Series Introduction (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
Series Introduction
Award winning, Canadian fingerstyle guitarist Calum Graham introduces his Jamplay Artist Series, which aims to transform the average fingerstyle player into an artist. Using modern techniques such as harmonics, hammer-ons, two handed tapping, rhythmic accents, you'll be well on your way to creating your own fingerstyle guitar compositions in no time!
Taught by Calum Graham in Acoustic Artistry with Calum Graham seriesLength: 4:02Difficulty: 0.0 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Acoustic Artistry with Calum Graham
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsAward-winning Canadian fingerstyle guitarist Calum Graham aims to transform the average fingerstyle player into an artist. Using a modern approach to fingerstyle guitar, Calum teaches you techniques in the context of his own songs to get you on your way to composing your own beautiful fingerstyle songs.
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
Award winning, Canadian fingerstyle guitarist Calum Graham introduces his Jamplay Artist Series, which aims to transform the average fingerstyle player into an artist. Using modern techniques such as harmonics,...
Length: 4:02 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
The Hedges Hammer-on Pull-off Technique
Using his song "The Nomad" Calum shows us a technique inspired by one of his biggest influences: the great Michael Hedges.
Length: 10:48 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Exploring Counterpart
The idea of counterpart in a composition is two different lines moving counter to each other. In this lesson, Calum uses his song "The Nomad" to illustrate the use of this technique.
Length: 10:30 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Right Hand Slap Technique
In this lesson, Calum shows us an energetic technique achieved by slapping the strings with your right hand. Again, this is in the context of his song "The Nomad".
Length: 9:07 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Basslines 101
When constructing fingerstyle pieces, one must act as their own bass player. In this lesson, Calum gives an introduction to playing basslines, and shows us multiple ways to play them.
Length: 6:16 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Adding Layers to Basslines
Now that we've learned how to execute a bassline in different ways, it's time to layer another part on top of it! A challenging concept that will further your left and right hand independence.
Length: 16:02 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Two Handed Tapping Sequence
Calum continues working us through his song "The Nomad". This lesson is all about a two handed tapping sequence in the song, meant to strengthen our hand independence.
Length: 13:40 Difficulty: 4.5 Members Only
Various Ways to Play Melody
Adding variation and nuance to your playing sometimes consists of learning to play melodies different ways. In this lesson, Calum takes a simple melody line and plays it with open strings, then with harmonics.
Length: 6:34 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
A Little Orchestra
Truly artistic acoustic arrangements can almost sound as though there is a small orchestra at your fingertips. Calum is a master at this technique and uses this lesson to show you how to achieve this...
Length: 14:47 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Call and Answer
In this lesson Calum takes a look at he traditional, time honored technique of the call and answer, putting it into a modern sounding fingerstyle passage.
Length: 9:47 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Thinking Rhythmically
As important as melody and harmony are, the acoustic guitar affords a unique opportunity to emphasize another musical element: rhythm. Calum shows us how to think of our guitar as percussion instrument...
Length: 9:32 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Yoga For Your Fingers
As you can probably see, playing in Calum's style requires lots of dexterity and strength in your fingers! Well, it just so happens that he has a great set of exercises to help you gain that strength...
Length: 15:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
One Man Band
Part of mastering this style on the acoustic guitar is learning how to make your guitar take on the personality of many different instruments. In this lesson, Calum shows how to incorporate different...
Length: 8:02 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Right Hand Development
In this lesson, Calum shows some advanced right hand techniques like rasguedo, string security and string skipping.
Length: 19:09 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Harmonics
Harmonics can be a great tool for adding flavor and uniqueness to your solo guitar pieces. In this lesson, Calum shows us an excerpt from his song "Waiting" to demonstrate the use of pinch harmonics.
Length: 19:02 Difficulty: 4.5 Members Only
Percussive Slap Harmonics
A technique that provides an aggressive percussion approach as well as a melodic uniqueness, percussive slap harmonics is a useful tool in your arsenal of artistic acoustic techniques.
Length: 12:06 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Melodic Multitasking
Acoustic artistry involves being able to multitask on your instrument. Playing bass parts, counter melodies and melodies at the same time is a common occurrence. In this lesson, Calum gives us a passage...
