Lesson 06 The parts of the Acoustic Guitar – 5:20 minutes
In this module we discuss the parts of the acoustic guitar – many of the part names are the same as on an electric – but there are a few differences you will need to know.
Lesson 05 The parts of the Electric Guitar – 5:13 minutes
In this module we will teach you the parts of the electric guitar. We need to be able to communicate with you talking the language of music, so its important you know these parts and terminology.
Lesson 04 Find the right SIZED guitar for YOU – lots of choices available – 6:26 minutes
This module discusses that the fundamentals are the same no matter what type of music you want to play and also they same if you want to play acoustic or electric – but get the instrument that you want and that you are drawn to. We also discuss which guitar to get once you decide on either acoustic or electric. There are so many models and types out there it can be overwhelming – so we discuss how to go about making a well informed guitar purchase that you will be happy with and that will bring you a lifetime of joy.
Lesson 03 Which guitar to learn on – Acoustic or Electric? – 3:16 minutes
This module discusses the differences of learning on the acoustic guitar or the electric guitar. You can do either – but we will discuss which is easier to learn on and why. It is up to you to which one you are drawn to more. We will also discuss what to look for when purchasing an electric guitar.
Lesson 02 How much should you practice and how to practice the right things – 5:45 minutes
The amount of time your practice, following our structured plan and practice routines, will determine how fast you move up to the next level. This module discusses how much should you be practicing and how important it is to follow our structured plan. Learn at your own pace with no pressure!
Lesson 01 Welcome to Next Level Guitar – greetings, your guitar journey, and site navigation – 6:08 min
Welcome to Next Level Guitar. We are going to get you playing the guitar in the fastest and most efficient manner possible. Watch the below intro video and to make website navigation as easy as possible we have a killer advanced search function on the site that makes it really easy to find lessons quickly. The search box is on every lesson page, just type in what you are looking for and it displays all the lessons. This is a huge time-saver and if you want to see this feature in action, then click on this link to see me demonstrate this feature right on your screen – https://www.screencast.com/t/nwNb4svs0ifd – So grab your guitar and get ready to rock good people – HERE WE GO!
Lead guitar Mixolydian modal playing devices inspired by FRANK ZAPPA – 10:10 min
In this lesson Ben Zinn teaches a lead guitar lesson on modal playing devices inspired by the great Frank Zappa. This lesson will involve shifting gears between two different sounds and ideas. This is a great way to create some variety in your playing. This lesson will focus on the Mixolydian scale and how to combine it with the Blues scale. remember that Mixolydian is the fifth mode in any major key. And Mixolydian is like a major scale but has a flatted seventh, b7. So the intervals of Mixoydian are 1,2,3,4,5,6,b7. Mixolydian sounds great over dominant chords as they have flatted seventh notes in them. This lesson is in the key of A and the chords are an easy and simple two-chord vamp A to G. Ben then teaches an open position for the Mixolydian scale. Ben then gets into a blues scale but adds the sixth note – so its like a hybrid scale but sounds very cool. The idea is to go back and forth between that classic blues vocabulary and the switching to Mixolydian ideas. Try these devices and licks as Ben outlines them and then try and vary them and put your own spin on them. Practice over the jam track and get creative and experiment with modes and continue to study the relationship between chords and scales – enjoy!
Modal playing lesson how to apply the PHRYGIAN MODE – 15:43 min
In this lesson david teaches modal playing for lead guitar with emphasis on using the Phrygian Mode. Phrygian is the 3rd mode in any major key and its more of a minor type mode. Its a very dark and exotic sounding mode and has that very identifiable flat 2nd in its intervalic structure – 1,b2,b3,4,5,b6,b7. Its similar to the Aeolian mode, (Natural Minor), except it has a flat 2nd where Aeolian has a natural 2nd. This lesson is in the key of Bminor and the progression we are playing over is a Bm7 – Cmaj7 – just a two chord vamp. David then teaches what avenues to try when improvising over these changes. When you see a minor key progression going to a flat 2nd – then you know you can use Phrygian mode and it sounds great – give it a try. David then teaches how to get to Phrygian by going through the major scale – remember that the modes are just variations of the major scale. david also teaches some licks, scales, and arpeggios that you can try over the progression. So lay the track down and practice Phrygian as well as playing over each chord independently. Use those jam tracks, loops, and keep honing your guitar skills to a sharp edge. The track used in this lesson is in the JAM TRACK SECTION of the site – be sure to download it and practice over the track – the track is titled:
JAM TRACK – Bm7 – Cmaj7 Phrygian Jamtrack
Melodic clean soloing utilizing the MODES of the major scale – 13:08 min
In this lesson Dave Nassie turns things down a bit and goes mellow to teach some clean toned melody lines. Dave teaches how to use the modes of the major scale to bring out cool melodic lines when soloing. Short melodic phrases are the topic in this lesson. Dave teaches melodic soloing using bends and vibrato to bring out the vocal lines on the guitar. Here we are in the key of G so we will be using the modes diatonic to the key of G major. Dave teaches solo lines played on one string at a time. Learn this and much more in this killer lesson – have fun and keep on rocking!
