- Category: DD Joe Satriani Course
- Instructor: NextLevelGuitar
- Total Time: 11:54 min
- Please click below for digital video version:
1 VIDEO INTRODUCTION – Learn rock guitar techniques and devices inspired by Joe Satriani
- Category: DD Joe Satriani Course
- Instructor: NextLevelGuitar
- Total Time: 5:52 min
- Please click below for digital video version:
1 Top 10 hints to get your playing to the next level
Top 10 hints to get your playing to the next level
Hey there – whats up good people! David Taub here from Next Level Guitar.
Along your guitar journey I believe there are certain critical points that every guitar player needs to tackle. These are concepts that will get your playing to the next level. I have taught thousands of students privately and online and I see common areas where students can have holes in their playing that need filling.
So to help players get through this I have assembled a list of what I believe are the Top Ten Hints to get your playing to the next level.
Take care and remember to keep putting those guitars in your hands everyday….even if it is just for 5 or 10 minutes – that alone makes a big difference.
Take care and rock on!
David Taub
www.nextlevelguitar.com
TOP TEN TIPS TO GET YOUR PLAYING TO THE NEXT LEVEL:
There are certain principles that every guitar player should consider tackling to help evolve their playing to the next level. Some concepts and techniques are harder than others, and take quite a bit of work to master. However, in the end you will be glad you took the extra time to learn the principles outlined below, as they will make you a better guitarist and a better musician. Go slowly at first and don’t overwhelm yourself. These are processes that take time, remember that your playing is an evolution. Take stock in your playing and see if you are deficient in one or more of these areas and then really work hard on getting each up to speed. Keep honing your skills, refining your art, and stay positive!
TIP 1: Use what you learn in lessons as templates – not isolated individual events
You want to be able to take what you are learning and apply it to real musical situations. Don’t just learn a lick or an exercise. Use lessons as practical playing vehicles for you to practice and hone your lead guitar playing skills. Take what you learn in an individual lesson and try applying it in a musical context to other jams, songs, and progressions.
TIP 2: JUST DON’T LEARN LICKS………..LEARN FROM THE LICKS
Often guitarists spend too much time just learning licks and stopping there. If you just learn a lick here and there in the end you know a few licks. What good is that, really? You want to LEARN FROM THE LICK – what scale is that lick from?, how is it used?, over what changes can it be played?, over what chords can it be played?, how can I vary that lick to turn that one lick into twenty licks?, how can I use the lick in a musical context? Then you’re arming yourself with the necessary tools to take your playing to the next level.
TIP 3: ANALYZE THE CHORD PROGRESSION – knowing the key alone is not enough
I have seen this hold guitar players back time and time again. They focus solely on what key they are playing in, and that’s all they tune into. This can be very limiting as knowing just the key will only get you so far. Knowing what key you are playing in is important, but to fully develop your lead playing and improvisation skills you need to know more. You need to start analyzing the chords and progressions.
You want to know what chords are in a progression and then analyze them to determine what scales, modes, and landing notes to utilize. In many instances you need to determine if there is a IV chord or V chord in a progression, and if the chords are major or minor. You need to know which notes make up the chords that you are playing over so you can use their respective chord tones as strong landing or emphasis notes. You will need to know the chords and their structure to fully understand and apply which mode you want to solo with.
KEY POINT: It’s the chords that you are playing over that give you the full roadmap to what will work for soloing and improvisation purposes.
Get in the habit of writing out the chord progression and thoroughly examining all the chords to get a clear picture of the soloing options. Consider this very methodical approach at first as training to solidify you’re musical muscle memory. This way eventually your ear will be developed enough to take you to all the right notes. I have found that learning this methodical approach first will get you there the fastest.
TIP 4: DEVELOP YOUR EAR
One of the most important things that you can do as a musician is to DEVELOP YOUR EAR. This opens the door to amazing musical applications. Once your ear starts developing you will be able to hear strum patterns and rhythms and play them by ear without the worry of learning the strum pattern up and down strums. You will hear the color of chords and be able to discern major chords from minor chords from 7th chords and so on. When songwriting, you will be able to put together chords that give off a certain color or emotion. You will be able to figure out and transcribe songs by ear. Your ear will also take you to those sweet sounding landing and emphasis notes and link the proper scale or mode to a given chord or set of chords. I can go on and on – develop that ear – its HUGE!
TIP 5: KNOW A LARGE CATALOGUE OF CHORDS
Knowing a large vocabulary of chords is absolutely critical. Unless you want to be relegated to playing stock everyday, A, D, and E all day long. Being able to play a lot of different chords proficiently and knowing how to embellish them is a difficult task, but so worthwhile. Knowing a large catalog of chords will open many doors and allow you to embellish and decorate your playing with all kinds of new musical melodies, rhythms, and endless song writing possibilities. Why play a stock, sterile, every day Aminor chord when you can play a much more interesting and harmonically rich Asus2, Am7, or Am9 chord? Embellishing chords is a great way to spark new ideas and infuse new life into old progressions and songs. Having chordal options makes it fun and exciting not only for the guitarist but also more musically interesting for the listener.
