Pop rock R&B guitar rhythms and lick ideas inspired by Lady Gaga – 4:21 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some cool rhythm and lick ideas inspired by pop artists like Lady Gaga. This style is based on simple melodies with strong punches and Willie transposes this to guitar to try something different and musical. Willie first goes over some 5th chords – E5, A5, and B5 – 5th chords have just two intervals in them a root and 5th. Willie then teaches the licks and how to weave them in with the chords. This is a melodic idea to get you started – use this as a jump off point and try to put your own spin on it by varying the notes, changing up the rhythm, add or subtract notes – get creative with it and dont be afraid to try new things that are outside your comfort zone or listening zone – have fun! 

COLDPLAY inspired rhythm and chord ideas lesson – 4:01 min 

In this lesson Willie teaches some Coldplay inspired rhythm and chords. Willie starts off teaching some cool new chord voicings. Remember, dont let the names or voicings for these chords intimidate you as with a little practice you will get them down no problem. New chord fingerings inspire new ways of looking at the instrument and inspire new musical thoughts. Willie also teaches some natural harmonics to spice up the chords a bit. This lesson is just a jump off point for you to experiment with these ideas – switch them up – add notes – take away notes – change the rhythm – and make it your own and put your own spin on it. Stay creative and keep on rocking! 

ERIC JOHNSON inspired chords, scales, and arpeggios lesson based on triads – 7:22 min

In this lesson Dave Nassie teaches some Eric Johnson inspired riffs based on triads. A triad is a three note chord. This lesson is in the key of C major and dave teaches some interesting ways to voice the chords. Dave also shows some ways to spice up the chords with hybrid picking. He then goes through some more chords and great new inversions to play them. Put these triads together for some great chordal sounds. Try mixing them up and getting some new sounds – put your own spin on them. Dave then gets deeper into the lesson with more chordal inversions and hip way to play chords in this style. This helps to understand how to create arpeggios and scales – Dave breaks it all down and teaches it in this lesson – enjoy! 

BOSTON inspired classic rock rhythm and lick ideas lesson – 8:20 min

In this lesson Dave Nassie teaches some killer classic rock rhythm and lick ideas inspired by the epic band BOSTON. Dave takes classic sounds that you may have heard on the radio and relates them to soloing techniques and devices. Dave first shows how to play the rhythm and feel using octaves to get the needed sounds. Then once the rhythm is established Dave then teaches some cool string bends on the high E string – and connects the bends to other licks. The lead guitar approach is a very lyrical or short phrase style of guitar playing. Dave also talks about the importance of vibrato. Dave also teaches some muting techniques to lessen string noise. Dave then adds some cool D major Pentatonic licks and teaches how to phrase them together to tie everything together. Try some of these shapes and scale bends and add these devices to your playing arsenal. Try to come up with some of your own licks and have fun jamming over this progression – rock on! 

Rock guitar rhythm and lick ideas inspired by the RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS – 4:23 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fun rhythm and lick ideas inspired by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. These riffs feed off the percussion and adds in some funk to a real rock type format. Willie first goes over the riff note by note and demonstrates the licks as he builds them. Notice the little subtle things that make the riff pop – like the palm muting, string scratching, hammer-ons and the overall feel of the funky rhythm. You want to try and vary this idea, change up the notes or the rhythmic feel and put your own spin on it. Try this as its different and will be a springboard to new musical thoughts – have fun and stay creative! 

AEROSMITH inspired Rock guitar rhythm and lick ideas lesson – 6:07 min

In this lesson Dave Nassie teaches some very cool rhythm and lick ideas in the style of AEROSMITH. This is a laid black bluesy lesson with a good mix of using an A chord with extensions and embellishments. Learn these new chords and add them to your chord arsenal. Listen to how the A chord moves to the E chord and how the extensions really spice up the chords. Dave also adds in a bluesy shuffle for some blues spice. Dave also teaches some cool inversions and doublestopsand how to add them into the progression. So experiment with these chords, extensions, devices, and techniques – change the rhythms around and put your own spin on them. Add them to your everyday practice and use them to come up with new melodies and new musical thoughts – stay creative and enjoy! Rock on! 

Classic rock rhythm ideas lesson inspired by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE – 5:53 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fun classic rock guitar rhythm ideas inspired by Jefferson Airplane. First Willie goes over the chords he will be using throughout this lesson. Dont be intimidated by the names or shapes of these chords as with a little practice you will get them down. Willie then adds in licks from the A minor Pentatonic Scale to spice up the rhythms. Listen to how plays the chords rhythmically and partially palm muted to give them some character. Once you get the chords and rhythm down then try and add in a few licks. Use the scale to add a few notes or take a few away to change and vary the licks – put your own spin on them. Remember that this lesson is just a jump off point to some new chords and rhythm ideas – take this and run with it and create your own ideas – have fun and keep on rockinG!

Rhythm guitar ideas in a pop style inspired by Amy Winehouse – 5:00 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some Pop/Rock rhythm and riff ideas in the style of Amy Winehouse. Willie first goes over the chords he uses in this lesson. Willie then uses the chords rhythmically with punches staccato style to give the progression its feel. Play with the feel of the rhythm as you can put your own spin on it. Willie adds a cool lick for flavor to mix into the rhythms. Remember that these ideas are just a starting point to inspire you to use pop rhythms to come up with some new creative musical ideas and thoughts. Play around with these ideas and make them your own and vary them and put your own spin on them – enjoy!

Driving alternative rock rhythm ideas inspired by SOUNDGARDEN and AIC – 5:59 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some driving alternative rock rhythm and lick ideas inspired by Soundgarden and Alice in Chains. Willie first discusses the tone and use of chorus effect. Willie then gets into the chordal ideas for the lesson. Dont let the chord names or voicings intimidate you as with a little practice you will get it – so no worries. Willie plays the riffs muted a bit for a percussive effect. This is very subtle but adds an overall mystique to the riffs. Then you can open it up as you get deeper into the riffs. Play around with these chords and how you arpeggiate them as you can put your own spin on them and come up with your own ideas. Willie also adds in some power chords – G#5, G5, E5, F5, and F#5. Mix these chords around and play with the rhythm and variations to put your own spin on them and get creative – come up with your own riffs based on these ideas and have fun!

Heavy groove guitar lesson chords inspired by the DEFTONES – 5:00 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some fun chords and rhythms in a heavy groove style inspired by the DEFTONES. Tune down to drop D tuning for this lesson – just drop the low E string down to a D for this heavy sound. Willie then gets into the chords to play these ideas. Dont let the chord names or shapes intimidate you as with a little practice you can do it! Willie teaches the palm muting technique to get certain sounds and accents when playing the rhythms. These are very important as they add that groove feel and color to the riffs. Willie then follows up with a series of 5th chords – easy to play in drop D – use just one finger. Learn the riffs as Willie explains them and then experiment – change the order of the chords or the rhythm, vary it slightly and put your own spin on it – these are just ideas to get you started so take it and run with them – enjoy and rock on!