S.).
Practice more.
When I played in a working band 48 years ago I was a full-time high school student, worked a minimum of 20 hours a week at a fast food joint, had a couple of girlfriends and STILL managed to practice at least an hour a day.
Friends, I can’t manage anywhere near that today and I am considerably less busy (though I do pick up a guitar at least once a day and noodle for a little bit if not do some course work).
But experience tells us all that experience is practice, and practice is the only thing that will get me where I want to go. Oh, I am getting there, but I am so far behind schedule I can’t see it anymore.
Happy New Year to everyone associated with this outfit.
Liked Jimmy Thackery a lot, especially the tune referenced. For something completely different I went on to the Gretsch tribute to Chet Atkins and a bit of Les Paul. All quite inspirational.
I have most of your courses. What I would really like to see are some courses on playing Cream songs….chords, rhythm, and solos note-for-note. I didn’t care for the Trevato course as it fell short on really learning Crossroads and the other versions/variations were boring. The live Cream version is the standard. Would really love to see you do Strange Brew, Tales, SWLABR, and the rest off the Best Of record. This would be great stuff indeed!
It would be nice if my slide playing could progress from “cat with tail caught in a blender” to “all the dogs in the neighborhood howl when I play”. 🙂
I want to stop getting frustrated and throwing my steel slide through the picture window!
The only resolution I made this year is simply to play more. Thanks to Griff and all the members of BGU, I have a massive support network to keep me motivated!
Learning new licks and reviewing scales keeps it real for me.
Thanks Griff, and all my fellow members!
Hi Griff, I would like to be able to play Little Wing and Alberta. The Clapton versions.
I want to learn Little Wing and Alberta (acoustic version). Both the Clapton versions.
I want to be able to play all of Crossroads exactly as it sounds on the record (Eric Clapton style).
I agree…..show us how to play a bunch of Cream songs both the chords and solos note-for-note! Crossroads, Strange Brew, Tales, SWLABR, etc. This is something that is really needed and the Trevato course fell waaaaaaay short on. The old school blues gets a bit sleepy. Cream material is something that can really keep one’s attention!
I want to complete DVD’s Two and Three of BGU. I want to learn the Major Pentatonic and Blues Pentatonic in the Key of A. Lastly, I want to master the song, Act Naturally, playing the entire tune as an instrumental.
This is clever. I’d like to add another element to our “guitar night”. Weather it be another guitar, bass, harp, or dare I say, vocals? I’d also hope to extend my repertoire. But the darnest thing to me would to finally get that major/minor thing figured out and mastered. Unfortunately, I have to focus on work and jamming is only once, sometimes twice a week. I also want to up the practice anty. Hope to deliver some positive results come April. Thanks for a real interesting concept for our benefit.
So simple , but so brilliant !
Breaking it down to 1/4 ‘s makes this totally doable.
Me… I’d like to work on my counting and rhythm for this 1st Q.
Hey want to say thank you the course is fantastic! I have learned and improved my guitar playing. I play with confidence and not lost as before. Thank you.
I. Played. What some what I played you send me when alone sound great I now have les Paul 1996 S will stay playing when I can I
Lost some pounds hey griff thanks be talking to you soon
I need to work on learning to count to play with the blues tracks that’s my gol thanks for everything Griff
Thanks for all your great work Griff. I don’t make new years resolutions but instead make daily resolutions. I try to squeeze every piece of life I can out of each day. One thing I do hope to do is to somehow find the time to play more. More time to analyze a few songs. Like the lead for,”Tell Mama” for example. I’ve been playing guitar for more than 4 decades and I know it in my head and could play it without too much effort because it is rather straight forward but haven’t forced myself to sit down and sort it out. Other songs are different. Like the first time I heard, “Smooth”, I dropped what I was doing and had to play it NOW. Being a Santana follower I was almost spot on without ever hearing it before. But it was that spark that made me do it right now kind of thing. I know it was a passion thing and I’m going to make an effort to give that the importance that it so richly deserves. My Best to you and yours this brand spanking new 2016!!! Hope you fulfill all your desires this quarter.
Hi Griff
Finally saved enough to purchase Fender Strat
learn pentatonic scales
learn beginning blues chords
FYI have all your free blues videos and have viewed them many times this yr.
Your encouragement will help me achieve my goals.
I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of days, so good timing Griff…
Big picture my goals are as follows
Lead a campfire sing-along – 10 or so common strumming tunes
Be able to join local blues jams and play along to 3-5 songs. I’ll used BGIAB as a start point on this.
Learn 5 popular rock songs from bands such as – AC/DC, Rush, Led Zeppelin
Play at home in a way that gives my kids the spark of making music and the understanding that dedicated practice over the long term leads to mastery
2016 Goals
Learn note names
Really learn where on the neck to play, and when throughout a blues progression.
Learn to build a jam track in garageband and build 1 custom jam track
Play solos from BGU or 5EBS over 5 of Griff’s jam tracks
Attend BGU live
Learn 10 popular strumming songs – Exact songs are TBD
Learn 4 Blues songs
⁃ Down to the Depot (almost done)
⁃ Deep Ellum Blues
⁃ Down in Georgia
⁃ Baby Please Come Home
Finish 3 Griff Courses
⁃ BGU 2.0 – Lessons 9, 10, and 13. Solos 4 and 5
⁃ Major Minor Blues Shapes
⁃ Soloing Without Scales
By March 31, 2016
Learn note names. I’ve been avoiding this for far too long.
Build a Jam Track in Garageband
Play the solos from BGU or 5EBS over 5 of Griff’s jam tracks. Better learn to apply the solos in different keys / styles
Learn Down to the Depot, Down in Georgia
Learn BGU Solos 4 and 5
Hey Griff, Thanks for all of the great material. My goal is to try to learn to count. I can play most of BGIAB with you well enough to be proud of the accomplishment, but when I play with the back up and without you I often get lost on the longer solos. Must be the modern math, doesn’t always add up right! Thanks again, take care, and see you in 2016.
