Phil Keaggy
The Master Course | Guitar Lessons from Phil Keaggy
Take the opportunity to explore a Master Course from one of the best musicians to grace the guitar. A JamPlay.com exclusive, this 46 lesson course will cover the songs, techniques, and styles that have defined the history of Phil Keaggy. With 45 years of touring and 70+ studio albums, Phil is one of the most admired guitarists in music.
I've been waiting 30 years for an opportunity to hear these cool insights from Phil. What an amazing guitarist and person!
You guys did an excellent job. Lots of great elements for a guitarist to work on... A must have for any Keaggy fan.
..I have been very impressed by the course content, video quality, and insight... I highly recommend this video series.
Absolutely fantastic! Phil is and has been a master in his skill for many years and I am blessed to be able to learn from him.
About this Course
46 guitar lessons from Phil Keaggy in high definition with full supplemental material, guitar pro files and tabs. This course is the singular answer to over 40 years of experience with step-by-step exercises and explanations. This JamPlay exclusive allows you to travel inside the mind of a pioneering musician for writing songs, developing melodies and much, much more.
JamPlay Exclusive
If you are a Phil Keaggy fan, this course was designed for you. Engineered to cover everything from acoustic rhythms and melodies, to electric guitar effects and leads, we cover the signature styles of Mr. Keaggy. Phil covers:
- Church Rhythms to Rock Leads
- Developing Melodies and Lead Lines
- Fingerpicking and Tapping
- Loops, Delays and Pedals
- Learn Phil's Signature Licks
- and much, much more...
Phil is a master at creating melodies and hooks. A central objective of this course to pass this ability onto you, allowing you to translate the music in your head.. to the instrument.
What You Receive
Purchase this course and own it for life, or become a JamPlay Member for streaming access. Ownership allows you to both stream the course online, or save videos and tabs to all of your devices with no active subscription required. You will receive:
- 46 Lessons in HD (4 hours, 48 minutes)
- Video files in 1080p Quality
- Notation and Tabs (PDF, Guitar Pro)
- Practice Exercises and Examples
- Master Course PDF
Our lessons are filmed in 4k with 6 cameras for accurate, beauitful video quality and delivered to you in 1080p, MP4 video.
"Salvation Army Band" Live Performance
The Credit Card Effect
"Shades of Green" Live Performance
Loop Effects for Layering Guitars
Lessons in this Course
View the full lesson list and explore the topics included with this Master Course.
Series Introduction
Welcome to the Phil Keaggy Master Course! In this series introduction, Phil shows and tells us what we can expect from this course. Get ready for a wide range of styles, flavors, and techniques!
7:03 Runtime
0.0 Difficulty
Interview with Phil
Phil sits down with JamPlay for a candid interview about himself and his playing.
7:25 Runtime
0.0 Difficulty
Tools, Career and :Advice
From nail care to reminiscing about his vast recording and touring career, Phil Keaggy discusses it all. He also shares advice for aspiring career musicians, talks about how his faith has influenced his playing, and sheds light on how to turn inspiration into creation!
23:23 Runtime
0.0 Difficulty
How to Practice
Phil shares his insights in to practicing, how he goes about it and provides anecdotes to help you practice more effectively.
3:13 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Where Inspiration Comes From
Phil discusses inspiration, where it's found and how you can take almost anything around you and use it to inspire your own creativity.
8:49 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Chord Voicing Variations
Phil is famous for his unique chord voicings. He loves the rich, somewhat dissonant colors he can achieve by exploring different ways to play chords. In this lesson, he shows us his approach to finding these unique tones.
8:50 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Using Effects with Electric Guitar
Phil's use of effects in his sound is artistic in and of itself. In this lesson he demonstrates some of his signature effects. You'll get a clear idea of how he creates some of his legendary electric guitar sounds!
9:05 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Adding Riffs to Chord Structures
In this lesson, we watch and learn as Phil takes a pretty routine and basic chord structure, and adds a little spice to it to make it a full blown riff!
3:51 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Following Chords When Soloing
Unique chord progressions require unique note choices when soloing. Here, Phil strategically targets certain notes that work over an atypical chord progression.
6:06 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Left Hand Chord Stretches
Getting those chord voicings that Phil talked about in a previous lesson requires a good bit of hand dexterity. In this lesson Phil gives us a challenging progression, along with some thoughts and exercises to get your hands to stretch for those wild chords!
