Fundamentals

Modules

Fundamentals

Lessons by Topic

Songs

My Girl

This melody uses the C major pentatonic scale.
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Songs

Zombie

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

Longview

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

If It Makes You Happy

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

Day Tripper

An iconic rock riff built on blues vocabulary.
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Scales

Major Scale

The foundational scale of Western music
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Rhythm

Intro to Rhythmic Patterns

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Chords

Triads in C pt. 1

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

Triads in Am pt. 1

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

Am Pentatonic: 1 String

Play the minor pentatonic on a single string
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Rhythm

Am Pentatonic: Single Octave Shapes

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

Am Pentatonic: Pos. 1-3

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

Am Pentatonic: Pos. 4 & 5

Play the minor pentatonic in Positions 4 & 5
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Rhythm

Thumbing Single Notes

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

Picking Single Notes

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

Alternate Picking

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

Thumb & Fingers

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

Strumming

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

Riffing

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

Playing on One String

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

Pentatonic Beginnings

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

Major Scale Beginnings

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

Building Strength & Dexterity

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

Introducing Slides

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

Introducing Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

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

G Major (I Chord)

Learn the open G chord.
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Chords

Cadd9 (IV Chord)

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

D Major (V Chord)

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

G and Em Chords

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

Am (ii Chord)

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

G Major & E Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Scales

C Major & A Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Scales

D Major & B Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Scales

E Major & C# Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Scales

A Major & F# Minor Scales

Play each scale in two octaves & two positions
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Chords

Open Chords in A

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

Dil Kya Kare Groove

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

You Really Got Me - Beginner Groove

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

12 Bar Blues in E

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

First Fingerpicking

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

Right Hand Study #1

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Chords

Triads in Am pt. 2

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

Triads G to F pt. 1

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

Triads Progression 102

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

Triads G to F pt. 2

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

Open Chord Progressions in G

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

Am Pentatonic: String Transportation

Move up and down the fretboard with the pentatonic scale
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Transcriptions

Born Under a Bad Sign (Riff)

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

Who Knows (Riff)

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

Heart of Gold

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

Best Part

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

Cissy Strut

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

Intro to 1-6-2-5

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Scales

Intro to Barre Chords

Build up fundamental barre chords in the key of C
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Scales

Barre Chords 6th & 5th Strings

Build up fundamental barre chord shapes
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Chords

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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Licks

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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Scales

Major Scale Patterns

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

Em Blues Scale

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