Extreme Folk Guitar
Extreme folk guitarist, Mark Kroos guides you step by step on the setup and technique aspect of playing in the style he deems "Extreme Folk." This style is also referred to by some as lap tapping.
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Learn the basics and fundamentals of the lap tapping and extreme folk style of guitar.
Lessons in this Series:
Lesson 1
Introduction
Mark Kroos introduces himself and the lesson series he is starting. In this lesson, Mark talks about what he'll be covering in the lessons to come.
Length: 7:47 Difficulty: 0.0 Free Sample Lesson from this Series!Lesson 2
Guitar Setup and Preparation
In the second lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark explains the ideal guitar setup for this style of playing. He talks about, strings, accessories and some things to watch out for in your setup.
Length: 7:43 Difficulty: 0.0 Member Only
DADGAD Tuning
In lesson three of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark talks about the advantages of using DADGAD tuning in this style. He also demonstrates how to get in to DADGAD from standard tuning using your ear.
Length: 13:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Member Only
Basic Fingerstyle Technique
In lesson four of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark discusses basic fingerstyle technique. Although this isn't the main technique that will be utilized in this style, it does come in to play, so covering the basics is necessary.
Length: 13:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Basic Chords in DADGAD
Before jumping too far into the world of "extreme folk guitar," it's helpful to have a road map. In lesson five of his series, Mark Kroos covers some of the basic chords you'll utilize in this tuning.
Length: 7:51 Difficulty: 1.5 Member Only
Left Hand Tapping
In the sixth lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark Kroos discusses the left hand tapping techniques used in this style.
Length: 11:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Right Hand Tapping
Now that you've learned the basic approach to left hand tapping, Mark Kroos demonstrates the basic approach to right hand tapping.
Length: 11:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Using a Capo
In his eighth lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the primary function of a capo - to change keys. He will discuss more creative and conceptual ideas for capo use in a future lesson.
Length: 6:24 Difficulty: 1.0 Member Only
Power Chords
In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses power chords and how they apply to DADGAD tuning. This tuning enables you to use one finger to make your power chords, allowing you to project the chords and stay out of the way of your other hand for melody work.
Length: 12:58 Difficulty: 1.5 Member Only
Combining Hands
Now that Mark has demonstrated tapping techniques for the left and right hands, it's time to combine them. In his ninth lesson, Mark provides a few exercises that help with this process.
Length: 9:41 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
Parallel Fifths
In his 11th extreme folk lesson, Mark Kroos discusses parallel fifths and how they can be used to create melody. DADGAD tuning is extremely conducive to this compositional technique.
Length: 12:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
DADGAD D Major Playing
In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the movable chord shapes necessary to play in a major key within DADGAD tuning.
Length: 16:22 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
DADGAD D Minor Playing
Now that you understand the basics of playing in D major, Mark discusses playing in D minor.
Length: 11:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Percussive Techniques
In his fourteenth lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to turn your guitar into a drum kit.
Length: 19:37 Difficulty: 3.0 Member Only
Chords in D Minor
In lesson 15, Mark demonstrates some chord chord grips for the diatonic chords in D minor. He also discusses how relative minor keys relate to their major counterparts.
Length: 12:34 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
Cascading
In his sixteenth lesson in extreme folk guitar, Mark discusses a technique he calls "cascading." Cascading is a quick hammer-on and pull-off technique that allows notes within a melodic figure to run together in a seamless way.
Length: 12:47 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
More Cascading
Now that you've got the basic cascading technique under your belt, Mark is back with a look at what else you can do with this technique. In this lesson, he adds chords as well as picking into the mix.
Length: 18:44 Difficulty: 3.0 Member Only
Open D Tuning
In his 18th lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the advantages of working in Open D Tuning. Additionally, he teaches some fundamental chords in this tuning as well as how to get to it from DADGAD.
Length: 28:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Natural Harmonics
Mark Kroos is back with a lesson on natural harmonics. You may be familiar with the concept, but Mark takes it to the next level and demonstrates how to include these harmonics in the songwriting process.
Length: 27:50 Difficulty: 3.0 Member Only
Creating Altered Tunings
In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses why you may want to create your own altered tuning. He also provides some tuning tips and what to avoid.
Length: 20:55 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
6th Intervals
In this lesson, Mark Kroos takes a look at diatonic 6th intervals in both DADGAD and open D tuning.
Length: 33:51 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Slap Harmonics
Mark is back with a lesson on slap harmonics. In this lesson, he covers when and how you might use this technique.
Length: 18:24 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
Harp Harmonics
Now that Mark has covered natural and slap harmonics, he provides a lesson on what are commonly referred to as "harp harmonics." This technique will allow you to add some flair to your playing and can be combined with various other techniques.
Length: 16:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
CGDGGD Tuning
Mark Kroos covers a new tuning that you may want to try in your extreme folk playing. He covers the advantages of CGDGGD tuning, common chord shapes, and how to tune to it from DADGAD tuning.
Length: 25:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
Practice Strategies
To conclude the first part of his Extreme Folk Guitar teachings, Mark Kroos provides a lesson on practice strategies. He discusses the differences between playing and practicing, time management and using tools like a metronome.
Length: 16:49 Difficulty: 1.0 Member Only
Octaves
Returning to his Extreme Folk Guitar series, Mark Kroos offers up a lesson on octaves. Just like in the movable fifths lesson, Mark discusses how and why you might utilize octaves in your playing. He demonstrates the shapes associated with them and teaches some practical applications.
Length: 33:33 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Thumb Percussion
In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to use your thumb to create percussive rhythms on the guitar. This is beneficial as a backing if you're singing, or have a lull in the music you're playing.
Length: 12:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Explosive Pull-offs
In the lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates an easy, yet unique technique that can transform your playing and add some pop to your arrangements. Called an "explosive pull-off," this technique involves doing a mass pull-off of all the strings on the guitar.
Length: 5:39 Difficulty: 1.5 Member Only
Partial Capos
In this lesson Mark discusses the use of a partial capo. He demonstrates how to utilize a partial capo and how this benefits your playing. Lastly, he discusses how to modify and create other partial and short cut capos.
Length: 18:02 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Slap Pop Technique
In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the slap and pop techniques. Similar to slap bass, you can use this technique to add percussion and a unique sounding attack to your playing.
Length: 25:49 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Clawhammer Technique
In this lesson, Mark builds on the slap pop technique taught in his last. This quasi "clawhammer" technique is something most commonly found in banjo playing. Mark discusses its uses and demonstrates how to perform this technique on the guitar.
Length: 15:17 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Open G Tuning
Mark Kroos returns to his "Extreme Folk Guitar" series with a lesson on Open G tuning. He discusses and demonstrates the basic chords in the key as well as some of the advantages of playing in Open G versus DADGAD or Open D tuning.
Length: 28:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Muting With A Bandana
In this short lesson, Mark demonstrates how to utilize a bandana or handkerchief to accomplish a slight mute on your string. This helps to create a staccato rhythm effect that improves the groove.
Length: 12:35 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
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