I used to love those commercials where it just went from one guy to the next talking to each other saying, “hey, where you at?”

Maybe you’ve never seen it… I’m sure it’s been a few years since it was on.

But it doesn’t change the fact that at some point you are probably going to wonder “where you at” in your guitar playing.

Now, I’m not going to take the ENORMOUS amount of time it would take to cover every single skill you could have for any style of music… this is a blues hang and I’ll keep it that way 🙂

So we’ll just break it down into 4 simple levels…

--- Level 1 --- Beginner

The beginning stages are where you are learning basic guitar fundamentals right alongside with learning to play the blues.

(Admittedly, there aren't many ways to actually do that because most "beginning" courses make you do all of the boring, traditional stuff... but I have a solution to that.)

You have to learn how to play single notes, chords, how to strum, how to count and keep time, and hopefully you'll learn some fun songs along the way for some experience.

Now soloing? That's not really in the cards yet...

There's really no reason a level 1 student should be trying to learn a bunch of scales and improvising over a blues. That's for later.

--- Level 2 --- Intermediate

By the end of level 2, you should be able to play a few songs and you should have most open and basic barre chords under your belt.

You may not have any of the more advanced chord shapes yet (7ths, or 9ths or anything altered) but that's alright... this is the time for that.

As for improvising and soloing, this is where you would start learning the pentatonic/blues scale and learning to use it over a blues.

Remember that the minor blues scale is far from the ONLY choice when playing over a blues... but it's the best place to start and many great blues players don't get much past it, ever.

Towards the end of Level 2 you may be introduced to the concept of the major blues sound along with the minor blues sound and how they can be used together.

But by and large mastery of that idea is best left for level 3.

--- Level 3 --- Advanced

At level 3 we are taking the major and minor blues sounds and using them together (there are very few chords you don't know at this point so we can ignore them from here on out.)

The basics are that you use the major blues sound in conjunction with the minor blues sound over the I chord, while you use the minor blues sound exclusively over the IV and V chord.

This might sound like a simple rule, but the ramifications are astoundng and it can often take just as long to master this idea as it takes to get through playing with the minor blues sound alone!

At the end of level 3 you start using a concept I call "Every Chord is I" where you are able to mix the major and minor blues sounds together so well that you can change keys every time the chord changes!

Playing at this level appears effortless to anyone watching. You have such a command of the patterns all over the fretboard that you almost get to step back and watch yourself play - it's an incredible experience because your fingers just know where to go.

--- Level 4 --- Elite

As you can imagine, few guitarists make it here.

It's the elite... and it never ends.

This is where your palette HAS to expand beyond blues sounds and incorporates some jazz ideas and very high level approaches.

Things like using a half/whole diminished over the last bar before the transition to the IV chord to get a 7b9 sound like Robben Ford does.

Or using the melodic minor scale a half-step above the root of your V chord to create an altered dominant sound remeniscent of fusion greats like John Scofield or Scott Henderson.

Probably 2% of all the guitar players on the planet ever aspire to this level and maybe even fewer actually get here.


So you might be asking yourself, where to from here?

If you have a pretty good idea where you are now, and you know where you want to go, that’s a huge step in the right direction. (Remembering Alice, if you don’t know where you want to go it really doesn’t matter which way you take 🙂

Now, Beginning and Intermediate guitarists tend to need the most guidance, and that’s why if you check out the Course Catalog, you’ll see that there are specific sections for Beginning and Intermediate guitarists. If you’re a brand new player, Beginning Blues Guitar is for you and there really aren’t any other options.

But the reality is that Level 1 and Level 2 are vast, and many people pick up bits and pieces here and there while leaving gaps and things they don’t know that they probably should have learned along the way. So if you already have some stuff under your belt, but still consider yourself a beginner, that’s totally OK and normal. And Strumming and Rhythm Mastery or Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed or even Blues Guitar Unleashed may be perfect.

Advanced and Elite level guitarists tend to know what they need so the specialty courses are for you… with the exception of Guitar Theory Made Useful. Anyone can do that one at any time, but I don’t generally recommend it to beginners.

I hope that helps a bit on your journey and gives you a good idea of where you are compared to where you could be soon…

 


    76 replies to "Where You At?"

