Welcome to the first of four tracks Chris has created to help demonstrate how to creatively layer guitar tracks utilizing the information taught in the first three lessons of this series.
Taught by Chris Liepe in Chords, Capos, and Simple Melodies seriesLength: 15:53Difficulty: 3.0 of 5

It's time to discover the tools needed to spice up chord playing, effectively use a capo, and play simple melodies.
Lesson 1
Welcome to the first lesson in this series titled Chords, Capos, and Simple Melodies! Chris covers chord positions in the keys of C, A, G, E, D and offers tasteful ways of voicing and connecting certain...
Length: 44:29 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 2
Lesson 2 of this series will provide a greater in depth look on how to utilize the capo while applying the same techniques lesson 1 provided. Time to start layering and harmonizing.
Length: 18:12 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 3
Ever hear a song you really like but don't know how to figure out its progression just by listening to it? This lesson provides the tools to get you started in ear training. Chris uses the major scale...
Length: 32:44 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 4
Welcome to the first of four tracks Chris has created to help demonstrate how to creatively layer guitar tracks utilizing the information taught in the first three lessons of this series.
Length: 15:53 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 5
This second track will again provide more ideas on how to creatively build an easy listening tune utilizing a open position rhythm, an accompanied capo rhythm, and a simple lead to complete a full track.
Length: 14:58 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 6
Welcome to Track 3! This track features simple rock and blues ideas played with a solid strumming pattern.
Length: 11:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 7
This is the final lesson in the Chords, Capos, and Simple Melodies series. It features a ska style track with a simple and catchy lead line.
Length: 12:23 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
About Chris Liepe
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Chris Liepe was born on September 17th, 1981 in Portland OR. His first instrument was piano which he pursued until discovering his love for the electric guitar in high school. He became fans of such groups as Soundgarden, Collective Soul and U2 inspiring him to start singing, songwriting and helping others in their musical endeavors with teaching, co-writing and album production.
Having moved to Colorado with his family, he began gigging, recording and teaching in a number of music stores as well as out of his apartment until deciding to pursue music full time. He moved to Denver, CO to complete a Bachelors in Music Technology and was then hired on by 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. He also wrote for and played on numerous independent albums and hundreds of radio/TV commercials.
Wanting to get back to his favorite State in the world (Colorado) and feeling the urge to 'go freelance', Chris moved to Greeley, CO and opened his own recording and teaching studio. He continues to write and produce music for artists and agencies and is happy to be among the proud JamPlay.com instructors.
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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.Is there a place you've put the tracks?
Tracks are up now at the bottom of the supp content section. Enjoy!! Chris
This is a great way to teach the capo, working with a group, strumming technique and a few other things! Thanks for putting this together.
Chris, I can't say enough good things about this series. I don't know anything about teaching music, but what you're doing here seems like it should be a choice in next step after after completing the Beginner's Series, along with Styles. The most fun (an motivating) experiences I've had in music involved playing with other people. Unless you're folk music purist, you will, hopefully, be playing with other people in some sort of group at some point in your life. All the good musicians I know went through the same natural evolution: learn the basics, jam with buddies, start a band, play open mic gigs, play low-rent bars and begin the long climb. I would really like to advance to the jam-with-a-friend-or-two stage, and an expanded series like the one you're teaching now would be a great confidence/skill builder. The thread on "What Do You Want from JamPlay" is already overwhelmingly long. But, if you guys ever have staff meetings, how about more series called something like, "How to Play with Other People". I'll bet you could construct 25 lessons on how to play guitar with a bass player. Another 50 on how to be the second or third guitarist. Anyway, this is great. Thanks for all the hard work putting it together.
I noticed that you hold the guitar on your left need.
yes, I do this for filming now all the time because I tend to move the guitar neck less and it is far easier to edit. But I usually practice this way too. I find it is better on my shoulders and back and easier to translate what I play to a standing position.
Supplemental content will be available ASAP. We apologize for any inconvenience.
supp is up :)