These are the boldest and most soaring notes to be played yet! It’s as if you are saying how you REALLY feel and showing your true colors in this mess of an ordeal. Let It Sing!
Taught by Chris Liepe in The Bitter Blues seriesLength: 3:10Difficulty: 3.0 of 5
This series covers an original Blues song titled "The Bitter Blues." The song was inspired by Led Zeppelin, and Jimmy Page, and as such is an excellent study in modern electric blues. Chris will break down the song into 30 easy to digest sections. Each section can be learned individually, and them combined into a full song.
Lesson 1
Chris Liepe introduces "The Bitter Blues," a unique blues composition inspired by Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page. In this intro segment, Chris talks about how the song will be taught.
Length: 4:45 Difficulty: 2.5 FREELesson 2
Chris Liepe demonstrates the entire song from start to finish. This will help you master the phrasing of the individual licks.
Length: 6:40 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 3
From the first note and the first bend, the mournful whisper of the guitar sets the stage for the tumultuous conversation between voice and strings. Bend slowly.
Length: 2:29 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 4
You’re holding back. You know what you want to say but you’re tiptoeing around it. Finally, the definitive resolve comes at end of the sentence. Play it like you’d speak it.
Length: 2:39 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 5
There is much more resolve in this statement. What might the guitar be saying now? From the pregnant pause in the middle, to the reaching, slow-to-arrive bend, there’s a lot of phrasing to study here.
Length: 3:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 6
The frustration comes out in this lick! After a few phrases that tread lightly, this statement is just put out there. Strike that double stop! Lash out a bit with your playing.
Length: 2:39 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 7
Perhaps too much was said in the last lick...and a bit too forcefully at that. How about this soothing minor chord and some soft whining bends as an attempt to make amends? Get your pick hand fingers involved...
Length: 3:20 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 8
It’s hard to hide true feelings. Opening up for the first time can be messy. Think less about the tempo and more about the ending notes for each phrase in this passage, particularly the last bend. Get...
Length: 4:28 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 9
With each held note, it's as if there are offenses being moaned out. Give it all you’ve got here without getting ahead of yourself. Play slowly and fiercely.
Length: 4:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 10
Finish the rant and say all the words you feel you need to before taking some time to listen and react. This first guitar solo has come to an end, and now it's time to connect with the vocalist. Practice...
Length: 5:46 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 11
You’re not restating anything yet, just making it clear that you’re now here to listen. Fill the hole quietly and retreat.
Length: 2:45 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 12
You’re about to get an earful of notes, so brace yourself and keep it brief. Just let it be known that you’re still tracking. Control and precision with harmonics and bar bending are needed.
Length: 7:53 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 13
Follow every nuance of the voice as closely as you can. Match the pitch, the inflection, the pitch bend, and the dynamics. One of the best ways to learn phrasing is to practice copying other instruments.
Length: 4:19 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 14
In this guitar/vocal duet, you must make direct statements, and you must learn to dance while partially being in the background as an accompanist. This is the first of many opportunities to do just that....
Length: 3:07 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 15
Now you’re being lashed out at. Loud inquisitions are being blasted at you. You’ll react strongly at first and then calmly as if to say that you don’t really need to defend yourself after all. Instead,...
Length: 2:39 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 16
This is another opportunity to copy the phrasing of the vocalist. This time, you get to do it while shouting instead of talking under your breath. Study the nuances of the voice!
Length: 4:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 17
The flurry of notes seems to suggest that hands are being thrown up and walls are being built at this point in the argument. Don’t let the need for subtle speed take away from the following accompanist...
Length: 4:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 18
You’re still here, but you're licking some wounds and finding comfort and camaraderie in the rhythm section. It's time to play some arpeggiated chords and fill holes in a very subtle way.
Length: 4:14 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 19
The rhythm playing and intensity grows and the unsettling octave line paints a picture of someone pacing back and forth as guilt trip from the vocals continues. Listen to your band! They are your support...
Length: 2:45 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 20
You’ve heard the singer’s side, had a little time to form your thoughts, and now it’s your turn to lay it all out. You start slowly and gracefully while paying attention to every statement you make....