    • jim

      LEVEL 5 — Griff Speed — No one but Griff achieves this level. It’s a ridiculously impossible level to achieve for mere mortals on the guitar. It’s not taught, practiced, or learned…it’s just the way it is folks!

    • Ken

      There is no way to thank you adequately for your most unselfish teaching style, and the daily encouragement you have provided to many wanna be guitarists like me. I will never be in your league of elites, but thanks to you I can lay it down real good these days.

    • Ken Moree

      This a valuation reminds me of my tennis days days . People would tell me I had a 5.5 serve and for hand and a 3.0 backhand
      I’m kinda in that place now with my guitar playing

    • Sean

      Griff, thank you so much for distilling all that down into very useful and safe guidance! You have so many great courses and it can be somewhat overwhelming as to which one to take, what course path to get on…this blog post was very helpful and I can’t wait to get back in there and learn!

      • sean.e.salins@gmail.com

        Not safe advice…sage advice. Lol

    • Ernest Peterson

      I’ve thought of myself as a beginning intermediate for some time now, although I play a lot of blues by reading tab and going through your courses and the material put out by a couple of publishers. What has made it all fun was slowing it down by using Riffmaster Pro, which you mentioned a while back. It makes everything easier, but I have to admit I’m dependent on it.

    • Steven Siegel

      It depends on the time of day, day of week,or if my girls came over to make sir I have the rhythm correct. They like a steady and with caring loving little notes of wonder were did that come from.Yes that was good I want more.
      With that said, it is the same with music. if you cant keep it steady with some caring sweet notes and truly like what you are doing then maybe your just doing the hand jive. My skill goes from better to worst as I a guitar player. Depends on who and what is going on around you. If you can not feel the beat and can not go with it, then you are not learning. every time I play I learn something of my ability’s of getting it correct. Most music is about getting the rhythm correct, Remember the four notes Blues !
      A trillion was to play it. Is any body a master of music ?

    • Rohn

      No matter where your at ” PRESS ON BROTHERS “

      • PAUL

        WELL, I HAVE BEEN PLYING FOR 50+ YEARS. SOMETIME I DON’Y PLAY FOR MONTHS. THEN IT SHOWS. YET I CAN JUMP RIGHT BACK INTO THE GROOVE WITH A FEW HOURS OF PLAYING WITH MY BOSS ME 70 WITH HEADPHONES ON. WE HAVE CLUB JUST DOWN THE STREET AND ON FRIDAYS THEY HAVE OPEN MIKE NIGHT SO I HAVE GONE AND PLAYED SOME CLAPTON AND BOB DYLAN SONGS. THEN I’LL PLAY A FEW OF MY OWN. IT IS SUCH A GREAT FEELING TO GET THE CROWD TO WANT YO TO PLAY MORE. YET, THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE WAITING. TO NIGHT, I’M PLAYING MY NEW BLUES SONG, “CANDY WAPPER”. BB KING STYLE.YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET THAT GAL AND BUY HER DRINKS AND THEN AT THE END OF THE NIGHT. ALL YOU GET IS THE WAPPER. NO CANDY. LOL!

    • Terry

      Just like martial arts and belt levels. Two people rearly look the same but still at the same level. For me I think Man if I can just get this song down. Bam get it down then if I can get this lick to fit where I want it. Bam got that down. So on and so on. Next thing I know I’m playing more “Music” than I was 3 mths ago. Dam. The day it stops being fun and not wanting to learn,play learn some more Play Alot more I think the Dirt will be on top of me. 🙂

    • Gene "jeep" songbook

      Hi Griff! Been following your courses and love the E mails now for 4 years, my girlfriend , who plays the flute, and I, guitar and sing, have had the hardest time finding sheet music with chords, notes, and words to all the great American song favorites such as songs by Mingus , Davis, monk, rhineheart, Parker. Ellington! It would mean a lot if you could help! Do you have a course that teaches this venue; and is there a simple way to teach a flute player how to Backup a lead guitArist; or is that to hard to learn! Please help! Jeep

      • Billyo

        You’ll find most of that stuff in the real book or the fake book or is it called the jazz fake book

        if not make frends with a bebop player and they’ll tell you where to look

    • Eric Mosley

      Aha, this helps, thank you!

      • MoreFreedom

        Ditto Now I know some new things to work on. Thanks Griff!

