John Lee Hooker Licks (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
John Lee Hooker Licks
Eric teaches a few licks inspired by the great John Lee Hooker.
Taught by Eric Madis in Electric Blues with Eric seriesLength: 7:43Difficulty: 1.5 of 5
John Lee Hooker Biography
John Lee Hooker (1917 ? 2001) was one of the most influential blues musicians of the post-war era. Hooker was born in Mississippi, but spent most of his career in Detroit. His music was primarily influenced by the early Delta blues. Hooker created his own unique blend of blues by combining a boogie-woogie piano style with driving rhythms. Similar to Lightnin' Hopkins, Hooker is known for his half-spoken singing style.
Essential Listening
Check out the songs "Boogie Chillen" (1948) and "Boom Boom" (1962) for examples of John Lee Hooker's signature sound. Chapter 2: (01:03) John Lee Hooker's Bass Lick Hammer-On Note: Tablature and standard notation to all licks taught in the lesson can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.
This lick is quite similar to the Lightnin' Hopkins bass lick. Bass licks are absolutely essential to improvising a blues in the key of E major.
The first position pattern of the E minor pentatonic scale is used. The lick concludes with a trill performed between the notes D and E on the fourth string.
Pay careful attention to the left hand fingering that Eric uses to play all licks. These are the fingerings you should use when learning the lick. The second finger is the strongest, so it will enable you to play the trill at maximum speeds. However, when improvising, you may need to alter the fingering to accommodate the lines that you are playing. Chapter 3: (01:13) John Lee Hooker's Basic Sliding Lick The "Basic Sliding Lick" features several slurs played together on the third string. It begins with two slides. Then, a pull-off is performed. The lick utilizes the E minor blues scale. Remember that this scale adds a b5 "blue note" (Bb) to the minor pentatonic scale. Chapter 4: (01:23) John Lee Hooker's Big Bad Sliding Lick This lick is a variation on the lick taught in the previous scene. Now, the open high E string is played as a sustained pedal tone against the lick. Use the ring finger to pluck this note. Play the other portion of the lick with the pick. This technique is referred to as hybrid picking.
Note: For more information about hybrid picking, check out lessons 5 and 6 of DJ Phillips' Phase 2 Country Series.
Feel free to experiment with variations on this lick. Stevie Ray Vaughn among countless others used this lick regularly. Use the variations Eric demonstrates in the lesson video as a springboard for your own ideas. Chapter 5: (03:31) Country Blues Double Wham #1 The "double whams" are staple double stop licks used in the blues genre. Double Wham #1 is played out of the seventh position pattern of the E minor pentatonic scale. The notes E and B are played simultaneously with a slight quarter step bend.
Ending the Lick / Transitions
Double Wham #1 can end in various ways depending on where you wish to go next in your solo. Watch the lick that Eric demonstrates at 02:14. This provides a perfect example of where to go after the initial lick is played. You can resolve it to the open B and E strings or to any variety of E notes on the fretboard. Playing a fretted E note will allow you to perform a vibrato.
Preview of Next Lesson
Eric demonstrates some new country blues licks in lesson 5. Stay tuned for more electric blues action!
Video Subtitles / Captions
Hi, I'm Eric Madis from JamPlay.com and I'm here working with blues with you.
00:07.382 --> 00:12.722
On the E blues that we've been working with for a while.
The E shuffle.
00:12.722 --> 00:18.736
The last few lessons we've worked on licks that all work over the chord of E.
00:18.736 --> 00:23.751
They'll also work over the A and the B chords to, but they're especially good for E.
00:23.751 --> 00:30.701
What we're going to do today is we're going to do a little bit of John Lee Hooker ideas.
So the first one we're going to learn is John Lee Hooker's bass lick hammer-on.
00:06.350 --> 00:12.352
This is very similar to the Lightnin Hopkins one except that it doesn't use the major third hammer-on.
00:12.352 --> 00:22.383
Here's how it goes…
00:22.383 --> 00:36.383
So what you're doing here is you're playing the open E, fretting the G on the sixth string and then hammering-on the E on the fourth string.
