Introduction to Series Guitar Lesson
Introduction to Series
JamPlay is proud to welcome Lisa Pursell to the teaching roster! Lisa introduces herself and her rock / blues background in this lesson. She also explains how she will bring a new perspective to our Beginner Electric Guitar series. Whether you are just starting or want to learn some new electric guitar tricks, Lisa is sure to take you where you want to go.
Taught by Lisa Pursell in Basic Electric with Lisa seriesLength: 12:37Difficulty: 0.5 of 5
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Electric with Lisa
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsLisa will guide you through the basics of electric guitar with a rock and blues flair in this series.
Lesson 1
Introduction to Series
JamPlay is proud to welcome Lisa Pursell to the teaching roster! Lisa introduces herself and her rock / blues background in this lesson. She also explains how she will bring a new perspective to our Beginner...
Length: 12:37 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 2
The Basics of Electric Guitar
Lisa breaks into the very basics of the electric guitar. She starts by explaining the parts of the guitar. Then, she dives into string directions, tuning, holding the guitar, and right hand position....
Length: 19:39 Difficulty: 0.5 FREE
Learning Your First Open Chords
Lisa jumps right into your first "open" chords. She demonstrates how to play these chords in detail, so you can begin playing some simple progressions on your own.
Length: 15:48 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Chords and Bass Runs
Lisa continues her lesson series with more basic chord shapes. In addition, she introduces bass runs that help tie these chords together and add a level of sophistication to your playing. Combining these...
Length: 11:45 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
More Chords and Bass Runs
Lisa picks up right where she left off in her last lesson. Here she demonstrates some additional bass walk downs that can be used to intensify your guitar playing.
Length: 5:37 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Hybrid Picking
Lisa shifts her focus to the right hand in this lesson. Here she introduces a picking style known as hybrid picking. This technique requires you to use the pick and pluck the strings with your fingers...
Length: 7:08 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Triads
Lisa explains triads in this lesson. Simplistic and unique, yet powerful and bold, these little guys will allow you to explore some fresh new sounds on your guitar.
Length: 6:26 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Travis Picking
Developed by Merle Travis, Lisa explains this hybrid style picking technique in detail. Travis picking, which involves playing an alternating bass line, is a common form of picking within country and fingerstyle...
Length: 8:47 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Triads and Fingerstyle
Lisa introduces some new picking techniques that can be applied to the triads you have learned. She demonstrates how these triads can be embellished with melodic ideas to create an overall more creative...
Length: 18:54 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The Blues Shuffle
Lisa introduces the blues shuffle. You will learn several chordal variations on this classic rhythmic pattern.
Length: 14:16 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
I, IV, and V Chords in Different Keys
Lisa introduces the I, IV, and V chords. She explains how these chords can be found in any key by counting up the musical alphabet.
Length: 8:35 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Sweet Rock Groove
Lisa compiles the information from the last couple of lessons into a nice rock groove. This is a great way to take what she has previously taught and turn it into a nice melody for you to jam around with....
Length: 6:47 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Barre Chords
Lisa Pursell is back in lesson 13 with barre chords. She explains how to play various forms of the major, minor, and dominant seventh barre shapes. A discussion of economy of movement and why it is important...
Length: 12:25 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Syncopated Rhythm
Lisa breaks explains how the left can be used to mute the strings within a funky, syncopated groove. She provides a few practical exercises that will help you become acquainted with this technique.
Length: 5:05 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Reggae Rhythm
Lisa demonstrates a short and juicy lesson on reggae strumming patterns. Most reggae patterns are played in 4/4 time with a strong emphasis on each of the upbeats.
Length: 3:15 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Syncopated Rhythm Revisited
In Lisa's 16th lesson of her Beginner Electric Series, she reopens the topic of syncopated rhythms.
Length: 5:29 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Single String Technique
Lisa covers some warm-up exercises that are beneficial for both the left and right hands.
Length: 6:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Slide Technique
Lisa presents a small lesson on the slide technique. This technique can be used with scale patterns to help create a more expressive and personal sound.