    • Tony

      I guess I am n intermediate, because I am not that familiar with the fret board even tho I can play a lot of notes,I can play about six or seven of those easy solo`s and I can play Albert King ill play the blues for you pretty good and the sky is crying, I know I need to learn the frat board, but sometimes I just want to play.

    • Midnight

      I will always be a beginner! Hahaha!

    • Gus

      Hello Griff I practice everyday I’m still in begginers levell about one and a half years now.I been jumping from blues to classic rock and just picking at times very hard when I try to goo fast . I’m getting new chords like a B, B minor ,f major tough for me but it seems to be coming along . I just watched your video about using some parts of scales into song pretty cool when you do it not the same when I try.Neil young does the same also but hopefully one day I hopingi it will just come easy until then I will keep trying and watch your videos for inspiration. Thank you very much for your emails they are great even if I can’t play them but I try even if I get a little from them it’s a plus.

    • J Daris

      A thing that happens to a lot of older (now 65) is that age can step in and begin to change how you play guitar. Having played guitar for over 40 years, older guitarist have to come to grip with the fact that your hands can lose a lot of the strength and dexterity that made playing easy for you.

      Not saying that you put your guitar back in the case and slide it under the bed which would be hard for me since I have 9 guitars, but realize that nature will take it’s course on a lot of older guitarist that still love to play and perform. While playing I’ve had hand spasams that would literally lock my fingers up in excruciating pain where I would actually have to take my right hand and straighten the fingers on my left hand. Get my point.

      Solution: Play Within Yourself!
      Stay away from the chording and things that trigger these situations.

      I learned to play guitar from a very old black guitarist that had a left hand little finger cut off in a saw mill accident. He simply told me that’s why God gave guitarist 5 fingers- so, if something happens to one of the 5, the other 4 would kick in! Wow-what a positive outlook.

      So, guitarist with aged and troubled hands, don’t put your passion locked in a case and slid under your bed-modify how you play and get back out there where you really want to be.
      J Daris

    • cowboy

      this is a great self-check…and a roadmap to move ahead…thanks…later.

      cowboy

    • Carl Harlan

      I’ve purchased several courses from you and they have all been good. However, one thing I can’t seem to get past is picking the best strum or series of strums for a particular song. I get locked into my three or four basic patterns, which are very boring and can’t seem to change. Trying to listen to the bass and snare doesn’t seem to help me that much. I guess I’m just not sure what to listen for and then how to use that information to develop a particular strum pattern for a certain series of bars and then what to change to for the next bar. I’m not sure I know what to listen for to tell me that I even need to change to a new pattern. Sometimes you just can’t see the forest for the trees! You may have addressed this in one of your courses but I apparently didn’t purchase that one. Any suggestions?

      • Ken

        Strum patterns and changing chords in the right place:
        Hopefully what I am about to write will help.
        I personally did not have many problems learning to change chords at the right time until I tried singing and playing at the same time. So what I did was print out lyrics with the chords above them so I knew when to change. Maybe this will help you too.
        Strum patterns make a difference especially when playing stuff like Stevie ray vaughns music. The main thing to remember is just keep your strumming hand going at the right beat. You don’t nessecarily have to strum all the strings or any of the strings during this movement. To get better with this as fast as possible strum along with a metronome.
        To get faster at your solos pick your scales along with a metronome at a slow pace to begin. Then increase the beats per minute on the metronome after mastering the speed you are working on currently.

        • Ken

          Yep that is good advice when playing SRV because you can get so hung up trying to sound axactly like Stevie which is hard enough. I find just going to the chords if I get lost while singing then coming back in when I’m familiar with the lead again . Fun fun

    • John Montgomery

      I’m right where I need to be in lessons, know most, forgotten most over years of inactivity, level 2. abgu is perfect

    • Bruce

      Griff ,lf the Allman Brothers invited you to jam with them on some of their hits , which scale approach would you use ? Would you use the elite or the regular major , minor with the nessessery half steps ?

      • joe

        Hello I accidentally deleted silver bells can you resend

      • Ken

        I was at the big house this past weekend attending a benefit concert. And of course they played some Allman bros songs. They use a mixture of major and minor blues scales. But if you aren’t to that level yet. Just use the minor blues scale. It will work over major and minor chords. Several Allman bros songs I have played or currently play in my band is “whipping post” “mellisa” and “stormy Monday”. The minor scale will work for all of these.

