Hybrid Picking (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
Hybrid Picking
Lisa shifts her focus to the right hand in this lesson. Here she introduces a picking style known as hybrid picking. This technique requires you to use the pick and pluck the strings with your fingers at the same time. Hybrid picking can be used in a variety of stylistic settings to produce a unique tone and texture.
Taught by Lisa Pursell in Basic Electric with Lisa seriesLength: 7:08Difficulty: 0.5 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Electric with Lisa
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsLisa will guide you through the basics of electric guitar with a rock and blues flair in this series.
Lesson 1
Introduction to Series
JamPlay is proud to welcome Lisa Pursell to the teaching roster! Lisa introduces herself and her rock / blues background in this lesson. She also explains how she will bring a new perspective to our Beginner...
Length: 12:37 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 2
The Basics of Electric Guitar
Lisa breaks into the very basics of the electric guitar. She starts by explaining the parts of the guitar. Then, she dives into string directions, tuning, holding the guitar, and right hand position....
Length: 19:39 Difficulty: 0.5 FREE
Learning Your First Open Chords
Lisa jumps right into your first "open" chords. She demonstrates how to play these chords in detail, so you can begin playing some simple progressions on your own.
Length: 15:48 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Chords and Bass Runs
Lisa continues her lesson series with more basic chord shapes. In addition, she introduces bass runs that help tie these chords together and add a level of sophistication to your playing. Combining these...
Length: 11:45 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
More Chords and Bass Runs
Lisa picks up right where she left off in her last lesson. Here she demonstrates some additional bass walk downs that can be used to intensify your guitar playing.
Length: 5:37 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Hybrid Picking
Lisa shifts her focus to the right hand in this lesson. Here she introduces a picking style known as hybrid picking. This technique requires you to use the pick and pluck the strings with your fingers...
Length: 7:08 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Triads
Lisa explains triads in this lesson. Simplistic and unique, yet powerful and bold, these little guys will allow you to explore some fresh new sounds on your guitar.
Length: 6:26 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Travis Picking
Developed by Merle Travis, Lisa explains this hybrid style picking technique in detail. Travis picking, which involves playing an alternating bass line, is a common form of picking within country and fingerstyle...
Length: 8:47 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Triads and Fingerstyle
Lisa introduces some new picking techniques that can be applied to the triads you have learned. She demonstrates how these triads can be embellished with melodic ideas to create an overall more creative...
Length: 18:54 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The Blues Shuffle
Lisa introduces the blues shuffle. You will learn several chordal variations on this classic rhythmic pattern.
Length: 14:16 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
I, IV, and V Chords in Different Keys
Lisa introduces the I, IV, and V chords. She explains how these chords can be found in any key by counting up the musical alphabet.
Length: 8:35 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Sweet Rock Groove
Lisa compiles the information from the last couple of lessons into a nice rock groove. This is a great way to take what she has previously taught and turn it into a nice melody for you to jam around with....
Length: 6:47 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Barre Chords
Lisa Pursell is back in lesson 13 with barre chords. She explains how to play various forms of the major, minor, and dominant seventh barre shapes. A discussion of economy of movement and why it is important...
Length: 12:25 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Syncopated Rhythm
Lisa breaks explains how the left can be used to mute the strings within a funky, syncopated groove. She provides a few practical exercises that will help you become acquainted with this technique.
Length: 5:05 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Reggae Rhythm
Lisa demonstrates a short and juicy lesson on reggae strumming patterns. Most reggae patterns are played in 4/4 time with a strong emphasis on each of the upbeats.
Length: 3:15 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Syncopated Rhythm Revisited
In Lisa's 16th lesson of her Beginner Electric Series, she reopens the topic of syncopated rhythms.
Length: 5:29 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Single String Technique
Lisa covers some warm-up exercises that are beneficial for both the left and right hands.
Length: 6:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Slide Technique
Lisa presents a small lesson on the slide technique. This technique can be used with scale patterns to help create a more expressive and personal sound.
Length: 8:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Pull-off Technique
Lisa teaches a classic rock lick that combines the pull-off technique with a pedal tone.
Length: 4:12 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Hammer-on Technique
Lisa covers the hammer-on technique. This technique is essential for all guitarists to master.