7:46 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Altered Tunings
Watch and learn as Phil not only uses an altered tuning in this song, but switches to another tuning in the middle of the piece!
6:01 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Picking Hand Development
Phil is uniquely qualified to talk about picking hand development. Having endured many challenges in this area, Phil tells us his story of overcoming those challenges, and gives you a closeup look at some of his picking hand techniques.
8:26 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Using Multiple Capos, Part 1
In this lesson, Phil demonstrates how he uses multiple capos to create specific moods and colors within songs. He then uses looping to create a fantastic piece that will have your head spinning and your foot tapping!
10:56 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Using Multiple Capos, Part 2
If you've ever used a lever capo, you know they can be a mechanical, yet musical addition to the guitar. In this lesson, Phil demonstrates not one, but using two lever capos at the same time!
4:43 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Do it For You: Fingerstyle Exercise
Phil teaches a descending line that incorporates a simple fingerstyle technique.
3:15 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Cascading Fingerpicking
Phil offers up a cascading lick that functions as a great introduction to fingerstyle playing.
2:18 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Morphies Law: Fingerstyle
Phil teaches a a folk-based fingerstyle line derived from his song Morphies Law.
4:26 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Two Handed Tapping
Phil demonstrates the two handed tapping technique and discusses it's uses.
3:29 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Farewell: Two-Hand Tapping
Phill offers up another piece that focuses on the two hand tapping technique. This time you'll be incorporating a capo at the same time.
2:37 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Alternate Tunings and Time Signatures
Phil demonstrates and discusses his approach to using altered tunings and time signatures.
1:11 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Alternate Tunings: DADGAD
Phil demonstrates and discusses his use of the DADGAD tuning.
2:46 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Alternate Tunings: E, B, C#, G, B, E
Phil has another lesson and discussion on alternate tuning here. You'll be looking at examples in the tuning EBC#GBE.
3:11 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Adaptations of an E Chord
Phil demonstrates and discusses the ability to move the basic E chord around the fretboard as a way to develop a song.
3:41 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Looping - Reverse Effect
Phil demonstrates a simple walking line that, when reversed and looped, sounds like a traditional Irish flavored tune. He talks about how he discovered the reverse effect and plays chords and rhythm over the line that he has reversed.
2:39 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Looping - One Man Band
Be the drummer, the bass player, the rhythm guitarist and the lead guy; do it all with a looper and a keen sense of how to weave parts together while giving them their own space. You’ll see a complete breakdown of how Phil builds his loops and lines, one step at a time! This is a gem of a lesson that lets you inside the head of one of the masters of the “one man band!”
3:53 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Looping - Percussion
Zero in on acoustic guitar percussion techniques and ideas! Some of what you’ll see is conventional and some of it is downright wacky, but Phil brings it all together. Learn how to smack that guitar, use cut up credit cards, and create grooves that are easily looped. You’ll also see how to layer static chords over a catchy passage. There are several separate musical examples that should inspire an endless amount of creativity with a looper effect!
8:45 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Graceful Sweepy Bend
It’s bluesy and quirky. This lick played over an E dominant sound packs a lot into a little space with a tasteful sweep into an ‘on again off again’ bend that you can’t help but experiment with. Phil goes back and forth with his phrasing choices, works the beat and demonstrates ways to bend the ears, strings and fingers with this one.
3:52 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Arpeggio With Style
The main run or arpeggio that Phil showcases here is based on a B minor sound and provides an excellent way to climb quickly and target that sweet spot note that the listener is aching to hear. You’ll hear it demonstrated as a fast flurry, ending inside slightly different contexts over the groove. You’ll also get to hear it broken down a bit so that you can drop it into your own material. It’s a very versatile lick!
3:06 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Pentatonic Animal
Phil blends classic pentatonic phrasing with a bit of an arpeggiated flare over an E minor sound. As demonstrated, the timing of the sequence over a groove can be felt out and tweaked quite a bit depending on the flavor of the overall lead. It’s played as a setup to a melody and as a blistering run that ends strongly on a downbeat. Try both approaches for an added challenge!
1:20 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Bloomfield Style
Inspired by legendary 60s-era guitar playing from Michael Bloomfield, this passage is packed full of jazzy dorian fun! The main lick during the first 3 measures of the passage sets the mood and the motif, and then Phil masterfully demonstrates how to expand on the lick while retaining familiarity throughout.
2:25 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Riff With You
Phil offers up a spacious lick in the key of E that works well as an ending to a solo.
