Jonathan Boettcher, Author at Riff Ninja Academy - Page 7 of 11

All Posts by Jonathan Boettcher

Acoustic Beginner Course 6

This is DVD 6 from the course. Here are the time stamps and chapter names for this DVD:

00:00:00 – Introduction, Key of C Major
00:20:31 – Introduction to Let it Be
00:25:19 – Let it Be Section A and B
00:34:02 – An Easy Strum, Let it Be Step #1
00:39:38 – Descending Lines Verse and Chorus Section A and B Step #2
00:55:16 – Descending Line Option for Verse and Chorus
01:02:07 – Instrumental Descending Line
01:17:49 – Let it Be Step #3 Strum
01:28:54 – The Arrangement, Let it Be
01:37:23 – House of the Rising Sun, Introduction
01:49:55 – House of the Rising Sun, Sections A-B-C and D
01:58:30 – House of the Rising Sun, Strum Pattern #1
02:04:17 – House of the Rising Sun, Strum Pattern #2
02:09:09 – House of the Rising Sun, Strum Pattern #3

Acoustic Beginner Course 5

This is DVD 5 from the course. Here are the time stamps and chapter names for this DVD:

00:00:00 – With or Without You, Basic Progression
00:11:04 – With or Without You Step #1 Strum, Basic Straight 1/8th
00:17:18 – Introducing the Power Chord
00:23:38 – Applying Roots to the Power Chords
00:29:59 – Applying Power Chords to With or Without You Step #2
00:41:40 – Applying Power Chords to other Songs
00:47:38 – Kryptonite Introduction to Verse
00:57:20 – Kryptonite Verse, Power Chord Options
00:59:51 – Kryptonite Chorus, Full Chords and Power Chords
01:13:44 – Kryptonite Verse and Chorus, Optional Combinations Using Full Chords and Power Chords
01:21:34 – Putting it Together
01:36:02 – The Arrangement

Acoustic Beginner Course 4

This is DVD 4 from the course. Here are the time stamps and chapter names for this DVD:

00:00:00 – Intro to the Key of D Major, 3 Basic Major Chords D+ G+ A+
00:14:03 – Your First Bar Chords, 3 Basic Minor Chords Bm Em F#m
00:34:57 – Moving the Bar Chords
00:49:56 – Basic Bad Moon, Verse and Chorus
01:09:30 – Bad Moon Step #1 Strum
01:14:52 – Bad Moon Step #2 Strum
01:23:15 – Bad Moon Step #3 Strum
01:36:47 – Bad Moon Arrangement

Acoustic Beginner Course 3

This is DVD 3 from the course. Here are the time stamps and chapter names for this DVD:

00:00:00 – Third Chord Progression, Time of Your Life
00:17:36 – Optional Chords, Time of Your Life
00:26:01 – Note Hierarchy Lesson, Rhythm Fractioning
00:48:56 – Sweet Home Step #1, Strum Pattern
00:54:10 – Sweet Home Step #2, Strum Pattern
01:00:22 – Sweet Home Step #3, Strum / Picking Pattern
01:07:25 – Closing Time Step #1, Strum Pattern
01:14:50 – Closing Time Step #2, Strum Pattern
01:23:09 – Closing Time Step #3, Strum Pattern
01:33:22 – Time of Your Life Step #1, Strum Pattern
01:42:41 – Time of Your Life Step #2, Strum Pattern
01:52:31 – Time of Your Life Step #3, Strum Pattern
02:04:48 – Time of Your Life, Arrangement

Acoustic Beginner Course 2

This is DVD 2 from the course. Here are the time stamps and chapter names for this DVD:

00:00:00 – Practice Tips
00:23:51 – Tuning Your Guitar
00:58:31 – Your First 6 Chords, G+ C+ D+ / Em Am Bm
01:47:33 – Your First Chord Progression, Sweet Home Alabama
02:07:48 – Second Chord Progression, Closing Time

Acoustic Beginner Course 1

This is DVD 1 from the course. For best results in this course, follow it through, in order, from the beginning, without skipping anything. You might be tempted to skip parts here and there, thinking that you know it already, but believe me, I’ve heard from many people already that they’ve learned things even from the sections where they thought they already knew it all! Don’t succumb to the temptation to skip – if you’re getting antsy, hit stop, take a break, do some pushups or go for a run (ie blow off some steam!) and come back when you’re fresh and relaxed. You will learn better this way!