Thank you for caring. I say, follow your same path – the one that has brought us here and the one that you see now coming down the road and we’ll be fine. You obviously have a constant flow of influences and you deliever them in a way so there is something for everyone even if it’s a small part of what you deliver. For me I always get more than I can use.
If there was one thing I’d say is I play mostly acoustic by myself. Anything like that would always be appreciated.
Thanks again.
Steven A.
Since I’ve spent more time trying to learn lead guitar and play riffs my focus is on rhythm guitar which is often over looked. The three songs I’m working on right now are Born Under a Bad Sign, Cold Shot, and Little Wing. The rhythm along with riffs that blend in well is really what I’m trying to work on. There’s other song’s I’m working on as well but, for now that’s my goal. By the way, I’m using the little wing lesson you put out along with both SRV and Jimi’s tab books.
I’m in my 70’s, and the only resolution I’ve had since I retired is to stay healthy.
And with the good Lord’s help, I’m healthy enough to practice my guitar each day.
And maybe one other resolution is to just be the best guitar player I can be and enjoy myself trying no matter how good or bad I may sound at any particular moment.
STEAMROLLER BLUES !!! YEAH !!! The James Taylor version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT7tWlHp3WA
Griff, could you make that a lesson?
My resolution is to be able to play a convincing 4-note solo in Box 3. Plain and simple. It’s always seemed to me that there are only 5 notes in the Pentatonic scale, and 5 is only a tiny bit bigger than 4, so why not a 5-note solo (there’s another idea for you Griff)? So if I get the 4-note working I’ll try to add the extra note. But doing it in Box 3, the forgotten, lost, lonely shape is crucial.
My goal for the first quarter is to improve my counting and timing also to learn the notes on the fretboard then after that play some foot stomping bad ass blues
Hey Griff,
Happy New Year. I would love to have got Vol 2 of ‘Blues Gig in a Box” but unfortunately, with the Canadian dollar tanking and me on a pension, it didn’t happen. Hopefully later. Really enjoyed Vol.1 and still go back to it to refresh things.
My resolution is to record some of the many blues songs I’ve written over the past two years. I got a real spurt of creativity there. I also played in a blues band for a while but it didn’t last, bummer. Anyway, I have ProTools at home and have been attempting some recording but I have issues with technology and have hit some glitches which have made me a little gun shy. So I’m resolved to overcome techno-fear and get back into it. Thanks for the lessons – I have lots downloaded from your emails too. Wonderful!
Happy New Year to you, Griff. I’ve kind of fallen off the wagon. My goal was to play a blues solo. I’m a geriatric beginner and have always wanted to play electric guitar. I got most of your courses and was pretty diligent with “Blues Guitar Unleashed” but, I became more proficient on an acoustic guitar and really have more of a knack doing delta blues sort of stuff…it sounds more like “music” to me. The trouble with the electric is all my licks from the pentatonic boxes sound so monotonous and I have a hard time muting out noises. Also when I bend a string to get a full note change my fingers slides under the strings above the bending note. I feel like I’m spinning my wheels and not getting any better on the electric…it’s discouraging. So in conclusion I got to start over on BGU and try again
Hi Griff, great idea doing some goal setting. Thanks.
I’d like to finish the Blues Guitar Unleashed course by the end of March. A little longer term I would like to be ready for jamming with at the Calabogie Bluesfest weekend in August. I want to provide backup rhythm but would like to play lead for Before You Acuse Me with some soloing riffs. And more counting, counting, counting.
Hey Griff. Happy new year. My goal is to forge ahead and steal Matt’s dictionary.
There are some cracking ideas and proposals already listed above. For my part I have to say that 2015 has been a disaster of a year not least because we have been grieving the loss of our son aged thirty seven in September 2014 followed by my mother-n-law in October 2015. That is not saying the losses are an excuse but my “playing about” as any recreational activity can be construed has been difficult. if I was to add to the wish list of others above I would say to re-focus and practice, practice more towards mastering some more of the several courses I have purchased from you these past few years. I always look forward to your emails as they inspire me to pick up one of my guitars and have a go – even though I do not, at present do it on a regular basis. Keep up the great work and do not over worry the waistline. On television last night there was a program called “Trust me I am a Doctor” in which the standard measurement for obesity was seen as false and although we can be susceptible to many issues, being over weight, it was deemed that if you are carrying a few pounds too many but are not aversely affected then that is fine. it is when things like diabetes kicks in there is a problem to address. So enjoy your food Griff, I say that for our sake, you must keep your strength up both for your family and your followers.
My goal is to learn all the note locations on the fret board.
This year is the year I finally learn the fretboard. I’ve already started but I doubt that I’ll have it down by March. I want to be able to finally see what my ears are hearing.
I need to improve my practice sessions, also counting the beat more than I do now. Complete Bgu successfully.
I want to finally, once and for all learn how to go from a rhythm to a lead and back in order to play a song…any song..that is key for me this year, Robert
I want to learn Baby Please Come Home which is on BGIAB2 that I recently purchased. This has some more sophisticated sounding licks that I want to incorporate into my guitar vocabulary and is what prompted me to get BGIAB2. Gimme more of that cause I like it!!!!
Happy Blues Year
My playing has fallen off during this past year, life hasn’t been all that easy. My resolution is to get back into playing regularly and learn Robert Johnson’s “Stones in the Passway”. I heard the first verse many years ago as an intro into Colin James’ ” Just Came Back “, and now its along the lines of music I like these days. Cheers to all and enjoy that time strumming and humming them Blues !
Happy New Year Griff. I would like to actually start BGU from page one, and seriously continue it as far as possible without drifting off and playing chord songs with mediocrity.
