Blue Locomotive ( E – Scale – FLP )
The scale today is one that I have used for survival in the past, and it is one that I continue to use even when I am not in jam survival mode. This s…
Archives: Lessons
Big Fluffy Pillow ( E – Chord Prog. – FLP )
Big fluffy pillows and blues aren’t often used in the same situation, but today we will collectively rewrite the history books. The chord progressio…
KC4 Accidentals (Key of F)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU30 Triplet Roll Speed Challenge (FP)
You will get another crack at the warmup from week 2 of this month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to …
Jack Skellington ( Gm – Lick – FP )
The lick today is in the key of Gm and it happens to be in a closed position. This lick features so many cool things such as; one: it’s moveable, tw…
Edward Scissorhands ( Gm – Scale – FP )
Closed position scales… the all powerful, moveable closed position scales. Closed position means that all of the notes in this scale are fretted. Yo…
Veruca Salt ( Gm – Chord Prog. FP )
The chord progression for today is creepy. Plain and simple, this is a creepy, Tim Burton-esque sounding chord progression. You will be playing a Gm, …
KC4 Mixed (Key of F)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU 29 Up Stroke Speed Challenge (FLP)
You will get another crack at a warmup from last month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to build skill …
Double Vision ( A – Lick – FLP )
Today’s lick is one of those that will have you thinking “didn’t I just do that?†The answer to that question is actually yes, but the way you…
Deja Vu ( A – Scale – FLP )
Two scales, same shape… different results. Today you will get a look at two types of pentatonic scales. The first one will be a major pentatonic and…
Ketchup and Mustard ( A – Chord Prog. – FLP )
The classic combination of ketchup and mustard happens to make a perfect name for a classic rhythm and chord progression to play as well. This chord p…
KC10 Mixed (Key of Dm)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU17 Even Crosspicking (FLP)
This warmup helps you get comfortable with crosspicking, as well as exposes you to the idea of “even†crosspicking, which is essentially picking a…
Real American Hero ( D – Lick – FLP )
There are two things that you will combine today that make for what feels like a magical combination. Actually, now that I think about it you will com…
Cobra Commando ( D – Scale – FLP )
You will get a double dose of D awesomeness today. You will learn the D major scale on your dropped D string as well as your standard D string. This i…
GI Joe ( D – Chord Prog. – FLP )
The beauty of power chords will be explored today. The extra double awesome bonus is you will learn to play a power chord with only one finger… with…
KC5 Major (Key of G)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU16 Fingerpicking Orientation (FP)
This warmup will give you a tour de force of basic finger usage while fingerpicking. After doing this warmup you will have a basic physical awareness …
Big Foot ( C – Lick – FP )
Stair Step, Waterfall, Descending lick… whatever you want to call it this lick is it. A descending lick that has a repetitive rhythm is in store tod…
Yeti ( C – Scale – FP )
A curveball is certainly in store for today. You will execute an open C major-ish scale… now I say major-ish because you will be going through this …
Abominable Snowman ( C – Chord Prog. – FP )
What seemingly appears as a common key of C chord progression is spiced up today by integrating some triplets. Triplets will afford you the opportunit…
KC5 Minor (Key of G)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
5 Day Finger Stretch Challenge 1 – Index Stretch
The index stretch exercise is one that will start to help you see what your fretting hand is capable of. Through this exercise you will expand what ea…
5 Day Finger Stretch Challenge 2 – Pairs Stretch
The pairs stretch exercise not only reinforces how far each fretting finger is capable of stretching, but it also builds strength and confidence in ea…
5 Day Finger Stretch Challenge 3 – Vertical Stretch
Often when fingers stretch across the fretboard it is perceived as a horizontal direction, but there is also the vertical direction to be considered a…
5 Day Finger Stretch Challenge 4 – Every Other Stretch
There can be some very odd closed position scale shapes that you may encounter on the fretboard, and this exercise will insure that you are ready for …
5 Day Finger Stretch Challenge 5 – Blues Stretch
Your fingers are all stretched out, ready to go, and what better way to show off your new found elasticity than with a 12 bar blues progression. This …
WU16 Fingerpicking Orientation Speed Challenge (FP)
You will get another crack at the warmup from week 2 of this month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to …
Flying V ( D – Lick – FP )
What a lick for this fine Tuesday!!! This lick is in the key of D, it incorporates the technique of the backward roll and it includes the flat seventh…