Length: 2:13 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Some Blues / Jazz Chords
Lisa simplifies and breaks down some chords commonly used in the blues and jazz genres.
Length: 8:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
6th Intervals
An interval is the musical distance between two different pitches. Here Lisa covers the 6th interval and some practical ways that it can be used.
Length: 8:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
3rd Intervals
Lisa continues to explore important intervals used in music. Here she explains diatonic third intervals and where they are located on the guitar. She also provides a musical excerpt that will allow you...
Length: 7:58 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Tool Box Tips
Lisa introduces some techniques that will help you improvise effectively within the major pentatonic scale. Techniques include triplet sequences, hammer-ons, pull-offs, double stops, position shifts, and...
Length: 23:05 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Minor Blues Scale
Lisa introduces the minor blues scale. This scale, which adds the b5 degree to the minor pentatonic scale, is one of the most commonly used scales in almost all styles of music.
Length: 13:40 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Texas Style Shuffle Rhythm
Taking things back to the SRV sound, Lisa demonstrates this Texas style rhythmic shuffle. She breaks this pattern down by demonstrating its bass line and the muting techniques required to play it.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
E7(#9) Chord
Lisa takes a quick moment to cover this unique chord. Some dub E7(#9) as the "Classic Hendrix Chord." However you see it, this colorful sound is an essential addition to your guitar toolbox.
Length: 2:29 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
5 Scale Positions
Lisa demonstrates the 5 scale positions of the major and minor pentatonic scales. Each position can be used alone or in combination with the other patterns to create many different scale runs. Make sure...
Length: 20:19 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Faster Chord Changes
Lisa will cover a metronome technique that will help develop faster chord changes.
Length: 3:24 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Organizing a Practice Session
Lisa provides some great tips on how to set up and organize a practice session that will maximize progress.
Length: 6:28 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Beginner Music Theory
Lisa dives into some beginner music theory and discusses how to use a mnemonic system to remember note locations.
Length: 5:48 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Understanding Minor Chords
Lisa takes a look at how to build minor chords. She explains the crucial difference between major and minor chords.
Length: 3:21 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Barre Chord Concepts
Lisa explains some important theory information pertaining barre chords.
Length: 8:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Barre Chords in a Blues Progression
Lisa breaks explains how to find the appropriate barre chords within a I-IV-V blues progression.
Length: 5:03 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Octave Shapes
Lisa takes a quick look at how octave shapes are created and where they can be found.
Length: 3:08 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Improvising with Intervals
Lisa demonstrates some ideas on how to improvise using intervals. She begins with the perfect fourth interval for this lesson.
Length: 3:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
5th and 6th Intervals
Lisa continues her last lesson by explaining how 5th and 6th intervals are frequently used in melodic lines.
Length: 10:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Major Scale
Lisa dives into the major scale and demonstrates a commonly used pattern.
Length: 8:01 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Major Scale - G Shape
Lisa explains how to play the C major scale using the 'G' shape from the CAGED system.
Length: 6:39 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Syncopated Rhythm
In this lesson, Lisa demonstrates how syncopated rhythms work and the different ways they can be applied within a 16th note or triplet-based rhythm.
Length: 11:56 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chords and Patterns
Lisa explains how chord shapes and scale patterns relate to one another.
Length: 8:15 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Major Triads
Moving all the way up the neck of the guitar, Lisa demonstrates major triads and explains the fundamentals of how they are built.
Length: 4:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Triads
Lisa now goes on an in depth adventure into minor triads.
Length: 12:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Arpeggios
In this quick lesson, Lisa touches on some minor arpeggio ideas.
Length: 3:15 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Scale Application
Lisa demonstrates how to use different scales to create new ways of building both solos and rhythmic styling. She utilizes a backing track to help make her point.
Length: 4:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Single and Double String Slides
Welcome to the 46th lesson in Lisa Pursell's Beginner Electric series! This lesson covers many creative ideas as well as the techniques behind single and double string slides. Enjoy!
Length: 9:14 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Pull-off Technique
Lisa demonstrates a few practical examples of the pull-off technique.
Length: 10:49 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Adding the Blue Note
Lisa takes a dive into the minor blues scale as a whole. She demonstrates where you can find what are called "blue notes" within pentatonic scale patterns.