This is the year to get serious with this instrument!
Thanks for the push Griff.
JimD
My goal is to speed up my soloing so I can play along on the video with the Old Standby Blues at full speed. I’m almost there.. I want to get the Playing on the Porch melodies down to use in Rhythm-Melody jams and my goal is to get the 3 most common rhythm patterns under my belt to use in the 12 bar blues jam format.
“Blues is a feeling” but sometimes I want or need to play but I’m just not completely feeling it enough to be expressive the way I want to be. My goal is to come up with a tune or riff that speaks to me and reliablly helps me tap into my inner blues self to unleash some emotionlly-based, inspired playing.
hard to focus there is so much information.sometimes I feel am at a dead end. can`t get over the hup.can you help
phil. won`t abe blues player ps. left handed
1st quarter…
I want to play Nickel and a Nail Did you ever love a Woman at our open mic…
I will loose 15# by cutting out sugars and late night snacks..
I want to close 5+ deals in my Property Investment..
thanks for the continued support Griff…
Happy New Year everyone.. 2016 is already rockin…
Namaste Speedo
Almost there with ‘I believe’, out of BGIAB1 but I would like to get it ready for recording, (it’s been a while) and also to have ‘Down and Out’ from BGIAB2 ready to go by March as well.
Happy New Year Griff, and everyone. :o)
Right on Griff. Goals are the mile stones of life’s journey and if we don’t set goals, plan our time etc. it goes away and you can only look back at regrets. My short term goals are to build the “20 minutes a day” practice habit on guitar and 20 minutes a day on sax.God bless all you pickers out there.
Fearless Freddy
Goal to keep a closer eye out for all the Acoustic Guitar stuff that customer care told me was coming along after I asked questions sometime ago! I have the ABGU course amongst others and enjoy them immensly. I know there is a strong commonality between the Acoustic and the Solid body Electric( I do have one)but I would like to see more reference to the Acoustic.
Ok, first, I always keep my only resolution every years. Which is, you already got it don’t you? “Never make any resolutions”. But, today Griff, you make me feel I got to put myself in danger. So, I want to finish the DVD 1 and 2 of the course Beginning Blues Guitar I just start. I know it sound to easy but, for me it is like a blind guy trying to read a Stucco wall. you got the picture? (except for the blind guy of course).
Play and sing “Sunshine of your love” including a solo “in the style of” EC.
YES!! We need some courses on how to play these songs…the rhythm and the solos note for note!
Play and sing Sunshine of your love including a solo “in the style of” EC.
In the next four months I want to be able to play in a local jam session without looking stupid. I have most of the Blues Unleashed courses but have not yet pulled it together by improvising over a chord progression. I know what to do: major or I, minor over IV and V (easier said than done), know the pentatonic boxes and the fret board and a number of very cool licks. I’m working on creating space and not trying to rush and fill too much. I notice most groups are using simpler chords and easier licks (e.g. 4 note). I prefer slower blues with more feeling and identifiable melody lines.
1) Re-record and post BGU solos 2, 3, 4, 6
2) Record and post BGU solo 5
3) Re-record and post BGIAB “I Believe”
4) Finish learning BGIAB “I Got the Blues”, record and post it
5) Start learning BGIAB “Downhearted Blues”
6) Revisit the other materials I have from BGU such as Acoustic Blues, 52 Variations, Soloing without Scales, Minor and Major Blues Shapes etc.
Bill 45, if that is your birth year then mine should be Bob 47 and I have learned all the same songs you have listed above and play them quite well and also have all the same learning lessons from BGU, we should be neighbors and we could play together.
Would like to figure out when certain scales are called for. IE like where would I start in with a Lydian pattern or locrian ? Moving between a formal scale like myxolydian to a pentatonic? Happy New Year
Matt
My goal is to complete the Beginning Blues Guitar course I got for Christmas by the end of March.
Being 69 years old, retired and in England and playing Shadows lead stuff, and some rolling Stones old 60’s numbers I fancied a challenge so I made a 3 string cigar box guitar with piezo and magnetic pickups tuned to low G middle G , B I also made a solid body 4 string guitar tuned to G D G D maybe I’ll get the time this year to play a lot of blues slide on them?
To solo being able to use all boxes once I understand the boxes also to play rythmn fills in a blues shuffle
Hi Griff. I’m a retired guy and am about 1 1/2 years into learning music and how to play the blues. I combine a weekly session with my instructor Dan Casavant and your lessons, including theory, BBG and BGU as well as some others. My 2016 goal is of course to continue to learn music, playing and maybe even jamming with others (still nervous about that). But since you wanted a specific goal for the first quarter then my goal would be to learn to play Jimmy Thackery’s Bluphoria on the Feel the Heat album. This tune seems to have many elements, some I get and others I have not yet figured out. He uses the whammy bar so subtly, slides and bends – the tune in my mind is wonderful and I think wonderfully complex. By the way, I introduced myself to you at the Tacoma show – the Canadian guy who asked about when it was right to jam with others. Thanks. Dave
Knuckle down to the Major Minor Course that I’ve had for a few months but haven’t started yet. Contribute more to the Virtual Jam Room and be more imaginative in my solos
Hi,
I will have finished to about lesson 12 – 15 by april of BGU. I can play the song playing on the porch fluently, some song my daugther wants me to play when she sings like you raised me up, here comes the night by van morrison.
There are a couple of other songs i will be working on but i have forgott the names.
Finish BGU solo #4…or throw my guitars away!
second that responce
My musical resolution is to learn complete more complex songs. For example SRV Lenny, Jimi’s Red House and Eric’s Crossroads
I bought BGU last year, arthritis is an ongoing prob. in my old hands…….. so I haven’t started the course yet although I still have a hack at some of the ideas on the e-mail videos. I resolve to be (1)well into the course before April!