1:52 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Souther Style
Phil discusses and demonstrates a passage originally adapted from Pianist Richard Souther.
2:37 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Turn It Around
Phil teaches an unconventional blues turnaround centered in the key of E.
1:18 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Falling Up the Stairs
Phil teaches a three note per string scale and feels like you're "Falling Up the Stairs."
2:49 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Strongly Not Resolved
Knowing what to do with a diminished chord is not easy. In this lesson, Phil shows us how to set up a diminished chord that resolves nicely to another chord.
1:11 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Coming Full Circle
This lick has a mellow, ascending sound that is all Phil. The dynamics of this are key to making it sound just right!
3:05 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Back in Time
This riff is based around the good ol' pentatonic scale. While not as flashy as earlier licks, it has a nice flowing rhythm and descending nature that the ear immediately gravitates towards.
1:58 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Stomp On This
Here's a classic Phil sounding lick. There's a swampy country-rock or southern-rock flavor to this one, and it will allow you to practice the intonation on your bends!
3:04 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
My World
This riff centers around the intervallic spacing of the rhythm guitar part. Then Phil loops the rhythm part and adds some very tasteful solo guitar lines. An all around great track!
3:58 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Love Divine
This lesson contains a very Beatlesque rhythm part from Phil, along with an extremely catchy lead solo. See how you can do at both of these parts!
2:10 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Lord Have Mercy
Here’s a straightforward, swampy blues groove with a little flare. Set in the key of E, it’s perfectly positioned to take advantage of open strings both with an E drone and with numerous opportunities taken to pull off to key tones. The universal appeal of this lick is that you can use parts of when riffing over any E blues song.
2:53 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Not Passing By
This passage nods its head to many classic riffs and is a perfect example of a lead-based riff that is working perfectly with target chords. In other words, you’ll be playing rhythm and lead at the same time when you learn to play this snippet of Phil’s. It’s also a great way to apply the pentatonic scale in a more interesting context.
2:33 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Love Does Not Fear
Boogie on with this riff! Get in the groove over an E pedal tone and practice using the pentatonic scale to pull away from the bass note while maintaining the strong E presence and the boogie feel. This is another great example of combining strong rhythm and lead ideas into one lick.
1:52 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Not Nothin to Play
This is pure pentatonic lead riffage! It’s the attention to phrasing that makes it so juicy. You likely already know the notes. Hone in on Phil’s attention to detail as he walks down the A minor pentatonic scale.
2:47 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Fly on the wall
Volume swells, contemplative space, and chordal voice leading are among the many themes present in this phrase. Learn to put the chord patterns together first, then connect them with the subtle melody that joins them together.
3:47 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Live Event Archive
As a special treat we have included the archive of the Phil Keaggy Live Event. Join us as he demonstrates some of his favorite techniques, answers questions, and talks about his upcoming album.
73:02 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Feedback and reviews from our audience (9 reviews), current JamPlay Subscribers or purchasers of this course.
You guys did an excellent job. Lots of great elements for a guitarist to work on. Also, lots of great footage of Phil's live perforamnce in a very relaxed setting. Great camera angles and super high quality. A must have for any Keaggy fan.
Phil is and has been a master in his skill for many years and I am blessed to be able to learn from him. Thank you Phil for your willingness to teach us just learning how to give glory to Jesus with the beautiful tool of music with the guitar.
I'm so glad how Jesus and Phil Keaggy have influenced my playing. I've always wanted to jam with both so this course makes that possible. With Phil sharing decades of his how's and whys helps old timers like me to not have hit tape rewind a million times to learn.
I've been waiting 30 years for an opportunity to hear these cool insights from Phil. What an amazing guitarist and person! Thank you!
I love it. I have been waiting so many years for this information. I wish there were more licks transcribed... not all of it was.
Just starting. Love learning about God's servant. Love and humility shines through. Hoping to get a few licks under my belt soon.
..I have been very impressed by the course content, video quality, and insight into Phil's personal life.
Great, great course from a master musician.
46 Lessons
From church rhythms to writing melodies, this is the answer to 40 years of experience.
Live Master Class
Live performance and Master Class from Phil included with purchase.
Tabs & Info
Each lesson comes with full documentation, with 53 total supplemental helpers.
Guitar Pro Files
All tabs and music notation are provided in both PDF and Guitar Pro formats.
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Purchase the Course for $69.95
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