swiftlessons

8 Essential Guitar Chords, Progressions & Strumming Styles

Hello friends, 

Welcome to a two-part beginner guitar lesson. In section one of this video, I'll break down how to play the 8 essential guitar chords in the open position. In section two, we'll put those chords to work as we learn three common chord progressions and strumming techniques that can be applied to thousands of different songs. Apologies for my absence over the last week, I was enjoying a family vacation, but am happy to be home in Philadelphia with my batteries charged. Expect...

Blues Guitar Licks and Chords Lesson - 1 to 4 Transition Lick in C

Hello friends,

Welcome to another lead guitar lesson. In this 3 part session, we'll be learning useful jazz/blues chord shapes, the D position of the C blues scale, and a 1 to 4 double-stop transition lick. Let's get started!

Note: An extended cut featuring two bonus licks and scales (for premium patrons) is on the way!

Featured Artist - Levee Drivers Cover "I'm on Fire," Gear Talk, and a New Original!

Hello friends,

Today I introduce to you the Featured Artist for April 2017,  Philadelphia rock band, Levee Drivers. Join us for a little gear talk, and enjoy the bands new original "Swingin' Off the Ropes" and a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire."

Links:

Pre-order and Support Levee Drivers New LP:

https://www.gofundme.com/help-fund-levee-drivers-lp

Beatles "All You Need is Love" - Guitar Tutorial

Hello friends,

Today I'm partnering with a great company called Distrokid to bring you a complete lesson on The Beatles 1967 classic "All You Need is Love." In this session we'll strengthen all areas of our playing as we tackle the tunes unique chord progressions, riffs and lead lines. Be prepared for some tricky timing changes, as this tune bounces back and forth between 4/4 and 3/4 time. Let's get started<...

"Don't Be Cruel" - Easy Elvis Presley Guitar Lesson

Hello friends,

Welcome to another by request song tutorial. In today's session I have broken down a classic rock and roll song titled "Don’t Be Cruel ," written by Otis Blackwell, and made famous by Elvis Presley. In this video you will learn the tune’s simple chord progressions, syncopated strumming, and rockabilly riffs. Let's get started!

Quick update: 

Camera is all fixed and I'm ready to get back to regular lessons. Yesterday I was lucky to be visited by an ama...

Johnny Cash "Hurt" - Easy Beginner Guitar Songs Lesson

Hello friends,

And welcome to another By Request Song Tutorial! In this beginner friendly guitar lesson, I'll break down how to play Johnny Cash's 2002 rendition of "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails. I'll take you through the tunes chord progressions, before breaking down the picking pattern and strumming for the intro, verse, and chorus sections. Let's get started!

Links:

• Faceboo...
  2017-04-06 19:00:14 +0000 UTC View Post

70's Rock Guitar Backing Track - Key of A (Patron Only)

Hello friends,

Thursday I'll be back with a new lick of the week lesson in which we will discover how to play one professional lick in multiple keys of the minor blues scale. Here is a fun 70's style backing track for you to practice jamming with. Throughout the video you will find in-screen tabs of suggested scale patterns like the minor blues, major pentatonic, and mixolydian scale. Enjoy! 

How to Mix Chords with Blues Guitar Licks

Hello friends,

In today’s lesson I'll be showing you how to achieve a more professional lead guitar style by mixing chord shapes into your blues licks. We'll begin by learning a few useful chord shapes in the key of C, before reviewing our major and minor pentatonic scales. Once you're familiar with these prerequisites, I'll break down a handful of my favorite licks. Let's get started! 

Recommended Gear:

2017-04-02 13:02:47 +0000 UTC View Post

Guitar Soloing Over Uncommon Chords - Never Play a Bad Note Again!

Hello friends,

In this three-part lead guitar tutorial, I'll be explaining my approach to soloing over "uncommon" chord changes; these are transitions that feature chords outside of a typical major or minor key. 

We'll begin by reviewing the chords that are in the key of Emaj, and how to solo over them. Last, I'll explain how considering the chord tones can help you to perform over a tricky chord change like E to G# major. In the process, I'll be showing you two v...

Simon and Garfunkel "Homeward Bound" - Complete Guitar Lesson

Hello friends,

Today I'm sharing with you an early release of my new tutorial on Simon and Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound." In this lesson I'll take you through the licks, finger-style patterns, and chord progressions for the intro, verse, pre-chorus, and chorus. Remember to take these techniques slow, focusing on quality repetitions. Let's get started! 