      • Ken

        Lots of dorian

    • Michael Chappell

      Hey Griff,

      I think it is great that you started this “Where You At” and has gained momentum. It would be good to know other BGU Forum Members or even followers in Sydney Australia or even in other States of Australia because if we are a growing league, we just may be able to convince you & your band to come to Australia in the future to have an event where we can all get together. There may be a big Blues fraternity in Australia and it would be great to have the best Blues Guitar Teacher “Griff Hamlin” downunder in OZ one day.

      Thanks
      Michael – Sydney Australia

      • OzzieJohn

        I second that!

        I’m sure there are enough of us in Sydney to find free accommodation for you and the band as a small “thank you” for all you’ve done for us over the years.

      • Graeme H

        I agree, count me in.

    • Dick Bowerd

      Looks like u fall into the Advanced category! Played in college, gave it up for 25 years, then went in the Blues Cruise in 2007, changed my life been playing ever since, our band, Sorta Blue” is starting to make a splash! Griff, I’ve learned more from you than the other cyber instructors out there, really enjoy everything you bring, thanks so much for your help, I’m a much better Guitar player because of you!!!

    • AZCallie

      Just started BGU for the third time. This time counting out loud and “owning” the lessons. I’d say I’m high beginner, just passing over into intermediate. I will never stop playing my Gibson SG. It is therapy for life and sooooo much fun! Bless you Griff!

    • Michael Chappell

      Hey Griff,

      I have to make some correction of my original comment. I practice on BGU v2 about 2-3 nights per week & about 1 hr during the day 2-3 days and while watching TV I practice during the adverts (No Amp)and for about 2 hrs ie watching and listening to the DVD (BGU V2) lessons 1-5 about 2-3 times then doing the Lesson completely then each new lesson I back track as a refresher prior to the next lesson.
      So I would be Intermediate level probably for quiet a long time unless I can start to get confidence for a Jam. I got stage fright the other day when asked to play a song or two by a friend ( Not a guitarist) didn’t know where to start….so just played some real cool Blues Riffs so back to How to Jam 3 lessons again. Like some other comments here I am 68 yrs and I get good and bad days but if others can do it then I can also so keep it up and as Griff says it will just HAPPEN one day and you will be amazed.
      Thanks
      Michael- Sydney Australia

      PS Serge Happy to get in Contact: Michael 0410 806 818

      • Michael Chappell

        Hey Griff,
        Great refresher here since last August 2015. I would be still Level 2 Intermediate …I can play a few songs other than Blues, already experimenting with my own musical inventions for future songs, able to Jam with Bands I am watching on TV by finding the Key they are playing, Know most of the Blues Scales, Bar Chords and 7ths and 9ths etc.
        I have purchased a lot of BGU Courses in advance so that I can MAP out a learning Plan which I have done. I am 100% focused on learning Guitar & Blues Guitar with you and BGU as you cover more elements and your teaching skills are by far the best in the world.
        During March & May 2016 I underwent Cataract surgery on both Eyes now 20/20 vision which meant that I am able to catch up rapidly. Currently I am working on the following:
        1) Your email lessons that are within my reach to Learn and get down within a week. Other email lessons I have saved until I reach that stage in my learning.
        2)BGU v 2 Course,as well as
        3)BGU Pentatonic Scales & Technique Mastery Course, continually practicing the Scales and Blues Scales in Boxes 1-5 in A-Minor Pentatonic and trialling other Keys. As well as..
        4)Soloing Without Scales- BGU Course- Learning only How to Find Notes on your Guitar- Started Monday 22nd Aug 2016 – 10 mins each day, BGU Griff Method is working.

        5)Early Sept 2016- Jam with 2 other BGUers at my place… will certainly be very much fun and share tips, obstacles and laughter for a few hours..can’t wait.

        6)From Nov 2016 with new Acoustic Electric Guitar- Epiphone EJ 200 CE, start Strumming & Rhythm Mastery BGU Course & Playing On The Porch BGU Course in readiness for my 70th Birthday Party with family etc in Jan 2017.Have to try to show some learned talent..