Length: 4:04 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 21
You offer a new angle and a new thought. Many times in arguments we end up going around in circles unless new ideas are brought to the forefront. How about a little harmonic minor?
Length: 2:45 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 22
There’s a lot that could be said, but choosing your words carefully is more important than simply speaking your mind. The more care you put into your words, the more likely you are to be heard.
Length: 3:16 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 23
As if to reach out for affection, you cry out repeatedly to make sure you are understood. Make those high notes weep! Demand a strong reaction!
Length: 4:52 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 24
This could be a flurry of frustration, a jumbled thought in the midst of what you thought was clarity or just a passionate phrase describing your feelings in the most intense way you know how. Precision...
Length: 3:39 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 25
These are the boldest and most soaring notes to be played yet! It’s as if you are saying how you REALLY feel and showing your true colors in this mess of an ordeal. Let It Sing!
Length: 3:10 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 26
As emotions run high and the anticipation of some sort of true resolution is almost too much to take, you need to keep the tension and wait to see some more effort from the other side. This passage is...
Length: 4:55 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 27
The back and forth continues, but this time it’s without the band. It seems that there really are some deep roots in this relationship. There’s screaming and there’s whispering. Make sure the difference...
Length: 3:58 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 28
Be one with the vocalist one last time. Translate the brokenness in the vocal sound into intentionally messy unison bends. Match the vocal timing exactly.
Length: 3:23 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 29
You're accompanying now, but you are not backing down. You’re fuming. Your energy is almost too much to contain, yet you translate that to the guitar by playing aggressive, in-the-pocket chords!
Length: 4:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 30
The dissonance with the band and the vocalist seems to suggest that the situation may be falling apart. Now the relationships with others could suffer too. Playing the established and familiar hooks over...
Length: 3:54 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 31
You’re both left panting. You’re partially gasping for air and partially grasping for one another. This final run sets up the last attempt to bring closure to this melancholy musical exchange between...
Length: 4:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 32
You get one last chance to soar, but you don’t get the final words. Many times, how you choose to end things is the most important part of something that was meant to be beautiful.
Length: 4:14 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
About Chris Liepe
View Full Biography
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.
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Eve talks about the boom-chuck strum pattern. This strum pattern will completely change the sound of your playing.
Free LessonSeries DetailsGreg kicks off his series telling a little about himself and introduces the C9 tuning.
Free LessonSeries DetailsIn this lesson Justin introduces his series on playing with a capo and dishes out some basic tips, including how to properly...
Free LessonSeries DetailsMark Nelson introduces "'Ulupalakua," a song he will be using to teach different skills and techniques. In this lesson, he...
Free LessonSeries DetailsJamPlay welcomes David Isaacs to our teacher roster. With his first lesson Dave explains his approach to playing guitar with...
Free LessonSeries DetailsPamela brings a cap to her first 13 JamPlay lessons with another original etude inspired by the great Leo Brouwer. This is...
Free LessonSeries DetailsTrace Bundy talks about the different ways you can use multiple capos to enhance your playing.
Free LessonSeries DetailsOur electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Nick explains how to use scales and modes effectively when soloing over a chord progression.
Free LessonSeries DetailsAlbert 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 DetailsThis is a crucial lesson that explains tablature, how to read it, and why it's important.
Free LessonSeries DetailsMichael "Nomad" Ripoll dives deep into the rhythm & blues, funk, and soul genres that were made popular by artists like Earth...
Free LessonSeries DetailsLesson 25 from Glen presents a detailed exercise that firmly builds up fret hand dexterity for both speed and accuracy.
Free LessonSeries DetailsTom Appleman takes a look at a blues in E with a focus on the Chicago blues style. The bass line for Chicago blues is very...
Free LessonSeries DetailsJames explains how to tap arpeggios for extended musical reach.
Free LessonSeries DetailsDave "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 DetailsJoin Joe as he shows one of his favorite drills for strengthening his facility around the fretboard: The Spider Technique.
Free LessonSeries DetailsSteve Stevens shows some of his go-to licks and ideas while improvising over a backing track he made.
Free LessonSeries DetailsSignup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.
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 | 92 | 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.