(2) use the Boss RC-3 I bought…….. HA!
Thanks for all the help and encouragement, Griff! Slainte
I have a similar problem. I am 62, and after playing 47 years I have been told I have “guitar player tendonitis” (left arm/wrist) and should not play for 6 months to a year. I have not played (OK, much) for the last 3 months and I am doing physical therapy, however, the exercises are very painful so I do not do them as often as I am supposed to. I would appreciate any advise from anyone who also suffers from physical problems that keeps you from playing, and what you are doing to get back to playing.
I also suffer from bad arthritis from my toes to my head i recommend stinging nettle extract works wonders for the tendon problems, unfortunately, you do need to rest but you can just practice for short periods with stretching and relaxing sessions in between
Hi Lawrence,
I’m 69 and follow two diametrically opposed roads:-
1) I try to play lead guitar in a band.
2) I’m a builder!!
Consequently arthritis and tendonitis particularly wrist and thumbs is very much a problem for me as well. Some days better than others. The only thing I can suggest is to keep them moving at all costs but do not over do it. I find the very common exercise of 1,2,3,4 on 6th string 1,2,3,4 on 5th string 1,2,3,4 on 4th string etc. then back down But in the same pattern i.e. 1.2.3.4 on 1st string 1,2,3,4 on 2nd etc. them move up to frets 2,3,4,5 on each string. all the way up to 12th fret. The do the same in reverse order i.e. 4,3,2,1 on 6th 4,3,2,1 on 5th, etc.
Also position one pentatonic on Blues scale up and down.
Remember, for us oldies this is not (necessarily) to build up speed so go as fast or as slow as your condition will allow but as you move up the neck you will note it getting a bit easier. The object is just to keep moving so if it gets too painful halfway through STOP. I use those stress balls occasionally as well which can help when you can’t pick up a guitar. Even so, I have to pop a couple of Tramadol before a gig, fully prescribed I hasten to add.
Good luck!!
Lawrance. I am 63 yesr old and have been playing Bass since i was 14. Lately i just wanted to learn Blues so i started BGU. I had the same problems for a while however i found out a nice juice and high dose of Glucosomine. I buy these from Univera. Called the Xtra consantrate http://www.univera.com i also use thair Powder glucosomine it seams to aliminated most of my problems. Good luck. Dont give up keep on playing.
For the tendinitis I use Naproxen (sold as Aleve), directions are for one tablet every 12 hours, I use 2 tablets every 12 hours. Gives great relief for tendinitis in my elbows after a few days. I’ve been told that a Reflexologist can relieve the symptoms of tendinitis, however I’ve not tried one as yet, my insurance doesn’t cover that.
from a non professional medical person, this may work for you or anyone with arthritis. It did for me. it has for a number of others I know. This tip was given to me by a friend that had arthritis in just about all his joints and lots of swelling in his hands. after a few days he was experiencing improvements and from continued use is virtually pain free and very flexible again. Knox unflavored gelatin. the small packets I get contain a couple of teaspoons of it. twice a day mix one teaspoon (half the packet) with 6 – 8 oz of water or juice and drink it. you can find more on Google with a search.
good luck.
I’ve finished the ABGU course. I want to get the last song in the course, St Louis Blues, really smooth with no mistakes. I want to get more independence between my thumb and fingers when trying to alternate a base line on the top 3 strings. I’m still having trouble working in licks with the rhythm in the Playin’ on the Porch style, its driving me crazy. Seems I’ve having trouble with just about everything. One good thing is, I’m a much better guitar player today than I was 18 months ago when I started the ABGU course. Thanks Griff for getting me this far, I have learned a bunch about playing from you.
Hi Griff
My gols are now are to learn the frett board and the scales. As for the blues. I have Some songs I’d like to work on, like loner and Still got the blues by Gray Moore, Hotel California by the Eagles and dreamer and mamma I’m coming home by Ozzy Ozbourn.
Frank
I need to be more fluent on the neck of the guitar.
Mechanically, I can hit the notes, I have a hard time with feeling the notes.
Speed is less important than accuracy.
Thanks for all you do.
I have yet to “own” anything, so this year I’m going to push through from merely being able to ape a song to Griff’s definition of ownership. Specifically “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” by Rev. Gary Davis
“Last Kind Words” by Geeshie Wiley
“Hey Joe”
All this is doable with conviction and patience.
Jim
My old hands are stiff and my fingers are hard to move. But this year I vow to play the simple song of “good morning blues” finger style. It is easy, slow, and only 18 bars long. Surely I can manage that. I have been avoiding
picking up my guitar because of my hands, I vow to overcome that to still find some enjoyment on my guitar. Getting old is not a disgrace but it certainly is one hell of an inconvenience.
I bought BGU 2 six weeks ago along with 5 easy blues solos this is a lot of material to get through but as the saying goes how do you eat an elephant … that’s right! So I have 4 of the solos down and I am up to lesson 14, the jazz chords. These took me a few practice sessions to get them embedded as the .pdf file that came with the digital download only had the last 8 changes printed out so I had to watch the video a few times to get the rest. I should have that down in time and sounding good by the end of this week. My practice habits are regular at least an hour a day and I try to work at all the lessons just to keep all the comps and timing fresh. I am having problems with my full step bends bends my fingers tips are just falling off right now and yes I did soak them in Apple Cider Vinegar. I would highly recommend these courses they are clear and informative and easy to follow and really speak to the challenges that are listed throughout this blog … hey no pain no gain! Happy New Year to everyone!
I just want my left hand fingers working a lot better, not fluffing chords or missing frets. Only been playing 7 months, so I am keeping up the practice. Thanks for all you do, its an inspiration.
By March 1, I’m going to play the blues intro to Key To The Highway on my new Strat.
Thanks Griff.
