Right Hand Technique, Part 1 (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
Right Hand Technique, Part 1
A good foundation on the guitar has a lot to do with your right hand, or picking hand, technique. Will starts here with the basics: How to hold a pick and how to place your hand.
Taught by Will Ripley in Rock Guitar for Beginners seriesLength: 9:22Difficulty: 1.0 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Rock Guitar for Beginners
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsLearn to play the electric guitar like a pro! Will Ripley is a veteran teacher that will show you quick and easy ways to start playing actual music on the guitar! Start learning original classic rock style riffs right away, all the while learning solid foundations to your guitar playing. Get ready to Rip it up!!
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
Join Will Ripley as he gives us all the details of his series, "Rock Guitar for Beginners". You'll be playing cool rock riffs from the very first lesson!
Length: 5:25 Difficulty: 0.0 FREELesson 2
First Easy Riff, Part 1
Will wastes no time getting you playing actual music! Check out this cool riff in the style of Black Sabbath. You'll be rockin' in no time!
Length: 7:13 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
First Easy Riff, Part 2
Will continues in this lesson by showing you how to read basic tablature for his Black Sabbath style riff.
Length: 9:31 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Chromatic Exercise
In this lesson, Will takes a break from riffs to show you a great tool for increasing your dexterity on the instrument: the chromatic exercise.
Length: 6:37 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Right Hand Technique, Part 1
A good foundation on the guitar has a lot to do with your right hand, or picking hand, technique. Will starts here with the basics: How to hold a pick and how to place your hand.
Length: 9:22 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Right Hand Technique, Part 2
So far, Will has had you focus on playing on one string. Now he gives you the tools to play across multiple strings.
Length: 8:40 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Riff in the Style of Deep Purple/Queen
Now that you have some right hand technique under your belt, Will hits you with another classic sounding riff in the style of Deep Purple or Queen. This is an easy, yet great sounding single note riff...
Length: 9:43 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Riff in the Style of Bon Jovi
Will is back with another classic sounding riff! This riff is a great exercise that gets you using your fingers on more than one strings, and improves on your chromatic movement.
Length: 5:44 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Riff in the Style of Journey/Foster the People
Will uses this catchy riff to teach you how to mute open strings and fretted notes, and how to add some rhythmic depth to your playing.
Length: 5:43 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Riff in the Style of RATM/Led Zeppelin
Here's another catch, classic sounding riff from Will. This one will get you up and running with your alternate picking. A must have picking technique moving forward!
Length: 7:04 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Chromatic Graduation Riff
Remember the chromatic scale we learned earlier in this series? Well, Will steps it up a notch by adding a cool funky riff to help you earn your chromatic diploma!
Length: 10:21 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
E Minor Pentatonic Scale
The minor pentatonic is one of the core scales of rock guitar. In this lesson, Will shows you a super simple fingering for this essential scale!
Length: 8:21 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Em Pentatonic Riff In the Style of the Beatles
Now, take the minor pentatonic scale, add some rhythm, and you've got a super cool rock riff!
Length: 4:47 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Intro to Power Chords
Power chords are essential to any rock guitar playing. In this lesson, Will shows you the basics. Learn open string power chords and other classic power chord shapes!
Length: 11:09 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Power Chord Riff In the Style of Tom Petty/ACDC
Will's back with another classic sounding riff in the style of Tom Petty or ACDC. This riff builds off of what you learned in the previous lesson on power chords. Use both your open string power chord...
Length: 11:19 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Palm Muting
Getting a great rock sound has lots of different elements to it, and one of those is the palm muting technique. Will shows you a super easy way to get rolling on this great right hand technique!
Length: 6:39 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Power Chord Riff in the Style of Black Sabbath
Now Will takes a riff he taught earlier in the series and adds the power chord element to it. This makes the riff extra heavy sounding and extra cool!
Length: 10:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Power Chord Riff with a Fifth in the Bass
Believe it or not, Ripley can show you a way to make your power chords even more powerful sounding! It's a simple fingering shift, but will add a lot of thickness to your power chords.