Goldberg ( D – Scale – FP )
The scale on the menu for today utilizes not one but two drone notes. Yes, two drone notes will be employed today and you will use them with a single …
Knuckle Puck ( D – Chord Prog. – FP )
Today’s chord progression combines strumming and fingerpicking… yes it can be done and it will be done. This key of D progression will reinforce t…
KC5 Mixed (Key of G)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU9 Finger Duos (FLP)
Your fingers will work in dynamic duos for today's warmup. This warmup is one that will not only build strength for your fretting digits, but it will …
Argos the Power Dog (E – Lick – FLP)
The lick awaiting you today is one that originates from a chord shape and then uses the tale end of a descending scale sequence to finish up. The beau…
Bonsai the Ninja Master (E – Scale – FLP)
Today’s scale is one in the key of E major and it is a “standard†scale, meaning that there are no fancy techniques used here, but what it does …
Koda the Pro Napper (E – Rhythm – FLP)
This chord progression will utilize power chords. In fact, it will only use one power chord shape, and a not so common one at that. The power chord sh…
KC6 Major (Key of A)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU8 Backward Roll (FP)
The backward roll is just as useful as the forward roll when it comes to fingerpicking, and this warmup will help you refine and absolutely dominate t…
Mashed Potatos (E – Lick – FP)
Blues is on the menu today and it comes in the form of this awesome ending lick in the key of E. This E blues lick starts out with a familiar sounding…
Gravy Boat (E – Scale – FP)
Today’s scale is a two for one special. Here you will connect two E minor pentatonic scales to create a serious understanding of the higher part of …
Buckets of Butter (E – Rhythm – FP)
Adding a percussive beat is the name of the game today. This chord progression is one that isn’t necessarily that difficult, in fact there are only …
KC6 Minor (Key of A)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU9 Finger Duos Speed Challenge (FLP)
You will get another crack at the warmup from week 1 of this month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to …
Bob Barker (Em – Lick – FP)
This lick is a beautifully resonant one in the key of Em. For this lick you will use a single string descending scale sequence in conjunction with a d…
Pat Sajak (Em – Scale – FP)
What do you get when you cross a single string scale, a drone string, and a steady fingerpicking pattern… pure awesomeness that's what. Today's scal…
Alex Trebek (Em – Rhythm – FP)
The chord progression on the menu for today is one that doesn't involve too many chords, but it packs a huge technique punch in the key of Em. What yo…
KC6 Accidentals (Key of A)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU8 Backward Roll Speed Challenge (FP)
You will get another crack at the warmup from week 2 of this month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to …
Pledge Power (D – Lick – FP)
This lick is one that will catapult you into the beauty that is open D tuning. This lick as I mentioned, is one that utilizes open D tuning (DADF#AD).…
Scrubbing Bubbles (D – Scale – FP)
Today’s scale is one that utilizes the options that open D tuning presents. You will be executing a single string major scale on the low D string as…
Arm & Hammer (D – Rhythm – FP)
Open D tuning delights again today, and this chord progression shows off how simplistic yet beautiful a common chord progression can be in this tuning…
KC6 Mixed (Key of A)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU13 Inside Out (FLP)
This flatpicking warmup is one that you will no doubt benefit from… think of it as a sort of fretting finger gymnastics. The warmup, if you so choos…
Foggy Mountain Guitjo (G – Lick – FLP)
Today’s lick will sound familiar if you have ever heard any bluegrass banjo. Seriously, if you have ever heard a banjo kick off a song today’s lic…
Deliverance (G – Scale – FLP)
This scale is actually two scales in one… they are both G scales; the descending version is a bluesy, pentatonic scale and the ascending scale is a …
Squeal Like A Pig (G – Rhythm – FLP)
You will channel your inner banjo today… but the good news is you won’t have to run out and buy a banjo. Through the magic of cross picking you wi…
KC7 Major (Key of B)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU14 Traveling Pairs (FP)
A dual purpose warmup awaits you today. This fingerpicking warmup involves and works not only the fretting hand but the picking hand as well. The fret…
Tin Man (Dm – Lick – FP)
The lick today is in open D minor tuning and it is one that will give you some creative experimenting grounds. You will use an open position D minor s…
Scarecrow (Dm – Scale – FP)
The scale for today will use the low D string as a drone string while you play a D minor scale on the higher four strings. Now you might be thinking 
Cowardly Lion (Dm – Rhythm – FP)