To spend the time and make myself count the time/beats. I know it is the only thing holding me back. That said:
Thank you for all you do for us in our “Teenage Guitar Wasteland”.
My goals are easy 3 jams
I will go to either 3 jam sessions and play, whether its an open mic on stage, or a garage jam, or renting a studio somewhere, I will get up and play with a band.
I have spent so much of my time playing by myself, I never do a full song, or stay in time with others. 3 jams, its do able.
1 done by april 1st
When I started downloading your lessons, some 4 years ago now, I was a proficient rhythm player, but, I struggled with soloing/lead guitar work.
I can now do the IMPOSSIBLE thanks to your lessons. I can solo for as long as I want and always drop onto the right chord, before running into the next solo. The IMPOSSIBLE, I solo up and down the length of the fret board without having to look at the strings or my fingers, as I visualize the notes in my minds eye. By the way, I am a lone guitarist so I don’t have to answer to anyone on how long or short my next solo will be.
When I feel I’ve done enough, (usually an hour or so), I will hold my guitar, (always a acoustic), by my side against my hip, soloing as I walk across the lounge to hang up my guitar always ringing out the final chord, as I lift the guitar to it’s hanger. And all thanks to your tuition and inspiration Griff. So, many thanks for bringing me on to the world of guitar soloing.
As for a goal for the first quarter of the year. I hadn’t thought of that, but, now you come to mention it! Yes, I would like to get motivated enough to plug in one of my electric guitars, ( which my grand daughters say sounds great when I play fast solo’s) and ramp the volume up to 10 the next time the guy next door starts thumping his punch ball. It really gets up your nose when he starts. It’s like listening to drummer messing about with the kick drum with no meaningful rhythm or timing, just THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. I did play him out once when he first got the punch ball and he stopped thumping after a couple of minutes of hearing my Strat, screaming out but, I think he needs another rendition of “SHUT THE £@%$ UP”.
Goal number 2, just keep on playing and enjoying it whilst getting better.
All the best for 2016. RAY (UK).
My primary focus for the first quarter of this year is to finally achieve finger/thumb independence. I’ve played guitar for over 35 years and can fingerpick just fine. It’s the independent and syncopated bass lines that still give me fits. I’m starting from the very beginning and drilling one element at a time (alternating bass with one additional string, alternating bass with two additional strings, etc.). I *will* learn to properly Travis pick this year!
Hi Griff,Happy NEW NEW YEAR.First thanks for all the free stuff.This year i really want to work on timing and rythym.cheers,Dave.
My immediate goal is to get more comfortable playing rhythm on the off beats. After many, many years of bluegrass guitar where there is typically no bass guitar and having to play on the 1 and the 3, leaving the 2 and the 4 for the mandolin, playing rhythm figures that start on the 2, is a struggle not to revert back to playing on the 1. Along with that, I *really* need to work on counting.
Hi
I would really like to get sweet home Chicago under the knee
thanks
Working on BBG since September/October I want to be able to switch Chords without hesitation and play along with the tracks
I just got a new Les Paul after 1 year of guitar playing with a Strat–turns out the “starter guitar” needs some help as the new LP is sooo much easier to play and easier on fingers. So, my resolution is to maintain my newfound enthusiasm, try to “own” solo #5 better and start on #6. (also count out loud–but wow, that’s a tough one).
Griff, here’s a vote for 2016–some electric slide help, ala EC’s Blues Before Sunrise, and Bonnie Raitt’s Thing Called Love. Thanks Griff for a fantastic, fun year of guitar learning!
When I get back to Spain in March I want to find a little blues band that doesn’t mind letting an amatuer guitarist (me) rehearse with them to build up a decent set-list & broaden my musical scope…. do a few small gigs & charity concerts to see how it’s received & gain experience.
Happy new year still having problem with my fat fingers because I touch a string iam not supposed to fingers still sore Thanks again . Tom
I want to learn all five boxes and have them down cold
I have 12, & 8 bar rhythms down!
I can do full bar and small chords with ease!
I want to get better at reading sheet music, and Tabs.
I need to master where the notes are on the fretboard.
I I want to learn to play the melodies like Autumn Leaves, The Entertainer,& Lullaby of Bird-land.
After 2 years Acoustic BGU I am pleased with my progress.
Your courses have been and are a great help, and I continue to learn from them.
But I have discovered I do not share the passion for blues that you have.
I will be turning my focus to the Jazz world so getting to “OWN” the fretboard has become my number one goal.
Happy New Year Griff….I’m working on solo 3 of BGU 2.0, my resolution this year is to greatly improve my sense of timing. Right now I have to count out loud, otherwise the train quickly comes off the track. My hope is to get to the point where the beat is internalized and doesn’t require so much cognitive effort. Thank you for all the great courses and great tutelage.
I’ve been asked to do the lead work in a studio recording session of Skynyrds “Simple Man” so my goal is to master all the solo parts. It’s brutal up at the 21st fret so I need to focus on improving double string and vibrato bends.Longer term goal for 2016 is to improve rythym comping and be able to play and sing at the same time. Tall order for me….
At the local Veteran’s Clinic they have a class called Guitars For Vets. I hope to be able to get into it so I’ll be able to have other people I can get comfortable playing guitar with. I’d also like to be able to afford Playing on the Porch course.
I got a guitar from my wife 1 year ago xmas love her for it and now have six axes and acoustic. I played the accordion for ten years at a young age and can still read music, a blessing never tab though and it never got me any chicks by the way. I also got an alto sax 20 years ago self taught. Where should I be a year into it after a year? I have gone threw your beginners and I just reached the solo section lessons IN BGU. I also have you smaller lessons and Toms Voodoo Not being a kid practicing in my room all day and night. Just started feeling comfort and learning each piece quicker. Would like a reply Thx Dominic
Started your 5 Easy Blues Solos yesterday – finish this!