2017-03-23 21:20:47 +0000 UTC View Post

Paul Simon "Homeward Bound" Chord Sheet and Tablature

Hello friends,

As always, thanks for your patience as I work to complete your next series of video lessons. In the works for this week is a complete breakdown of Simon and Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound," and a rhythm tutorial on how to play an eight bar blues. 

The attached tablature and chord sheet breaks down many of the techniques that Paul Simon employs in the video above. This performance features folk finger picking patterns, walking transitions, and major scale licks. Check bac...

"The Wild Rover" Guitar Lesson - Easy Irish Guitar Songs

Hello friends and happy St.Patrick's Day!

Today I'm bringing you a previously unreleased breakdown of the traditional Irish song "The Wild Rover (No, Nay, Never)." This is a very beginner friendly guitar song that utilizes only three simple chords. I'll take you through the changes for the verse and chorus sections, before demonstrating a useful strumming pattern in 3/4 time. Let's get started!

Links:

• 2017-03-17 17:02:44 +0000 UTC View Post

Eric Clapton "Cocaine" Full Guitar Lesson

Hello friends,

And welcome to another by request song tutorial! In this lesson I'll be breaking down Eric Clapton's 1977 version of J.J Cale's "Cocaine. I'll take you through the main riffs, intro licks, guitar solo and some of the blues positions you can use to create your own lead lines. Let's get started!

Recommended Lessons:

• Eric Clapton "Sweet Home Chicago" 2017-03-16 00:35:28 +0000 UTC View Post

Eric Clapton "Cocaine" Guitar Lesson Preview

Hello friends,

Apologies for the delay in getting a new post up. My next tutorial will be a complete break down of Eric Clapton's version of "Cocaine." My goal for this lesson will be to break down the main riffs, intro licks, guitar solo and a general approach to blues soloing in the key of E. Attached you will find my TAB, and also a diagram that reveals useful positions that you can use to build your own licks. Check in tomorrow for the full tutorial! -Rob

Ray Charles "Hard Times" Guitar Lesson (Early Release)

Hello friends,

And welcome to another by request song tutorial. In today's lesson I'll be breaking down my approach to Ray Charles's 1961 classic "Hard Times" from his Genius Sings the Blues record. This tune has one main section that features some very jazzy chord changes. I'll explain how to strum through these chords, and how to include advanced techniques for transitioning between them. Let's get started!

Links:

• 2017-03-09 03:24:03 +0000 UTC View Post

Easy Guitar Songs - Van Morrison "Crazy Love" - Complete Lesson, PLUS Major Licks!

Hello friends,

Today I'm very excited to share with you my approach to playing Van Morrisons 1970 classic "Crazy Love." I'll break down the changes and strumming options for the verse, chorus, and bridge sections,  before showing you a wide range of lead guitar possibilities. 

Before we begin, I'd like to reaffirm my thanks to each of you for your support, motivation and guidance. Swiftlessons on YouTube has just reached it's 20 millionth view, and I couldn't have reached this ...

Rob Swift "Crazy Love" Van Morrison Cover & Lesson Preview

Hello friends,

Today I'm adding the finishing touches to a new lesson on Van Morrison's 1970 classsic "Crazy Love." In this tutorial I'll be breaking down the chord changes and strumming options for the songs three sections, but also how to solo using some of the concepts taught in my major lead lesson from two weeks ago. Here's a demonstration for you all to enjoy, as I finish editing the instructional segments. Thanks so much for your support!

Note: Basic chord sheet is atta...

Blues Soloing Guitar Lesson - Upper Extension Licks, and Theory

Hello friends,
In today’s four-part lead guitar tutorial, I will be breaking down how to solo in the “upper extension” of the Am minor blues scale. To fully understand how this works, I will be explaining the theory behind the minor blues scale, and how to perform it in two different positions. From there I’ll demonstrate a bit of soloing and teach you a bluesy phrase for our lick of the week. Let’s get started!


Note: An extended cut of this tutorial complete with in-scre...

Funky A Minor Blues Guitar Backing Track - Jam Along!

Hello friends,

Today I'm sharing with you a funky blues guitar backing track in the key of Am. Jam along with this using your minor blues, or natural and harmonic minor scales. A full lesson on how to jam over this progression will be available shortly. Enjoy!

Mastering the Major Scale - Theory, Technique, and Licks!

Hello friends,

In today’s six part lesson I’ll be teaching you about the origins of the major scale, how to perform it, and how to apply it to your lead guitar work. Once we understand the technical and theoretical aspects, we’ll move on to learning some beginner friendly phrases, and a more complex phrase for your lick of the week. Let’s get started!