Length: 8:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Pull-off Technique
Lisa teaches a classic rock lick that combines the pull-off technique with a pedal tone.
Length: 4:12 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Hammer-on Technique
Lisa covers the hammer-on technique. This technique is essential for all guitarists to master.
Length: 2:13 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Some Blues / Jazz Chords
Lisa simplifies and breaks down some chords commonly used in the blues and jazz genres.
Length: 8:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
6th Intervals
An interval is the musical distance between two different pitches. Here Lisa covers the 6th interval and some practical ways that it can be used.
Length: 8:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
3rd Intervals
Lisa continues to explore important intervals used in music. Here she explains diatonic third intervals and where they are located on the guitar. She also provides a musical excerpt that will allow you...
Length: 7:58 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Tool Box Tips
Lisa introduces some techniques that will help you improvise effectively within the major pentatonic scale. Techniques include triplet sequences, hammer-ons, pull-offs, double stops, position shifts, and...
Length: 23:05 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Minor Blues Scale
Lisa introduces the minor blues scale. This scale, which adds the b5 degree to the minor pentatonic scale, is one of the most commonly used scales in almost all styles of music.
Length: 13:40 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Texas Style Shuffle Rhythm
Taking things back to the SRV sound, Lisa demonstrates this Texas style rhythmic shuffle. She breaks this pattern down by demonstrating its bass line and the muting techniques required to play it.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
E7(#9) Chord
Lisa takes a quick moment to cover this unique chord. Some dub E7(#9) as the "Classic Hendrix Chord." However you see it, this colorful sound is an essential addition to your guitar toolbox.
Length: 2:29 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
5 Scale Positions
Lisa demonstrates the 5 scale positions of the major and minor pentatonic scales. Each position can be used alone or in combination with the other patterns to create many different scale runs. Make sure...
Length: 20:19 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Faster Chord Changes
Lisa will cover a metronome technique that will help develop faster chord changes.
Length: 3:24 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Organizing a Practice Session
Lisa provides some great tips on how to set up and organize a practice session that will maximize progress.
Length: 6:28 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Beginner Music Theory
Lisa dives into some beginner music theory and discusses how to use a mnemonic system to remember note locations.
Length: 5:48 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Understanding Minor Chords
Lisa takes a look at how to build minor chords. She explains the crucial difference between major and minor chords.
Length: 3:21 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Applying Minor Theory
Lisa uses some barre chords to help explain how to apply the minor theory taught in lesson 32.
Length: 8:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Barre Chords in a Blues Progression
Lisa breaks explains how to find the appropriate barre chords within a I-IV-V blues progression.
Length: 5:03 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Octave Shapes
Lisa takes a quick look at how octave shapes are created and where they can be found.
Length: 3:08 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Improvising with Intervals
Lisa demonstrates some ideas on how to improvise using intervals. She begins with the perfect fourth interval for this lesson.
Length: 3:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
5th and 6th Intervals
Lisa continues her last lesson by explaining how 5th and 6th intervals are frequently used in melodic lines.
Length: 10:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Major Scale
Lisa dives into the major scale and demonstrates a commonly used pattern.
Length: 8:01 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Major Scale - G Shape
Lisa explains how to play the C major scale using the 'G' shape from the CAGED system.
Length: 6:39 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Syncopated Rhythm
In this lesson, Lisa demonstrates how syncopated rhythms work and the different ways they can be applied within a 16th note or triplet-based rhythm.
Length: 11:56 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chords and Patterns
Lisa explains how chord shapes and scale patterns relate to one another.
Length: 8:15 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Major Triads
Moving all the way up the neck of the guitar, Lisa demonstrates major triads and explains the fundamentals of how they are built.
Length: 4:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Triads
Lisa now goes on an in depth adventure into minor triads.
Length: 12:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Arpeggios
In this quick lesson, Lisa touches on some minor arpeggio ideas.
Length: 3:15 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Scale Application
Lisa demonstrates how to use different scales to create new ways of building both solos and rhythmic styling. She utilizes a backing track to help make her point.