Complete the BU1 course
Complete the Pentatonic Course
Memorise the position of all the notes on the guitar – this is really important, boring but essential. Let’s see…
Hi Griff
Good post
I have just got to get my practice time better organised to focus some of it on a set goal. (to finish at least some of the Course’s I have)
I have quite a few half finished courses, but that’s not a bad thing because as my playing improves I go back to where I got stuck and usually find I can progress a little further.
Trouble is you keep coming up with more great stuff and I want in on it.
That and your regular blogs keep me motivated.
I will carry on as I am I split my daily practice into
4 sections
1 scales
2 working on gig in a box
3 rhythm work
4 fun time ( going over things that I’ve learnt )
Hi Griff- My immediate goal is to come out from under the headphones when other people are home. Second is to be able to play credibly with all the jam tracks in BGU2. I’ve found the jam tracks to be the most helpful thing, and by setting a daily/weekly goal of jam-track work coupled with jam track play-beyond-my-ability-and-see-what-happens, I hope those headphones will no longer come out before midnight. I love that feeling, when playing with a particular track stops being work and becomes just plain fun (that’s when the improv just seems to happen on its own — exciting — and makes me want to play even more.) Thanks for everything Griff.
Actually it is only the seventh of January, and I have already broken six of my five new year’s resolutions.
I have finally found a resolution that for me is functional and stress-free. This year I resolve to make NO resolutions (except of course for the one I just made, which actually means I failed before I started). HELP!
I would like to be able to count out rhythms like you do when teaching rhythms. I find it very awkward like patting your head, rubbing your tummy at the same time. I have some feel for timing so I just listen and adjust til I get the music in time. Any help in learning to count would be useful.
I agree with David.
Hi Griff, Happy New Years to you and your family,
I still struggle with assembling a 12 bar solo , with my own or borrowed licks and have it sound smooth and or melodic.
Perhaps it is all about the timing and placement of notes ( hence counting)
So , a goal is to assemble a 12-24 bar solo that sounds good to my ear.
Cheers!
Steve Black
I would like to get through the full Acoustic Blues Unleashed course by the end of April. When that’s complete, I will order the BGU course as I just got a Strat for Christmas.
By end April complete and have confidence in ABGU:
Learning Note Names – crazy what Griff does in video? overwhelming at times.
8th Notes Triplets – exercises. More fun?
Begin Building Blocks and work towards Down to the Station.
I want to master the first two solos of the Major Minor Blues Scale course and combine them as a single solo over the backing track by continuing the solos. Then to check to myself that I have these to solos down I want to make a new combined solo but by mixing the licks, but ensuring the I IV V licks are in the correct parts of the 12 bar structure.
My goal is to be able to play Little Wing from start to finish,playing chords and all the lead parts…and any lessons you can come up with to help out with this would be awesome.
He has a whole course on how to play Little Wing.
I’ve noodled around for years without any real discipline. I purchased “Beginning Blues Guitar “, and have started the lessons. My goal is to complete the program by The end of March and begin BGU, which I also purchased, beginning in April. We will see as I want to have it all in my head before starting the next phase. The lessons are not difficult; overcoming bad guitar playing habits is another matter.
Yes,l agree bad habits,very hard to overcome.
My focus is to get better at rhythm, keeping the rhythm going for a full 2 choruses adding embellishments where possible which also means I have to count out loud , which I find difficult, and end up losing my way. Hence I am spending more time with the Acoustic Blues lessons in particular down to the station (which I have nearly cracked), and little wing, using chords to drive the solo and just playing. Essentially I’m playing by myself more and not playing on top of Griff, which I can do now, but that’s defeats my plan to hold the beat myself. In short I want to be able to play Little wing style by the end of March, play a chord progression and improvise over it.
Anyone that hasn’t got the Little wing lesson and considers themselves intermediate should buy it tomorrow , one of the best, and maybe griff could do more in the chord playing scenarios like that one, I’d buy it.
Happy new year to all BGU’ers
Andy K (Perth WA)
My goal for the quarter is to really master your Music Theory Made Useful course,Over the holiday I neglected it for a while but will now have a real go at it
Graham UK
I want to improve my ear and interval training to the point where I can incorporate double stops, triads and arpeggios into my solos without having to think about them well in advance.
For each of your email video lessons & tips, perhaps you could bundle them into a Quarterly Course ie 1st Qtr 1st April 2016, 2nd Qtr 1st July 2016,etc like a Review with a DVD & CD and Manual or even a Digital version would be good. Set a Price that everyone can handle so you are rewarded for some of your Free extra work. Some BGU Members will be interested and others know it can be purchased when they want to and afford to. It is like a Recap of all your 250 + email Video lessons per annum. I am finding it quite difficult to relate to your videos in emails or emails with just written tips. If the email is not relating to where I am at in the courses, I just shelve it to my library until I reached that stage, then it all makes sense. A qtly Review would be Great. Just an idea.
All good.
Michael – Sydney- Australia
My New Years resolution is to spend more time playing rhythms and licks down in the open position.
So as far as short term goals are concerned the first 12 weeks will be dedicated to learning one, 12 – 24 bars of Griff’s 52 Rhythm Fills & Variations course.
I have the first 12 bar slow blues lesson in section one of this course completed. I’d like to have 12 – 24 bars of the shuffle blues lesson in section 2 of completed.
So that means not only learning the material but also working on my timing, muting and groove.
Well If I understand you correctly. It’s the beginners that you are trying to reach. People want to start playing guitar but get frustrated and quit. They say stuff like it’s to hard, It hurts my fingers, My hands won’t work that way, I don’t have time, ECT ECT ECT. You know exactly what I’m saying. I really like the 3 minute practice that you were talking about the other day. It is my belief that if you were to put together oh say 5 or 6 of the 3 minute sessions followed by a final session that would puts all of this into a simple song. That the beginner would start to gain confidence. So in short keep it simple. Keep it short. and arrange the prize at the end so it’s doable. There is nothing like playing your first piece that actually sounds like music. But Griff please don’t forget about those of us that have been following for years. We need our little prizes at the end too. I like to call it using the right carrot at the end of the stick. Hope this made since. Take care. Hope all is well.
