Cuttin' Heads (Guitar Lesson)
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Cuttin' Heads
for it! Nomad goes through 4 basic lead ideas that draw from what has been taught in the series so far.
Taught by Michael Ripoll in Funk/R&B with Nomad seriesLength: 9:08Difficulty: 2.0 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Funk/R&B with Nomad
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsMichael "Nomad" Ripoll dives deep in to the Rhythm & Blues, Funk, and Soul genres that were made popular by artists like Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, and James Brown. Nomad's approach is to take techniques and ideas you may already play in other genres and look at how paying attention to subtle nuances can make all the difference when you're gettin' funky! Enjoy dozens of tips, playing ideas and other licks and apply them over spot on, genre-specific backing tracks.
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
Michael "Nomad" Ripoll dives deep into the rhythm & blues, funk, and soul genres that were made popular by artists like Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, and James Brown. Nomad's approach is to take techniques...
Length: 4:42 Difficulty: 0.0 FREELesson 2
Nomad's Toolbox
You gotta have the tone! Nomad breaks down his sound, talks about amps, and plays with his effects collection as it relates to funky music. He stresses how important your clean tone is when authentically...
Length: 17:23 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Strummies
Nomad sets up a chill vibe with his first of many genre-specific techniques. He explains and demonstrates an almost therapeutic way of strumming. Practice "strummies" with the provided soulful progression...
Length: 18:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chanks
Quick upstrokes...percussive triads...you can call them anything you'd like. "Chanks" are a hallmark stylistic technique found in rhythm and blues, funk and soul. Practicing with Nomad's custom backing...
Length: 10:02 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chugging
Nomad discusses the importance of simple, muted rhythm playing in rhythm & blues. Then, he demonstrates how to combine groovin' "chugs" with accented "chanks". Apply these ideas over "Sunshine On My Side,"...
Length: 13:31 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Pretties
Nomad discusses how to add chord extensions inside of and outside of basic chord forms to add a "pretty" texture to an R&B groove. You'll also learn and apply some phrasing ideas as well as volume pedal...
Length: 21:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Skratchin'
The funkiest and most fundamental techniques of all is here! Learn how to groove, how to imply a chord with "skratchin'," and play with and without wah over the backing track.
Length: 10:15 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Skratch 'n Stab
Building on the popular "skratchin'" technique discussed in the last lesson, Nomad demonstrates creative ways to incorporate chords into the groove that mimic a horn section. This is a must watch lesson...
Length: 8:01 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Skankin'
The FUNKIEST and nastiest off all techniques in the funk world..."skankin'"! Learn what it is and how to apply it over a groove. Also, learn how to add licks and double stops within a "skankin'" riff....
Length: 13:22 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chicken Pickin'
Ever listen to an R&B tune and you hear this anonymous groovy guitar in the background that seems to peak out just enough to let you know that it's still there? That's "chicken pickin'". Learn the art...
Length: 16:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Curly Q's
Learn a trademark R&B-style way of embellishing common chord forms. Once you understand the concept, start groovin' with it!
Length: 23:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Inversions From Mars, Part 1
You've seen him use them in all his lessons so far. You've heard the effect they have on simple, funky rhythms. Now you get to learn all about how to incorporate inversions into your soul playing. Learn...
Length: 11:41 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Inversions From Mars, Part 2
Nomad continues his study of inversions by discussing different kinds of chords, pentatonic scales, and the Dorian mode. He also provides a backing tracking track for your practicing pleasure.
Length: 13:53 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Wiggles and Worms
Nomad looks at a specific way of using slides and vibrato that emulates the sound of some of the early mono synths used in funk and R&B. Play it clean, or funk it up even more with the wah wah!
Length: 10:30 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Slippin' & Slidin'
Sliding -- such a basic concept for most. Once again, Nomad presents the nuances of this technique that are true to R&B. Dig in, keep an open mind, and jam along!
Length: 9:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Rubber Band Man
Nomad deconstructs another basic technique - the bend. Learn how the great funksters and R&B artists use bends in their playing.