        7)Blues Guitar learning Obstacles.( Left Hand Stretches .Playing Blues in E…(V – B7) a big stretch…BGIAB Vol 2 Course, Down & Out Rhythm Stretch in Key of C Playing ” Buddy Holly That’ll be the Day in 12 Bar Blues 1 IV V progression in A Maj. Bar Chords D5 & D6 & A6 & A5 big stretches..I can do the stretch for a few Bars and get tired..what is the method to get through the entire songs above..I would say time..any other Tips?
        7.1) Age & Memory… Hard to memorise the Solos without practicing them over and over, I find it easier to play reading the Tab sheets from iPad..and best remedy Practice, Practice & Practice.

        All Good and Time will Tell

        Michael-Sydney- Australia -24 August 2016..

      • OzzieJohn

        Maybe we can make a Sydney BGU chapter! I, too, am a no-longer-as-young-as-I-was who would love to find others to play and grow musically with.

        Anyone else interested????

        I’m lucky to have a place that is not too close to neighbours so can push a watt or 3 through the amp without upsetting people…

    • serge

      Cliff I think I’m stilla beginner starting with some of your courses from 2012,still practicing an hour everyday, your last version 2.0 makes it easier
      I should be progressing slowly,mind you at 70, all fingers are still very fexible and I would like if Micheal in Sydney Australia could made contact if we coild have a jam one day,contact sydney 0412-434-876

      • Michael Chappell

        Hi Serge,

        I will try to make contact with you sometime this week ( from 24th Aug 2015) for a chat but I may not be ready for a Jam yet but we could plan that much later so that we both can finish BGU V2 and then try a get together. Better to play along with the Jam tracks from BGU V 2 or play along with Griff in the Video Lessons that will help you much more than myself. As Griff once advised me it is perhaps too early to use a Looper until I reach the point of being able to play to his Jam tracks without making any mistakes.
        Thks
        Michael – Sydney Australia

    • Jean Dominique

      As for me, I classify myself between intermediate and advanced, but I have a long way to go before I could be promoted to the next level, like speed control and timing…It is a long process. It takes practice, repetitions, listening etc.. .I believe I have quite a bit of material. The stuff you send in between is very helpful and fun. Thanks for the classification.

    • Pete from philly

      OMG! I’m intermediate!!! I thought “perpetual” beginner was what my skill level would hover around forever. So I have to analyze my playing time to time, that’s cool. Griff, it’s because of your courses, inspiring blogs, and my love of music that has brought me this far. Hard work n practicing every week with my pal, Bucky G, has been so much fun over the past year or so. Yep, I’m an intermediate geetar player! And I love the Blues. (And I have the Blues too). As of today, back to the grindstone. I’ll probably be at level 2 for some time to come. “Perpetual” intermediate and BGU 2.0 is my next course of action. Thank you Griff Hamlin. Your dedication to the mastery of guitar has brought so many to the “next level”. If I may dare to aspire, May it be to help many as many as you have. Rock on everyone!

      • robert t

        I used to stress about all this stuff ” when will it happen etc etc, but I learnt to play ONE song really well and enjoy it then a second etc etc and to let go and enjoy my lessons of where I am at right now not where I wanna b, because the reality is we will never get ” there” as like artists and surfers looking for perfect wave we will always b trying to get better guitar playing is about having fun, not waiting for the day we will b perfect to have that fun

      • robert t

        is it just me or are griffs students all over age 50 where are all young ones maybe they think knowing the blues is not important when it comes to understanding guitar

        • Michael Chappell

          Hi Robert t,
          There are a lot of younger ones in the Forum but a lot of others have never heard of Eric Clapton or BB King they are still trying to play One Direction music or AC/DC. But if you google young Guitar players you will be amazed at talent as young as 10 yrs playing Blues with some of the greats.

          Michael – Sydney Australia

    • James Schneider

      Griff all I know is I’m excited every time I come to pickup my strat. Learning riffs keeping time being able to play along with your videos. Alot of the time a wonder am I getting it right with no real feed back know what I mean? But I’m hanging in there following how you got it setup. Sure know more than I did before I ever tried to figure it out buy just picking up stuff off of you tube. The only time I really deveate is to learn a cool SRV rhythm to motivate myself a little extra in being able to hear me play something familiar and know it’s me doing it.so just hanging in there one lesson at a time and reminding myself it’s only 3 months I’ve been at it. Progress not perfection. It’ll come just gotta trust in your program and keep with it. Stay focused one day at a time. If thousands of others can play so will I.

