March 01, 2013:
Intervallic Licks and Riffs

Performing wide stacked intervals such as repeating 4th's or 5th's can create some very cool melodies. The idea can also be expanded upon by inverting intervals, (such as flipping a 3rd into a 6th), or by combining different intervals, (such as 4th's and diminished 5th's). When applied, these concepts build unique sounding lines and riffs. Watch the video lesson to find out more and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

March 08, 2013:
Composing with a Drone String

Generating a locked down tonal center through the use of a drone string is both a fun and a unique compositional tool. Since the guitar lends itself to drone string playing, we find this idea commonly used within many different main-stream music styles. The drone allows for melodic movement with a constant tonal center acting to lock in the tonality. Watch the video lesson to find out more and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

March 15, 2013:
Scale Fragment Soloing

Viewing entire scale pattern shapes for performing guitar solos can often be quite overwhelming. However, viewing the scale in fragments can be extremely helpful on many levels. One situation in particular is when we need to solo over harmonies that travel outside of an established tonality. Watch the video lesson to find out more and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

March 22, 2013:
Concentrated Chord Voicings

Some of the best rhythm guitar work is accomplished with concentrated chords that contain very few notes. Chord voicings with only 2 or 3 tones on the upper strings can be very cool sounding. Check out The Edge "Wire," for a great example of this. In the video, I discuss the theory and some applications of this wonderful rhythm guitar technique. Watch the video lesson to find out more and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

March 29, 2013:
Jazz-Funk Fusion

Jazz-Funk style is very guitar orientated music that places a lot of weight upon jazz theory. Modern Jazz-Funk players, like Scott Henderson, have added interesting odd-meter feels, and introspective improvising to this wonderful style. Overall, this style of Funk offers sensitive dynamics along with very cool dominant and minor-mode harmony. Watch the video lesson to find out more and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.