Here are the time stamps and chapter names for this DVD:

hh:mm:ss
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:10:50 – Parts of the Guitar
00:20:19 – Buying a Guitar
00:35:43 – What is a Guitar Setup?
00:46:15 – Sitting or Standing?
00:58:13 – Picks or Fingers?
01:17:37 – Tones and Semi Tones, Theory Lesson on the Guitar
02:01:53 – Tones and Semi Tones, Board Theory Lesson

Artist Spotlight: Van Morrison

Van Morrison has written some very popular songs over the years, and there are some interesting things we can learn from his playing. If you’d like to add a little Van Morrison flavor into your playing, this is the lesson for you.

Artist Spotlight: Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy was one of the greats who in turn influenced many of our modern musicians. See if you can learn a thing or two from Buddy’s style that you can incorporate into your own!

G Diatonic Major Scale (Closed, Root 6 Position)

This G major scale can be used for more jazzy solos – and it’s particularly good for bass lines – but it is most beneficial for solidifying technique. Although this scale starts on the 3rd fret, we play it in the 2nd position, so that means starting the first note with the 2nd finger.

Here’s the tab for the scale:

Diatonic Major (G) Closed R6

Combining the Diatonic and Pentatonic Scales

When you start combining pentatonic with diatonic scales you will be really able to open up your bass playing and your knowledge of the fretboard. It will be necessary to be very comfortable with your pentatonic and diatonic scale patterns before taking this lesson.

What are Pentatonic and Diatonic?

Though the main difference between pentatonic and diatonic scales is simply the number of notes used in each (pentatonic containing 5 and the diatonic with 7), they can be worlds apart in terms of sound – the style of music you are playing will be the main influence on choosing which type of scale to use.

Using Triads in Soloing

Triads are very useful in many different situations. You’ve learned about the theory already, (right??) so now we’ll take a look at how you can apply triads to your soloing in a practical sense.

Learn How To Play With Two Guitars (Pt 1 – Alternate Chord Voicings)

Ever had a jam partner, and wanted play something different, unique and cool sounding, but you were just stumped for ideas? Never fear, the Riff Ninjas are here! We’ve got plenty of tricks up our sleeve to help you create awesome sounding two-guitar jams, and in this lesson we’re going to start digging into a few of those. In Part 1 of this series we’re going to look at using some alternate chord voicings.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

The Diatonic Minor Scale

The diatonic minor scale (diatonic meaning it contains 7 notes) can be played with many different fingerings on the bass. But you should start by remembering the pattern first and getting the right fingers assigned to the right frets.

A Minor: The Diatonic Natural Minor Scale (closed)

The A diatonic ‘natural’ minor scale is so-called as all the notes in this scale are unaltered (i.e. natural) meaning no note/interval is raised or lowered. Played in the closed position, this scale is very common starting ground for riffs and melodies.

Here is the tab for the scale in this lesson:

Diatonic Minor (A) 1 Position R6 - Pinky stretch

The Most Important Scale For Improvising

You probably already know the pentatonic scale. Or at least, you think you do.

But if you're stuck playing the same licks over and over, something's missing. This free lesson shows you the one thing most guitarists overlook—and it's the key to unlocking the entire fretboard.

What You Just Learned:

In this free lesson, Colin showed you the foundation. How to play the pentatonic scale properly. Down-up picking. One finger per fret. The two overlapping positions that give you more options.

But here's the thing... This is just Step 1 of three.

Here's what happens when you get all three steps:

You stop freezing when someone says "take a solo." No more panic moments. No more hunting for notes. You just know where to go on the neck. You can jump in.

Your solos start sounding like music instead of exercises. You're creating phrases. Bending notes. Adding space. Playing things that breathe and flow.

You finally understand what you're doing. You know why certain notes work. You know how the chords and scales fit together. You feel like a real musician, not just someone who memorized some patterns.

And maybe the biggest thing? You stop feeling like you're faking it.

When someone hands you a guitar and says "play something," you'll be able to do it with confidence.

That's what's on the other side of this course. You'll also get:

  • Colin's "mind trick" for staying locked into the groove (instead of getting lost thinking about what lick to play next)

  • Why playing A minor pentatonic over an E minor song sounds terrible—and the 3-second fix

  • When to land on chord tones versus "tension notes" (this is what separates noodling from music)

  • The chord roadmap that tells you exactly which notes will sound best at any given moment

  • 60-day guarantee—get every penny back if it doesn't click


Get The Complete System

Step 2: Working With A Progression

The scale is right. Your notes are right. So why does your solo sound so... off? This lesson reveals what most guitarists miss—and it's hiding in plain sight in the chord progression underneath you.

