Lesson Files

Lovely song to impress the people who say "can you play guitar? Go on then, play me something then".

The picking pattern needs to be played smoothly and with feeling. The pattern is series of three notes, played in bundles of three. The first of these bundles has an additional bass note.

Nice 12 Bar Blues example using a chord shape that moves up the neck, subtly changing as it goes.

See 12 Bar Blues Strum Chords for the accompanying fretboard diagram.

Using the 3 notes per string concept to create a scale shape, within which you pick out the arpeggio for each starting interval.

This shape is starting from the seventh note in the scale and is therefore position 7.

These multi-octave arpeggios are great for testing your dexterity, understanding of the fretboard. The aim is to play the shape anywhere on the fretboard.

3 notes per string shapes allow you to find chords, melodic runs, arpeggios and other patterns, plus really fast solos!.

Using Shape 2, known as the D chord shape, apply the 4th interval from the scale wherever you can find it.

In each case the 4th is relative to the root note of the current chord.

This lesson file compliments Applying 4ths to Shape 2 in the Key of D.

Using slightly different chords.

This is related to Gypsy Jazz Chord Sequence Warm Up.

An example of using parts of a chord to create different ideas.

Whenever you play something, it is always good to try and see the underlying chord shape.

Get a chord, add an interval = new chord and new shape = new ideas.

Using shape 4 which is D shape, and using the key of D (D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#) I demonstrate adding the 4th in places near my current chord.

This lesson file compliments Applying 4ths to Shape 2.

I asked a student to name a song or artist that sounds like the direction he would want to go in...

...His reply was ' Ryan Keen'. I thought ok, I'll check him out. So I did, and I transcribed his song 'Interlude', form his EP ' Aiming for the Sun'.

This is actually a 2nd edition. The 1st edition was my guess at the tuning (which I got wrong - come on, it could have been anything!). I emailed Ryan and he very nicely told me the tuning, which is DADDAD, or open D5:

• 6th String: D
• 5th String: A
• 4th String: D
• 3rd String: D
• 2nd String: A
• 1st String: D

I like it when artists just put out short tracks or little ideas. No need to pad it out to make it 5 minutes, just keep it as it is. Short and Sweet. Nice.

I have included my thoughts on the fingers used to play the notes. See if you agree.

A great intro to a really unique album.

This features a time signature change as part of the riff itself. Nice.

Down worry too much abot that. Just have a good crack at learning it.

I love this track.

The guitar is dirty and rubbish, and that makes it raw.

The bass and drums make it seedy.

There is also an acoustic strumming in the background, too. Did you notice.

It is not transcribed.

I aim to do the bass soon, but it won't sound as good because it is a fretless bass and he is not quite hitting the notes properly (as far as I can tell) and that makes it even more great!

This Lesson File extends 3 Notes Per String Shape 1 - Triads.

View that if you haven't already.

To extend the chord to include the 7th interval, I simply add the triad that would start from the 3rd interval, 1,3,5,7.

Not the full song, but a version for beginners.

This song is all about power chords. Power chords are ubiquitous in rock music.