LED ZEPPELIN inspired clean Rock guitar chord and rhythm ideas lesson – 5:32 min

In this lesson Willie takes a clean guitar tone approach and teaches some fun chords and rhythms inspired by Led Zeppelin. Willie first goes over the chords and these are some big sounding chords for sure. Keep your mind open to new chordal possibilities as it is so important to know a large chord vocabulary. Willie arpeggiates the chords in this lesson but they can be strummed or use a combination of both techniques. This is just a jump off point for sure so you want to add these chords to your playing arsenal and experiment with them in your songwriting and put your own spin on them – stay creative and have fun! 

THE WHITE STRIPES inspired Rock guitar lesson on chord and rhythm riff ideas – 7:16 min

In this lesson Ben Zinn teaches some fun and dirty rock rhythm and riff ideas in the style of the White Stripes. First Ben talks about the gear used in the lesson that get gets the tones from – he goes over his Gretsch guitar and effects and amp. Then he gets into the lick building based off two E minor Pentatonic scale positions. Ben goes through the scales and then uses the notes of the scales to build the cool riffs. Ben then gets into the concept of adding a 4th below – add another note to help thicken up the riffs. Learn the riffs as Ben then teaches them but then use this lesson as inspiration in the style to create your own and put your own spin on these ideas – change the note order around, or add some notes from the scales or take some way or change the rhythm feel around. SO much that you can do with a simple riff – experiment, let your ears guide you, stay creative and have fun! 

MARS VOLTA inspired Prog Rock rhythms and licks ideas guitar lesson – 4:30 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some prog rock Mars Volta inspired rhythm and lick ideas. Willie breaks up a scale and phrases it through punches and use of palm muting. This is based in the key of B minor and Willie breaks down all the nuances and mechanics to make this licks rock. Notice the use of hammer ons and pull-offs combined with palm muting, chucking, and a staccato style of play. These little nuances give the lick its coolness factor. Get all the nuances techniques down and they can be used throughout your playing arsenal arsenal in other applications. Try to come up with your own lick ideas by varying the combination of these notes and devices – put your own spin on them – this is just a jump off point to get you going – keep experimenting and have fun! Rock on!

THIN LIZZY inspired classic rock guitar rhythm and lick ideas lesson – 6:56 min

In this lesson Dave Nassie teaches some rhythm and lick ideas inspired by the great classic rock band Thin Lizzy. This lesson has a very bluesy feel and first off Dave outlines the chords and chord extensions he will use throughout this lesson. Remember to add these new chords and chord inversions to your ever growing chord library. Cant say enough how important it is to know a large catalog of chords. ALso note how Dave changes the chord slightly each time around for variation and interest. So experiment with the extensions and embellishments. Dave also adds in little melodic licks in betwen the chords. Experiment with these and think melodically – turn the notes around or add or subtract some and put your own spin on these ideas. Try these and get creative – and rock oN! 

SMASHING PUMPKINS inspired rock rhythm and lick ideas lesson – 4:18 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fun rock rhythm and lick ideas in the style of the Smashing Pumpkins. This lesson has a lightly distorted tone and is more of a vocal melody line. Willie goe over the chords and the rhythm. Dont get intimidated with the voicings or names of these chords – stay focused and you will get them. Practice that even pulse of the rhythm on the open E string with light palm muting to get the groove. Notice the use of palm muting and the use of slides used in the rhythm that add texture and dynamics to the riffs. These subtle nuances bring a lot to add color to the rhythms.Add suspended chords for some punch and play with the dynamics. This lesson is just a jump off point to bring you some new ideas in this style. Put your own spin on this lesson and come up with some fun riffs – enjoy! 

More BLACK SABBATH inspired hard rock rhythm ideas lesson – 3:56 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some more hard rock rhythm ideas inspired by Black Sabbath. This is your basic four on the floor, ground and pound riffage. Willie first teaches the riff and breaks down the parts and goes over the fingerings. Note the hammer ons and slides – get them down as they add to the coolness flavor of the riff. Then Willie teaches a very interesting chord voicing for the punches that have a lot of dissonance to them – something different and unique for sure. Mess with these riff ideas and put your own spin on them. Change up the notes or add or take away notes to make it your own. Have fun and stay creative! 

RHIANON inspired POP R&B rhythm ideas lesson – 5:42 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some rhythm and lick ideas inspired by POP R&B singers like Rhianon. Remember that we constantly stretch ourselves here at Next Level Guitar to try to open the pathways to all creative musical thoughts – including pop ideas and techniques and transposing them for guitar. You be surprised how many ideas can fly into your head if you keep an open mind. This idea has a reggae/ska influence with some cool chords. Willie goes over the chords first with all the cool note embellishments to make these sound unique and interesting. Try to get the feel of the groove as Willie teaches the rhythm ideas. Palm mute slightly to give it some dynamics. Willie then adds in a few note of the B minor pentatonic scale to add some single note flavors to the riff. Now use this lesson as a jump off point to some new ideas and new creative thoughts – try it and put your own spin on these ideas. Rock on! 

PARAMORE inspired Rock guitar rhythm and lick ideas – 5:55 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fun rhythm and lick ideas in the style of Paramore. Willie first gets into the riff and breaks down and explains the fingering. Pay attention to the repeated notes and the hammer-on as that really adds to the groove of these riff ideas. Use slight palm muting on the first part of the phrase for some dynamics – then let it open up in the 2nd part of the riff. Willie adds in some rocking power 5th chords for some meat – add in the chords E5, F#5, and G#5 – and get that slide in there for coolness factor. Use these ideas as a jump off point and change things up to put your own spin on them – stay creative and keep on rocking!

Get Octave pedal sounds by not using an octave pedal but doublestops- 6:16 min

In this lesson Jeff Ross teaches how to get some funky cool octave pedal sounds but he does not use an octave pedal. He gets the sounds using doublestops and harmonizing the notes played together. Its a cool and unique technique that can bring the unexpected to your playing. Jeff teaches the technique using a Minor Pentatonic scale in the key of E. Check out the licks Jeff teaches and then put your own spin on them and try these techniques with your own licks – add this to your playing arsenal for some unique and different sounds.