Greg.
Just sent my 1972 Guild D35 for re necking, bridge work and New Grover tuners. With that, I’ll focus on getting intimate with the minor and major scales and chord tones so I can continue to improve soloing. I also will dedicate myself to learning 2 sets of songs that I can play if put in front of friends or audience. That’s probably plenty for 2016.
I’d like to play like I did in my twenties. I can draw the Arthur Murray patterns for you (and me), but it all reduces down to PLAY MORE and PAY ATTENTION. Get past the mental memory and into finger memory. In the words of TE dedication and determination.
Onward and upward!
I was invited to play with an 80s rock & roll band. It’s huge fun. My goal is to persuade the band to play one blues song (to start ), probably “Born under a Bad Sign”.
Cheers
I would like to learn more about extended chord blues progressions
My goals for 2016 – Complete BGUV2,How to Jam, Adapt all 5 Boxes to all Keys, Elaborate my Solos & Blues 7th & 9th Chords to adapt to material into Blues songs that I am trying to Right. Play at least 5 complete Blues Songs (BGUIAB V 2) ready for Open Jam by Dec 2016. See more Gig Videos of Griff Hamlin & Band doing songs that we can watch you & Learn maybe on Facebook or by email. That would be great.
First Qtr: Goal 1) Play Solo and Rhythm of Johnny B Good – Chuck Berry.
Goal 2) Play comping & Solo of “Don’t know what I’d do” – Matt Schofield see link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGR2eNIBcdE , In an interview he says that he derives his solos from Chord structures which makes his solos easier. ( You provided the video of this song in one of your emails as to Watch the Masters.
Your Email Video Lessons: Please provide a PDF TAB Sheet and WMV for windows and more importantly please refer which of the BGU Courses & Lesson that relate to this lesson so we and other BGU members can relate to a course we already have or Purchase it.
All Good Griff, looking forward to working together for FUN PLAYING BLUES GUITAR in 2016.
Michael- Sydney- Australia
Musically I had already set me goals for 2016, so this blog entry is kind of timely.
I am fairly practical, and realistic when setting goals, including specificity and time limits. You are absolutely right, a goal needs to be specific to be achievable.
I have set a goal to finish one lesson from BGU each week in 2016. As we end the first week I have almost finished lesson 1, and have been practicing lesson 2. I say “almost” because part of my specific goal is to record each lesson and post it to the forum. I haven’t recorded yet, and the forum is down for maintenance.
So, by the end of March my specific goal will be to have gotten through lesson 12 of BGU, including recording and posting each lesson.
Hi Griff,
I would like to have more blues rhythms videos or courses, because I will not be a lead guitar, and don´t like soloing.
Is it possible ?
Best regards,
Eduardo
Brasil
Having appeared to master muting strings when I don’t want to, and also not muting strings when I do want to, I suppose the only option now is to try and mute them when I do want to!
I have a good number of courses now from Griff and enjoy each and every one of them – finishing another one (having now completed Beginning Blues Guitar) would be a good idea (as would going back over the BBG and seeing if I can remember it all 🙂 ).
Griff, your courses, and also you daily emails, really do keep me going when I get disappointed in my lack of ability and I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to start on a music journey at 61 having never played any instrument before. You are allowing me to achieve a lifetime goal. Thanks.
I’m just going to keep playing and then play some more. It’s all about injoyment. All thro the first song I write this year is entitled (Ever Day Above Ground is Good One ).In the Key of A. Lol
My NYR- I want to get my right thumb working in time so I can play delta blues and keep that ‘thump’ going.
Learn the solo of “Jump” by Van Halen. Yes, I know this isn’t exactly blues :). Since I play guitar in a cover band, we do not only play blues songs.
Next to the above I would really like to learn to play the solo of SRV “Mary had a little lamb” the way Stevie played it. My version has some of his licks but not his timing . In the end it becomes an improvised solo with little to do with the original.
I would like more videos on little chords. I can’t get a grip on them. And actually have been playing a long time and never ever heard of this idea taught before.
Thank you, and I hope you have another great year.
Sharon
Hi Griff Happy New Year
Well where to start music wise i am coming up to 68 yearz young
I first picked up a guitar in the mid sixties and tben along came Jimi Hendrix
Playing the music my head and heart needed so i didn’t bother playing and
just enjoyed the music especially the Blues…..only in the last couple of
Years since i retired did i pick up a guitar again to make a noise.My current situation finds me about to be made homeless so its difficult for me to practice
however when i find a new home i will start the course properly .As for learning songs well the only songs i want to do i have not written yet .
I appreciate your teaching style (Pity you were not about in the 60’s lol)
and feel that i can only3 improve as time goes by.So i can only say tbank you for your time and trouble keep up the good work ! Take good care.Billy7
I have the boxes and several riffs,but still not music.so how about a few more examples of how its applied.?
When I do the annual mail cleaning,it’s amazing how much corresponding you do,this is just what is needed
Thank you!
Hi Griff, Mick Tufts here. I’m hoping that 2016 is going to bring me from playing old favorites like Take It On The Run, Lovin, Touchin and Squeezin, Knights In White Satin and Jambalaya using only cowboy chords to entertain family and friends, to playing a solid blues repertoire, combining chords and lead. I have arthritis in my hands, my right being well on its way to being a useless claw, but my left hands is still pretty pain free for now so I hope that before it is too late, I’ll be pickin blues. For the first 1/4 of my new year I’m setting the goal of being able to call on blues chords and some nice between chord licks. Then on to a new song list with a healthy blues infusion. Thanks for Blues Guitar Unleashed and your daily blogs, they are instrumental in getting me to the next level. At 60 years old, it’s time to pick up the pace and get serious. Again, Thanks.