TIP 6: KNOW HOW TO PLAY SOLID RHYTHM
Knowing a large catalog of chords is the first step. Next is being able to play solid rhythm. Music is more than just soloing, notes, and chords, it is also about rhythm and meter. As a guitarist you will be playing rhythm 90% of the time. Some guitarists think they can just concentrate solely on soloing and improvisation. But they are in for a huge surprise first time they start playing with a band or jamming with other people. Your lead playing will pretty much only ever be as good as your rhythm playing. Your rhythm playing is huge so don’t overlook it.
KEY POINT: Don’t neglect your rhythm playing – your lead playing will only ever be as good as your rhythm playing
TIP 7: KNOW THE NOTES ON THE NECK
Strive to learn the notes on the neck cold. You will always be a better musician and be able to speak the language of music if you take the extra time to learn the notes that make up each chord, each scale, and the notes on the fretboard. This will also allow you to grab a needed note quickly at any time. Knowing the notes on the neck is a huge under taking, so make it a point to learn them over a period of time. Take things slow and learn one string at a time, then go to the next string. Utilize octaves to make the learning process a bit easier.
TIP 8: DON”T RELY SOLELY ON TABLATURE OR JUST LEARNING SHAPES
The problem with tablature and just learning scale shapes is that you don’t learn the notes that make up the chords or the scales. Don’t rely solely on tablature, then you are just learning finger position, fret numbers, and shapes. Try not to become too dependent on tablature. Tablature only tells you what fret number to play, it does not tell you the note that you are playing or the notes that make up the chords. Tablature is a fun way to learn songs so certainly use it and have fun with it, but don’t fall into the trap of using it exclusively and not taking the time to develop your ear. Along with tablature learn the notes on the neck and which notes and intervals make up each chord. So keep developing your ear so you eventually wont need tabs.
TIP 9: DON’T JUST LEARN SCALES ALONE – ALSO LEARN HOW TO APPLY THEM
Too often players will learn dozens and dozens of scales, but they don’t learn how to use them and when to apply them. Learning a scale by itself is not enough. Knowing when to utilize the scale and over which chords is just as important. Knowing all the scales ever created in the history of music will do you absolutely no good unless you know how to utilize them and under which musical circumstances to apply them into your playing. Learn the scale, but also learn how to apply it.
TIP 10: KNOW YOUR PENTATONICS, BUT KNOW YOUR MAJOR SCALES AS WELL
This is invaluable for the lead guitar player. Knowing your major scales in all positions across the neck will help give you so many additional tools necessary for lead playing and improvisation. Too many players just stop learning scales after they learn the Pentatonics. Knowing the major scales up and down the neck will be the springboard to knowing the modes of the major scale, relative major and minor, and many other important concepts. So learn those major scales in all positions. Don’t stop after learning Pentatonic scales, keep pushing into new territories and you will push yourself to that next level of lead guitar playing.
9 Home Recording tips and jamming with Leslie West from Mountain
Hey Good People – David Taub here from Next Level Guitar.com
Hope all is well. We have been getting tons of emails asking questions about home recording So I put together an exclusive video with some home recording tips and info that I think you will enjoy.
In this video I also include a link to watch a trailer of a show that I did on a recent trip with rock icon Leslie West of the band Mountain. I met and jammed with Leslie at Showplace Studios in New Jersey.The full show with Leslie and I will be coming out soon but I thought you may want to watch the trailer for a sneak peak.
You can watch the trailer here:
http://www.plug-inhomerecording.com/upcoming-episodes.php?v=50&t=5
Take care and keep on rocking!
David Taub
www.nextlevelguitar.com
PS – If you would like DVD lessons we are still running our “THANK YOU” DVD promotion in case you have not checked it out as yet. It’s a killer deal with over 28 hours of beginner lessons on 14 DVDs – it rocks – read all about it here:
http://www.nextlevelguitar.com/thanks_special/youtubethankyou.php
10 Video update NLG plus inspiring stories & Samantha!
Video update NLG plus inspiring stories & Samantha
What’s up good people! David Taub here from Next Level Guitar – thought I would drop you a quick video hello. Above is a video which details all the latest happenings at Next Level Guitar, as well as some inspiring stories and a personal story of a challenge I have encountered along my guitar journey. I hope you find the video informative on what is coming up at NLG and the stories inspiring.
Just remember to keep putting that guitar in your hands every day, even if it is just for ten minutes, stay positive, and remember your playing is an evolution…………..YOU CAN DO IT. And if you like our website, lessons, or DVDs please remember to tell a friend about us and spread the word about Next Level Guitar.
