Introduction Lesson Guitar Lesson
Introduction Lesson
In this short lesson, Jim Deeming will introduce himself and talk about his upcoming lessons. He will share his personal philosophies regarding the guitar.
Taught by Jim Deeming in Basic Guitar with Jim seriesLength: 6:12Difficulty: 0.5 of 5
Note: For more information about Jim Deeming, please read his JamPlay biography.
To hear more of Jim's playing, please visit his MySpace page.
You can also hear more of Jim in JamPlay's Entertainment section. This section can be accessed from the left hand side of the homepage.
Overview of Lesson Series
Jim will eventually cover the guitar styles of the iconic players listed above in Phase 2 and Phase 3 lessons. With this lesson series, Jim explores the acoustic guitar from the ground up. The beginning lessons of this series are completely independent from a specific genre. Jim will teach basic guitar concepts that are essential to all styles of music. Although Jim teaches all of the lessons in this series on an acoustic guitar, all lesson concepts can also be applied to the electric guitar or the nylon string classical guitar.
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Guitar with Jim
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsFingerstyle master Jim Deeming teaches you the basics of guitar playing. With over 30 years of experience teaching and playing, Jim will definitely start you in the right direction. This is a great series for beginners and guitarists looking to refresh their knowledge.
Lesson 1
Introduction Lesson
In this short lesson, Jim Deeming will introduce himself and talk about his upcoming lessons.
Length: 6:12 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Choosing a Guitar
Jim gives his thoughts on purchasing your first guitar.
Length: 7:09 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Goal Setting
Jim discusses the importance of setting goals. He provides some tips that will help steer your practicing in the right direction.
Length: 11:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Changing the Strings
Jim Deeming walks you through the process of changing your strings. He gives some excellent tips on this important process.
Length: 41:09 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Meet Your New Guitar
Jim introduces proper playing technique. Then, he explains how to play your first chord.
Length: 52:24 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Learning More Chords
Jim teaches you the 3 primary chords in G major. He also explains how chords relate to specific keys. A great lesson!
Length: 39:15 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Right Hand Revisited
Jim discusses a plethora of right hand techniques that are essential to guitar playing.
Length: 35:19 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
New Chords and Keys
This lesson provides additional information about chords and keys.
Length: 19:08 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Let's Play
This lesson is all about playing. Jim will start you off playing a song. You will have the opportunity to play along with him.
Length: 20:10 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Alternating Bass and Chords
Jim teaches you a few more commonly used chords. Then, he discusses a technique known as the alternating bass line.
Length: 40:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
A Shape Chords
Jim covers all possible fingering options pertaining to the basic open A chord shape.
Length: 17:42 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Basic Guitar Checkup
Jim talks about the future of his Phase 1 guitar series and where to go from here.
Length: 4:18 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Notes, Scales and Theory
Jim delves into basic music theory. He starts from square one in this lesson.
Length: 29:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chord Fiesta
Jim Deeming invites you to a veritable chord fiesta. He demonstrates common dominant and minor chord shapes.
Length: 43:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Movable Chords
This lesson is all about movable chords. Learn the importance of barre chords and other movable shapes.
Length: 40:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Proper Practicing
Jim Deeming explains how to create a productive practice routine. Make sure you aren't wasting needless time!
Length: 30:00 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Pinky Anchor
Many guitarists use their pinky as an anchor. Jim explains the pros and cons of this technique.
Length: 9:00 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Palm Muting
Jim discusses an important technique--palm muting. He explains how palm muting is used by flatpickers and fingerstyle players.
Length: 7:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Reading Tablature
Jim Deeming covers the basics of reading guitar tablature. Knowledge of tablature will help with JamPlay lessons as well as learning your favorite songs.
Length: 21:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Tuning Extravaganza
Jim explains various tuning methods. He provides useful tips and tricks that will ensure that your guitar is sounding its best.
Length: 31:45 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Let's Play : Red River Valley
Jim is back with another "let's play" style lesson. He teaches the classic song "Red River Valley" and encourages you to play along.
Length: 52:38 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Drop D Tuning
Jim Deeming introduces drop D tuning. Drop D is a popular alternate tuning used in many styles of music including rock, fingerstyle and blues.
Length: 25:25 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Let's Play: Wayfaring Stranger
Jim Deeming breaks down the song sections to the classic tune Wayfaring Stranger.
Length: 29:20 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
More On Drop D
Jim Deeming takes another, more focused look at drop D tuning.
Length: 6:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 25
Your Friend, the Metronome
Jim Deeming discusses how to use a metronome for practice, skill building, and speed building.
Length: 24:02 Difficulty: 1.0 FREE
About Jim Deeming
View Full Biography
Jim Deeming got his first guitar when he was only six years old. His Dad was taking fingerpicking lessons, and Jim wanted to be just like him. The Mel Bay books didn't last very long before he strapped on a thumb pick and added the Chet part to Red River Valley so it sounded better.