00:36.383 --> 00:47.830
Notice I'm using my second finger because I try to use one finger per fret and also because the second finger has the most strength.
00:47.830 --> 01:01.065
Ok, so let's try this lick.
E, G, E.
01:01.065 --> 01:03.270
Why don't you go ahead and try it now.
What we're going to do now is we're going to do another John Lee Hooker lick.
00:03.843 --> 00:07.674
This is going to be his basic sliding lick.
00:07.674 --> 00:12.246
The basic sliding lick is very, very simple.
00:12.246 --> 00:24.390
We're just going to strike the third string by fretting with our second finger at the second fret. Ok, we're going to strike that with an upstroke.
00:24.390 --> 00:28.197
And bring it up a fret and then down a fret.
00:28.197 --> 00:37.663
Then pull-off this note so in other words, pull it off in a direction toward towards the high e.
00:37.663 --> 00:42.377
Yes, pull it out towards your palm.
00:42.377 --> 00:45.127
And transfer that note, that finger.
00:45.127 --> 00:51.629
Transfer that finger over to the fourth string.
00:51.629 --> 01:11.760
So again, slide the second finger up one fret, bring it back a fret , pull it off and transfer it over to the fourth string.
01:11.760 --> 01:14.337
Why don't you go ahead and try that now.
Alright that's great.
So John Lee Hooker's basic sliding lick was this…
00:09.837 --> 00:15.164
Or you don't even have to strike that third note.
You can just go…
00:15.164 --> 00:18.055
If you're playing it quickly.
00:18.055 --> 00:24.185
You just use the pull-off to create the sound.
00:24.185 --> 00:29.017
Ok, now we're going to do John Lee Hooker's big bad sliding lick.
00:29.017 --> 00:40.262
It becomes big and bad by striking the first string with an upstroke at the same time, you'll see what I mean.
00:40.262 --> 00:43.117
Kind of nasty, I know.
00:43.117 --> 00:49.133
So what we're going to do is strike the first string with an upstroke, use any of your fingers that you want.
00:49.133 --> 01:00.123
At the same time that you do the third string lick.
01:00.123 --> 01:06.336
You can do variations of this too.
You can go…
01:06.336 --> 01:10.655
Things like that.
Depending on what kind of expression you want to have.
01:10.655 --> 01:22.403
Ok, let's try that once more on our own, the John Lee Hooker big bad sliding lick.
So now what we're going to do is the country blues double whams.
00:04.981 --> 00:13.966
These are two more licks in E that are essential country blues licks, urban blues licks if you're playing in E.
00:13.966 --> 00:22.255
The double wham number one is accomplished at the seventh and eighth fret of the first two strings.
00:22.255 --> 00:34.497
What you're going to do is use your index finger and second finger and you play them like this…
00:34.497 --> 00:42.415
Now notice after I play these, one, two, three, four, I play the two strings the two top strings open.
00:42.415 --> 00:46.780
You can only do this in the key of E, any other key you'll have to fret.
00:46.780 --> 00:51.610
So let me show you the fretting notes that you'll want to know for E, for any other key.
00:51.610 --> 01:07.471
Ok, so you can follow through by going down to the tonic or in this case the E, by coming down to the fifth fret of the second string. Like this…
01:07.471 --> 01:15.691
Notice I'm vibrato-ing again when I play any note and I want it to sustain or have a vocal quality, I can do that.
01:15.691 --> 01:27.126
And remember the turn of the knob, always turn backwards, turn the wrist.
01:27.126 --> 01:36.786
You can also play with your ring finger the ninth fret of the third string…
01:36.786 --> 01:43.097
Now there's a reason for your use of any one of these three variations on this double wham.
01:43.097 --> 01:51.154
Whether you play it open.
Whether you drop down to the fifth fret.
01:51.154 --> 01:57.423
Or whether you stay up in the position where you're at.
01:57.423 --> 02:02.183
That has a lot to do with where you're going to go afterwards, what are you going to play after that.