    • Jim Kubitza

      My custom license plate ought to read “MELOST”. Playing over jam tracks, lots of times I’m going “Hot dang, that sounds really good”. Then one will come along that makes me feel like a beginner all over again. So one day I’m “advanced” and the next day I’m “intermediate” and some days I’m “beginner intermediate”. Blues Funk has a tendency to put a broom handle in my spokes. Jazz? Fogetabouddit. But it’s all FUN. That’s what it’s all about for me … FUN. And the more FUN I have, the better I get generally speaking. I won’t be calling myself “elite” in this life. I’ll happily settle for “pretty darned good” … if I ever get there consistently.

    • Jerry

      So I just found out I’m an advanced player. Pretty cool. I have the most trouble reading tabs though. I have to play the tab of a lick so slowly that half way thru, I forget what the lick is supposed to sound like. I find it easier to listen to the lick and get it close by ear. So I can’t play a single example Griff shows exactly as it’s supposed to sound. I do however get it sounding good with my own twist on the licks. Is that a bad habit?

      • Paul

        I consider my self an Elite player. been playing for 40 years. then comes old age and your hands get stiff and fingers lock up. you make some fubs and you can hear it. I have BGU and little wing and your 5 solos. sad part. I’ve been really stressed. I may end up living on the street. playing guitar for change. hopeing my publisher will find some use for my demos. rock on.

    • DANIN H

      i”v gone though B.B.G and working on strumming & rhythm and know some of the boxes,plus i noodle a lot ( i know it”s a bad habit but i like it ?) i”v become a better guitar player with the inspiration of you and your blogs and videos that you have been putting out,so i ordered B.G.U.02. but have not received it yet? back order i guess, but i”d say i”m in between beginner to low intermediate. thank”s keep on blues”en on.

    • Joe

      Hi Griff
      I am a Level 3 and I have to say that your courses and website is excellent and I have really learn some great thing about playing guitar from you.
      Keep up the great work
      Joe

    • Stanley King

      Scott Ryan, don’t give up, don’t ever give up. I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004, I’m now cancer free, by God’s mercy and grace. I also had a heart attack in 2011, I’m also 65. I’m dangling my toes in level 3 now. I’m about half way through “St. Louis Blues” in ABGU, the last lession in the course. I was at my local music store this morning, picking up different acoustics and playing some of the tunes from the course. Some guy walks in and was talking to a sales rep, I heard him comment “I could stand hear and listen to that all day.” That would not have happened a year ago when I started the course, I can promise you that. No more “attack of stupid” at the music store for me:))))) I have to admit though that I have committed petty theft recently by steeling a few licks(Lonnie Johnson’s to name one) and inserting them into some of Griff’s tunes from the course. Just wish that I had a little better understanding of switching between minor and major over the IV and V chord. Another couple weeks and I’ll crack open Griff’s acoustic slide course. Thanks a million Griff!!!!!, you’ve made me a budding acoustic Delta blues player!!!!! I’m waiting for your ABGU 2.0!!!

      • Scott Ryan

        Hee hee- I’m also 65, with the same old miseries- cataracts, 3 cardiac stents, Lung cancer (also in 2004)-

        • Scott Ryan

          Can’t use the computer, aorta bypass, diabetes. I just f
          figure that if ya keep trying, they ain’t got ya yet.Or something.
          Yeah, anyway, I am hoping a good deal on some of this material because I don,course really helpful and would find an organized very helpfu

        • Stanley King

          I have 1 stent (right coronary artery), and have had cataracts removed from both eyes. The last one in June of this year. You and me should have been brothers hee hee! Who knows, maybe we are!

    • Mark Arnold

      I started my guitar journey in 1978 and have been plowing along ever since played in a all original metal band in the mid to late 80s even played small club circuit in the SF bay area when Metallica was breaking big now I’m in my 50s I’m a huge Joe Satriani fan but I am a SRV fan a EC fan I’m bout top of 3 low 4

    • David William Gilbert

      i think your a great guitar teacher soonasi can afforditill buy your dvd

    • David William Gilbert

      i am at th intermediate levelaccording tothis. i kno the penatonics major an minor good a ryhthym player , need one?