Most of Jim's early learning was by ear. With unlimited access to his Dad's collection of Chet Atkins albums, he spent countless hours decoding his favorite songs. They were never "right" until they sounded just like Chet. Around the age of 12, Jim heard Jerry Reed for the first time and just knew he had to be able to make that "Alabama Wild Man" sound. The styles of Chet & Jerry always have been a big influence on his playing.
More recently he has pursued arrangements by Tommy Emmanuel and Doyle Dykes, in addition to creating some of his own and writing originals.
Jim has performed in front of a variety of audiences, including concerts, competitions, weddings and the like, but playing at church has always been a mainstay. Whether playing in worship bands or guitar solos, gospel music is deep in his roots and is also the driving theme behind his debut CD release, titled "First Fruits".
Jim has been playing for about 38 years. He also has taught private lessons in the past but believes JamPlay.com is an exciting and better venue with many advantages over the traditional method of weekly 30 minute sessions.
Jim lives in Berthoud, Colorado with his wife, Linda, and their four children. Although he still has a "day job", he is actively performing and is already back in the studio working on the next CD. If you wonder how he finds time, look no further than the back seat of his truck where he keeps a "travel guitar" to take advantage of any practice or song-writing opportunities he can get.
The opening song you hear in Jim's introductory JamPlay video is called, "A Pick In My Pocket". It's an original tune, written in memory of Jim's father who told him early on he should always keep a pick in his pocket in case he ever met Chet Atkins and got the chance to play for him. That song is slated to be the title track for his next CD, which will feature several more originals plus some of his favorite covers of Chet and Jerry arrangements.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Nick Amodeo
Nick explains how to play some of the most commonly used chords in the bluegrass genre.
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Jim Deeming
Jim Deeming discusses how to use a metronome for practice, skill building, and speed building.
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Danny Voris
Lesson 7 is all about arpeggios. Danny provides discussion and exercises designed to build your right hand skills.
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Orville Johnson
Orville Johnson introduces turnarounds and provides great ideas and techniques.
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Miche Fambro
Miche introduces several new chord concepts that add color and excitement to any progression.
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Mitch Reed
Mitch teaches his interpretation of the classic "Cannonball Rag." This song provides beginning and intermediate guitarists...
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Steve Eulberg
Steve Eulberg does a quick review of this lesson series and talks about moving on.
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Hawkeye Herman
Hawkeye teaches several Robert Johnson licks in this lesson. These licks are played with a slide in open G tuning.
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Randall Williams
In this lesson Randall introduces the partial capo (using a short-cut capo by Kyser) and talks about how it can make the...
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Erik Mongrain
Erik expounds on the many possibilities of open tunings and the new harmonics that you can use in them. He explains what...
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Chris Liepe
Chris brings his ingenuity to this lesson on the American folk song called "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" Also known as...
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Tosin Abasi
Tosin explains some of the intricacies of the 8 string guitar such as his personal setup and approach to playing.
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Nick Greathouse
Nick starts his series with Alternate Picking part 1. Improve your timing, speed, and execution with this important lesson.
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James Malone
James explains how to tap arpeggios for extended musical reach.
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Nick Kellie
Nick explains how to use scales and modes effectively when soloing over a chord progression.
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Allen Van Wert
Allen shows you the 24 rudiments crucial to developing finger dexterity. This is a short lesson but the exercises here can...
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David Wallimann
This is a crucial lesson that explains tablature, how to read it, and why it's important.
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Emil Werstler
Emil takes you through some techniques that he uses frequently in his style of playing. Topics include neck bending, percussive...
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Dennis Hodges
Learn a variety of essential techniques commonly used in the metal genre, including palm muting, string slides, and chord...
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Eric Madis
In this lesson Eric talks about playing basic lead in the Memphis Blues style.
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Exclusive only to JamPlay, we currently broadcast 8-10 hours of steaming lesson services directly to you! Enjoy the benefits of in-person instructors and the conveniences of our community.Interactive Community
Create your own profile, manage your friends list, and contact users with your own JamPlay Mailbox. JamPlay also features live chat with teachers and members, and an active Forum.Chord Library
Each chord in our library contains a full chart, related tablature, and a photograph of how the chord is played. A comprehensive learning resource for any guitarist.Scale Library
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At JamPlay, not only can you reference our Chord Library, but you can also select any variety of chords you need to work on, and generate your own printable chord sheet.Backing Tracks
Jam-along backing tracks give the guitarist a platform for improvising and soloing. Our backing tracks provide a wide variety of tracks from different genres of music, and serves as a great learning tool.Interactive Games
We have teachers covering beginner lessons, rock, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, fingerstyle, slack key and more. Learn how to play the guitar from experienced players, in a casual environment.Beginners Welcome.. and Up
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.thats so fabulous that i think thzt i never gonna be able to do that
Excited to starrt this lesson,i already bought a guitar and a newly arrived capo from kyser and i see this free membership and i will finished this!thank you kyser!
i have capo
what are you wearing on your thumb? Where do I get it? Is it useful?
