Classic scenario: you pop along to a Jam Night or maybe meet up with a bunch of mates who are playing songs together. BUT there’s no TAB or chord sheets to be found anywhere !
If you feel uneasy about joining in in these situations we’ll be looking at how to make things a lot easier for you. It’s not rocket science and bit of guidance and basic know-how goes a long way.
Image the scenario – you want to play along with a group of players but there’s no TAB or chords available – how can you join in and play something useful and complementary.
Jam Nights by definition are a sequence of favourite songs or party pieces kicked off by the players in the group. The Blues always appears at some pont! You probably won’t be able to see what they’re doing on the guitar and at best they might call out the key the song is in.
What do you do? How do you approach doing anything? How can you get good at coping?
We’ll look at host subjects in terms of what they are, how to put them into practice. Essentially it’s a process to follow, backed up by some knowledge.
A short list could include: finding the key, knowing the basic chords in the key, being able to play barre chords, able to use a capo effectively, being able to play your I, IV and V chords across the fretboard (this isn’t difficult!), basic chord substitutions, how to use triads and power chords, being able to transposing using barre chords or a capo, injecting some rhythmic nuances, playing a part rather than twanging away, using alternative richer-sounding chords, and lots more.
Specifically for the Blues: a ‘standard’ 12 bar form, dominant chords, the shuffle and straight rhythms, minor and major pentatonic scales in a couple of positions, simple turnarounds that can act as intros and outros.
Keep things simple and the simple stuff cleanly and symapthetically within a group.
All done with TAB, Lead Sheets, Chord diagrams.
This is a high-level look across the subject. It’s a vast subject and we’ll probably break down some specific techniques and know-how into future individual lessons. Watch this space.
Beginner+ to Intermediate acoustic and electric guitar players.
These sessions are layered to allow players of different levels to learn and play along together.
Beginner+ players should know basic open chords and be able to strum (plectrum or fingers).
Intermediate players should be able to play barre chords and strum using a plectrum.
The materials cover lesson PDF(s) and access to a Zoom recording of the live session.
Generally you’ll receive any PDF(s) just before the session (with Zoom recording made available after the session).
The session is 60 minutes long; don’t expect to master everything during the session. The tutor will go through as many key parts as possible, demonstrating them and discussing the associated techniques and know-how.
The real work is done by you afterwards. Armed with the materials (PDFs and video recording), you’ll have all the tools to work on things at your own pace.
When you book you’ll have two options:
1. You want to join the live Zoom session.
You’ll receive the joining instructions on the day. Being live, you’ll be able to put your own questions directly to the tutor during the session. Choose option 1, Live session and materials.
2. Maybe you’d like to attend but can’t make it on this occasion?
You can buy the materials and receive them after the session (i.e. lesson PDF(s) and access to a Zoom recording of the live session). Choose option 2, Materials only.