Browse Lessons by Topic

Intermediate

Thirds in C

Play the C Major scale harmonized in 3rds & 6ths, moving these intervals up and down the fretboard.
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Intermediate

Connecting Arpeggios in C pt. 1

Learn 7th chord arpeggios in one position at a moderate tempo
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Intermediate

Connecting Arpeggios in C pt. 2

Level up your 7th chord arpeggios and go faster—16th note feel at 95bpm
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Intermediate

Hypnotic Grooves: Chromatic Lines

Get started with chromaticism—here are some ideas to play over a dominant chord. Works well over C7 or Gm7 chords.
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Intermediate

Hypnotic Grooves: Arpeggio Run

Play this bebop-like arpeggio run outlining a Gm11 chord
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Advanced

Ella Fitzgerald - "Take the A Train" Solo

The classic Ella Fitzgerald solo from Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Duke Ellington Songbook (1957)
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Intermediate

7th Chord Voicings

Learn 8 new 7th shapes, playing G7 & B7
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Intermediate

Hypnotic Grooves: Backing Track

Here's a hypnotic backing track for you to practice your improvising. 90 BPM, Key of C.
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Intermediate

Minor Scales in D (5th String Root)

D minor scale variants built from the 5th string root, positioned on the 5th fret. In the CAGED system, this is the "C Shape."
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Intermediate

Two Chord Jams: Dorian Minor

Learn chords, scales, and arpeggios to express the Dorian tonality
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Intermediate

Two Chord Jams: Harmonic Minor

Learn chords, scales, and arpeggios to express the Harmonic Minor tonality
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Two Chord Jams: Natural Minor

Learn chords, scales, and arpeggios to express the Natural Minor (Aeolian) tonality
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Advanced

Raga Piloo (Ravi Shankar)

Learn this classic Ravi Shankar melody from his composition, Raga Piloo, first recorded on East Meets West vol. 2 with Yehudi Menuhin.
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Advanced

Diatonic Waterfall Exercise

This exercise is built from the harmonized diatonic scale—we approach each diatonic chord of the G major scale from an upper neighbor tone (descending pattern) and then from a lower neighbor tone (ascending pattern).
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Intermediate

Caravan

Learn the melody and a few licks for this iconic Duke Ellington standard
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Advanced

Over the Rainbow

A chord melody arrangement of this classic standard by Harold Arlen
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Advanced

Sippin' at Bells

A classic bebop blues head - full of chromaticism. Written by Miles Davis. Check out the recording with Charlie Parker on the Savoy label.
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Fundamentals

My Girl

This melody uses the C major pentatonic scale.
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Fundamentals

Zombie

This tune will help you learn your first open chords and strumming rhythm.
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Fundamentals

Longview

This classic bass riff also makes for a great guitar riff on the lower strings.
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Fundamentals

If It Makes You Happy

This tune helps you practice strumming and open chords in G.
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Fundamentals

Day Tripper

An iconic rock riff built on blues vocabulary.
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Advanced

Sus & Slash Chord Sounds

Here are some linear patterns to play over a sus chord, also known as a slash chord. The chord in this example could be called A suspended (Asus), or G/A - whatever we call it, it typically functions as an a A chord.
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Intermediate

Desert Raven

This song is a study in the Dorian mode (D Dorian Minor)
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Intermediate

Dorian Minor

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Fundamentals

Major Scale

The foundational scale of Western music
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Fundamentals

Intro to Rhythmic Patterns

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Fundamentals

Triads in C pt. 1

This progression in the key of C uses triads on strings 1-3
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Fundamentals

Triads in Am pt. 1

This progression in the key of Am uses triads on strings 1-3
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Fundamentals

Am Pentatonic: 1 String

Play the minor pentatonic on a single string
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Fundamentals

Am Pentatonic: Single Octave Shapes

Play the minor pentatonic in a single octave in different positions across the fretboard
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Fundamentals

Am Pentatonic: Pos. 1-3

Play the minor pentatonic in Positions 1-3, starting with the most common scale shape
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Fundamentals

Am Pentatonic: Pos. 4 & 5

Play the minor pentatonic in Positions 4 & 5
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Fundamentals

Thumbing Single Notes

Learn to play a steady rhythm on one open string.
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Fundamentals

Picking Single Notes

Learn to pick a steady rhythm on one open string.
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Fundamentals

Alternate Picking

A series of right-hand figures to build up basic alternate picking.
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Fundamentals

Thumb & Fingers

A series of right-hand figures to get your thumb and middle finger working together.
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Fundamentals

Strumming

A series of right-hand figures to teach basic strum patterns.
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Fundamentals

Riffing

Learn how a few basic riff patterns and palm muting with your right hand.
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Fundamentals

Playing on One String

Explore beginner scale patterns up and down on a single string.
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Fundamentals

Pentatonic Beginnings

Explore beginner melodies with the pentatonic scale in one position.
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Fundamentals

Major Scale Beginnings

Explore beginner melodies with the major scale scale in one position.
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Fundamentals

Building Strength & Dexterity

Work single note patterns in position to build left-hand strength & dexterity.
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Fundamentals

Introducing Slides

Learn basic technique and phrases for left-hand slides.
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Fundamentals

Introducing Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

Learn basic technique and phrases for hammer-ons and pull-offs.
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Fundamentals