Length: 13:52 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Creating Internal Rhythm
Creating internal rhythm is the process of filling some of the space between melodic notes with ghost notes or passing notes to give the passage more of a rhythmic feel. In this lesson Calum uses his...
Length: 11:49 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Utilizing Open Strings
In this lesson, Calum shows us the advantage of using open strings. As the example, he uses his song "Phoenix Rising".
Length: 11:16 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Two Handed Tapping 101
To get a little more proficient at two handed tapping, Calum shows us how to practice the major scale using this technique.
Length: 7:55 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Cascading Harmonics
The sound of cascading harmonics is very reminiscent of a harp. In this lesson, Calum show a lick that can be used to add that quality to your songs.
Length: 7:44 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Thumb Upstroke Technique
Although not as common, up and down picking strokes with the thumb can be used in fingerstyle guitar playing. In this lesson Calum gives us some pointers on how to execute this.
Length: 7:50 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
The CAGED Concept
The CAGED concept has helped countless guitarists over the years. In this lesson, Calum gives his take on the concept, and explores its usefulness.
Length: 13:47 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
All In One
Mixing certain elements together gives us a "guitar stew" of artistic techniques resulting in a complex and beautiful musical situation. Percussive guitar, harmonics and hammer-ons are on the ingredient...
Length: 14:35 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Travis Picking
In this lesson Calum gives us his take on the classic technique called Travis Picking. Using his song "Through the Photo Album", he takes us into this very Tommy Emmanuel-esque composition.
Length: 23:26 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Scales and Open Strings Part 1
Using open strings in your fingerstyle playing is a key technique. Not only does it allow you to achieve a nice sustain, it can also be handy for buying yourself a split second for position changes.
Length: 7:36 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Scales and Open Strings Part 2
In part two of this lesson on using open strings, Calum shows us how to traverse the length of the neck playing a variation of the C major scale, using as many open strings as we can along the way.
Length: 5:20 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Spice Up Your Scales
Now that we've used open strings to make our scales sustain more, it's time to add yet another technique - harmonics. In this lesson Calum combines fretted notes, open strings and harmonics to achieve...
Length: 7:26 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
No Tuner? No Problem!
Being able to tune your guitar without an electronic tuner is a great thing to know in a pinch, but also can help train your ear. Calum revisits some popular self tuning methods in this lesson, possibly...
Length: 10:32 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
About Calum Graham
View Full Biography
At just 24, Calum Graham has already enjoyed a career that would be the envy of most artists twice his age. The Alberta-based guitarist and singer/songwriter has released five acclaimed albums, won major national music competitions, performed at the Olympic Games in both Vancouver and London, racked up some phenomenal views on YouTube, and was most recently named one of the top 30 guitarists in the world under 30 by Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Andy McKee, one of today’s most popular acoustic guitarists, calls Calum “the most promising young guitarist I’ve seen. His command of the guitar is already really impressive!”
Graham just recently released his fifth studio album 'Tabula Rasa' which was crowd funded by fans across the globe and produced by world renowned Acoustic Guitarist, Antoine Dufour. Adding an extra dimension to his compositions, the album introduces Graham’s soulful vocals to his audience for the first time. The album was released in March 2016 and features a combination of his exemplary instrumental guitar work punctuated throughout with elements of folk, blues, and pop in his vocal songs with guest performances by Antoine Dufour and Bass Guitar Extraordinnaire, Michael Manring.
Calum is currently working on releasing new videos in the coming months on his YouTube channel, and continues to tour throughout Canada, the US, and Europe.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Alan Skowron
Alan shares his background in teaching and sets the direction for his beginning bass series with simple ideas and musical...
Free LessonSeries Details
Orville Johnson
Orville Johnson introduces turnarounds and provides great ideas and techniques.
Free LessonSeries Details
Jessica Baron
Jessica kindly introduces herself, her background, and her approach to this series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Kroos
Free LessonSeries Details
Robbie Merrill
JamPlay welcomes bassist and founding member of Godsmack, Robbie Merrill. In this short introduction lesson, Robbie showcases...
Free LessonSeries Details
Marcelo Berestovoy
Marcelo teaches the eight basic right hand moves for the Rumba Flamenca strum pattern. He then shows you how to apply it...
Free LessonSeries Details
Evan Taucher
In the classical guitar world, there seems to be a lot outdated instructional advice. And while this type of information...
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Amodeo
Nick explains how to play some of the most commonly used chords in the bluegrass genre.
Free LessonSeries Details
Dave Yauk
Learn a simple mini song that illustrates just how intertwined scales and chords really are. Dave uses a G chord paired...
Free LessonSeries Details
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.
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
Dave Weiner
Dave "David J" Weiner returns with a lesson on how to play with style and attitude. He covers all the basic techniques you'll...
Free LessonSeries Details
Eric Madis
In this lesson Eric talks about playing basic lead in the Memphis Blues style.
Free LessonSeries Details
Kenny Ray
Albert Collins brought a lot of style to the blues scene. In this lesson, Kenny breaks down Albert's style for you to learn.
Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Brennan
Mark Brennan teaches this classic rock song by Jethro Tull. Released on the album of the same name in 1971, this song features...
Free LessonSeries Details
Artur Menezes
Free LessonSeries Details
Straten Marshall
Free LessonSeries Details
Guthrie Trapp
JamPlay introduces Nashville session player Guthrie Trapp! In this first segment, Guthrie talks a little about his influences,...
Free LessonSeries Details
Yvette Young
Welcome to Yvette Young's series! Join Yvette as she gets creative with open tunings.
Free LessonSeries Details
Tim Stewart
Free LessonSeries Details
Join over 515857 guitarists who have learned how to play in weeks... not years!
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.Take a minute to compare JamPlay to other traditional and new methods of learning guitar. Our estimates for "In-Person" lessons below are based on a weekly face-to-face lesson for $40 per hour.
 |
||||
| Price Per Lesson | < $0.01 | $4 - $5 | $30 - $50 | Free |
| Money Back Guarantee | Sometimes | n/a | ||
| Number of Instructors | 122 | 1 – 3 | 1 | Zillions |
| Interaction with Instructors | Daily Webcam Sessions | Weekly | ||
| Professional Instructors | Luck of the Draw | Luck of the Draw | ||
| New Lessons | Daily | Weekly | Minutely | |
| Structured Lessons | ||||
| Learn Any Style | Sorta | |||
| Track Progress | ||||
| HD Video | - | Sometimes | ||
| Multiple Camera Angles | Sometimes | - | Sometimes | |
| Accurate Tabs | Maybe | Maybe | ||
| Scale/Chord Libraries | ||||
| Custom JamTracks | ||||
| Interactive Games | ||||
| Community | ||||
| Learn in Sweatpants | Socially Unacceptable | |||
| Gasoline Needed | $0.00 | $0.00 | ~$4 / gallon! | $0.00 |
Mike H.
"I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar!"
I am 66 years young and I still got it! I would have never known this if it had not been for Jamplay! I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar! Ha! I cannot express enough how great you're website is! It is for beginners and advanced pickers! I am an advanced picker and thought I had lost it but thanks to you all, I found it again! Even though I only play by ear, I have been a member a whopping whole two weeks now and have already got Brent's country shuffle and country blues down and of course with embellishments. Thank you all for your wonderful program!
Greg J.
"With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace"
I'm a fifty eight year old newbie who owns a guitar which has been sitting untouched in a corner for about seven years now. Last weekend I got inspired to pick it up and finally learn how to play after watching an amazing Spanish guitarist on TV. So, here I am. I'm starting at the beginning with Steve Eulberg and I couldn't be happier (except for the sore fingers :) Some day I'm going to play like Steve! I'm self employed with a hectic schedule. With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace, rewinding and replaying the videos until I get it. This is a very enjoyable diversion from my work yet I still feel like I'm accomplishing something worthwhile. Thanks a lot, Greg
Bill
"I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students."
I am commenting here to tell you and everyone at JamPlay that I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students. I truly enjoy learning to play the guitar on JamPlay.com. Yes, I said the words, ""enjoy learning."" It is by far the best deal for the money.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.hi everyone, which is the title of the tune in the background?
the first tune is Waiting, the second one is the nomad. Great songs.
Very excited to learn the stuffs that seems very exciting
Quite a lovely composition played here on intro! I look forward to the class.
You must have Scottish heritage with a name like Calum and a surname like Graham, looking forward to the series.
I wonder if we have any other JamPlay Calums who could chime in here :)
Very good playing Calum. This is going to be an AWESOME series. Glad to have you on board :)