Gristleman Guitar | The TrueFire Collection

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Let's get down to the gristle as Greg shares with you fourteen of his go-to techniques and concepts for all out guitar savagery. We’ll look at his approaches to chicken picking, vibrato, hybrid picking, all kinds of bends, travis picking, pinch harmonics, double stops, standard tuning slide and a ton more! Learn more or start the course with membership

Course Details
58 Lessons
3 Hour+ Runtime
Tabs (gpx, pdf)
Playalong Tracks
HD+ Video
90 day guarantee
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Meet Greg Koch

Greg Koch has been called a "twisted guitar genius" to " an eclectic virtuoso" by guitar pundits but in fact, these are just descriptions of someone who loves what he does has found a way to make a living doing it on his own terms by being able to sound like just about anyone to just about no one, all delivered with the irreverence of a "plectrum-wielding skullduggarist" (to use his verbiage). As a result, he has successfully moved beyond his local hero status in the upper Midwest to becoming an internationally renowned recording artist and guitarist, session player heard on everything from car commercials to Nick Jr. soundtracks, author of some of the top-selling guitar instructional books, and DVD's in the world, magazine columnist in publications around the globe, radio personality, comedian and one of the most in-demand guitar clinicians in the world for Fender® Musical Instruments and Hal Leonard Publishing. His fascination with the guitar started in the third grade when Greg started making Fender Stratocasters® cut out of cardboard, using his sister's sewing machine pedal as a makeshift wah-wah. He would pretend to rock along to Jimi Hendrix, whose music had become his obsession. When he finally got his first guitar at age twelve after failing to duplicate Mr. Hendrix on the cello, Greg quickly advanced by watching, listening, and copying what he heard on records. Early on, his own hybrid style of blues, rock, and country began to take form, and was able to develop further by playing in everything from show bands to Elvis impersonators, polka groups, and blues-rock ensembles of his own creation.

Core Skills

Greg performs a deep dive on his go-to techniques that make up his gristleman style!

  • Poultry Pluckin' and Cluckin'
  • Hybrid Picking Leads
  • Travis Picking
  • Vicious Vibratos

Tools of the Trade

Greg covers skills that he has developed over the course of his career!

  • Beastly Blues Bends
  • Pre-bent Chords & Hybrid Harmonics
  • Pinch Harmonic Savagery
  • Comping in Shuffle & Swingland

Tips and Tricks

See Greg perform his trademark techniques!

  • Double-Stops with Drones
  • Funky Finger Picked Comping
  • Sultry Slide Soloing in Standard
  • Rock Double-Stop Soloing

Gristleman Guitar

Interactive Video Masterclass with Greg Koch

Greg will explain and demonstrate each of the 14 Gristleman techniques sharing some of his own creative twists for each. Using backing tracks from his own records, Greg will also perform an example for musical context followed by a detailed breakdown!

Grab your guitar, and let's 'pound the gristle' with Greg Koch! This course offers 58 lessons covering 3+ hours of material in step-by-step, digestible presentation.

Lessons in this Course
1

Gristleman Guitar: Introduction

Greg Koch welcomes us to "Gristleman Guitar" in this TrueFire Collection course!

2:30 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Gristleman Guitar - Poultry Pluckin' and Cluckin': Demonstration

Let’s dive into some Pluckin’ and Cluckin’! This is a style I was inspired to play years ago when I first heard the great Mark Knopfler. Back then we didn’t have access to the “intergoogle” so I actually found out about Mark through Guitar Player Magazine. There was this picture of him playing his red Strat with this crazy grip. I knew there had to be something to this, so I ditched my pick and got to work, here’s what I learned!

4:10 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

3

Gristleman Guitar - Spank It: Main Theme: Overview

Now let’s jump into a tune that I have played for a long, long time! This is a song called “Spank It”, I came up with this song years ago and can best be described as sort of a country onslaught. I didn’t grow up with Country Music, it wasn’t really my jam, but there was something I loved about the Chicken Pickin’ sound that made me carry it over into this tune.

2:22 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

4

Gristleman Guitar - Spank It: Main Theme: Performance

Now let’s jump into a tune that I have played for a long, long time! This is a song called “Spank It”, I came up with this song years ago and can best be described as sort of a country onslaught. I didn’t grow up with Country Music, it wasn’t really my jam, but there was something I loved about the Chicken Pickin’ sound that made me carry it over into this tune.