In this video, Colin shows you the foundation - why chord progressions matter, how to find the tonic, why a progression starting on C can actually be in A minor.

And if you watch the third free video (it's in the sidebar), you'll see how to add riffs and techniques to make it all sound musical.

But here's the truth...

These three free videos are just the overview. The 30,000-foot view. Enough to show you what's possible.

The full course goes deep.

Multiple examples at different tempos. Detailed breakdowns you can watch five times until it clicks. Close-ups of exactly what Colin's doing. Three professional jam tracks so you can actually practice this stuff with a real groove.

The PDF book so you can review concepts without scrubbing through video. Riley playing rhythm so you see how the solo fits with the chords in real time.

But most importantly - you get the reps. The practice. The repetition from different angles that makes it stick.

Look, Colin designed this course to be watched multiple times. First time you get the basics. Second time you notice things you missed. Third time it really clicks.

That's how real learning happens. Not from watching three overview videos once. From going deep with material that's built for actual transformation.

If you're serious about finally breaking through with improvisation, this is how you do it.


Get the full System here

Adding Color To Your Riffs

You know the scale. You understand the chords. You've even practiced both.

But when you try to solo, it still sounds like... a scale exercise. Just running up and down notes robotically. This free lesson shows you the one riff that changes everything—the string bend that adds personality and makes you sound musical.

Colin showed you the string stretch riff—one of the most important riffs in blues and rock. How to add personality. How timing matters more than speed.

Now here's the truth about these three free videos...

They give you the overview. Enough to show you what's possible.

But here's what they DON'T give you:

The confidence that comes from real repetition.

You know that feeling when someone says "take a solo" and you freeze? That doesn't go away from watching three videos once. It goes away when you've practiced this stuff so many times your fingers just KNOW where to go.

The understanding that comes from seeing the same concept five different ways.

Right now you're probably thinking "okay, I kind of get it." The full course takes you from "I kind of get it" to "I actually understand what I'm doing." That's when you stop feeling like you're faking it.

The ability to just... play.

Not think. Not hunt for notes. Not pray you land somewhere that sounds okay. Just play. Like the guitar players you admire who make it look effortless.

That transformation doesn't happen from an overview. It happens from going deep. Practicing with real backing tracks. Watching the same riff broken down slow, then faster, then in context. Getting the reps until it's second nature.

If you're serious about finally breaking through, this is how you do it.


Click Here For the Full System

  • Why this one string stretch shows up in countless blues and rock solos (and how to make it your own)

  • The "personality injection" technique that turns mechanical scale runs into phrases that breathe

  • When to repeat a bend versus when to move on (this is what separates noodling from music)

  • Why slow practice with perfect timing beats fast sloppy playing every time

  • How to morph between riffs and scales without it sounding like two separate things

  • 60-day guarantee—get every penny back if it doesn't click

6 Basic Chords For D Major

Here we will be looking at the six main chords used in the key of D major, one of the most common keys on the guitar. Be warned, however, as a couple of barre chords are included in this key as well.

D

Tones and Semi Tones

If you aspire to be a bass player at any level, knowing your tones and semitones – i.e. the spaces between the notes – is an absolute must. But don’t think you have to learn them everywhere along the fretboard – once you have worked them out on one string or in one position, you can then apply the same formula anywhere up or down the neck.

Inverted Thirds: 2nd and 4th Strings

Before you dive into inverted thirds, it will be necessary to know your scale intervals and also how chords are built on the notes of the scale. To make things easier – i.e. no sharps or flats – we’ll begin with inverted thirds in the key of C major.

Basic Parts of the Guitar (Acoustic & Electric)

Knowing the parts of the guitar and how it works is vital if you want to get the most out of your playing – especially when it comes to the electric, as just like the different wood used for acoustic guitars, the components and their various combinations are what give each guitar it’s own unique sound.

Hollow Body vs Solid Body, Short Scale vs Long Scale

When deciding between hollow body, solid body or short scale and long scale basses, it will ultimately come down to a matter of preference and what sound you want to produce. All models have there advantages and disadvantages – knowing the differences between each will help you choose the right instrument for you.

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