    • Chief Rick

      I’m at an early level three stage mentally except that my fingers still can’t move quickly and accurately where I need them to go. I’m 70, and I don’t know whether it’s a limitation due to my age or if that’s just an excuse. Part of my problem is that I am more cerebral about my learning. That is, I learn theory but have a LOT of trouble transmitting my knowledge from my brain to my fingers.

      • Warner

        I’m exactly where you are. 70 and know theory. I’ve been in music all my life, as a drummer/percussionist. Can read music, know rhythm, know modes and fret board logic, but can’t get my fingers to follow my brain or my brain to remember beyond the first three phrases. I guess I am a perpetual guitar “want to be”.

    • Bob Sheets

      Well, I’m still a beginner, I practice 1 to 2 hours daily , and my left hand fingers have calluses, maybe I don’t need? I play most tabs, but for some reason I can’t remember, without reading the tab. Makes me really frustrated, and that doesn’t help. And sometimes I try to experiment by trying the 8/5 licks, just to get my old arthritic fingers loosened up, Ha Ha!i scream for help , as frustration abounds. Hopefully I’ll get better? Practice, practice, Bob Sheets

    • John Coombes

      Still at level 1 . Prefer the slow stuff but learning all the time and enjoying it. John

    • Jim

      Pro jazz players (Benson, Malone,etc) with their chord melodies, inversions, substitutions, and blazing speed make us all look like beginners. And don’t even mention Classical players! Almost seems like a different instrument. There’s a difference between owning a guitar for 40 years and learning how to play one. Griff’s blues are the best most of us can ever expect to achieve. And that’s no easy task!

    • Bob

      I call myself the worlds worst guitarist. I can strum or finger pick a few songs and know a few licks. I worked through, although poorly, the beginners course and BGU V1. I got BGU V2 just to get the updated material and the free stuff. Anyway, I have no idea yet how to handle the major and minor over the I, IV and V chords. Guess I will need some personal instruction for that. Trying to get something from the many teachers and videos out there has been confusing and frustrating. So where am I? Beginner to intermediate I would guess. But probably nowhere would be a better answer.

      • Scott Ryan

        Bob, would love take that course off your hands. I have been recently been diagnosed with Liver Cancer and don’t have the time that I thought I had. (Can document Med. history).
        I decided to focus on one thing in my life to try and enrich the time I have, which leads me to ask you if you would part with your lessons at a healthy discount. I hope we might a swing a deal that will make us all happy.
        Thanks for listening; unfortunately,the shit’s only too real or I wouldn’t presume to make this offer. Please use my e-mail to respond: barrelhse@gmail.com
        Thanks for for your your consideration, Bob, appreciate it.
        S. Ryan

    • Howard Spruit

      As blues goes I think I am intermediate, But when I look and listen to classic, and Jazz guitarists, and the vast world of music in general. I believe that I will be a beginner for the rest of my life. Which is a good thing, for me.

    • Anthony Ingoglia

      I’ve taken a suggestion from you. I play solos to your jams and just experiment with notes way out of the minor pentatonic. Some sound really bad. Some sound odd but cool, under the right circumstances. THEN I discover that I’m playing notes in a scale I never knew existed. Of course knowing WHY it works, helps, because you can apply it up the neck rather than memorizing shapes. Its backwards, but it works for me and is fun.
      Your method of starting with the minor pentatonic is backwards (as far as most teachers are concerned) but I LOVED it. It got me to be able to play rock and roll very quickly. You tricked me into loving learning, which, of course is the measurement of a master teacher. You are my Yoda (teaching the guitar, I am), although a much taller and not green.
      I used to just listen to live music. Now I can’t take my eyes off the guitarist’s hands. I’m enjoying the journey.

    • tony

      I am trying very hard to understand the concept of changing from the 1 cord which shuld be a major sound to the iv cord which should be a minor sound then off to the v cord which should also be a minor sound . I would say I am between the intermedate and advanced . I do not follow Your solos all that much but rather create my own. Also I have about 40 years of playing experience . I am the lead guitarist in a band for many years . I only got the bgu course to get a better ideas for soloing on guitar . I am more into rock than blues ,but as I have said before blues is what created rock. A former guitarist that created the first band I was in gave me the basic knowledge of what the 12 bar blues was about . It lacked some important information . Learning from You Griff has opened up the door to furthering my guitar knowledge . The present band I am in now I have created My own solo to only one song so far. I have advanced so far beyond the other members of the band that they seem to get lost . Could very well be Me that gets them lost . I do pratice on a daily basis and suprise Myself because My fingers seem to go where they need to go . Hate to say this but I have studided some other guitarist out there . one is in the top ten session guitarist . Guess its a thirst for more than I can drink at once . Back to study from the beginning over again.

