In this lesson Dave Nassie teaches how to jazz and spice up the standard blues shuffle. Dave will work in the key of G and focus on the typical I-IV-V blues progression. Dave starts off with a dominant 13 chord and goes over all the chords that he played in the intro piece. These chords are great subs for your standard chords that you may be playing in a standard blues jam. These chords add color and texture and a real jazzy flavor to your chords and progressions. Dave also teaches a cool new turnaround using a major 7 and minor 7th chord changes for cool new sounds and movements. Try adding some of these chords and rhythms to your progressions and get creative with them – think outside the box and make them your own 

In this lesson Jeff Ross teaches a cool Bluesy Jazz R&B bass riff over a triplet feel 9th chord jam. This is a very common bass riff played in many different styles and musical genes by some big name players. This lesson will be in the key of A and the chord rhythm has a triplet feel and utilizes 9th chords. Jeff goes over the riff at various tempos and with a drum backing track so you can grasp the feel of this lick and groove. Learn these 9th chords as they are invaluable in playing blues and jazz – very common chords with some great tonal qualities to them. Then practice the bass licks over these chords and vary the lick to see what you can come up with – have fun and experiment! 

 

In this lesson Dave Nassie teaches some killer blues rhythms in the key of A in the style of ZZ TOP. Learn different ways of using your fingers to get these cool bluesy tones. Dave teaches how to add cool little licks in between the rhythmic phrases. Dave then goes over the Major Pentatonic Scale and how to build some lick ideas using this scale. Then he adds the licks to the groove and throws them both together in a cool rhythmic groove. Learn all kinds of techniques and devices to manipulate the rhythm and add variation. You will also learn a cool turnaround and other licks that work so well in the style. Get creative with this lesson and try some of these devices and techniques in other areas of your playing. 

In this lesson Ben Zinn teaches some fun bluesy/pop inspired rhythms, riffs, embellishments, scales, and chordal techniques in the style of Motown/Stax Records. Many current popular bands and singer songwriters use these devices and techniques, like John Mayer for instance, and many more. Here Ben teaches some clean sounding chords iand then how you can rhythmically add notes to spice up the rhythms and create melody lines. Ben first goes over the chord progression – E major, C#m7, and A major. Ben then teaches how to play embellishments and licks off each chord. Ben teaches some scales and how to hammer in and out of the scale notes over the chord changes. Its a great technique that you will want to incorporate into your arsenal and add to your playing. Get creative with it and have fun! 

In this lesson Ben Zinn teaches some fun bluesy riffs and licks garage rock fuzz tone style of the Black Keys. Ben teaches some solo ideas you can do to play on top of yourself. Ben teaches the groove and then some soloing strategies. Learn the rhythm riff first and then Ben builds on that with some fun licks. Ben utilizes the open E string and then plays on top of that open string ringing. Ben shows how to visualize the E blues scale down the fretboard and how to incorporate licks into the driving rhythm working up and down the strings. Use these techniques and devices as a springboard to other creative licks and rhythms and try to come up with some new variations of these on your own – have fun and keep on rockinG!

In this lesson Ben Zinn teaches some cool swampy blues licks in the style of CCR, Creedence Clearwater Revival. Ben first explains the tones used in this lesson and features the tremolo effect and how to get it. Ben then goes into the scale used in this lesson – the open E minor Pentatonic scale with a small extension to add a few notes that are accessible. Ben also teaches some doublestops as well as some cool call and response devices that will get used to this approach and then use it all other aspects of your lead guitar playing and improvisation. Use this lesson as a springboard to open up some new ideas and tones – enjoy!

In this lesson Ben Zinn teaches a fun blues progression and ways to add chordal movements in the style of Robert Cray. Learn some new chord voicings and new ways to use them in a minor blues progression. This lesson is in the key of Bm and the chords will be based off the I-IV-V and are Bm7, Em7, and F#7#9  chords. These are the standard chords for minor blues and Ben then teaches how to add some new chordal movements and why they work. THis opens up the possibilities and gives you other options to play. Try these new chords and try them in different keys and look to spice up those old I-IV-V – enjoy and stay creative – rock on!

In this lesson Jeff Ross teaches some fun 1960s LA blues rock rhythms. Here you will be in the key of E using some standard blues riffs and devices. Jeff teaches this lesson with a real rock feel. The main riff features hammer-ons and Jeff goes over the riff at slow and regular speed. Be sure to nail each hammer on with force so you get each note to ring true. Jeff then adds in picked notes and a blues rock progression to cop the groove in this rhythm. Practice this rhythm slow and work up the speed over time. Don’t use too much distortion or you will muddy up and not hear all the notes ringing in between the riff. Enjoy!

In this lesson Jeff Ross teaches some late 40s early 50s T-Bone Walker inspired electric post war rhythms and licks. Learn some cool chords as Jeff teaches a slow Blues in this style. Learn some new chord pattern devices that you can add to your rhythmic arsenal. Jeff teaches a cool diminished chord, 9th chords, and more as well as techniques to make these chords sound cool and bluesy. Jeff also teaches some lead licks that sound great with these chords. Use these chords and devices in your blues playing and get creative with them. Rock on!