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Learn the E7 minor and Am chords and then immediately put them to use with a simple song. Play along to the provided backing track and feel like you're part of the band...It's only your 4th lesson! Keep up the good work!
Taught by David Isaacs in Beginner Guitar With David Isaacs seriesLength: 15:32Difficulty: 1.0 of 5
Whether you've never played before, or your coming back to guitar after brief startup attempt, you'll find everything you need to get going in this series. David uses real musical examples to teach even the most basic concepts and techniques.
Lesson 1
Don't get stuck learning chords, scales and theory with nowhere to apply the things you work on. Take the "David Isaacs" approach and learn the guitar by using real music. You'll be playing along with...
Length: 2:32 Difficulty: 0.5 FREELesson 2
Tune up, learn your way around your guitar, and explore a simple, musical picking exercise to help you learn the string names. You'll be playing right out of the gate!
Length: 22:20 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 3
Learn hand position, posture and see how to set up your playing for success when it comes to your fret hand. Dave goes in depth with his discussion and demonstration of hand mechanics. Don't miss this...
Length: 16:10 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 4
Learn the E7 minor and Am chords and then immediately put them to use with a simple song. Play along to the provided backing track and feel like you're part of the band...It's only your 4th lesson! Keep...
Length: 15:32 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 5
Power chords are some of the most simple and ubiquitous tools for playing and making great songs. Learn the most basic shapes and put them to use right here! Dave also discusses the beginnings of strumming...
Length: 12:21 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 6
Learn a simple melody and take in a little info about what a 'key' is. You can learn the melody and have a friend strum the rhythm. Or, do it the other way around!
Length: 18:07 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 7
These simple, musical tools can take you a long way. Use your index and middle fingers to play a simple Am chord and a simple E chord. You'll also learn how to read chord charts and play through another...
Length: 16:46 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 8
You will be introduced to a simple A minor scale and then learn a song that helps you get your new scale under your finger tips!
Length: 12:08 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 9
Do you ever feel like you are wearing mittens while you are trying to practice your guitar playing? If you have ever experienced this sensation, this lesson is for you!
Length: 11:04 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 10
You'll be introduced to the C Major scale and then you'll be able to put it to use over a soothing acoustic guitar rhythm bed. Have fun!
Length: 10:37 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 11
Here you'll get to spend some time applying some fundamental chord shapes. Dave shows how to switch between these two chords seamlessly and, as usual, has a creative example ready to go so you can put...
Length: 18:39 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 12
I know what you're thinking..."I just learned these!" Well, you did learn a C chord and a G chord, but this lesson goes over ways to play these chords together in a chord progression that REALLY sounds...
Length: 11:06 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 13
You've probably heard it before, but most songs out there can really be played with just 3 or 4 chords. In this lesson, Dave gives you the tools to play most of the songs you know and love!
Length: 14:04 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 14
We're moving into some new territory with this series now. You'll now be focusing more and more on material that you can play in a band setting. Up until now, you've been applying the basics to real music,...
Length: 24:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 15
Learn about the blues form and strum along with a cool, laid back, bluesy track. You'll be able to take the material in this lesson a long way down the road! Don't forget to have fun with it now though...
Length: 12:03 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 16
Learn the C major pentatonic scale and put it to good use over a catchy tune! You'll be surprised how simple this is and how very musical you can be with just 5 notes arranged in a musically interesting...
Length: 8:38 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 17
The mighty and intimidating F chord is one that most beginners see as a major hurdle in learning the basic chords on the guitar. Dave offers some ways to make the F chord more approachable. Once you examine...
Length: 15:35 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 18
Work on precision with your picking hand and more finger independence with your fretting hand using a soothing practice track called "Chimes". You'll get a good taste of combining melody and rhythm playing...
Length: 15:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 19
Dave works you through eight different strumming variations, discusses how to feel the groove while keeping the rhythm, and shows you how to take a handful of examples and create any strum pattern you...