Length: 4:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Single and Double String Slides
Welcome to the 46th lesson in Lisa Pursell's Beginner Electric series! This lesson covers many creative ideas as well as the techniques behind single and double string slides. Enjoy!
Length: 9:14 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Pull-off Technique
Lisa demonstrates a few practical examples of the pull-off technique.
Length: 10:49 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Adding The Blue Note
Lisa takes a dive into the minor blues scale as a whole. She demonstrates where you can find what are called "blue notes" within pentatonic scale patterns.
Length: 14:05 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Understanding Vibrato
Vibrato is a fantastic and simple technique to understand. This lesson offers different ideas on how you can apply some vibrato to your playing.
Length: 5:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Sweep Picking Technique
This lesson provides an in depth look at both downward and upward sweep picking techniques.
Length: 8:26 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Shell Voicings
Want to play a lighter voicing of a full chord? This technique is called "shells" and Lisa demonstrates several common shell voicings in this lesson.
Length: 17:27 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Blues Turnaround Ideas
Need some ideas to bring resolution to a unique blues progression? Let Lisa inspire you with some blues turnaround ideas. She demonstrates different keys and applies some hammer-on and pull-off techniques...
Length: 16:09 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Harmonizing the Major Scale
Lisa explains how to harmonize the major scale with diatonic triads.
Length: 19:40 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
8 Bar Blues
Lisa lays down an improvised 8 bar blues solo with the help of a backing track. Then, she discusses how she created her lead lines.
Length: 7:18 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Harmonizing with Diatonic Triads
Lisa continues to demonstrate ways to harmonize notes utilizing diatonic triads. She provides some tips on how to improvise with these triads as well.
Length: 22:48 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Connecting Patterns Via Sequencing
Lisa demonstrates ways to connect patterns using melodic sequences. She moves up and down the neck and provides some ideas that will help you make your own sequencing connections.
Length: 19:53 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Blues in A
Lisa takes a quick look at how to add the "blue note" into the A minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 6:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Full Neck Harmonization
This in depth lesson explains how to harmonize the major scale while utilizing the entire neck of the guitar.
Length: 51:58 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The F#m7(b5) Chord
Lisa demonstrates the F#m7(b5) chord and the different places it can be played on the neck.
Length: 3:40 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Extensions
Lisa will use the C Major Add 9 chord shape to help demonstrate how extensions can be used to spice up an arpeggio.
Length: 3:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About Lisa Pursell
View Full Biography
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Lisa started playing local venues as a teenager in and around Atlanta as a guitarist for hire. At the same time, she began teaching guitar privately and playing locally on recording sessions. In this still-early stage of her career, she was soon teaching at local music stores. After attending a local college and studying classical guitar, she began teaching at the Atlanta Institute of Music.
In 1992 she moved to Hollywood, CA. to attend the Guitar Institute of Technology (a.k.a. Musician's Institute). Graduating in 1993 as "Outstanding Student of the Year," she was invited to become part of the faculty at GIT, which she excelled at for the next three and a half years.
In 1996 she moved to Nashville, TN. There, she was hired as the lead guitarist for Nashville based band Mustang Sally, which at one point included future Grammy winner Gretchen Wilson as the lead singer. She played an exhaustive tour schedule of 150-300 dates a year, while perfecting her technique. Soon the band was opening for artists such as George Jones, Patty Loveless, Montgomery Gentry, Chuck Mangione, LeAnn Womack and many others.
In 2003, she recorded an instrumental CD which included one original track co-written with bass player Jerry Peek (Steve Morse Band), along with two covers of two of her many favorite guitarists. To further hone her musical skills, she then concentrated on songwriting, the results of which will be included as both vocal and instrumental pieces on her next project.
Today Lisa resides in Nashville, TN. Currently an educator, author, singer/songwriter/guitarist, she plans to release her original CD soon. Her music theory workbook, entitled "THINKING IN THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC" written for vocalists and musicians who are interested in learning music theory without the requirement of reading music, is currently available.
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.
Free LessonSeries Details
Hawkeye Herman
Hawkeye teaches several Robert Johnson licks in this lesson. These licks are played with a slide in open G tuning.
