Lick 28 - Pretty and Ugly (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
Lick 28 - Pretty and Ugly
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 a more shifty bed is a good way to create more tension.
Taught by Chris Liepe in The Bitter Blues seriesLength: 3:54Difficulty: 3.0 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
The Bitter Blues
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsBlues is easy to play, but hard to master. Chris Liepe's mission in the Bitter Blues, is to make you a master.
Lesson 1
Introduction to the Bitter Blues
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
Full Song Demonstration
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 Only
Lick 1 : The First Tear
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 Only
Lick 2 : Drag Your Feet
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 Only
Lick 3 : Speak Slowly
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 Only
Lick 4 : Speak Firmly
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 Only
Lick 5 : An Early Apology
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 Only
Lick 6 : I Meant That!
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 Only
Lick 7 - The List of Hurtful Things
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 Only
Lick 8 - A Calculated Transition
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 Only
Lick 9 - Affirming the Listening Ear
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 Only
Lick 10 - Uh Huh
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 Only
Lick 11 - On the Same Page
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 Only
Lick 12 - The Role of Accompanying
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 Only
Lick 13 - On the Defensive
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 Only
Lick 14 - The Shouting Match
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 Only
Lick 15 - Are We Really Listening?
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 Only
Lick 16 - Fall Back
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 Only
Lick 17 - Pacing Back and Forth
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 Only
Lick 18 - Now It's Your Turn
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 Only
Lick 19 - New Thoughts
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 Only
Lick 20 - A Long Night
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 Only
Lick 21 - There Still Feelings
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 Only
Lick 22 - Say What You Mean
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 Only
Lick 23 - Reveal Yourself
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 Only
Lick 24 - Don't Back Down
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 Only
Lick 25 - Just You and Me
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 Only
Lick 26 - We Are One
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 Only
Lick 27 - We're Both Steaming Now
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 Only
Lick 28 - Pretty and Ugly
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 Only
Lick 29 - I’m Not Finished Yet
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 Only
Lick 30 - One Last Attempt
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.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Mike Dawes
Free LessonSeries Details
Mitch Reed
Mitch teaches his interpretation of the classic "Cannonball Rag." This song provides beginning and intermediate guitarists...
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
Randall Williams
In this lesson Randall introduces the partial capo (using a short-cut capo by Kyser) and talks about how it can make the...
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 Details
Eve Goldberg
Eve talks about the boom-chuck strum pattern. This strum pattern will completely change the sound of your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Pamela Goldsmith
Pamela brings a cap to her first 13 JamPlay lessons with another original etude inspired by the great Leo Brouwer. This is...
Free LessonSeries Details
Steve Eulberg
Steve Eulberg does a quick review of this lesson series and talks about moving on.
Free LessonSeries Details
Justin Roth
In this lesson Justin introduces his series on playing with a capo and dishes out some basic tips, including how to properly...
Free LessonSeries Details
Robbie Merrill
JamPlay welcomes bassist and founding member of Godsmack, Robbie Merrill. In this short introduction lesson, Robbie showcases...
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Guthrie Trapp
JamPlay introduces Nashville session player Guthrie Trapp! In this first segment, Guthrie talks a little about his influences,...
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 Details
Ariel Posen
If you could choose one technique to replicate the human voice on your guitar, it would be slide guitar. The long rich history...
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
Kris Norris
Kris analyzes different pick sizes and their effect on his playing. Using a slow motion camera, he is able to point out the...
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
Emil Werstler
Emil takes you through some techniques that he uses frequently in his style of playing. Topics include neck bending, percussive...
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
Steve Smyth
JamPlay sits down with veteran fret grinder Steve Smyth of Forbidden and The EssenEss Project. He talks about how he got...
Free LessonSeries DetailsJoin over 509550 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 | 103 | 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.