Length: 10:42 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Octify
Another trait of classic funk and R&B is the rhythmic use of octaves. Nomad covers the right and left hand techniques needed to funk up your octaves and works in unison bends as a way to spice up the groove....
Length: 18:01 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
3rd Theory of Revolution: Rhythm
Nomad pays tribute to one of the great funk masters of our time, Prince! Nomad discusses how to tastefully blur the lines between the major sound and the minor sound in a very "Prince-like" fashion. This...
Length: 9:09 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
3rd Theory of Revolution: Lead
Nomad continues in Prince-like fashion and for the first time in this series, he cranks up the gain! Practice blurring the lines between major and minor tonalities with some singing sustain. Play it loud!
Length: 7:01 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
In The Pocket, Cop A Feel
Nomad discusses the unique role that guitarists have in Funkdom. He demonstrates what it means to be locked in with different parts of the groove and how to take the feel of one instrument in the band...
Length: 12:48 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Puzzle Funk
Skratchin', skankin', strummies...If you've been keeping up with this series, you've learned a lot of genre-specific subtleties that really make funk and R&B what it is. This lesson discusses how to put...
Length: 15:38 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Cuttin' Heads
There's not a lot of soloing in funk or R&B, but when there is, you gotta step out and go for it! Nomad goes through 4 basic lead ideas that draw from what has been taught in the series so far.
Length: 9:08 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Cuttin' Heads: Advanced Concepts
Nomad turns it up even more with some modal and fusion-influenced ideas to set your lead playing on fire!
Length: 10:06 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Far Out - Wah
You've seen and heard him apply the wah in the funkiest of contexts during this series. In this lesson, Nomad highlights a few of the ways the wah effect is most commonly used in Funkdome.
Length: 4:33 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Far Out - Delay
Nomad once again deals with the 'nuances'. Delay is used in too many settings to count. In this lesson, you'll hear and see how the funksters and R&B masters use delay in both a musical and special effects...
Length: 7:21 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Far Out - Effects Wrap Up
Nomad looks at how even more effects are used in the funk genre while demonstrating how some of these unique sounds work in a practical context.
Length: 3:33 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
Acoustic Guitar with R&B
Nomad takes the next four lessons to discuss the unique role that the acoustic guitar plays in R&B. Learn some basic fingerpicking and interesting takes on basic chord forms.
Length: 15:21 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Slaps & Curly Q's
Build on the basic R&B-tinged acoustic vibe Nomad established in the previous lesson by working in a few familiar flavors. Take it slow, and pay attention to the nuances!
Length: 6:07 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Percussive Techniques
Nomad changes up the acoustic groove a bit by introducing several percussive techniques that will take you deeper into the R&B / soul acoustic flavor.
Length: 7:44 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
Acoustic R&B: Put It All Together
Take all the techniques and chordal ideas you learned in the previous three lessons on the nuances of acoustic guitar in R&B and apply them to a tasteful backing track!
Length: 8:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About Michael Ripoll
View Full Biography
Michael "Nomad" Ripoll is a consummate professional in the music industry with a list of credits and accomplishments that span decades. Best known as a masterful guitar virtuoso who has played with a seemingly endless list of the most respected names in the music world, Michael has always strived to exceed the boundaries of a traditional musician’s career by proactively seeking and securing opportunities to excel in other facets of the industry.
While he remains an artist and singer-songwriter first, Michael also operates as the Musical Director for world renowned artist and friend Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, has launched an innovative online format for guitar instruction, and has even contributed to major motion picture film scores. Working with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Sting, Natalie Cole, the American Idol Tour, the Pussy Cat Dolls, India Arie, and countless others, Michael is regarded as one of the industry’s most sought after session players and touring musicians.
Michael earned the nickname "Nomad" after he started posting pictures and videos of his travels around the globe on his website and YouTube. Follow Nomad everywhere his guitar takes him here at JamPlay and at
ilikenomad.com
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