Free LessonSeries Details
Kaki King
In lesson 6, Kaki discusses how the left and right hands can work together or independently of each other to create different...
Free LessonSeries Details
Jim Deeming
Jim Deeming discusses how to use a metronome for practice, skill building, and speed building.
Free LessonSeries Details
Orville Johnson
Orville Johnson introduces turnarounds and provides great ideas and techniques.
Free LessonSeries Details
Trace Bundy
Trace Bundy talks about the different ways you can use multiple capos to enhance your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Kailana Nelson
Mark Nelson introduces "'Ulupalakua," a song he will be using to teach different skills and techniques. In this lesson, he...
Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Kroos
Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Lincoln
Time to unlock your creativity because in this information packed lesson. Mark dives deep into how to deconstruct the process...
Free LessonSeries Details
Electric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Nick Greathouse
Nick starts his series with Alternate Picking part 1. Improve your timing, speed, and execution with this important lesson.
Free LessonSeries Details
Emil Werstler
Emil takes you through some techniques that he uses frequently in his style of playing. Topics include neck bending, percussive...
Free LessonSeries Details
Chris Liepe
Chris brings his ingenuity to this lesson on the American folk song called "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" Also known as...
Free LessonSeries Details
James Malone
James explains how to tap arpeggios for extended musical reach.
Free LessonSeries Details
Lauren Passarelli
Lauren Passarelli offers up her wisdom on purchasing a guitar. She also includes information regarding proper setup and care....
Free LessonSeries Details
Jane Miller
Jane Miller talks about chord solos in part one of this fascinating mini-series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Lisa Pursell
Lisa breaks into the very basics of the electric guitar. She starts by explaining the parts of the guitar. Then, she dives...
Free LessonSeries Details
Kris Norris
Kris analyzes different pick sizes and their effect on his playing. Using a slow motion camera, he is able to point out the...
Free LessonSeries Details
DJ Phillips
Learn a handful of new blues techniques while learning to play Stevie Ray Vaughn's "The House Is Rockin'".
Free LessonSeries Details
Eric Madis
In this lesson Eric talks about playing basic lead in the Memphis Blues style.
Free LessonSeries DetailsAdditional Lesson Features Available to Members
While we have attempted to provide you with an accurate rendition of our video lesson experience, there are some features which
require a membership with us!
Custom Progress Reporting
At JamPlay, we give you the ability to monitor your own progress for any lesson! If you watch one of our lessons and feel as though you understand around half of it, mark your progress at 50%. This adds the lesson to your customized Progress Report, and gives you an incredible ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.
Progressive Bookmarking
With thousands of lessons at your fingertips, JamPlay can be a touch intimidating to a first-time user. With Progressive Bookmarking, we give you the ability to systematically bookmark sections of any lessons you are working on to quickly access later. After all, what is the point of all this content if it isn't easy to use?
Save Your Notes
JamPlay also gives you the ability to leave notes for yourself on any lesson. Just like in any educational system, taking your own notes while learning gives you the ability to highlight the instruction that is important to you. Leave your notes, and we store them in our database for you to reference each and everytime you come back to the lesson.
Join the Thousands of Members at JamPlay
Signup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.
Unlimited Lesson Viewing
A JamPlay membership gives you access to every lesson, from every teacher on our staff. Additionally, there is no restriction on how many times you watch a lesson. Watch as many times as you need.Live Lessons
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
Our software allows you to document your progress for any lesson, including notes and percent of the lesson completed. This gives you the ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.Custom Chord Sheets
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
Unlike a lot of guitar websites and DVDs, we start our Beginner Lessons at the VERY start of the learning process, as if you just picked up a guitar for the first time.Our teaching is structured for all players.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Hi Lisa - I have played most of my life but want to get back to basics - learn music - have chosen your phase 1 to study - do you do any phase 2 lessons?
