Session 11 is the second of three lessons at level 4 from our Blitzing Your Fingerstyle guitar series. This session is all about your blues playing and we’ll break down the elements that can take you from zero to hero.
If you want to know how to add feel, passing chords, blues groove, licks and solo runs into your solo blues fingerstyle playing then this session will hit the spot.
One of the favourite sessions from level 2 was the acoustic blues. Many of you requested having more solo blues pieces to play. So we’ve taken your request and put together a new evening. This time we will be working in the key of G Major and the whole lesson will gradually develop a simple sequence of chords from first position open chords to barre chords in three positions across the neck. Within these chord sequences will be added little musical embellishments that will show you in one session how to take your playing from basic to kick ass. The first part of the lesson will be doable for all high beginner upwards players. By the end it could be tricky for some, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a go. The beauty of these sessions is that you will have a recording from the lesson that you can then watch back and practice at any point in the future.
Here is how the lesson will be built.
Adding in barre chords and mixing strumming and finger picking. Moving away from open chords gives your playing a totally different vibe both in timbre and note choices. When playing the stacatto stabs on the 2nd dotted crotchet beat of the bar we bring in a percussive feel as we emulate the drummers snare drum.
Now we can add licks in between chords. Often this is done on beats 3 and 4 so that the chord harmony is established first. We will explain how your lick should work over the top of the current chord while leading into the next. We will also show you how fretting hand fingering choices for those scale runs will also help your movement into the new chord. This section is done with open chords and caged triads and should therefore be doable to most low intermediate players.
As an extra take away sheet you’ll be supplied with a 2 page scales and licks sheet. You can use this information and the knowledge gained in the lesson to create your own
Session 10 – we’ll break down the elements that create a great Ragtime groove. We’ll finish with a full piece and some fun flat picking licks. For more information click this link.
Session 11 – See above
Session 12 will show you how to make your fingerstyle playing properly groove. You will learn how to add engaging rhythms and licks that make you and your audience want to dance. For more information click this link.
If you would like to learn a Dire Straits song that will use similar chords and techniques then check out our LOCAL HERO course.
The level is ideal for players who want to:
As a guide you should be familiar with:
Things you won’t need to know (but you should definitely not ignore them):
By default, you’ll start every session with complete anonymity i.e. with your mic muted and your camera switched off. You have total control of these at your end.
You can ask questions at any time:
It’s all very friendly and there isn’t such a thing as a daft question – they usually lead to deep, interesting streams of very relevant stuff!
If you want to come along but can’t make the sessions just book in and you’ll receive the full materials and lesson video.
BUT this shouldn’t put you off booking in as you’ll receive the full materials including the video of the complete live session.
Start slowly – if you decide to book just one Level but then become interested in other Levels or even the Complete Series, just buy them on the website.