Length: 12:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Power Chord Riff in the Style of Audioslave/RHCP
Get ready to learn a super pro-sounding riff in the style of Audioslave or Red Hot Chili Peppers! Hidden in this riff are some more foundational guitar techniques that will increase your facility on the...
Length: 12:41 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Other Two Note Shapes
We've learned the interval of the power chord, now Will shows us some other intervals in the form of two note shapes that are easy, and add tremendous color to our playing.
Length: 10:15 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Octave Shapes
Will's back with an important and useful technique: Octave shapes. Learn not only the shape, but how to apply muting to get it sounding very professional!
Length: 8:46 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Muting Techniques
Proper muting can add a lot of passion to your playing. In this lesson, Will shows us how to play single notes without compromising any of the energy or intensity.
Length: 8:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Minor Pentatonic Scale - Second Position
Will showed us the first position of the minor pentatonic scale in an earlier lesson. Now it's time to move on to the second position. It's a must know scale and technique!
Length: 5:22 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Reading Chord Charts
Up to now we've learned a lot of single note riffs and power chords. Now it's time to inject some chord playing into our technique. In this lesson, Will starts us off by showing us how to read a chord...
Length: 9:13 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Spanish Flavored Chord Song
Continuing with chords, Will introduces us to some new chord shapes with this Spanish themed chord song.
Length: 6:06 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Sus and Slash Chords
Sus and slash chords are very important when it comes to making you sound like a pro. Will walks us through a few of the most common ones, and how to implement them in our playing!
Length: 6:30 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The G Major Chord
The G major chord is one of the most common chords used in popular music. In this lesson, Will shows some of the more popular and useful variations of the chord.
Length: 5:26 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Secret to Changing Chords
One of the biggest issues for beginning guitarists is changing chords. It can be a source of great frustration. Join Will as he shows us his secret to changing chords that will revolutionize your playing!
Length: 11:42 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Rhythmic Subdivisions
By now you've learned what an important role rhythm plays in the process of learning guitar. Will gets more specific here by showing us some basic rhythms and how to count them.
Length: 14:45 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Acoustic Pop Chord Song
Ever wonder how certain songs get really pro sounding chord progressions and strumming? Here's a peek behind the curtain as Will shows us a chord progression that is simultaneously easy and great sounding!
Length: 16:04 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Three Must Know Strum Patterns
Strumming and rhythm is something that frankly gets taken for granted when learning guitar. But, it's just as important as the notes you play on the fret board! Will gets you started on the right foot...
Length: 11:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
All Major and Minor Chords
It's time to get deeper into chords! In this lesson, Will shows us all the major and minor chords.
Length: 12:30 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
12 Bar Blues Song - Part 1
The 12 bar blues is a fundamental rock and blues song form. Will shows you the 12 bar blues, but puts a little twist on it to make it sound extra rockin'!
Length: 7:44 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
12 Bar Blues Song - Part 2
In part 2 of the 12 Bar Blues Song, Will gets into the meat of the 12 bar blues form.
Length: 11:25 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chord Techniques in the Style of Neil Young/Guns and Roses
Will brings together several chord playing techniques in this lesson that will challenge you and keep you on the road to sounding more like a pro!
Length: 15:20 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic Scale - Third Position
Will now brings us the 3rd position of the minor pentatonic scale. This is one of the great rock guitar scales, and Will is building towards having you cover the entire fret board with this scale!
Length: 4:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chop Builders
Here's a couple of exercises that will help build your "chops", otherwise known as your strength and dexterity on the guitar!
Length: 11:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Major Scale and Basic Theory
Don't let the phrase "music theory" scare you off! It's merely an aid to help you understand what you've been learning and playing so far. Will uses this lesson to show you a very important scale that...
Length: 10:59 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic Scale - Fourth Position
On to the fourth position of the minor pentatonic scale! As usual, Will shows us the scale, then shows us a way to connect all of the positions so far.