Hi to all of you, and Lisa. I'm fairly new to this game. Got a few chords under my belt, and a few intros, not necessarily played at the right tempo!!! Transitions are still a problem, well some of them. My real worry is the flexibility of my fretting hand. Cannot spread my my second and third fingers very far apart when my hand is curled around the neck. So i have to adapt sometimes. I have to say, Lisa, that I'm rather jealous of the apparent length of your fingers! They seem to be twice as long as mine (at least), so I am sure I will have some difficulty on some of the neck stretches that you will make look so easy. Ah well here for the challenge, so lets go and try our best. Have fun. Glyn.
Enter your comment here.
Hi Lisa, I'm fresh on Guitar, so hope you don't mind I probably got a lot of questions to ask, and I like the way you teaching, anyway I'm really happy to found my Guitar Teacher eventually.
Well.....Here we go. Starting from scratch here. Never considered the concept of Internet guitar lessons. This may be a very, very good thing. Nice intro. I like your style. Thank you in advance.
Sorry for making a mistake posted on you question.
Sorry for making a mistake posted on you question.
Hi Lisa, I'm fresh on Guitar, so hope you don't mind I probably got a lot of questions to ask, and I like the way you teaching, anyway I'm really happy to found my Guitar Teacher eventually.
Anyone know what kind of guitar she's playing?
I have been playing guitar for a few years trying to learn on my own,but I know I missed a lot along the way,so here I am, just starting my first lesson.
Great intro...I'm trying to clean up my playing style. Thanks.
Hi Lisa....look forward to your lessons. I'm very new to the guitar. Had an accoustic which now I can't play because of poor finger strength due to carpel tunnel surgery on both hands. I was stuck and frustrated about changing chords....couldn't do it fast enough so I gave it up. The guitar just kept calling me so I bought a used electric and I'm gonna nail it this time. Liked your intro and your tip on using different fingers so you have the least amount of movement.
Hi Lisa, I'm starting on electric guitar but don't know even how to put the strings yet. By the way, great intro, thanks for that.
Hi Lisa, i'm new here. Can't wait to learn more from you, starting from zero. you're just great! ;-)
Hello Lisa, wow you are so a great guitar player, I think you are a great enrichment for jamplay and for all guitar beginners. Your plays motivate me to learn this beautiful instrument. You play your guitar which so much soul.
Excellent intro. Lisa, I'm an old retired dog,...looking forward learning new tricks.
Good intro. Just singed up on JamPlay and have to start someplace. You seem like a good place to start. :).
awesome teacher!!!
Hi Lisa, I just signed up today and want to say hi and thanks for your series. Looking forward to learning more from you. Thanks, Brad
Great intro! Stoked to start learning.
Hi lisa, sensational introduction, have been playing acoustic guitar for years and now i'm hoping to delve into the electric world, looking forward to your lessons. OB
Hi Lisa - You are really inspiring, and a great communicator. So looking forward to your lessons!
Hi Lisa, nice to meet you in the Live Q&A, very fun intro!! Welcome aboard. Steve Eulberg
Look forward to following your lessons :)
Thanks everyone for making me feel so welcome, I'm excited to part of this awesome website!!
Intro looks awesome.
Lisa -- your style is VERY inspiring! Can't wait to dig into your lessons.
Interesting first lesson. Looking forward to more.
great lisa, can't wait for the next lessons ,welcome
Welcome Lisa! Looking forward to your next lesson!!
Looking forward to this series! :D
Excellent Intro... appreciate your fresh approach. Looking forward to your lessons. Welcome.
At last a teacher with my favourite Suhr )) We already have something in common! ))
Hi LISA, welcome!!!
Looks like it will be a good series. I like the way Lisa presents different styles and techniques. I helps that she is an awesome player herself.
Hi Lisa - I loved some of your techniques you demonstrated in your introduction video. I cant wait to start taking your lessons!
Welcome to the community. Looks like you have some great stuff to teach. I look forward to your lessons.
Hi, Lisa. Glad to have you.
Welcome Lisa.. Looking forward to your lessons!!
Welcome Lisa! It's so nice to see a lady who Rocks!
Welcome!
Awesome intro! Let's get started!!!! :-)
Hi, Lisa. The folks at jamplay sure have sharp eyes and ears for good players and teachers. Welcome aboard.
Welcome aboard lass. I'm new too.