02:02.183 --> 02:09.776
As we learn more licks you'll have a stronger idea of how you want to play that lick whenever you want to play it.
02:09.776 --> 02:19.714
Like for instance, say I wanted to drop down to the fifth fret, I could do this.
02:19.714 --> 02:28.723
If I stay where I'm at…
02:28.723 --> 02:37.035
If I play it open…
02:37.035 --> 02:41.772
It just facilitates playing different ideas.
02:41.772 --> 02:52.406
So as you make your decisions, as you're improvising your strategy that you use, the techniques that you use are all related to each other.
02:52.406 --> 02:57.056
Let's run through the country blues double wham one more time.
02:57.056 --> 03:03.233
Ok, seventh and eighth fret.
One, two, three, four, open.
03:03.233 --> 03:09.827
Or index finger, fifth fret, second string.
03:09.827 --> 03:16.559
Or ring finger, third string, ninth fret.
03:16.559 --> 03:22.782
Let's try that again.
03:22.782 --> 03:26.822
These are three variations.
Why don't you go ahead and give those a wing right now.
03:26.822 --> 03:30.793
Until next time this is Eric Madis at JamPlay.com.
Supplemental Learning Material
Electric Blues with Eric
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsThe blues is a distinctly American style of music. Many popular genres such as jazz, rock, and country music draw upon basic blues concepts. Consequently, it is advantageous for any guitarist to study the blues.
Lesson 1
Basic Blues Shuffle
In this lesson, Eric introduces himself and his Phase 2 lesson series. He also teaches a basic blues shuffle in the style of Jimmy Reed.
Length: 17:35 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Licks by Lightnin' Hopkins
Eric teaches a few popular Lightnin' Hopkins licks. These licks can be played over the blues shuffle from the previous lesson.
Length: 11:46 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
More Lightnin' Licks
Eric covers a few more essential licks in the style of Lightnin' Hopkins.
Length: 7:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
John Lee Hooker Licks
Eric teaches a few licks inspired by the great John Lee Hooker.
Length: 7:43 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Country Blues Lick
Eric Madis explains a country blues lick he calls the "Country Blues Double Wham."
Length: 6:35 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 6
Memphis Blues Lead
In this lesson Eric talks about playing basic lead in the Memphis Blues style.
Length: 10:37 Difficulty: 1.5 FREE
Using the Memphis Blues
Eric demonstrates how the Memphis blues licks taught in the previous lesson can be used over various chords.
Length: 5:52 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
12 Bar Memphis Blues
Eric demonstrates how to construct a full 12 bar blues solo by using the Memphis blues licks he taught in previous lessons.
Length: 7:25 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Applying the Memphis Blues
In this lesson, Eric applies the Memphis Blues Lead to a practical blues context.
Length: 4:06 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Learning A Licks
In this lesson, Eric Madis teaches two licks that can be used over an A chord.
Length: 12:16 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
IC Blues
In this lesson, Eric Madis teaches a type of blues shuffle that he calls the "IC Blues."
Length: 12:45 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Simple Blues Lead
In this lesson, Eric talks about playing blues lead using licks you already know.
Length: 8:58 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Play Like T-Bone Walker
Eric Madis begins to explain T-Bone Walker's style of playing the blues.
Length: 7:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
T-Bone Walker Lick
Eric Madis teaches a classic T-Bone Walker lick and talks about several different variations you can play.
Length: 10:56 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Exploring T-Bone Walker Licks
Eric Madis introduces several new T-Bone Walker licks and explains the ways they can be used.
Length: 10:21 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
T-Bone Walker Licks Continued
Eric continues his exploration of T-Bone Walker licks and techniques.
Length: 9:22 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
T-Bone Walker Licks Wrap-Up
Eric wraps up his overview of T-Bone Walker licks and techniques in this lesson. You will be applying what you've learned in the next lesson, so be sure to practice.
Length: 10:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Swing Blues in A
Eric teaches a swing blues progression. He teaches the progression in the key of A and explains how licks from previous lessons can be played over it.