Length: 4:16 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Find Every Note on the Fret Board
Believe it or not, finding and knowing every note on the fret board is not as hard as it may seem. In this lesson, Will demystifies the fret board taking away that overwhelming feeling when you look down...
Length: 13:39 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Precursor to Barre Chords
Leading up to learning your barre chords, Will shares this lesson with us that gets us familiar with some of the basic shapes we'll need to know. Plus, you get to learn some super cool sounding chords!
Length: 9:26 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Four Shapes of Barre Chords
The "dreaded" barre chords are anything but dreaded here. Will gets you going on the four basic shapes, with some tips and tricks to make them frankly, quite easy!
Length: 15:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Barre Chord Song
Now Will gives you the chance to put those barre chords into practice! Here's a super simple little song to help you get more familiar with the shapes we learned in the last lesson.
Length: 8:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic Scale - Fifth Position
The Grand Finale of your minor pentatonics: The Fifth Position. Now that you have all 5 positions, Will shows you some cool ways to practice these, and consequently, the ability to begin using them in...
Length: 9:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Eve Goldberg
Eve talks about the boom-chuck strum pattern. This strum pattern will completely change the sound of your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Orville Johnson
Orville Johnson introduces turnarounds and provides great ideas and techniques.
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
Jessica Baron
Jessica kindly introduces herself, her background, and her approach to this series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Rich Nibbe
Rich Nibbe takes a look at how you can apply the pentatonic scale in the style of John Mayer into your playing.
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
Mitch Reed
Mitch teaches his interpretation of the classic "Cannonball Rag." This song provides beginning and intermediate guitarists...
Free LessonSeries Details
Jim Deeming
Jim discusses the importance of setting goals. He provides some tips that will help steer your practicing in the right direction.
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
Miche Fambro
Miche introduces several new chord concepts that add color and excitement to any progression.
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Larry Cook
In this lesson, Larry discusses and demonstrates how to tune your bass. He explains why tuning is critical and discusses...
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Greathouse
Nick starts his series with Alternate Picking part 1. Improve your timing, speed, and execution with this important lesson.
Free LessonSeries Details
Brent-Anthony Johnson
Just like with the plucking hand, Brent-Anthony shows us the basics of proper fretting hand technique. In addition, he shows...
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Kellie
Nick explains how to use scales and modes effectively when soloing over a chord progression.
Free LessonSeries Details
James Malone
James explains how to tap arpeggios for extended musical reach.
Free LessonSeries Details
Steve McKinley
Steve McKinley talks about evaluating your bass and keeping it in top shape. He covers neck relief, adjusting the truss rod,...
Free LessonSeries Details
David Ellefson
David Ellefson, co-founding member of Megadeth, explains his overall approach to teaching and learning bass in this introductory...
Free LessonSeries Details
David MacKenzie
David MacKenzie introduces the tapping technique and teaches a fun exercise. This lesson includes a backing track.
Free LessonSeries Details
John DeServio
JD teaches the pentatonic and blues scales and explains where and when you can apply them.
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 DetailsJoin over 476023 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 | 82 | 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.agree with the other comments, but sure wish you would have shown a close up...
I love the confirmation about curling the index finger around the tip of the pick, I have seen so many tips about having that first finger pointing at the point of the pick, which I really find uncomfortable.
Finally, an explanation I can understand on how to use the right hand! What a difference! Thank Will! PLEASE make more vids for Intermediate & Advanced playing...I love your style!!
Thanks for the tip on holding the pick and using the edge, and not playing with the pick flat on. How much angle do you need (or what is optimal) on the pick compared to the strings?
Hey Will, this is the best explanation I've every heard about the importance of how you hold the pick. Your Dick Dale example is spot on!
Hey Will, this is the best explanation I've every heard about the importance of how you hold the pick. Your Dick Dale example is spot on!
Awesome tips!
Awesome explanation!