1:08 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

5

Gristleman Guitar - Spank It: Main Theme: Breakdown

Now let’s jump into a tune that I have played for a long, long time! This is a song called “Spank It”, I came up with this song years ago and can best be described as sort of a country onslaught. I didn’t grow up with Country Music, it wasn’t really my jam, but there was something I loved about the Chicken Pickin’ sound that made me carry it over into this tune.

5:28 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

6

Gristleman Guitar - Hybrid Picking Leads: Demonstration

Now let's talk about Chicken Pickin’ with pickin’ fingers. When I started Chicken Pickin’ I used to stash my pick between my fingers, and while this is something I still do from time to time, after hearing some great guitarists like Albert lee and James Burton I decided to give it a try. It wasn’t easy but it’s totally worth it.

5:22 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

7

Gristleman Guitar - Spank It: Solo: Overview

In this next series of videos I’m going to play two choruses of “Spank It”. This tune is played in a Blues progression. After that I’m going to break it all down for you in detail!

1:02 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

8

Gristleman Guitar - Spank It: Solo: Performance

In this next series of videos I’m going to play two choruses of “Spank It”. This tune is played in a Blues progression. After that I’m going to break it all down for you in detail!

0:56 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
9

Gristleman Guitar - Spank It: Solo: Breakdown

In this next series of videos I’m going to play two choruses of “Spank It”. This tune is played in a Blues progression. After that I’m going to break it all down for you in detail!

11:53 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

10

Gristleman Guitar - Travis Picking: Demonstration

Years ago when I was in college I met my buddy Rob, or Uncle Rob as he’s known. Rob was an amazing musician and had the ability to play all types of instruments and styles. One of the styles Uncle Rob was great at was Travis Pickin’. In this video I’m going to cover what Ol’ Uncle Rob showed me and some of the other things I learned along the way.

7:17 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

11

Gristleman Guitar - One for Uncle Rob: Overview

Now let's take a pass at "Spank It" using some of the Travis Pickin' techniques I got from Uncle Rob. First I'llperform it then I'll break it all down in detail.

0:34 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

12

Gristleman Guitar - One for Uncle Rob: Performance

Now let's take a pass at "Spank It" using some of the Travis Pickin' techniques I got from Uncle Rob. First I'llperform it then I'll break it all down in detail.

0:29 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

13

Gristleman Guitar - One for Uncle Rob: Breakdown

Now let's take a pass at "Spank It" using some of the Travis Pickin' techniques I got from Uncle Rob. First I'llperform it then I'll break it all down in detail.

3:05 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

14

Gristleman Guitar - Vicious Vibratos: Demonstration

For me, I think Vibrato, bending, and phrasing are some of the most important parts about playing. In this video we’re going to take a look at Vibrato specifically.

8:25 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

15

Gristleman Guitar - Drowning in a Sea of Vibrato: Overview

In this next series of video I will be going over a tune I’ve heard both Albert King and Roy Buchanan do titled “Drowning on Dry Land”. First I will perform it then I will break it all down in detail!

2:05 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

16

Gristleman Guitar - Drowning in a Sea of Vibrato: Performance

In this next series of video I will be going over a tune I’ve heard both Albert King and Roy Buchanan do titled “Drowning on Dry Land”. First I will perform it then I will break it all down in detail!

1:21 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

17

Gristleman Guitar - Drowning in a Sea of Vibrato: Breakdown

In this next series of video I will be going over a tune I’ve heard both Albert King and Roy Buchanan do titled “Drowning on Dry Land”. First I will perform it then I will break it all down in detail!

10:47 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

18

Gristleman Guitar - Beastly Blues Bends: Demonstration

I like to use large bends because I grew up a big Albert King fan. In this video I’m going to cover his influence on me and what I learned from him and others from when I first heard them on Milwaukee Public Radio until now.

8:18 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

19

Gristleman Guitar - Summoning the Spirits of Albert: Overview

In this next series of videos I’ll be covering some Beastly Blues Bends inspired by Albert King and Albert Collins. First I'll hit you with the performance then I’ll break it all down in detail!

0:52 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

20

Gristleman Guitar - Summoning the Spirits of Albert: Performance

In this next series of videos I’ll be covering some Beastly Blues Bends inspired by Albert King and Albert Collins. First I'll hit you with the performance then I’ll break it all down in detail!

1:20 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

21

Gristleman Guitar - Summoning the Spirits of Albert: Breakdown

In this next series of videos I’ll be covering some Beastly Blues Bends inspired by Albert King and Albert Collins. First I'll hit you with the performance then I’ll break it all down in detail!