    • Danny

      Ready for the BIG time ” just kidding” but getting pretty darn good thanks to BGU and the extra practice that I do from the e-mails I recieve. Thanks for all the time you’ve put into this it’s much appreciated!

    • Lezsalmon

      I thought I could play guitar (a bit!) and already, I am learning from the Blues unleashed course I bought. So, you don’t know, what you don’t know, until you find something new and this course is teaching me what I didn’t know. I actually look forward each day, to playing along with Griff, on my d.v.d’s.

    • Pete Kettles

      Interesting concept…breaking down skill levels.
      You mentioned players achieving a certain level and not knowing that they’ve actually missed some theory piece etc. That’s me…the thing is I don’t know what I don’t know.
      I’m kinda all over the map from a music genre aspect. I enjoy different types of music. I do appreciate your videos. They “fill in the blanks” in a lot of cases. Without any real formal training, I’ve basically picked up things as I’ve gone along – watching others and basically sticking to chords (books etc.
      I’ve been playing for…ahem…probably close to 35 years and I figure i’m sitting around upper level 2 maybe creeping into 3. But it’s really hard to rate yourself i find.
      Anyway, keep up the great work Griff!

      • Scott Ryan

        Pete- I bet I’m More Musically Disabled than you- ha ha!
        Seriously, some of us are NOT wired musically and we are proof that assembling music in the brain can be nearly impossible for those of us so unfortunate. We hear stories of Mr. Johnson who could hear a song once and learn it. Not us, eh, Pete? Anyway, I keep trying ever since I first heard the Country Blues in the early 60’s. While my enjoyment of the range of the CB never ceases to amaze me, neither does does my dismal ability to play it.
        Well, Pete, best of luck to you. I’m 65 and just diagnosed w/ liver cancer so I’ma play til I’m dead and hope to learn a bit more before I pass on- ready for a nice “Sittin on top of the World” when you arrive?

    • Michael Chappell

      Hey Griff,

      Since Jan 2013, learning electric Guitar primarily in 12 Bar Blues Format and with all the courses I have purchased from BGU and now going through a fantastic course Blues Guitar Unleashed V 2.This course has opened up my vision to learning so easily the format of 1 , IV and V 12 Bar blues Chords. The Key structure is so simple to learn and understand by the way you teach it. I feel that I am still in Intermediate but have some Advanced experience. From BGU v2 I can now play along with you in 7ths chords and 9th Substitutes and working on Little chords and getting close to starting lesson 6 DVD 2 in BGU v2.I can play the 4 note solo by reading the Tabs directly without looking at my guitar and keep up with you.

      So I would advise that since I have purchased Courses from BGU, plus the free video lessons from Griff, I have advanced far quicker than spending AUD 50 per lesson per week for 12 months.

      Where you At? I have good timing, Can follow You in BGU v2 Lessons 1-5 can re3ad Tab directly and play without looking at the fret board, can do Barr Chords and play 7ths and 9ths. I practice 2hours every night on BGU v2 and then during the day at least 1 hr and as a warm play 12 Bar Blues Songs that I have learn’t along the way.

      All Good…. If you want to get to advanced then BGU v2 is the way to go.
      Thanks
      Michael- Sydney Australia

    • Mark Wales uk

      I’m at the intermediate stage working BGU2 on lesson 18 I’ve progressed so fast in the last couple of weeks
      Thanks to Griff and the BGU course

    • TerryH

      Just stepping gingerly onto the first steps of the intermediate ladder.

    • Rick Killoran

      Still a beginner but making progress

    • Margaret Dyson

      I am just plodding along at a fairly slow pace but having fun and understanding what I am doing!

    • Legoge47

      i guess I’m an intermediate beginner if that’s possible.

      • LouisVA

        Same here, Legoge47.

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