Length: 14:18 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 20
Look at the C major scale once again. This time however, you'll get to complete the first position C major pattern. You'll play every note within reach of your first 4 frets. You'll also learn a catchy...
Length: 16:28 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 21
Work in the Am, Dm, and Em chords and play them in a melancholy, yet soothing example. You'll also get to work on your basic strumming.
Length: 12:18 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 22
Learn the E minor pentatonic scale with a small position shift that will get you out of the open position and moving around the neck a little bit. This is where it really starts to feel like you are owning...
Length: 13:53 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 23
Earlier in the series, we explored the C major scale. In this lesson, the A minor will get some love. Learn the basic open position and use it in a new melody.
Length: 15:43 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 24
Back to some chords now. In case you couldn't tell from the title, we'll be focusing on 7th chords for this lesson. You learned A7 a while back, and now you'll learn E7 and B7.
Length: 13:32 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 25
Take a moment to pat yourself on the back! You've covered a lot of ground so far! You've been playing real music now for some time, and in this lesson, we're going to learn a walking blues line. What is...
Length: 10:50 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 26
Chords that don't have any open strings in them AND chords whose open strings fit comfortably within the chord all called "moveable chords". Learn how to play a couple chords up the neck.
Length: 15:31 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 27
In this lesson, you'll take another big step forward when it comes to working outside of the open position. You'll feel like doing some jamming too!
Length: 8:44 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 28
There are eight more strum patterns for you to dig into in this lesson. This time, they are a bit trickier. Follow along with the rhythm charts and take each example in chunks if needed. Combine them with...
Length: 19:33 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 29
You knew it was coming! This is the lesson where we stop dancing around full fingered moveable chords and dive head first into the most common barre chord shapes. They're not as bad as you may be fearing....
Length: 19:21 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 30
As the musical examples continue to distance themselves from that stereotypical beginner sound, Dave works through this track with a simple, moving melody inside a blues progression.
Length: 14:47 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 31
Some of you may have been waiting for this one! Now we'll focus on some improvisation...Some lead playing. It's not about knowing all the scales or trying to be fancy. It is about using what you know...
Length: 12:45 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 32
Learn how to create motion and percussive interest with your strumming. If you look at and listen to how drummers accent general grooves, there is a lot of insight there in to how to make your rhythm playing...
Length: 17:29 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 33
Learn B minor chord and continue developing your feel and grooviness when it comes to strumming. Be sure that you are combing over older lessons as well so that you can incorporate many ideas into what...
Length: 21:19 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 34
Develop precision in your picking. Learn when it's best to use alternate picking. Get comfortable with a few exercises and then apply the technique in a musical context!
Length: 20:26 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 35
We're going to continue with rhythm playing and 16th note strumming, but this time we're going to touch on some laid back bluegrass playing. This is another simple style of playing to add to your arsenal.
Length: 10:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 36
Learn a few more barre chord forms and get more advanced with your strumming. As you've come to know and love with these lessons, you'll have a chance to learn a new song!
Length: 13:51 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 37
You've made it a long way if you've made it to the end of this series! In this final lesson of Mr. Isaacs beginner course, you'll spend some dedicated time moving both major and minor barre chord formations...
Length: 21:58 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About David Isaacs
View Full Biography
Nashville-based Dave Isaacs has made a name for himself as one of Music City's top guitar instructors, working with both professional and aspiring songwriters and artists at his Music Row teaching studio. He is also an instructor in the music department at Tennessee State University and is the coordinator and artistic director of the annual TSU Guitar Summit.
A seasoned performer as well, Dave has released eight independent CDs and gigs steadily as a solo artist, bandleader, and sideman. He continues to write, record, and perform as well as arranging and producing projects for other artists.
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
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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.Yo easy ,how do i change my learning lessons ,like to intermedient
Hello lynnagajewsk! If you're sure that you are ready to jump to the next level of lessons you can always jump to Phase 2 where the lessons are divided between "Genre-based" where the lessons subdivide into specific genres, and "Skill-based" where the next level of guitar skills are covered. You can find Phase 2 here: http://members.jamplay.com/lessons/phase-2 Happy Jamming!