6:57 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

22

Gristleman Guitar - Prebent Chords & Hybrid Harmonics: Demonstration

One of the things people notice about my style is that I like to use prebent chords. Years ago I was playing the James Burton Guitar Festival and I heard him play this bent chord. This really got my attention so I began to incorporate it into my own sound.

5:38 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

23

Gristleman Guitar - The Changes of Death!: Overview

I’m a huge Allman Brothers fan and I got to know a guy by the name of Johnny Sandlin who was in the band The Hourglass with Greg and Duane Allman. Johnny and I used to work on a song together called “Steppin’ Out”. This is my unique take on that tune. First I'll perform it, then I'll break it down in detail.

2:21 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

24

Gristleman Guitar - The Changes of Death!: Performance

I’m a huge Allman Brothers fan and I got to know a guy by the name of Johnny Sandlin who was in the band The Hourglass with Greg and Duane Allman. Johnny and I used to work on a song together called “Steppin’ Out”. This is my unique take on that tune. First I'll perform it, then I'll break it down in detail.

0:42 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

25

Gristleman Guitar - The Changes of Death!: Breakdown

I’m a huge Allman Brothers fan and I got to know a guy by the name of Johnny Sandlin who was in the band The Hourglass with Greg and Duane Allman. Johnny and I used to work on a song together called “Steppin’ Out”. This is my unique take on that tune. First I'll perform it, then I'll break it down in detail.

4:45 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

26

Gristleman Guitar - Pinch Harmonic Savagery: Demonstration

Now let’s have some fun with pinch harmonics and some various other ways I do harmonics that cause maximum sonic malfeasance!

7:12 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

27

Gristleman Guitar - Madness in the Key of G: Overview

In this next series of videos I’m going to play over two choruses of my song “Death of a Bassman” in the shuffle format. First I’ll perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

0:41 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

28

Gristleman Guitar - Madness in the Key of G: Performance

In this next series of videos I’m going to play over two choruses of my song “Death of a Bassman” in the shuffle format. First I’ll perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

0:43 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

29

Gristleman Guitar - Madness in the Key of G: Breakdown

In this next series of videos I’m going to play over two choruses of my song “Death of a Bassman” in the shuffle format. First I’ll perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

6:18 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

30

Gristleman Guitar - Comping in

Something I’ve always thought was extraordinarily important is to be able to groove like a banshee in heat with the rhythm guitar because unless you have the groove and the swing goin, all the “schweedle-schweedles” doesn’t make a load of difference as far as I’m concerned. In this video we’ll take a look at how we can get that groove and swing goin!

11:24 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

31

Gristleman Guitar - Tons of Shuffle Fun: Overview

In this next series of lessons I’m going to do a track I wrote during quarantine called “I Gained a Quarantonne”, which is something I think we can all relate to. First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

1:09 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

32

Gristleman Guitar - Tons of Shuffle Fun: Performance

In this next series of lessons I’m going to do a track I wrote during quarantine called “I Gained a Quarantonne”, which is something I think we can all relate to. First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

1:10 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

33

Gristleman Guitar - Tons of Shuffle Fun: Breakdown

In this next series of lessons I’m going to do a track I wrote during quarantine called “I Gained a Quarantonne”, which is something I think we can all relate to. First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

6:54 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

34

Gristleman Guitar - Double-Stops with Drones: Demonstration

In this video I’m going to do a solo over a shuffle in E, but don’t get too comfy. I’m going to be using a style of play that engages open strings like “double-stoppy” drones. This works great in a band format because it makes everything sound fuller but also works in a solo because you basically are accompanying yourself.

6:17 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

35

Gristleman Guitar - Double Down Drone Destruction: Overview

Alright! This next series of videos I’m going to solo over “Quarantonne”! First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

0:45 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

36

Gristleman Guitar - Double Down Drone Destruction: Performance

Alright! This next series of videos I’m going to solo over “Quarantonne”! First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

1:12 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

37

Gristleman Guitar - Double Down Drone Destruction: Breakdown

Alright! This next series of videos I’m going to solo over “Quarantonne”! First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

5:00 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

38

Gristleman Guitar - Funky Finger Picked Comping: Demonstration

This is a tune I came up with called “Soul Stroll”. I really like the progression of this track.

4:35 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

39

Gristleman Guitar - Knopfleresque: Overview

In this next series of videos I’m going to play the rhythm part to a tune of mine that I did with my ensemble, The Koch-Marshall Trio. First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

0:59 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

40

Gristleman Guitar - Knopfleresque: Performance

In this next series of videos I’m going to play the rhythm part to a tune of mine that I did with my ensemble, The Koch-Marshall Trio. First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

0:56 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

41

Gristleman Guitar - Knopfleresque: Breakdown

In this next series of videos I’m going to play the rhythm part to a tune of mine that I did with my ensemble, The Koch-Marshall Trio. First I will perform it, then I will break it all down in detail!

