Hello friends,
Today I'm working on a new country lead guitar lesson and jam track in the style of Merle Haggard. This track features a 5.4.1 progression (A, G, D), which is often used as a turnaround or intro for country tunes.
Jam over this using your D major pentatonic or blues scale, and be sure to consider using chord tones whenever possible. I'll be back later with a full tutorial on my favorite licks, and the theory behind them. Have fun! -Rob
Links:
2017-07-06 17:01:22 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
This morning I dug back into the Swiftlessons archive and created a chord sheet for my tutorial on the 60's classic "Soldier of Love" (Lay Down Your Arms) by Buzz Cason and Tony Moon. In the featured video, I break down the chords used in the 1998 Pearl Jam version, and the original version performed by Arthur Alexander.
This is the perfect song for practice bar chords up and down the neck, however you can mix in a few open position shapes including Emaj, Amaj, and B7 to l...
2017-06-30 13:15:46 +0000 UTC
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Hello Premium Patrons,
This evening I'm working on a revamped lesson and tablature for Dave Van Ronk's "Green Green Rocky Road". This will be a premium lesson using my current format, meaning it will include a full demonstration and more in-depth instruction.
In the meantime, help yourself to the attached tablature and get started using my 2014 lesson. In this tutorial, I break down the guitar parts that Dave sang over. Note that he essentially played the same parts during the inst...
2017-06-30 02:38:10 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
And welcome to another By Request Song Tutorial. In this session I'll be showing you how to play the Audrey Hepburn version of "Moon River" from the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. I'll take you through the tunes many jazzy chord changes, and break down it's finger-style rhythm techniques. Let's get started!
Associated Lessons: (Patron Only)
Hello friends,
I thought you might like to know what I'm up to creatively. Today I recorded a new demo for "Love is Real," a tune that I'll be debuting live at Philadelphia's Boot and Saddle on August 10th. As I've mentioned before, nothing has driven my progress more than songwriting, for example this song reaffirmed my understanding and love for the Mixolydian scale, three part harmonies and a variety rhythm techniques. Help yourselves to a free download of the demo, and my chord sheet if yo...
2017-06-27 21:11:58 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
Today I'm working on a few projects, including this tablature for the Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's version of "Moon River" by Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer. Expect a full lesson on this tune to be posted in the next few days. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with this classic scene, and see what you can get down using my tablature. Enjoy!
Note: Tab updated Wednesday Jun 28th, 2pm - Not in Drop D!
2017-06-27 15:24:44 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone,
I'm back again with another chord sheet and tab, this time for my 2015 lesson on Sublime's "What I Got." This is an easy two chord song, perfect for beginners who need a popular party tune for their back pocket! In this tutorial I break down how guitarist Bradley Nowell picked through his Dmaj-Gmaj change, and his timeless licks employed in the guitar solo, and chorus sections. Be sure to download the attached backing track to practice these licks. Let's get started!
Links:...
2017-06-26 17:16:17 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
I hope you've enjoyed an amazing weekend of practice, and that you were able to implement some of the advice that I shared in my "10 Reasons Why You "Suck" at Guitar" talk. Of course, none of you really "Suck" at guitar, it's simply a gradual process that is full of hoops and hurdles, we'll make it through each step together!
One of the easiest ways for beginners to boost...
2017-06-26 12:34:17 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
In today's session I would like to look back at my 10+ years of teaching, and address some of the common issues that keep aspiring musicians from reaching their full potential. I'll provide you pro-tips for breaking these bad guitar habits, and hopefully improve the quality of your practice. Attached you will find a full transcript of my tips. Let's get started!
Links:
Hello friends,
Since posting my chord sheet & tab for "Uncle John's Band," I've received several request for a document containing the strumming patterns for each section of the tune. I've extracted those graphics and organized them into a PDF to help you with your study.
Learning this tune, and focusing on it's rhythmic elements has taken my own rhythm playing to a whole new level. I recommend practicing each section slowly, being sure to tap your foot. Once you have a given p...
2017-06-21 13:48:37 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
And welcome to another easy, beginner guitar song lesson. In this tutorial, I'll break down how to play Bob Marley's 1972 classic "Stir it Up." I'll take you through the songs three chord progression in it's open and barred forms, and breakdown some common reggae strumming techniques. Let's get started!
Links:
Hello friends,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend practice! Today I would like to invite you to take my new comprehensive course on The Three Common Minor Scales. In this lesson I'll break down how to play the melodic, harmonic, and natural minor scales, and reveal their uses. Each section will include instruction on how to play the scale, a useful lick, and a rhythm track to practice your skills. Let's get started!
Note: PDF Updated June 18th, 2017 at 9:41am
Links:
Hello friends,
Today I got to sit down with my good friend, and student Dr. David for a beginner friendly blues lesson. Our focus was on learning how to create a lead-line connecting two chords, in this case, B7 to A7. ( the 5 and 4 chords key of E.)
We took the root notes of these chords, and filled the measures in with notes from our minor pentatonic scale before tackling a simplified version of our classic turnaround.
Every now and then I would like to share with you clips...
2017-06-14 18:20:35 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
How's your practice coming along? After a long weekend of caring for nieces and nephews, I've caught a bit of a cold, (little kid germs are no joke!) to stay busy I've created a chord sheet for one of my most popular lessons, Hozier's 2013 hit "Take Me to Church." In this lesson, I'll break down an easy acoustic guitar version of the tune, based off of Hozier's solo performances. Let's get started!
2017-06-12 19:15:22 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
And welcome to another By Request Song Tutorial. In this lesson I'll be showing you how to play David Gilmour's first guitar solo from Pink Floyd's 1979 classic "Comfortably Numb." I'll begin my demonstrating each section, before breaking it down lick by lick. Check back early next week for a complete lesson on the rhythm section, and also David Gilmour's 2nd guitar solo. Let's get started!