Take care and as always…………ROCK ON!
David Taub
PS – we are continuing to run one of our all time best selling promotions where we offer up our killer song DVD lessons – buy 5 or more and you get them for just $9 each – a killer deal – plus we throw in free worldwide shipping – click on the link below to check out the deal and then click on any song title in the list for a DVD preview and detailed menu descriptions of all the lessons on each DVD – click here:
7 PRACTICE TIPS and learning some solo techniques
Hey there – David Taub here from Next Level Guitar. Hope everyone is well and your guitar journeys are going famously so far in 2009! Just keep putting that guitar in your hands every day, even if it’s only for ten minutes.
Those ten-minute sessions throughout the day really add up. I strongly suggest leaving your guitar out on a stand and keep it near you in a room you are in most often. Worst thing you can do is pack your guitar in the case and stick it in the closet or under the bed. You want to have it near you and easy to grab and have it available to quickly bust out and play and practice when you have a spare five or ten minutes.
We all have those small pockets of downtime in our day when we are waiting or just hanging out. Waiting for ten minutes for our friends to come over, waiting for our clothes to dry in the dryer, or waiting for that pizza to heat up in the oven. So use those small pockets of downtime that would just be wasted away and grab your guitar and do a quick five or ten minute practice session. You will be amazed at how much those small sessions help. You don’t need to have an hour or two hour monster session scheduled to get your playing to the next level – try it!
Hey….. we have been getting a lot of emails regarding our last DVD release – the “Beginner Blues Rock Soloing” four DVD set. Many of you want to learn lead guitar but wrote that you are not that crazy about the blues and want to play a different genre – like pop, country, jazz, metal, or something else.
Well, based on your emails we decided to break out a one DVD product called “Soloing Techniques, Strength & Dexterity Building”. This two-hour DVD will launch you into the world of lead guitar no matter what genre of music you want to play. Read and watch more about this new DVD here:
The basic fundamentals for lead guitar are the same for all genres – you will need to be proficient at certain techniques like string bending, picking, string muting, vibrato, hammer-ons, pull-offs, as well as have a strong and dexterous fret hand. Well this two-hour DVD covers all of the above and more and will get that fret hand strengthened through a systematic series of finger exercises, dexterity exercises, finger isolation movements, and strength builders.
Remember lead guitar is all about taking the notes and working them, doing interesting things with them that make musical sense. And the more strong and dexterous your fret hand is the more you can work with the notes – the more you can do with the notes equals more tone. So you really want to have as strong and dexterous a fret hand as possible as this DVD will get you there.
Now if you already purchased our Beginner Blues Rock Soloing 4 DVD set then this disk is not for you as most of the lessons on this DVD are already built into that set. Watch the video preview for this DVD and read exactly what is on each lesson menu here:
I think you will really like this DVD and it will get you started in the world of lead guitar in the fastest and most efficient manner.
Take care, rip it up…and…as always…ROCK ON!
David Taub
3 Bar Chords can be tough – here are some free lessons to help
Hi – David Taub here from Next Level Guitar with some free videos and tips on playing bar chords. We receive hundreds of emails from players all over the world here at Next Level Guitar and many have to do withthe challenges of playing bar chords. So I thought I’d suggest some quick bar chord tips and two lessons to help you in your bar chord guitar journey.
First of all I want to say that everyone…and I mean EVERYONE struggles with bar chords along their guitar journey. No one just walks up to a guitar and plays the dreaded F bar chord first time. It just does not work like that. It takes the right technique as well as patience and practice to chip away at them and eventually they come. So don’t beat yourself up and don’t feel alone if you are struggling with bar chords – we all feel your pain as we have been there too! I suggest using 5th and power chords as a pre-curser to bar chords. These chords will get your fingers in bar chord mode so to speak, and for now you can use these chords to substitute for the full on bar chords. This will keep you practicing your favorite songs as you wont need to abolish songs you want to play just because they have bar chords in them. For now you can sub the power and 5th chords until you get the full on bar chords up to snuff. So there is dual purpose with the use of 5th and power chords – here we will use them as a kind of training device. Here is a free 16-minute lesson on power and fifth chords – check this lesson out as I think it will really help:
A few tips on making your bar chord journey a bit easier is to remember that proper technique is critical. If you don’t have that solid foundation then you are setting yourself up for needless frustration. Guitar is kind of like that – you need to have that solid foundation to keep building upon… the further and further you go on your guitar journey.