Length: 14:17 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Stormy Monday Blues
In this lesson, Eric Madis teaches the blues progression to "Stormy Monday Blues." This progression is played in the style of T-Bone Walker and Earl "Fatha" Hines.
Length: 9:49 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Stormy Monday Blues Introduction
In this lesson, Eric returns to the world of "Stormy Monday Blues" to teach an amazing introduction segment.
Length: 7:21 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Transition Licks
Eric Madis teaches a series of licks that can be used to transition from one pentatonic pattern to another.
Length: 9:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Second Position Licks
In this lesson, Eric Madis demonstrates popular blues licks within the second pattern of the minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 16:50 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Thrill is Gone
In this lesson Eric talks about one of the classic blues tunes, "The Thrill is Gone," by B.B. King.
Length: 10:43 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Third Position Playing
In this lesson, Eric Madis introduces the third pattern of the minor pentatonic scale. This pattern is used frequently by the likes of B.B. King.
Length: 11:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Using Third Position
Eric Madis once again talks about third position and how it can be used. He also introduces a slew of new licks.
Length: 12:19 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Fourth Position
In this lesson Eric Madis talks about the fourth position of blues playing.
Length: 10:04 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Playing Strategy
In this lesson Eric talks about "strategies" to use while playing and improvising.
Length: 7:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Alternative Blues Shuffle
Eric Madis introduces the alternative blues shuffle, which is particularly useful on guitars featuring humbucker pickups.
Length: 14:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Freddie King Style Licks
In this lesson Eric Madis teaches licks in the style of Freddie King.
Length: 9:38 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Aeolian Mode
In this lesson Eric talks about the differences between the minor blues and the "dominant" blues. He also introduces the modes, beginning with the Aeolian mode.
Length: 10:43 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Locrian Mode
In this lesson Eric Madis introduces the Locrian mode and talks about how it can be used in blues.
Length: 6:58 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Dorian Mode
Eric continues his series on modes. This time he covers the Dorian mode and its relation to the blues.
Length: 7:16 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Modes & Minor Key Blues
Eric continues his discussion on modes in relation to the minor key blues.
Length: 9:31 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Minor 7th Arpeggios
Eric Madis teaches a handful of minor 7th arpeggios in this lesson.
Length: 10:34 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Dominant 7th Arpeggios
Eric demonstrates dominant 7th arpeggios in this lesson.
Length: 7:27 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Applying Dominant 7th Arpeggios
Eric discusses dominant seventh arpeggios and how they can be used in blues licks.
Length: 6:58 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Diminished 7th Arpeggios
Eric talks all about diminished 7th arpeggios and gives five exercises to practice.
Length: 10:20 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Applying Diminished 7th Arpeggios
Learn how the diminished 7th arpeggios from the previous lesson can be applied to the blues.
Length: 12:13 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
You Don't Love Me
Eric teaches the catchy blues song "You Don't Love Me."
Length: 14:27 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Freddie King Variation
Eric teaches Freddie King variations on T-Bone Walker licks.
Length: 7:53 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick Exercise
Eric provides an exercise that uses previously learned licks from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th patterns of the minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 12:45 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Introduction to Modes
Eric starts you off on the right foot with an introduction to modes.
Length: 28:09 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Mode Application
In this lesson, Eric explains some common blues applications for the modes of the major scale.
Length: 12:43 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Mode Application Continued
Eric Madis continues his discussion on mode application concepts.
Length: 18:30 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Major Pentatonic Scale Ideas
Eric Madis discusses major pentatonic scale ideas.
Length: 6:09 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
More Lick Ideas
Eric shares some more great lick ideas that you can incorporate into your playing.
Length: 10:25 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Ending Licks
Eric shares ideas on ending licks, turnarounds, and tags in this lesson.
Length: 12:41 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Fill-in Licks
Eric Madis teaches some great filler licks for your bag of tricks.
Length: 14:13 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Bass Lines
Eric Madis talks about some common blues bass lines that will spice up your playing.
Length: 13:43 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
More Ending Licks
Eric Madis teaches some classic ending licks.