This is what I was looking for. I'm excited to begin learning this.
Oh, this is gonna be fun. I can't wait to get into it and this was exactly what I needed to renew my nerve to start playing again.
cool intro
Aloha Jim can't wait to start this new style!! Great intro
Liking this already. To accomplish this seems daunting but I'm gonna try. I'm using my baby Taylor it helps for my hand's finger reach is not so good. Not sure about using a thumb pick but I'll try. Great stuff Jim
Hi there Jim ,Love the way you play and teach...I'm glad you go into detail like that,it is truly for a beginner like me.Hope to learn a lot more.
Hey Jim, I've decided to always keep a pick in my pocket just in case I run into you one day and you ask me to play... Thanks for the great lessons and inspiration to continue.
Oh. My. Gosh. YOU ARE MY PERFECT TEACHER! Finger-plucking is exactly what I was looking for. Maybe I won't skip any lessons due to having 1 1/2 years of prior experience...
thanks Jim, lookin forward to the journey :o)
jim, i really admire you as a player! you made me want to play acoustic like in past time, today i´m most of a rock-pop-alternative composer, but i´m ready to leave the pick a little and put my right hand on good shape ;)
Jim your a super talented guy and a great communicator. Haven't played my guitar much since vietnam. But I really have the desire to do well and I think your the fellow that will help me. Thanks Jim Beimel
Hi Jim. My name is Diane and I'm excited about your lessons. I've been trying off and on since I was 9 to learn to play guitar - even had lessons here and there, but never seemed to get anywhere much. I've decided to go through every lesson in your beginner series eventhough I'm not a complete beginner. You are an excellent guitar teacher. If I can't learn from you, I guess I just can't learn. You seem to read my perfectionist mind sometimes and your 'don't make this hurt' comments bring me back to reality and remind me to just enjoy the learning process. I have 3 guitars. I really love the sound of guitar, especially fingerstyle. I think you are awsome and I love JamPlay.
Jim, it looks like your attracting more than your fair share of fumble fingered oldies. I'm 60 years old and a long-standing, frustrated, guitarist. This is my last ditch effort to improve my ability to play, what has always been, my favourite instrument. The jam play site is impressive, your playing is first class, in a style I aspire to and your lessons are well delivered. I have a good guitar, time to spare and the determination to give it one last shot. So, there are no excuses, outside of limited talent. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Martin D1 doesn't end up becoming just an ornament again. By the way, Is it more difficult to play with your fingers crossed?
Love your style Jim. I have been playing fumble fingered for too many years. You folks are my last stab at making any kind of headway on guitar. Also love your Gibson. I have a J 50 I bought in 1966. Well... Bring it on, I'll see if I can handle it.
Hi Jim. When mentioning Tommy Emmanuel you forgot to mention how funny he is. Check this out http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ue3-yyVilEg&feature=related
Even though I do know how to read music, and can play some chords, I do have a lot to learn. The style that you have is the exact style that I always wanted to learn. I do have a reletively inexpensive acustic guitar, as I learn I will then decide to upgrace to a better sounding guitar. I am glad to be a student, and hope that I can play 1/3 as good as you some day.
Very nice, Jim. I'm looking forward to progressing through your series.
I just bought an Estaban Classical Guitar from HSN. It came with instructional videos. What is your opinion of his guitars,playing and teaching style. I was searching the internet and found this site. I am completely new at the guitar and have never played any musical instrument,but I would like to learn to play the guitar. I am 58. Hope its not to late. I just want to learn,because I've always liked guitar music.
It's absolutely not too late my friend :) we have quite a few members in the 60+ range here showing remarkable progress. If you have the drive and desire to learn to play the guitar it WILL happen, regardless of your age or current skill level. As far as the Estaban guitars, I can't really say what quality they are, though I have seen people quite often taking jabs at Estaban, but I don't know if that's because of the quality of the materials or just because of the way he sells / presents them.
Great stuff Jim! I'm gonna love learning finger style guitar. Can't wait.
Just the style I was looking for. Great intro Jim.
Great Lesson
Very impressed with your delivery Jim and also given me a lot to think about with what style i want to play. Oh yeah and the anti virus didn,t even kick in when your face appeared on screen (reference from the chatroom). Keep up the great work mate. I also want to make a point of saying that it is fantastic that we have so much choice with all the great instructors Jamplay have given us... Maybe you should all get together and give the masses a bit of a tune.