Length: 14:05 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Understanding Vibrato
Vibrato is a fantastic and simple technique to understand. This lesson offers different ideas on how you can apply some vibrato to your playing.
Length: 5:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Sweep Picking Technique
This lesson provides an in depth look at both downward and upward sweep picking techniques.
Length: 8:26 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Shell Voicings
Want to play a lighter voicing of a full chord? This technique is called "shells" and Lisa demonstrates several common shell voicings in this lesson.
Length: 17:27 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Blues Turnaround Ideas
Need some ideas to bring resolution to a unique blues progression? Let Lisa inspire you with some blues turnaround ideas. She demonstrates different keys and applies some hammer-on and pull-off techniques...
Length: 16:09 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Harmonizing the Major Scale
Lisa explains how to harmonize the major scale with diatonic triads.
Length: 19:40 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
8 Bar Blues
Lisa lays down an improvised 8 bar blues solo with the help of a backing track. Then, she discusses how she created her lead lines.
Length: 7:18 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Harmonizing with Diatonic Triads
Lisa continues to demonstrate ways to harmonize notes utilizing diatonic triads. She provides some tips on how to improvise with these triads as well.
Length: 22:48 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Connecting Patterns Via Sequencing
Lisa demonstrates ways to connect patterns using melodic sequences. She moves up and down the neck and provides some ideas that will help you make your own sequencing connections.
Length: 19:53 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Blues in A
Lisa takes a quick look at how to add the "blue note" into the A minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 6:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Full Neck Harmonization
This in depth lesson explains how to harmonize the major scale while utilizing the entire neck of the guitar.
Length: 51:58 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The F#m7(b5) Chord
Lisa demonstrates the F#m7(b5) chord and the different places it can be played on the neck.
Length: 3:40 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Extensions
Lisa will use the C Major Add 9 chord shape to help demonstrate how extensions can be used to spice up an arpeggio.
Length: 3:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Passing Tones
Utilizing some of the scale work from previous lessons, Lisa touches on the topic of passing tones and demonstrates some examples accompanied by a backing track.
Length: 8:23 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Creating a Solo
Developing a simple and tasteful solo can be difficult. However, when you understand how chords and scales relate to one another, developing a solo becomes a simpler process. Lisa provides examples and...
Length: 28:03 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Chord Progression Theory
This very quick lesson explains the theory behind the chord progression used in the last lesson.
Length: 2:57 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
A Major Pattern 4 Sequencing Ideas
Want to learn some fresh sequencing ideas in A major? Lisa provides two ideas that can be applied to a new solo or melody.
Length: 13:40 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Using a Metronome
Lisa provides some insight on how to successfully utilize a metronome during a practice session.
Length: 3:51 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Rhythmic Chord Playing
Lisa discusses some creative ideas on how to apply 9th chords to your rhythm playing.
Length: 6:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Creative Double Stop Ideas
Welcome to Lisa's 67th lesson! Here she provides some creative double stop ideas that can be applied to many different keys.
Length: 12:19 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Swing Blues in C
Lisa demonstrates a swing blues intro lick in the key of C.
Length: 3:32 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Lisa Pursell
View Full Biography
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Lisa started playing local venues as a teenager in and around Atlanta as a guitarist for hire. At the same time, she began teaching guitar privately and playing locally on recording sessions. In this still-early stage of her career, she was soon teaching at local music stores. After attending a local college and studying classical guitar, she began teaching at the Atlanta Institute of Music.
In 1992 she moved to Hollywood, CA. to attend the Guitar Institute of Technology (a.k.a. Musician's Institute). Graduating in 1993 as "Outstanding Student of the Year," she was invited to become part of the faculty at GIT, which she excelled at for the next three and a half years.
In 1996 she moved to Nashville, TN. There, she was hired as the lead guitarist for Nashville based band Mustang Sally, which at one point included future Grammy winner Gretchen Wilson as the lead singer. She played an exhaustive tour schedule of 150-300 dates a year, while perfecting her technique. Soon the band was opening for artists such as George Jones, Patty Loveless, Montgomery Gentry, Chuck Mangione, LeAnn Womack and many others.