P.S. - If Phase 2 turns out to be too difficult you can always scroll through this course until you find a skill that you haven't MASTERED, and finish the lessons in order from that point :)
My challenge is muting the other strings while holding the chord positions!! Any advice on how to avoid that? Love your teaching style. I feel calm watching these. Thank you. :)
Make sure that you are utilizing the tips of your fingers instead of the pads of your fingers. This is a common issue people deal with and by making sure you're playing with your finger tips, you reduce the area used to depress the strings and because the tip is more rigid, it requires less pressure. David covers this at about the 3:00 mark in the first scene.
So this is where I want to fling my guitar across the room... my fingers are too fat.
Posted on Facebook Gerry Cloete 27 mins · 11 07 2017 For all guitar lovers. I played guitar poorly on and off for 40 years and picked up my guitar again recently and decided to start again as a beginner with Jamplay. I have recorded several hit singles as a singer in South Africa under name of Gerry Grayson with some awesome guitar players such as TREVOR RABIN FROM YES and formerly RABBIT and have worked on TV and touring shows. I started the beginners course with Dave Isaacs online and was amazed at how many bad habits i picked over the years. Dave's teaching style is the best I have seen and it is great fun provided you work on his lessons. I am looking forward to move on the the advanced stuff like Rock, Blues, and all the other great styles they teach. See you on this and the other side Gerry JamPlay Member Login ACCOUNT.JAMPLAY.COM
Dave Love your teaching style Gerry
I play a 12. I don't have a 6 string.
Thank u it's helping me a lot I went to other instructors but I love the way u do it
Dave- Sincerely like the way you slow down and explain more than just the chord. I have bounced around jamplay looking and working with other instructors, but I come back here..
That was fun! Even for a seasoned beginner. This guy loves "pink" Great parallel to the lesson.
This is actually from a Pink Floyd song. Its one of my favourite songs.
excellent discussion of chord formation and the practice to obtain it without muting other strings.
I find that I can leave second finger on the D string and then move the 3rd finger to the B string to get the A7 chord. That way I only move one finger in the transition from Em to A7. Sounds the same.
You will find that some songs will require a different fingering pattern from your normal fingering due to the next chord being nearly impossible to play without the change of fingering. But yes, we do try and find the fingering that requires the least moment of the fingers in order to be quicker in our chord changes.
This guy is awesome
Thanks Dave,great lesson.
Very good. I am enjoying your course.
Enjoyed the lesson. Thanks, Dave.
good one!
Great lesson, man
For these lessons do I need a plectrum?
Depends on the mood you wish to create. A pick gives you a brighter more defined sound. But you can vary the sound without a pick much more by using the flesh of your finger or by using your fingernail on your pointer or even by brushing all your fingernails on the strums. The choice is yours.
Yes. Better with a plectrum for volume on steel string guitar.
Love the pink Floyd backtrack Great course so far. Very excited about future lessons.
Good combo with pink floyd backdrop
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Fantastic lessons, thanks you dave, you've help me find that inspiration that was in me all along!
Enjoyed the lesson Dave, Thanks!
good clear instruction David youve given me hope that i could play like "BB KING"...in my dreams....from sunny Cornwall UK
Keeps stopping ???
lost sync and audio halfway through.
Loved this lesson!
Loved this lesson. Love the backing-track.
Quick FYI...logged off and back on...song lesson played complete...great lesson and great backing track! Mike
Audio was completely lost at 7:17
I like this series. Unfortunately I've lost audio sync at about 6:37. Is this a Java problem on my computer. One other lesson of Orville Johnson did the same thing.
David, Thank you so much for the lesson! I felt like I was really playing a song!
Great lesson David, just what I needed to get more excited rather than feel all discouraged. I loved learning from you. Gary from S.C.
I like the detailed instructions on how to play the Em and A7 chords. Much better than just saying, "put your fingers here and play."
I agree 100%