G Major (I Chord)

Learn the open G chord.
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Fundamentals

Cadd9 (IV Chord)

Learn the Cadd9 chord and switch from G to Cadd9.
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Fundamentals

D Major (V Chord)

Learn the D chord and switch from G to D.
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Fundamentals

G and Em Chords

Learn chords G and Em and practice switching between them.
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Fundamentals

Am (ii Chord)

Learn the Em chord and switch from G to Em.
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Fundamentals

G Major & E Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Fundamentals

C Major & A Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Fundamentals

D Major & B Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Fundamentals

E Major & C# Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Fundamentals

A Major & F# Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Fundamentals

Open Chords in A

Learn the fingerings for A, D, and E—the major chords in the key of A.
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Fundamentals

Dil Kya Kare Groove

Three-part guitar arrangement of the groove from Dil Kya Kare.
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Fundamentals

You Really Got Me - Beginner Groove

A three-part guitar arrangement for grooving to "You Really Got Me"
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Fundamentals

12 Bar Blues in E

The basic 12 bar blues played with powerchords and a swung 8th note feel.
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Fundamentals

First Fingerpicking

Get started with basic fingerpicking using simplified G and D chord shapes.
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Fundamentals

Right Hand Study #1

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Fundamentals

Triads in Am pt. 2

This progression in the key of Am uses triads on strings 2-4
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Fundamentals

Triads G to F pt. 1

Here's a common two-chord progression using triads on two string sets
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Fundamentals

Triads Progression 102

Combine basic triads to play this chord progression in the key of C
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Fundamentals

Triads G to F pt. 2

Here's a common two-chord progression using triads on the lower string sets
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Fundamentals

Open Chord Progressions in G

Play 4 common chord progressions using open chords in G.
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Fundamentals

Am Pentatonic: String Transportation

Move up and down the fretboard with the pentatonic scale
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Fundamentals

Born Under a Bad Sign (Riff)

A classic blues riff from the great Albert King (Stax Records, 1967).
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Fundamentals

Who Knows (Riff)

A classic riff by Jimi Hendrix —from Band of Gypsies, Live at the Fillmore East (1970)
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Fundamentals

Heart of Gold

Learn the intro & verse strumming pattern for this classic Neal Young tune.
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Fundamentals

Best Part

Try this beginner R&B progression by Daniel Cesar & H.E.R.
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Intermediate

Thank You (Riff)

Learn the riff and chord stab from this iconic funk tune by Sly & the Family Stone.
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Fundamentals

Cissy Strut

An iconic funk riff by The Meters—off their self-titled 1969 album.
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Fundamentals

Intro to 1-6-2-5

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Fundamentals

Intro to Barre Chords

Build up fundamental barre chords in the key of C
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Fundamentals

Barre Chords 6th & 5th Strings

Build up fundamental barre chord shapes
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Intermediate

Thirds in G

Play the G Major scale harmonized in 3rds & 6ths, moving these intervals up and down the fretboard.
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Intermediate

6/8 Polyrhythm Study

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Intermediate

Connecting Arpeggios in C pt. 3

Learn another position for 7th chord arpeggios in C
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Fundamentals

12 Bar Blues - Shell Voicings in E

The basic 12 bar blues played with shell voicings. Includes a turnaround in bars 11-12.
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Fundamentals

Blues Bending 1 - Key of E

Here are a few licks to help you practice bending the third in a blues. These licks work over an E blues and will sound good over an E7 chord.
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Intermediate

V7 to I Cadence

An exercise exploring the V7 to I cadence, highlighting the voice leading in the top voice of each chord.
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Fundamentals

Major Scale Patterns

Check out these patterns for warming up with the major scale.
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Fundamentals

Em Blues Scale

The classic Em blues scale in open position, plus an additional fingering for 2nd position.
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Intermediate

Evil Ways

Learn the groove from this iconic Santana tune.
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Intermediate

Phrygian Jam (E)

The basic building blocks of a Phrygian sound, key of E
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Intermediate

7th Chord Scale (C)

Play all the 7th chords in the key of C—using ascending 6th-string root voicings
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Intermediate

7th Chord Scale (G)

Play all the 7th chords in the key of G—using ascending 6th-string root voicings
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Intermediate

Ascending Arpeggios (C)

Play ascending 7th chord arpeggios in the key of C
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Intermediate

Ascending Arpeggios (G)

Play ascending 7th chord arpeggios in the key of G
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Intermediate

Mixolydian

Major scale variant with a b7
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Intermediate

Lydian

Major scale variant with a #4
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Intermediate

2-5-1-6 Voicings in D

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Intermediate

2-5-1 Shell Voicings in 12 Keys

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Intermediate

Jazz Blues Chord Voicings in G

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Intermediate

Californication Guitar Solo

John Frusciante's solo on "Californication"
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Intermediate

Arpeggios in C: 1,2,3,4

The first four arpeggios in the key of C
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Intermediate

Arpeggios in C: 5,6,7, 1

Ascending arpeggios from 5 to 1 in the key of C
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Intermediate

Secondary Dominant Line

An arpeggio line using a secondary dominant movement to set up the 2 chord. Key of C.
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Intermediate

Connecting Arpeggios in C pt. 4

Level up your 7th chord arpeggios and go faster—16th note feel at 95bpm
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