3:58 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

42

Gristleman Guitar - Sultry Slide Soloing in Standard: Demonstration

Get ready to dig into a crash course all about slides in standard tuning!

10:43 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

43

Gristleman Guitar - Soul Slide: Overview

In this next series of videos I’m going to play a song called “Soul Stroll” by The Koch-Marshall Trio. First I will perform it,then I’ll break it all down in detail!

1:30 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

44

Gristleman Guitar - Soul Slide: Performance

In this next series of videos I’m going to play a song called “Soul Stroll” by The Koch-Marshall Trio. First I will perform it,then I’ll break it all down in detail!

1:14 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

45

Gristleman Guitar - Soul Slide: Breakdown

In this next series of videos I’m going to play a song called “Soul Stroll” by The Koch-Marshall Trio. First I will perform it,then I’ll break it all down in detail!

4:56 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

46

Gristleman Guitar - Rock Double-Stop Soloing: Demonstration

The power of Rock compels us all! So let’s dig into what some of the best that was would do, double-stops!

8:35 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

47

Gristleman Guitar - Luna Girl First Solo Section: Overview

In this next series of videos I’ll be covering a tune from my ensamble, The Koch-Marshall Trio, titled “Luna Girl”. First I’ll perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

2:11 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

48

Gristleman Guitar - Luna Girl First Solo Section: Performance

In this next series of videos I’ll be covering a tune from my ensamble, The Koch-Marshall Trio, titled “Luna Girl”. First I’ll perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

0:59 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

49

Gristleman Guitar - Luna Girl First Solo Section: Breakdown

In this next series of videos I’ll be covering a tune from my ensamble, The Koch-Marshall Trio, titled “Luna Girl”. First I’ll perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

8:12 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

50

Gristleman Guitar - Constructing Longer Solos: Demonstration

Constructing longer solos is all about going back, listening, and taking notes on your previous solos. While we all may think that what we played had major gaps, many times this is just our mind playing tricks on us. In this video I’ll talk a bit about what you can do to help construct and build longer solos.

6:50 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

51

Gristleman Guitar - Luna Girl Grand Finale: Overview

In this video I’m going to play the outro to my ensemble's tune Luna Girl. First I will perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

0:49 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

52

Gristleman Guitar - Luna Girl Grand Finale: Performance

In this video I’m going to play the outro to my ensemble's tune Luna Girl. First I will perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

1:34 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

53

Gristleman Guitar - Luna Girl Grand Finale: Breakdown

In this video I’m going to play the outro to my ensemble's tune Luna Girl. First I will perform it, then I’ll break it all down in detail!

7:09 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

54

Gristleman Guitar - Triple-Stop Comping Like an Organ: Demonstration

One of my first compositions was a tune titled “265”. In this particular tune I was going for an organ melody type of sound, something like block chords on a hammond. This is a great tool to help you add depth to your sound!

8:59 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

55

Gristleman Guitar - Exchanges From the Coffers of Time: Overview

In this final series of lessons I’ll be covering my tune “265” , a song I wrote in my college years that I wrote as a Blues Shuffle vehicle. First I will perform it, then I’m gonna break it all down in detail!

0:40 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

56

Gristleman Guitar - Exchanges From the Coffers of Time: Performance

In this final series of lessons I’ll be covering my tune “265” , a song I wrote in my college years that I wrote as a Blues Shuffle vehicle. First I will perform it, then I’m gonna break it all down in detail!

1:30 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

57

Gristleman Guitar - Exchanges From the Coffers of Time: Breakdown

In this final series of lessons I’ll be covering my tune “265” , a song I wrote in my college years that I wrote as a Blues Shuffle vehicle. First I will perform it, then I’m gonna break it all down in detail!

8:12 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

58

Gristleman Guitar: Course Wrap-up & Next Steps

Hey! Thank you so much folks for tuning in and taking this course! I really tried to give you a good spattering of some of the things that I do so I hope it was instructive. If you walk away with one thing that becomes part of how you play from this point forward you’re doing doggone good, anything more than that is FANTASTIC! Remember you can find me at GregKoch.com and don’t forget to check out my band The Koch-Marshall Trio! Thank you all again and I’ll catch you on the next one!

1:50 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty