Classic rock rhythm and lick ideas lesson inspired by GRAND FUNK RAILROAD – 2:57 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fast and easy classic rock rhythm and lick ideas lesson inspired by the band GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. Willie starts off the lesson by teaching the chords he utilizes throughout this lesson. The chords are a mix of power 5th chords, suspended chords, and a diminished chord thrown in there for something different: Chords – F#5, G5, Gsus4, Bb5, E diminished. Then Willie teaches the rhythm with some fun rhythm techniques thrown in like palm muting and rhythmic chucking on the strings. Once you get this progression down be sure to add your own spin on it and make it your own. Stay creative and keep up all that hard work on that guitar – enjoy and rock on!

Rock guitar rhythm and lick ideas lesson in the style of Black Betty – 4:20 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fun rock guitar rhythm and lick ideas lesson in the style of Black Betty. This is a fun and easy lesson to get moving around some power chords in different ways. Willie starts off the lesson by teaching the chords used starting with power 5th chords A5, and B5. Then some slash chords -if you are not familiar with slash chords they are just a type of chord with a low note in the bass that is usually not the root. Willie shows a D5/A, E5/B. So for instance the D5/A is read D fifth over A and is just a D power chord with an A in the bass. So look at the slash chord bottom letter as the low bass note played on top of a chord. Wille then teaches some ways to slide these chords around to come up with some melodic rhythms. Use this lesson as a springboard and put your own spin on these changes. Try changing the order of the chords or add in your own take and get creative with these ideas – and have fun!

DEEP PURPLE inspired rock rhythms and licks lesson – 4:30 min

In this lesson Willie Smith teaches some fun rock rhythms and licks in the classic style of Deep Purple. This is a fun lesson using mostly power 5th chords with low bass notes. The chords utilized in this lesson are E5, D5/A, E5/B. Willie then gets into some inspired by licks using hammer ons, palm muting, pull offs and slides. He goes over the licks slow and teaches you how to tie it all together in a cool grooving rhythm. Willie also goes over the palm muting technique for riding the rhythm. Try mixing up the notes of the licks and the chords and come up with your own ideas using this lesson as a jump off point. Put your own spin on it and have fun! 

Rock ska rhythms and licks guitar lesson inspired by 311 – 3:01 min

In this short to the point lesson Willie teaches some rock/ska rhythms inspired by the band 311. Willie gets right into the licks and starts this lesson of with an A minor triad lick. Remember that a triad is made up of three notes and a minor triad it built on the intervals 1,b3,5. Then Willie moves to a D minor triad and plays them in a bouncy rhythm with arpeggiation. Wilie then plays a rhythm using an Am7 and Bm7 chord. Willie also talks about the effects he is using to get that tone. Enjoy and put your own spin on this one and have fun – rock on! 

Power chords, rhythms,  and licks in the style of Asking Alexandria – 4:11 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fun rock rhythms in the style of Asking Alexandria. This lesson is in drop D tuning so drop just the low E string down a whole step to a D – this gives you this tuning low to high D  A  D  G  B  E. Willie then teaches the power 5th chords that he will use in the lesson D5, D#5, E5, and F5. These power chords in drop D tuning are so fun and easy to play as you just bar with your first finger across the low D and A strings and you can slide that around – easy! Willie then gets into the licks. Have fun with this quick little lesson and be sure to put your own spin on it and mix the chords and licks around and see what you can come up with – be creative and rock on!