Basic Electric Guitar with Chris

Beginner Guitar Course from Chris Liepe

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Chris will guide you through the world of electric guitar in this series.

23 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

91% Appoval

693 of 724 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

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Full Course Breakdown

Chris Liepe will start by teaching the absolute basics, and move on building a solid foundation for your guitar playing career.

Begin the Course
1

Introduction to Your Electric Guitar

Chris Liepe talks about the absolute basics of the guitar, including tuning, the guitar parts, and proper technique.

23:21 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

2

Playing Your First Chords

Chris Liepe introduces you to your very first 2 chords, E and A. Since this is your first chord lesson, Chris also introduces a backing track for you to slowly play along with. Practicing in this manner will give you the feeling of playing with a band. You may be a beginner, but you can still rock out!

28:54 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

3

3 New Chords: Complete the CAGED Method

Here in lesson 3, Chris teaches the C, G, and D chords. Once you have mastered the chords taught in this lesson and the previous lesson, you will have learned the CAGED method of remembering open chord shapes. Chris provides a new backing track for you to rock out with. Be creative and have fun with this beginner lesson!

12:22 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

4

The Basics to Tablature, Chord Charts, and Musical Notation

Chris is back with his most information packed lesson to date. In this lesson, you will learn how to read tablature, chord charts and musical notation. All of these tools will drastically help you in your journey to learn guitar.

25:38 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

5

Introduction to the Concept of Scales

Chris Liepe is back in lesson 5 with an introduction to scales. In this lesson, you will learn how to play up and down simple scale patterns.

10:58 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

6

Barre and Minor Chords

In this lesson, Chris introduces minor chords and barre chords.

25:23 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

7

Strum Patterns and Time Signatures

Chris Liepe lays down some grooves in this lesson! He provides instruction on rhythmic strumming patterns and time signatures such as 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8.

21:12 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

8

All About Intervals

Intervals, Intervals, Intervals! Chris Liepe explains what they are, where they are found, and how to play them in this lesson.

14:07 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

9

Intervals Pop Quiz

Sharpen your pencils and grab your guitar. It's pop quiz time. Chris Liepe adds to his beginner lesson series with a quiz on intervals. This is a hands-on lesson that will undoubtedly improve your ears. Test time starts...Now!

15:39 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

10

Triads: Everything You Need to Know

Chris Liepe breaks through his 10th lesson with a detailed discussion of triads. Dig in and take these triads for a ride!

24:14 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

11

Effect Pedal Mini Series

This lesson begins a mini-series on effects pedals. Chris breaks down routing and how effects work with each other.

8:20 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

12

Effect Pedal: Compression

The compression effect pedal is one of the most misunderstood pedals around. Chris Liepe finally sheds some light on the subject. By explaining all the different options and sounds this pedal can create, Chris will help you decide whether this effect should be included in your arsenal.

14:12 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

13

Gain Stacking with Overdrive and Distortion

Chris Liepe is back with the 3rd installment in his Effects Pedal mini-series. He explains the concept of "gain stacking" by combining an Ibanez Tube Screamer and a Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal.

7:54 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

14

Effect Pedal: Delay

Chris Liepe adds yet another lesson to his effect pedal-mini series. Here he covers the delay pedal. This effect that operates on the principles of time and rhythm. Use this pedal to add depth to your sound and to create some insane solos.

19:52 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

15

Effect Pedal: Chorus

Chris Liepe quickly demonstrates the chorus pedal with some 80's style licks. This pedal can create a deep and rich addition to solos or add the illusion of multiple guitars.

3:28 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

16

Understanding Key Signatures

Key Signatures! How do they relate to one another? Chris Liepe explains them in lesson 16 of his beginner series. Getting familiar with your key signatures will help pull everything together that has been covered so far in the series.

15:21 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

17

Chord Harmony Basics

Chris Liepe demonstrates how to take a key signature (the set notes within a key) and stack 3rds on top of a root note to form chords. With the help of a modulating backing track, this should be a fun and interactive lesson that will further your music theory training.

30:02 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

18

Technique Basics: Alternate Picking

Chris explains and demonstrates the very basics of alternate picking. He also provides simple exercises to develop the technique in your own playing.

16:03 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

19

Technique Basics: Legato Playing

Chris details and demonstrates the fundamental movements and suggested left hand position for legato playing -- specifically hammer-ons and pull-offs. He also provides exercises for developing the technique.

16:11 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

20

Technique Basics: Palm Muting

Chris talks about proper palm muting and discusses potential snags when first attempting the technique. He offers a number of exercises and patterns to help palm muting become a part of your rhythm playing.

9:22 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
21

Technique Basics: Hybrid Picking

Hybrid picking can add a fresh dimension to your chord and rhythm playing. In this lesson, Chris briefly covers how to get started with hybrid picking and offers two exercises that you can use to apply the technique to your chords.

6:27 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

22

Major Scale Positions in G (Part 1)

Chris talks about what it means to play in position and teaches three of the five "CAGED" major scale positions in the key of G.

12:44 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

23

Major Scale Positions in G (Part 2)

Chris continues in his teaching of the five basic "CAGED" major scale positions in the key of G.

11:39 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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Chris Liepe

693
  • Greeley, CO
  • Playing since 1995
  • 312 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course
Portland native Chris Liepe first played piano, which he pursued until discovering his love for the electric guitar in high school. As a fan of bands like Soundgarden, Collective Soul, and U2, he was inspired to start singing, songwriting, and helping others in their musical endeavors.