In 2003, she recorded an instrumental CD which included one original track co-written with bass player Jerry Peek (Steve Morse Band), along with two covers of two of her many favorite guitarists. To further hone her musical skills, she then concentrated on songwriting, the results of which will be included as both vocal and instrumental pieces on her next project.
Today Lisa resides in Nashville, TN. Currently an educator, author, singer/songwriter/guitarist, she plans to release her original CD soon. Her music theory workbook, entitled "THINKING IN THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC" written for vocalists and musicians who are interested in learning music theory without the requirement of reading music, is currently available.
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
Trace Bundy
Trace Bundy talks about the different ways you can use multiple capos to enhance your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Danny Voris
Lesson 7 is all about arpeggios. Danny provides discussion and exercises designed to build your right hand skills.
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
Mark Kailana Nelson
Mark Nelson introduces "'Ulupalakua," a song he will be using to teach different skills and techniques. In this lesson, he...
Free LessonSeries Details
Don Ross
New fingerstyle instructor Don Ross introduces himself, his background, and what you should expect in this series.
Free LessonSeries Details
David Isaacs
JamPlay welcomes David Isaacs to our teacher roster. With his first lesson Dave explains his approach to playing guitar with...
Free LessonSeries Details
Freebo
In this lesson, Freebo covers the basics of right hand technique. This lesson is essential for all up and coming bassists.
Free LessonSeries Details
Mitch Reed
Mitch teaches his interpretation of the classic "Cannonball Rag." This song provides beginning and intermediate guitarists...
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Brendan Burns
Brendan demonstrates the tiny triad shapes derived from the form 1 barre chord.
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
Steve Stevens
Steve Stevens shows some of his go-to licks and ideas while improvising over a backing track he made.
Free LessonSeries Details
Jane Miller
Jane Miller talks about chord solos in part one of this fascinating mini-series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Danny Morris
Hone in on your right hand and focus on getting in the groove. You'll only play one note during this lesson, but it'll be...
Free LessonSeries Details
Braun Khan
In this lesson, Braun teaches the chord types that are commonly used in jazz harmony. Learn how to build the chords and their...
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
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
Prashant Aswani
Do you want to play more musical sounding solos? Do you want to play solos with more emotion behind them? Maybe you're the...
Free LessonSeries Details
Glen Drover
Lesson 25 from Glen presents a detailed exercise that firmly builds up fret hand dexterity for both speed and accuracy.
Free LessonSeries DetailsJoin over 476168 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.Being self-taught, this is something that always intimidated me up until now. You're making me work, and get out of my comfort zone, but I'm learning a lot more than I've ever learned before about the guitar. I'm having a lot of fun because I can see the improvement with each new lesson.
Great lesson! Thank you, Lisa.
Nice finger work.....keep it comin, learnin a lot and havin a blast!
o.O what in the world was that riff at the end. What was the finger pattern? I gots to know.
Great lesson Lisa. Of course my version doesn't sound anything like yours, I'm inspired just the same
I noticed earlier that you play some leads with hybrid picking. Can you provide examples of where it can be used?
The endless guitar. Funny. the most simplistic things are the most beautiful.
Great stuff Lisa! I am really glad I came across JamPlay and that I found your teaching!
I got it all, up to the last example which was a quick demo.
Will I ever get the hang of this :-(
I love that riff played right at the end!
I'm a little confused. If you pick the root note and use only two fingers to pluck the other strings aren't you missing the rest of the strings of the chord?
I'm more of an intermediate player than a beginner but decided to start from the beginning. I've never used the hybrid picking technique before but like it. I'm sure it will take quite a bit of practice to get the technique so that it becomes automatic. I'm really enjoying you lessons. Thanks.
I really like your style of teaching. I am very much enjoying the lessons.
Those are some really cool riffs, Lisa. I think it's G, C2 and Em, but your right hand moves too fast to see! Thank you for a good lesson.
great lesson just what I have been looking for :->
The supplemental content is now available.
Thanks Lisa, you were right, I was holding the pick all wrong. Now with the way you showed us it feels comfortable and natural. And hybred picking just got that much less scary. I'm not really a beginner, but I decided to take your beginners lessons. And so far i'm glad I have. Thanks again.
The Supplemental content for all Lisa lessons will be posted asap. Sorry for the delay.
Great lesson! Thanks