Length: 16:01 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues
Eric Madis introduces the swing style of the 12 bar blues.
Length: 8:03 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Classic Minor Blues
Eric Madis introduces the basics of the classic minor blues and talks about how this progression can be spiced up using simple blues techniques.
Length: 18:35 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
A Minor Blues in 8/8 Time
In this lesson, Eric Madis teaches a popular blues progression in 8/8 time. This rhythmic feel gives the progression a funkier or more rock-like feel than the traditional blues.
Length: 7:04 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Descending Minor Blues
Eric teaches a classic blues progression he calls the "Descending Minor Blues."
Length: 11:15 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Modern Block Chord Minor Key Blues
Eric Madis teaches an interesting minor blues progression he calls the "Modern Block Chord Minor Key Blues."
Length: 7:40 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Detroit Chicago Funky Blues
Eric Madis teaches an amazing blues progression he calls "The Detroit Chicago Funky Blues."
Length: 9:49 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Jimmy Nolen's Funky Groove
Eric Madis moves on and teaches an astonishing blues progression he dubs "Jimmy Nolen's Funky Groove."
Length: 8:41 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
The Bump Shuffle
Eric Madis introduces a blues style called "The Bump Shuffle."
Length: 7:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Bump Shuffle #2
In this lesson Eric Madis teaches a second way to play the classic blues progression "The Bump Shuffle."
Length: 4:41 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Chicago Bass Groove
Eric Madis teaches a bass oriented blues progression entitled the "Chicago Bass Groove."
Length: 6:50 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Blues Bass Groove
Eric Madis teaches another powerful bass groove he has extracted from the world of blues.
Length: 3:55 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Blues Bass Groove #3
Eric Madis teaches another useful bass groove for blues guitar.
Length: 5:47 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Blues Bass Groove #4
Eric Madis teaches another valuable blues bass groove.
Length: 4:43 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Wolf's Groove
In this lesson, Eric Madis teaches a blues bass groove inspired by Howlin' Wolf.
Length: 4:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Minor Progression Major Chords
In this lesson, Eric Madis teaches a valuable blues chord progression that he calls "Minor Progression Major Chords."
Length: 11:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Sliding Ninth Groove
Eric enthusiastically presents a new chord progression he calls the "Sliding Ninth Groove."
Length: 5:43 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Tribute Blues Shuffle
Eric pays tribute to Memphis Slim and Jimmy Reed in something he likes to call the "Tribute Blues Shuffle."
Length: 8:48 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Chicago Style Funky Blues
Eric Madis teaches a blues chord progression inspired by the Chicago style of blues playing. This progression has a funky rhythmic feel.
Length: 9:51 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Eric Madis
View Full Biography
Eric Madis is a guitarist, singer and composer, a versatile artist whose playing and compositions reflect his diverse and thorough background in American music. Whether performing in an ensemble or as a soloist, he exudes a love and a mastery of the blues that have been refined by years of experience in jazz, country, rock, and even Hawaiian music. What results are performances that include authentic renderings of old rural blues, personal interpretations of modern urban blues and jazz standards, and original music that defies strict categorization, but that draws heavily from these traditions.
Eric lives in Seattle where he leads his own ensemble, performs as a solo act and performs in the Seattle Swing Trio. He has released four CDs on Luna Records, and is currently working on a fifth. He is on the faculty of the National Guitar Workshop and Dusty Strings Music and teaches guitar privately.
Eric lived his formative years in Colorado with a family that was musical (his mother was an accomplished opera singer), and began his music study on the piano at the age of nine. He began performing shortly after picking up a guitar at ten years of age. By the age of sixteen, he was performing in Chicago-area coffeehouses. He has accompanied artists as diverse as bluesmen Big Walter Horton, Sunnyland Slim, Deacon Jones, Hawaiian luminaries Irmgaard Aluli, Kekua Fernandez, Emma Sharpe and author/poet Nikki Grimes.