Simple R&B Backing Track in A Major (Patron Only)

Hello friends,

Today I'm finishing up a beginner soloing lesson on how to play the major scale and apply it to your lead guitar playing. This video will feature a few beginner friendly phrases, and also a more advanced technique for your lick of the week. While I work on that, please get a head start on practicing the scale (see attachment for must know scales) over this jam track I whipped up. Have fun! -Rob

P.S - I'll be posting a video on each of the scales listed on the at...

Easy Guitar Songs - The Times They Are A Changin' By Bob Dylan

Hello friends,

In today's lesson I'll break down one of the most important songs of the civil rights era in Bob Dylan's 1964 classic "The Times They Are A-Changin'". I'll take you through the songs five verses and demonstrate how to perform simple, beginner friendly strumming techniques in 3/4 time. Let's get started!

Free Download "River Queen" - Original Song Demo for Upcoming Record

Hello friends,

This week I'm staying very busy! I'm preparing for my first gig in several months at Philadelphia's Grape Room (2/17), while also recording demos for my upcoming solo album "Sunflower." I have new lessons on the horizon including Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin" and also a careful explantion of Modes. I'll have those lessons available over the next few days. In the meantime, please help yourself to this recording of my new tune "River Queen." I've attached a compressed...

Solo Blues Guitar - Routine #7 - Licks, Turnarounds and Shuffles!

Hello friends,

and welcome to Routine #7 of my solo blues guitar lessons series. In this tutorial, I will break down some of my favorite blues guitar techniques that you can use to embellish your favorite covers or original tunes. You will learn how to perform an advanced walking turnaround, a traveling shuffle over E and A and some useful licks inspired by players like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton. Let's get started!

2017-02-13 22:47:39 +0000 UTC View Post

David Bowie, Nirvana "The Man Who Sold the World" Guitar Lesson

Hello friends,

Today I took some time to add the finishing touches to my lesson on David Bowie's 1970 classic "The Man Who Sold the World." I was first introduced to this tune via Nirvana's unplugged performance, so I made sure to keep this lesson true to that very popular version, though they are almost identicle. We will begin by learning the intro riff, before learning the various rhythms and chord progressions for the verse and chorus sections. For the lead guitarist, I'll discuss my appro...

Advanced Major Blues Turnaround and a Lead Guitar Secret!

Hello friends,

And welcome to another lick of the week! In this lesson we will be learning how to perform an advanced blues turnaround in the key of E. To expand our knowledge of lead guitar, I will also be demonstrating how to harmonize notes from our major scale to create beautiful two note phrases over common chord progressions.

Let’s get started!

Louis Armstrong "What a Wonderful World" - Complete Guitar Lesson

Hello friends,

Today I'm very excited to share with you my complete fingerstyle guitar lesson on Louis Armstrongs 1967 classic "What a Wonderful World." I'll take you through the tunes chord changes, and break down how to apply useful arpeggio picking patterns in 4/4 time. Let's get started!

Note: Special thanks to Michael Spencer for providing chord diagrams!

Recommend Fingerstyle lessons:

• 2017-02-02 01:26:28 +0000 UTC View Post

Jazz Guitar Chords, Licks and Comping Lesson w/ Featured Artist Christopher Davis-Shannon

Hello friends, 

and welcome to another featured artist interview! In this video I am joined by the very talented Christopher Davis-Shannon, who breaks down his unique style of solo jazz guitar. Learn sophisticated jazz chords, licks and rhythm techniques. Let's get started!

Get A Digital Download of Chris's Album Standard Fare 50% off!!!

http://musi...

Louis Armstrong "What a Wonderful World" Lesson Preview

Hello friends,

I have a few things on the back burner this week, but one that I'm especially excited about is my upcoming lesson on Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." I have created an arrangement that pulls from a variety of sources, and also my own ear, and I think it's coming along very well. Attached you will find my chord sheet and tab, which I stuck to 95% in this practice session. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

How to Play Slow Blues on Guitar - Scales, Licks and Chord Progressions

Hello friends,

And welcome to another lick of the week! In today’s lesson, I’ll break down some of the elements in performing the rhythm and lead to slow blues in the key of C. We'll begin by learning a few useful scales before tackling a variation to our standard 12 bar blues. Your lick of the week will combine three scale patterns, while using the common minor pentatonic as a safety net. Let's get started!