After moving to Colorado with his family, Chris began gigging, recording, and teaching in a number of music stores and out of his apartment until he decided to pursue music full time. He completed his Bachelors in Music Technology and started working at Sweetwater Productions, a division of Sweetwater Sound and one of the largest, most successful recording studios in the Midwest.

Chris spent nearly 4 years at Sweetwater as a producer, recording engineer, studio musician, and writer. During this time he had the privilege of working with many artists, including Augustana, Landon Pigg, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me.

Chris Liepe owns and runs his own recording and teaching studio in Colorado. You might even hear his vocals featured in theme music for dozens of daily radio programs and commercial jingles airing around the country.
Reviews & Feedback 91/100 with 724 ratings
EvanWeeks

EXCELLENT explanation.

tizziani

Very clear, very basic and doesn't take any prior knowledge for granted. Also like the speed and thoroughness of the class.

Marc_X

I actually came upon Chris' lessons in phase 2. I ventured back to phase 1 beginning electric guitar and found it to be sooooo helpful. Chris is a great teacher. I wish I took lessons from him years ago. Looking forward to putting it all togeth

Mocubitz

Even though I am a bit more advanced than the first two lessons that I have watched, I still enjoyed the lessons and did learn a little bit. Very informative and Chris does a great job of explaining things clearly!

Attack24

It went from no video,now the video flashes And still no access to forum's. I used someone eleses pc still didn't work. I see two new members that is on forums. This is so wrong. Jp looks like a site I would like to be part of. Not this way.

Jamesriver

This guy is great. Teaches it in an effective way... almost knows the answers to the questions before they can be asked. Nice job

daveb207

I really like Chris's style!

newhope

Easy to learn from, great explanation

frankculotta

jam tracks sounds like a broken record, what am I doing wrong?

Chris Smiley

This made complete sense when I wrote it out on paper and placed the notes to degree's. Thanks!

grasserc

This is not easy to understand and I don't know if it is what I needed or not. I've been playing guitar for several years and know just about all of the chords (both standard and barre) intuitively. However, I can't seem to wrap my head aroun

Rich.Gross85

Great instructor.

gv.blackford

I know now I,ve picked the right teacher for me . thank u

jstapl99

Chris explanations are about as clear as they could possibly be. I'll probably check in with some of the others later and see if I can understand them a little better as I progress.

neuromancer76

Ive been looking for a microscopic breakdown of picking for a very long time! I really appreciate this lesson!

disruptor

Great lesson. Very well explained.

PRS

Excellent lesson on a very misunderstood subject! Thanks Chris!

jackobeid

he is awesome!!

RTR

Chris' unique way of memorizing the intervals is appreciated. Still requires price, however his suggestions have made the process less intimidating.

KPryor

Excellent instructor. I'm definitely understanding and enjoying his course.

IanDeaton

The teacher is very detailed ,and has a step by step to what he is doing or showing.

scullen17

Great Instructor

philipchandy

Chris is great. I learned more in 3 weeks with Chris than 5 years with different local teachers.

Sewilliams

A great foundation.

MikeyJames

Really like this lesson. I need help in this area and Chris has helped me clear it up. Not great at it . But I have a better understading and am improving. Thanks

trapper42

Explained very well . I like the approach of taking the chord up & down the fret board, then the barre . Finally combining both.

Barbara.H

I've been finding this topic difficult to grasp but here it is clear, supportive and practical. Great.

CatTaku

I appreciate the way these lessons are presented - ie with the different views simultaneously. Helps a lot. I have quite a few books, but before checking out JamPlay, I was having trouble figuring out how to organize my studies systematically s

johnice

nicely laid out

Keziapurrs

I have been learning guitar and technique from a few different online sources and have found Chris's lessons to delve much deeper and provide far more resources than other sites. The physical resources provided can be a bit overwhelming in the

watchfrog

Great lesson!

Rod Nason

Hey this is good. will i actually learn all the notes on the entire board? or just how t use them in cords etc.

NicoleNicklin

Great teacher and the lesson was very easy to follow

Talos1975

If is like learning the grammar of the language of music. Could get by without it, but knowing it really enhances my playing.

ScSmith

I like it. I just can't use my pinkie for these chords. No strength and too short. Ha! I'm gonna have to figure something else out. Thanks for the lessons.

imran.mouna

I have always shied away from theory like this, but now for the first time I feel like I understand.

PearlJamR

CAGED Yes!

paddymallinson

great and informative, nice teacher

Dino girl

I really like how he is going step by step and going slow. He's really easy to understand.

jacksonm

tricky, quite technical with the inversions etc but getting it after a few listens... and a few more lol ...

darknsour

I wanted to select more then one, all of the above...

pitbull1779

Great introduction...well-organized, simple, and easy to understand. Really appreciated the explanation of the knobs and switches on the Les Paul! I just bought one, after months and months of saving, and I don't really understand all about the

rtbell

From playing with back tracks, new ways to finger a cord, and playing along with the Metronome was really educational. I found myself lazer focused. I needed help with my rythem, and the backtracks made me feel like I was playing with a group o

MichaelRussell

Not easy But vital and worth making the effort to understand and learn Michael