He has led bands in Illinois, Texas, Colorado and Washington. He has opened shows for Robben Ford, James Cotton, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Mem Shannon, Hawkeye Herman and author Sherman Alexie. Eric's four albums have received critical acclaim, including regional airplay and nominations from NAMA and Washington Blues Society (WBS). He has received 16 Best Blues nominations from WBS, was a finalist in the New Folk Awards at the 1981 Kerrville National Folk Festival, a finalist in the 1991 Seattle Guitar Starz competition, and has music featured on five film soundtracks. Eric has taught guitar classes at Denver Free University, University of Washington's Experimental College, Northwest Folklife Festival, National Guitar Workshop, and Canada's Guitar Workshop Plus.
Whether performing in a group or as a soloist, at a concert or a small club, teaching privately or a large workshop, Eric is a dedicated professional, with commitment to the quality of his art and to his audience.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
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
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
Peter Einhorn
JamPlay is proud to introduce jazz guitarist Peter Einhorn. In this lesson series, Peter will discuss and demonstrate a way...
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
Eve Goldberg
Eve talks about the boom-chuck strum pattern. This strum pattern will completely change the sound of your playing.
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
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
Don Ross
New fingerstyle instructor Don Ross introduces himself, his background, and what you should expect in this series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Mario DaSilva
Free LessonSeries Details
Electric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Rex Brown
Dive into the playing of Rex Brown. As the bass player for Pantera, Down, and Kill Devil Hill, Brown's real world experience...
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
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
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
Daniel Gilbert
Known around the world for his inspirational approach to guitar instruction, Musician's Institute veteran Daniel Gilbert...
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
Ian Argys
Lesson 6 is all about the major mode. As with the other lessons you'll be taking a look at the individual notes on the strings...
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
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
Paul Musso
JamPlay is proud to welcome senior professor and Coordinator of Guitar Studies at the University of Colorado at Denver,...
Free LessonSeries DetailsJoin over 478496 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 | 83 | 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.Thanks Eric your teaching style is very thorough and easy I have really enjoyed it thus far as BB King is my all time favorite, these are nice sounding licks.
Thanks. Progress is great fun when it's shown in a logical progression. :)
There is some meat on the bone here. This is where it started. Signature. At this point in this study any new blues player is bound to get excited. Startin' to sound like somethin'
thanks you again Eric, I love this style of playing
Thank you for your support of music, the blues and guitar! Eric
Thanks a lot for this lesson Eric. I have an issue with the double wham, I can't seem to find the right timing when to bend the string up, it always sounds pretty detuned to me. Maybe you could add a section to the lesson which explains the timing of the bends a bit more so one could start slowly and then work up speeds once the timing is right.
Thanks for your comments and question. The double wham usually will come on the next beat. So if the timing is 1-2-3-4, and the low tonic note (in this case, the low e string open) is 1, then the double wham falls first on the 2. Also, be careful to not bend either of the strings too much. This is less of a bending technique than it is just putting a little tuning tension on a two-note diad to make it sound funky. - Eric
Would it be possible for you to do a series on Albert king? That would be a nice addition.
Oh yeah.....well, actually there is some Albert King coming up in future (more urban blues styling) lessons, so hang in there.
Thanks for this lesson Eric. Licks in the style of my idol - what more could i want? All we need to do now is sing like him - hmm - maybe just stick to the guitar part! Any advice you have in future lessons as to how to sustain interest in playing for long periods on one chord, a la John Lee Hooker would be gratefully received. Interesting how blues makes people happy - you smile nearly as much as Hawkeye - nice tonic at the end of a working day.
Thank you! One-chord harmony is interesting. It is what you put into it that makes it happen for you. It is the embellishment that keeps you intrigued and the variations that keep you challenged. Keeping the groove, but learning more and more ways to creatively add ideas (as well as emotion) to what you do makes that approach interesting. Still, one of the things that make Hooker unique was his timing.....he always lagged way behind the beat in his vocals, and sometimes he would actually lag behind a measure or two.....he realized that rhythm and emotion are two essential ingredients of music that can often substitute for more sofisticated technique or concepts.