Associated Lessons:
Hello friends,
Today I took some time to dig into the Swiftlessons archive and create a PDF study guide for my lesson on The Beatles "Yesterday" in standard tuning. If there are any old lessons that you would like additional resources for, let me know in the comments section below. Thanks and enjoy your practice! -Rob
Links:
Hello friends,
And welcome to another Lick of the Week. In today's lesson, I'll be showing you one of my favorite SRV style licks in the open position, key of E. We'll begin this lesson by reviewing two positions of our pentatonic scale, and our traveling shuffle, before tackling this useful phrase. Let's get started!
Note: Extended cut for premium patrons will be added shortly.
2017-06-06 03:51:21 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
And welcome to another Featured Artist Showcase. A few weeks ago I was honored to host Philadelphia rock & roll band Oldermost to my studio. The band was kind enough to record a cover of "I Don't Want to Talk About It" by Ian Matthews, and an original tune entitled "You Don't Belong to Feelings."
If you like this band and wish to hear more from them, then head over to Oldermost.com/swift
2017-06-03 18:31:52 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
and thank you so much for your continued support this month. Today I'm working on a number of projects including the lick of the week, featured artist interview, and this tutorial on Fingerpickin' the Blues. We'll begin this session by learning how a single dominant 7th shape can be used to perform a 12 bar blues in Emaj, then learn how to apply our travis style pickin' to that progression.
Intermediate-Advanced players can move on to section #3, which incorpor...
2017-06-01 17:11:39 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
In response to the passing of Allman Brothers frontman Greg Allman, I've created a chord sheet for my 2014 lesson on "Melissa." In this tutorial, I'll take you through the beautiful open string chord changes for the verse and bridge sections, and show you some strumming techniques that you can apply throughout the tune.
Very few bands have had more of an impact on me as a guitarist and songwriter than the Allman Brothers... and so It's with a heavy heart that I say g...
2017-05-31 18:08:40 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
and welcome to another By Request Song Tutorial. In this session I'll be breaking down how to play David Gilmour's acoustic rendition of the Pink Floyd classic "Breathe." This is an excellent song for beginners to learn, as it will introduce a variety of useful chord shapes and strumming techniques. Let's get started!
Associated Lessons:
Hello friends,
Today I took some time to revamp the resources for my two part lesson on The Beatles "Till There Was You." Attached you will find a new chord sheet and tablature PDF that breaks down the chord shapes, strumming options, and lead parts for the intro and guitar solo. Let's get started!
Associated Lessons
Hello friends,
It's with a heavy heart that I publish this lesson celebrating the music of Chris Cornell, who past away on May 18, 2017. In this tutorial I'll break down the acoustic version of his 1994 classic "Black Hole Sun." Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who knew and loved Chris, especially his wife Vicky and three children. Now, let's get started honoring this amazing artist, and all the amazing memories he gave us.
Suggested Post:
Hello friends,
Today's news of the sudden and tragic passing of rock legend Chris Cornell has left me broken hearted and confused. At the advice of a few patrons and youtube subscribers, I decided to put my grief to work and prepare a tablature on Soundgarden's 1994 classic "Black Hole Sun."
Chris's music has had a profound impact on my life, and I look forward to celebrating his work for many years to come. Let's take some time tonight to re-familiarize ourselves with this incredi...
2017-05-19 00:05:19 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
And welcome to another Lick of the Week. In today's acoustic guitar lesson, I'll be showing you how to play some of my favorite minor techniques. We'll learn how to perform the natural minor scale, a minor 1, 3, 4, 2 progression, and a melodic Spanish lick that's guaranteed to turn some heads. Let's get started!
Note: Extended cut will be available to premium patrons shortly.
2017-05-17 18:42:23 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
Yesterday I was fortunate to welcome Philadelphia based rock band Oldermost to the studio for a featured artist showcase. Expect a full interview, guitar lesson, and four track sampler to be posted within the week. To hold you over, check out this performance of their new tune "You Don't Belong to Feelings." Enjoy!
2017-05-16 16:30:16 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
My goal for the coming days is to produce a lick lesson, song tutorial, and miscellaneous lesson each week. I'll try to strick to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday Schedule as best I can, but more complex lessons may throw things off now and then. So, for those of you ready to move on from our previous Grateful Dead lesson, here is a rock lead guitar lesson breaking down the A position of the minor blues scale, my tricks for mastering scales, and our lick of the week. Let's get starte...
2017-05-12 22:17:12 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
And welcome to another by request song tutorial. Thanks to popular demand, I've created a complete video guitar lesson for the Grateful Dead's 1970 classic "Ripple." In this free tutorial, I'll break down my approach to combining the rhythm and lead guitar parts for the intro, and the chord changes and strumming options for the verse and chorus sections. Let's get started!
2017-05-09 23:04:27 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
Today I'm hard at work creating a new lesson for the Grateful Dead classic "Ripple." In preparation for tomorrow's video, I thought you might like to reacquaint yourself with the track, and take a peak at my tablature and chord sheet. The studio version features multiple guitars, however, this tablature shows how the rhythm and lead parts can be combined for solo-performance. See you tomorrow! -Rob
2017-05-08 21:03:04 +0000 UTC
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Hello friends,
Thanks to popular demand, I've created a chord sheet and tab for my acoustic rendition of Sublimes 1996 classic "Doin' Time." The attached document will take you through each section of the tune including my interpretation of the chord progressions, riffs and licks. Let's get started!
2017-05-06 19:12:16 +0000 UTC
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