So as far as technique remember to keep that wrist down, fingers cupped – not flattened out, on your fingertips – don’t get lazy on us, and have that first bar finger pressed right behind the fret, and pinky stays attached hitching a ride on that 3rd finger. These make forming that bar chord shape or fingering the easiest. Here is a free 14-minute lesson on easy techniques to play bar chords – check out the lesson right here:
You can do it – I know you can as we have taught thousands of students all over the world these techniques. It just takes time, patience, and the proper techniques. So keep chipping away at them and know that bar chords won’t sound dead on perfect at first – it will be an evolution as you get all the strings to ring true – it takes time – but you will get it. Try to practice them a little each day. Just keep putting that guitar in your hands every day – just for 10-15 minutes and you will see big differences and your playing getting to the next level in the fastest and most efficient manner.
Take care and best of luck, David Taub & Tim Gilberg PS – we have found that students like to use popular songs as vehicles to practice and get their playing to the next level. Popular songs that motivate and empower you are great practice tools to work on your rhythms, strumming, timing, chord changing, and bar chords. We have some song DVDs that you may want to consider for power and 5th chord practice and bar chord practice as well as other techniques you will learn along the course of the DVD. We purchase publishing rights to all the songs we teach on DVD and each DVD is packed with about two hours of song and technique lessons. Songs with bar chords and power and 5th chord use include: Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Detroit Rock City, Living After Midnight, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Hey Joe, and more. Click on the song title and you can watch a DVD preview of the DVDs and read all the menu and lesson items so you will know exactly what you will be learning on each DVD.
We are still running a special so click on the link below and these DVDs and many more can be had for $9 each if you buy 5 or more – plus we throw in free shipping! For the $9 each special make sure and order through this page and not the individual song page with the preview movie:
4 SONGWRITING lesson – learn to write songs in major key
Hi – David Taub here from Next Level Guitar with an email article and exclusive new video regarding songwriting.
We have received so many emails from the good people, that’s you, that you want help with songwriting. Well……you asked for it…….. You Got It!
I think the below video and written lesson will get you started on your songwriting journey. I wrote the chart out a while back but wanted to ensure all of you have access to it.
Here is the lick for the chord chart in major key – PDF file – click here:
Here are two video lessons on songwriting that coincide with the above chart:
Thanks so much for your time and as always……..ROCK ON!
David Taub
PS – if you like to learn popular songs we have a killer deal going on right now – pick any five or more of our DVD song lessons and you get them for $9 each – plus we throw in free shipping! Absolutely killer deal – check out all the details here:
8 Practice tips to master STRING BENDING – check out this video
Hi – David Taub here from Next Level Guitar with an exclusive video to help you with your playing.
You wont find this video on YouTube, as it is a segment from our Beginner Blues Rock Soloing 4 DVD set.
You wont find this video on YouTube, as it is a segment from our Beginner Blues Rock Soloing 4 DVD set.
String bending is one of the most expressive things you can do on the guitar. It is something that takes patience and the proper technique to fully hone and develop. I field many questions on bending strings and since it is such a critical concept for lead guitar I thought I would give some tips via this video lesson – check it out here:
Remember to be patient as string bending takes time to perfect. Your playing is an evolution – so keep putting that guitar in your hands every day!
Take care,
David Taub & Tim Gilberg
PS – for some real string bending workouts in songs we have some song DVDs that you may want to consider – songs with killer solos like The Sky is Crying made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ritchie Blackmore ripping it up on Smoke on the Water, or Billy Gibbons tearing it up on La Grange – just to name a few. Click on the link below and these DVDs and many more can be had for $9 each – plus we throw in free shipping!
6 Learn new chords – open position MAJOR 7th chords for a sweet and jazzy sound
Hi – David Taub here from Next Level Guitar with another email tip and this time an added bonus written lesson. It’s so important to keep improving your chordal knowledge as you move forward in your guitar journey. You need to keep learning chords and expanding your chord catalog.
Playing all the same chords all the time can get a bit stale. So you want to learn a new batch every now and then to keep things fresh. Below I have a PDF file written lesson and chord diagrams for a batch of major 7th chords. These chords sound awesome on both acoustic and electric guitars. They have a real sweet and jazzy sound and I think you will like them.
You can even try and sub the Fmaj7 chord for the F chord if you are not able to play that dreaded F chord as yet. The Fmaj7 is an easier chord to play and you can try it in some of your songs that require the F chord.
The Bmaj7 chord will take a bit to get the fingering down, but with time and patience – YOU CAN DO IT!
So give these chords a try and remember to keep pushing yourself and challenging yourself on that guitar. Have fun with these chords and keep putting that guitar in your hands every day!
Hope this helps, take care, and…….. as always……..ROCK ON!
David Taub
PS – if you like to learn popular songs we are going to keep running our special song DVD promotion. We have a killer deal going on right now – pick any five or more of our DVD song lessons and you get them for $9 each – plus we throw in free world wide shipping! Absolutely killer deal! – check out all the details by clicking on this link: