All Posts by Jonathan Boettcher

3 Suspended 4th Board Lesson

In this lesson we’ll discuss the theory of how to build suspended 4th chords.

1 Suspended 9th Board Lesson

In this lesson we’ll discuss suspended 9th chords and the theory of how they’re built.

4 Artist Spotlight: Jimi Hendrix (Thirds Applied To A Progression)

In this lesson we’ll take a look at one of Jimi Hendrix’s songs, Wind Cries Mary. It’s a really interesting example of how you can use major and minor thirds in a chord progression. Why does a progression of major chords end up sounding minor? Watch the lesson, and find out!

12 Blues Rhythms & Riffs – Inspired by Smokestack Lightning

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Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues

Checkout this fun electric blues riff inspired by Howling Wolf (from Smokestack Lightning). It comes out of the E pentatonic minor scale, both the first and second positions. First we'll look at the scales the riff comes from, then we'll learn the riff, then we'll add it into a fun boogie woogie blues shuffle.

Here is the tab for the basic version of the riff, at 6:15 on the video. If you're not familiar with reading standard notation, don't worry about it, just use the TAB portion at the bottom to see where your fingers go, and use the video to learn the timing.

Do you like this lesson? Let us know what you learned in the comments below. 

7 Blues Rhythms & Riffs – Inspired by Back Door Man

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Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues

Checkout this fun electric blues riff inspired by Howling Wolf (from Back Door Man). It comes out of the E pentatonic minor scale, both the first and second positions. First we'll look briefly at the scale the riff comes from, then we'll learn the riff along with some variations, then we'll start using it as a rhythm riff, and begin playing around with some call and answer!

Here is the tab for the basic version of the rhythm riff, at 4:20 on the video. If you're not familiar with reading standard notation, don't worry about it, just use the TAB portion at the bottom to see where your fingers go, and use the video to learn the timing.

Do you like this lesson? Let us know what you learned in the comments below.

3 Blues Rhythms & Riffs – Inspired by Killing Floor

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Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues

Checkout this fun electric blues riff inspired by Howling Wolf (from Killing Floor). It comes out of the A pentatonic major scale. First we'll look briefly at the scale the riff comes from, then we'll learn the riff along with some variations, then we'll start using it as a rhythm riff, and begin playing around with some call and answer!

Here is the tab for the basic version of the rhythm riff, at 5:22 on the video. Keep in mind that this just shows the A position; you will have to move this around to the D position and the E position as well. However, once you connect with the pattern it is very easy to move.

Did you like this lesson? Let us know what you learned in the comments below. 

2 Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Blues (Part 1)

Here is Part 1 of the Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues course. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00 – Chapter 1 – “Heart Beat Like A Hammer”
27:21 – Chapter 2 – The Riffs
37:59 – Chapter 3 – Twelve Bar In “E”
51:43 – Chapter 4 – Boogie Pattern

Finished? Checkout Part 2 next.

Return to main course download page.

0 Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Blues (Part 2)

Here is Part 2 of the Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues course. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00 – Chapter 5 – Turn Around
16:47 – Chapter 6 – Put It Together
34:14 – Chapter 7 – Bonus 12 Bar

Finished? Checkout Part 3 next.

Return to main course download page.

0 Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Blues (Part 3)

Here is Part 3 of the Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues course. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

0:00:00 – Chapter 8 – “Born Under A Bad Sign” Scales
0:17:57 – Chapter 9 – Chorus Riffs
0:28:28 – Chapter 10 – Chromatic Chorus Movement Step #1
0:44:52 – Chapter 11 – Chromatic Chorus Movement Step #2
0:59:27 – Chapter 12 – Chromatic Chorus Movement Step #3
1:08:10 – Chapter 13 – Put It Together

Finished? Checkout Part 4 next.

Return to main course download page.

0 Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Blues (Part 4)

Here is Part 4 of the Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues course. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00 – Chapter 14 – Verse Riff
08:13 – Chapter 15 – Six Riffs
26:28 – Chapter 16 – Conclusion
39:43 – Chapter 17 – Shame Shame Shame

Finished? Checkout Part 5 next.

Return to main course download page.

0 Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Blues (Part 5)

Here is Part 5 of the Rhythms & Riffs of Classic Electric Blues course. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00 – Chapter 18 – Verse Section
16:54 – Chapter 19 – Pentatonic Major
31:25 – Chapter 20 – “All Shook Up”
48:27 – Chapter 21 – Shame Shame Shame (Conclusion)

Return to main course download page.

3 Chord Progressions in the Key of A Major

Here’s a lesson that will help you put those chords you just learned in the key of A major to good use!

1 Tips on Using a 12 String Guitar vs a 6 String

In this lesson we’ll take a look at some of the reasons why you might want to use a 12 string guitar, and also how to approach it differently than a 6 string.

4 Artist Spotlight: Bruce Springsteen

In this artist spotlight we’re going to look at Bruce Springsteen’s Prove It All Night, and learn a few things from the song. Check it out!

1 Boogie Woogie Part 2: Adding the Minor 7th

In this lesson we’re going to build on what we covered in Part 1, and add the minor 7th.

4 Boogie Woogie Part 1: 12 Bar Rhythm Riff

The boogie woogie is a very fun and popular rhythm you’ll find all over the place. In this example we’re going to use A, D and E open chords for the changes.

After you’ve completed this lesson, move on to Part 2.

0 Using Drone Notes In Guitar Solos

If you’re looking for a way to add some extra character to some of your riffs or guitar solos, adding drone notes is an interesting option. There’s a lot that can be done in this area, but this lesson will get you started. Today we’re going to use Drop D tuning, which is identical to E standard tuning, with the exception that the lowest string (6th) is dropped a whole step to D.

5 5 Essential Single Note Riffs (In A Pentatonic Minor)

Here’s five essential single note riffs that you’ll find all over the place, in all kinds of genres. These come from the A pentatonic minor scale.

0 Chord Progressions in D Major

In this lesson, we’re going to look at two famous chord progressions in D major. The first one is a I – V – VI – IV progression, which is one of the most common chord progressions of all time. We’re going to see how it is used in U2’s famous song With or Without You. The second one we’re going to look at is First Cut is the Deepest, the Sheryl Crow version in D major.

14 Blues Rhythms: Blue Jean Blues

1 Blues Rhythms: Texas Shuffle

0 Blues Rhythms: A Good Starting Point

2 Blues Rhythms: Adding the Minor 7th

6 Blues Rhythms: Using Triads to Create Riffs

7 Blues Rhythms: Rock This Riff in a 12 Bar Blues

10 Blues Rhythms: A Cool Rhythm Riff

0 Ultimate Blues Stage 3: Rhythms (Part 9)

Here is Part 9 of the Ultimate Blues course, Stage 3. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00:00 – Chapter 35 – Left Track Study Cycle #6
00:09:25 – Chapter 36 – Left Track Study Cycle #7
00:18:02 – Chapter 37 – “Texas Joy” Right Track Study
00:46:42 – Chapter 38 – “Texas Joy” Left Track Study
00:57:27 – Chapter 39 – Left Track Rhythm Variations Cycle #1
01:01:14 – Chapter 40 – 12-Bar Cycle #2
01:13:14 – Chapter 41 – 12-Bar Cycle #3 & #4
01:19:40 – Chapter 42 – 12-Bar Cycle #5
01:24:49 – Chapter 43 – 12-Bar Cycle #6

Finished this section? Congratulations, you’ve completed the course!

Return to main course download page.

0 Ultimate Blues Stage 3: Rhythms (Part 8)

Here is Part 8 of the Ultimate Blues course, Stage 3. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00:00 – Chapter 28 – The Left Side Study
00:18:29 – Chapter 29 – “Love You” Right Track Study
00:31:18 – Chapter 30 – “Love You” Left Track Study Cycle #1
00:39:26 – Chapter 31 – Left Track Study Cycle #2
00:46:49 – Chapter 32 – Left Track Study Cycle #3
01:18:59 – Chapter 33 – Left Track Study Cycle #4
01:31:16 – Chapter 34 – Left Track Study Cycle #5

Finished? Checkout Part 9 next.

Return to main course download page.

0 Ultimate Blues Stage 3: Rhythms (Part 7)

Here is Part 7 of the Ultimate Blues course, Stage 3. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00:00 – Chapter 23 – “Knockin” Right Track Study
00:11:54 – Chapter 24 – Dave Edmunds’ “I Hear You Knockin” Study
00:27:18 – Chapter 25 – “My Blue Jeans” Intro & Chord Study
00:46:41 – Chapter 26 – “My Blue Jeans” Right Track Study
01:23:01 – Chapter 27 – Ideas For The Right Track

Finished? Checkout Part 8 next.

Return to main course download page.

0 Ultimate Blues Stage 3: Rhythms (Part 6)

Here is Part 6 of the Ultimate Blues course, Stage 3. To help you navigate this section, the chapter time markers are shown below.

00:00:00 – Chapter 18 – “Flood” Left Track Study
00:12:53 – Chapter 19 – Intro to “The Thrill” Track Theory Study
01:01:21 – Chapter 20 – “Thrill” Left Track Study
01:24:05 – Chapter 21 – “Thrill” Progression Right Track
01:35:57 – Chapter 22 – “Knockin” Intro and Left Track Study

Finished? Checkout Part 6 next.

Return to main course download page.