It is still all about the rhythm. I first bought BGU 5 years ago. Since then bought GTMU (theory) 52 Fills, etc. still haven’t really forced my right hand to be consistent and play written rhythms, in time.
I have had a lot of fun and learned a lot. But my mechanics are holding me back now.
So, before 1 April I am going back over the first 14 lessons of BGU2 (I’ve done them all in BGU1) and this time play them perfectly in time.
I only play live on occasion, with some blues players that I met here in Arizona a few years back. We usually do some great little biker bars around the Phoenix area. I’ll throw some tunes I’ve work on at them, along with a recording of the way I play it, a complete layout of the chord structures and the lyrics. So far, it has been quite successful, but my work is by & large, wrapped around playing rhythm guitar with very minor lead work, as we have a lead guitar player. I have a huge passion for Gary Moore’s “Midnight Blues”, and after seeing Joe Bonamassa play this song at three different concerts, I’ve decided to make this my quest. I’ll never be a Gary or a Joe, but I really want to play this piece god enough to do it justice, rather than harm, lol… Every time I hear this song, by either Gary or Joe, I still get goosebumps. What a great piece of Blues work it is! You’re the Man Griff! I’ve followed you for some years now, and you are top notch! I’d like to see more of your videos, playing with your bands. You’re the real deal and I love the way you play! Thanks Griff, for all you do for us. You are a great teacher and a very giving man. Much appreciation and respect for all that you do…
My BGU resolutions are…
actually watch/finish each of the courses that I bought in 2015 (or earlier)
And
to play live at a jam.
Learn how to read/play songs notation on time to:
– mix 2 song guitars (chords + solos) played individually (target song ‘Jumping Jack Flash’- R.Stones)
-Be able to follow band rythm during the full song (target song ‘I Believe’ -Gig in a Box).
Happy 2016!
I want to play “Stormy Monday” with my buddies.
I’ve secured many decades of guitar fumbling and fooling the audience. I know that I play by rote memorization and I am theory stupid. I want to start kindergarden guitar lessons to find what I missed that holds me from really knowing where I’m putting my fingers and why. Oh, and earn enough bucks to purchase your CD’s! Happy 2016. M.S.
I would really like to improve my timing. Counting out loud and playing at the same time is very difficult for me.
Hi Griff….. loving all the packages I have bought in the past month since signing up with you, but realising I may have jumped in over my head with some of the earlier purchases, I now have the appropriate packages to start in earnest from the beginning and work up through the others in time.
Been playing for many years (although not Blues) and I also have the same problem as Charles… counting out loud and playing, hate to admit it, but it is so difficult for me to do I and feel its staring to hold me back on the courses.
Not going to give in though as I have challenged myself to learn the Blues properly from the ground up with your help…. lol…. just didnt expect to get caught out so soon into the course not being able to do what seems to come naturally to others…. count out and play:)
Hi Griff…I have been learning guitar for a little over a year. I am having difficulty with the rhythm part.
Can’t seem to make anything sound decent:(
I am trying to learn finger style.
Any suggestions and help would be appreciated.
Thank you
Sam
One thing is still unclear to me although you explained it once before. Perhaps you could use an actual video demonstration as to the difference between a riff and a lick in the context of a song. I’m expecting the lick to be shorter and maybe not repeated as much as a riff but I still can’t differentiate in my mind. Thanks for all you do. Tombo Happy New Year!
I want to play ‘Thrill is Gone’ (lead and rhythm) in a jam, on my birthday April 24.
I know that was your suggestion Griff but I’ve already been playing (noodling) along with B.B. for a quite a while and I’d like to get it down and be able to play it with others.
GRiff, I hope to learn how to play Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer” – not blues I know, but will surely challenge me. When I get frustrated with it I’ll play some blues!!! Maybe you could think about some instructions for would-be ragtime players in future??
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Tony.
Honestly, anything you can show me helps. I learned so much more than I thought I would from you last year. You’ve already made me a much better musician. I understand how things fit together much better now. My goal is simple. Just to be the best guitarist I can be. As you say, I can look at the same 4 or 5 notes in multiple ways, with multiple rhythms now. I don’t want to just learn to play songs. I want to learn the instrument itself. I’m a very fast learner. Every riff or lick you’ve shown. I learn them in minutes. And even add to em. So I thank you for your time & wisdom.
I’m getting on great with the cd , I’ve said before but it bears repeating, I love your laid back friendly approach. it’s like having a mate in the room talking it through even with he ‘oops I made a mistake’ moments that are quite endearing. for my self, I have stubby fat fingers and I struggle with chords. I love the little no chord licks and solos that you send, so please keep sending them. I watched Clapton /cream at the albert hall and I know you’ve seen it too. he hardly ever uses a chord and I love that style. However I promise I will keep trying. Thanks Mate
Hi Grif- I would like to be able to play solos using the chords of the song rather than think about scales and boxes . I think a course(s) showing triads all over the neck AND how to make riffs/solos using these shapes (major/minor dominant etc) in a 12 bar (1, 1v, v etc) with various rhythm patterns would be fantastic.Is this possible please? – it would be a great continuation/addition to your previous major/minor course (which was superb) and would be advancing our abilities.Regards Pete
have a look at this for a triad course
http://www.planetalkguitar.com/
Hadn’t thought about it this way but “amen to that”. What a great idea.
As for goals, I want to make the Playin’ on the Porch licks work as well on my twelve string as they do on the six string. The closer string spacing and need to catch two strings at a time is making me crazy.
Keep up the great stuff and all the best in ’16.