This chord progression is one that involves three really crucial things, and the cool thing is that they aren't all that complicated either. So here g…
KC7 Minor (Key of B)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU13 Inside Out Speed Challenge (FLP)
You will get another crack at the warmup from week 1 of this month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to …
You Hoser (G – Lick – FLP)
Man oh man, is a lick in store for you today!!! This lick in the key of G has two things going for it. The first is that it is as bluesy as they come,…
Great White North (G – Scale – FLP)
Triplets, the rare mythical beast that they are, come into sight again today. Today you will learn a G minor pentatonic scale across the G string and …
Elsinore (G – Rhythm – FLP)
The chord progression today is one in the key of G and it has a very cool bass technique that you can integrate into your playing nearly immediately. …
KC7 Accidentals (Key of B)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU14 Traveling Pairs Speed Challenge (FP)
You will get another crack at the warmup from week 2 of this month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to …
Thunderlips (D – Lick – FP)
Today’s lick is one that you will have on repeat. This lick is highly addictive and it actually is two licks in one. This lick is one that utilizes …
Clubber Lang (D – Scale – FP)
Open D tuning can be a little bit confusing and even disorienting. However, if you happen to know a basic major scale shape in this tuning, all of a s…
Apollo Creed (D – Rhythm – FP)
What a cool open D progression this week?!?!?! Although it only sits across three strings of the guitar this chord progression in the key of D packs s…
KC7 Mixed (Key of B)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
Lesson
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All Sorts of Thumbs
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Deceased Digit
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Foundational Pinch
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Staggered Workout
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Dinner Roll
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Dinner Roll Part 2
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Extra Fingers
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Lesson
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How to Find the Key By Ear
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How to Find Chords By Ear
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Transposing the Easy Way
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The Improvisation Framework
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Final Project: Write a Song
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WU19 Hammers And Pulls (FLP)
You will think that your picking hand is on a vacation today because today’s warmup is all about hammer ons and pull offs. You will have a chance to…
Wedgie (B – Lick – FLP)
This lick has a bit of everything, but mostly what it has is attitude. Today's lick is in the key of B and it is bluesy, just plain gritty and bluesy.…
Swirly (B – Scale – FLP)
Bends are the name of the game today. The scale you will learn may very well be a familiar minor pentatonic shape in the key of B, however you will be…
Wet Willy (B – Rhythm – FLP)
Today's chords progression is a prime example of not using chords in a chord progression. Yes it's true, today you will not use a chord in a chord pro…
KC8 Minor (Key of Am)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU18 Ring Finger Staircase (FP)
The exercise on tap for today is one that will increase the strength of communication between your fingerpicking hand and your fretting hand. This war…
Burt Reynolds (G – Lick – FP)
Today’s lick has a few things going for it, but before I even get to why this lick will change your perspective of guitar I have to tell you about t…
Groucho Marx (G – Scale – FP)
What happens when a banjo and a guitar collide??? This scale, this scale is exactly what happens. For today’s G major scale you will embrace open G …
Tom Selleck (G – Rhythm – FP)
The chord progression in store for today is one that will utilize open G tuning with banjo picking hand techniques. What you will learn today is actua…
KC8 Major (Key of Am)
Today's lesson is focused on helping you roadmap keys with common chords that you will likely run into. This category is designed for a couple reasons…
WU19 Hammers and Pulls Speed Challenge (FLP)
You will get another crack at the warmup from week 1 of this month today, but this time the tempo will be increased :-) The warmups are designated to …
Ricki Lake (C – Lick – FLP)
Using portions of the C major pentatonic scale you will learn a lick today that really emphasizes phrasing. The beauty of this lick is that it is simp…
Geraldo Rivera (C – Scale – FLP)
A C major pentatonic scale is on the docket today and you will actually delicately balance two shapes during this lesson. The C major pentatonic scale…