Mark Brennan

Mark is a Guitar instructor at JamPlay.com

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Mark Brennan's contribution to JamPlay

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Beginner 29 Lessons

Songs 12 Lessons

Licks & Riffs 4 Licks

Entertain 2 Videos

Biography Read Up

Basic Electric Guitar

Mark's Phase 1 series will take you through the basics of playing electric guitar.

Series Intro - Guitar Parts and Tuning

Mark introduces his Phase 1 series and covers some fundamental electric guitar basics.

30:12 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Amplification

Mark provides a detailed overview of amplification. This lesson has some great info for any electric player.

33:55 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Using Tablature and Learning the Fretboard

Before we start rocking, Mark goes over some tools and training necessary to every beginning guitarist.

12:52 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Right Hand Technique

It's time to get some sound out of your guitar. Mark begins with picking hand technique.

31:34 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Left Hand Technique

Mark explains proper left hand technique from the ground up.

10:36 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Natural Notes in the 1st Position

Mark teaches you all of the natural notes played in first position. He uses two classic melodies to supplement this information.

25:42 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

The C Major Scale - 1st Position

It's time to learn your first scale - the C major scale in first position. Mark also explains how the major scale is constructed.

21:31 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Chords in C major - Part 1

Mark covers 7 basic chords in the key of C major.

35:14 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Chords in C major - Part 2

Mark expands on chords in C major by showing full forms of the chords you learned in Part 1. He also teaches you the chord progression to a familiar tune.

25:00 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Power Chord Primer

It's time to start making some noise by using power chords and palm muting. Mark gives you the framework to start rocking with the 12 bar blues progression.

36:43 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

Open Position Minor Pentatonic

Take your knowledge of the notes in the first position and start jamming on a simple pentatonic riff.

14:34 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson

Blues Scale Basics with Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Vibrato

Let's build on lesson 11 with an extended discussion of the pentatonic scale. For lesson 12, we'll simply add one note to the minor pentatonic scale to give us the famous minor blues scale. We'll also discuss new techniques to interject into your playing, including hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and vibrato.

36:27 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Movable Power Chords

Mark explains how to finger power chords and how they can be moved anywhere on the fretboard. He also shows an exercise that will help you remember the name of each power chord.

16:28 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Rhythmic Notation Part 1

Mark Brennan explains rhythmic notation, tempos, time signatures, note values, and more in this lesson.

32:14 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

The Key of G Major

Mark explores the key of G major in this lesson. He covers the first position pattern of the scale and explains how it can be harmonized in thirds.

33:22 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Chords of G Major

Mark teaches the basic chords of G major as well as some other exercises to get you acquainted with this key.

34:28 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

The Key of D Major

Mark explains the basics of D major.

25:00 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Chords in D Major

Mark takes you through the chords of D major and explains some new ones that you haven't encountered yet.

35:00 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

More Movable Power Chords & the Circle of Fifths

Mark continues his discussion of power chords. This time around, he explains the circle of 5ths and demonstrates some power chord progressions that illustrate this concept.

33:18 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

The Movable Minor Pentatonic Scale

Mark teaches the 1st box of the minor pentatonic scale.

32:31 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

The Minor Blues Scale Transposed to A

Mark explains how you can transpose the pentatonic pattern covered in lesson 20 to the key of A minor. He also shows the "lower extension box" and "home plate box."

26:09 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Blues Boogie Shuffle

Mark teaches the difference between straight eighth notes and the shuffle feel.

42:33 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Amplification Part Two

In response to member requests, Mark added another amplification lesson to his growing phase 1 series. In this lesson, he compares 3 classes of amps from entry level models all the way to a Mesa Mark V.

40:45 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

Introduction To Improvisation

In this lesson, Mark teaches some blues licks that can be used when improvising over a 12 bar blues progression.

24:01 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

The Key of A Minor

Mark covers the key of A minor.

29:36 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Two Movable Major Chord Forms

Mark teaches two movable major chord forms and gives many examples of how to practice playing them.

26:10 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

I-IV-V Progression Revisited

Mark Brennan shows you how to apply the chord forms learned in lesson 26 to a I-IV-V progression.

21:52 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Movable Dominant 7th Chord Forms

Mark Brennan continues his teachings on movable chord forms. In this lesson he shows the dominant 7th chords and how to use them in a 12 bar blues progression.

19:49 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Movable Minor and Minor 7th Chord Forms

Mark Brennan teaches these minor chord forms and how they are movable up and down the fretboard. He also shows how to use these chords in common progressions.

21:29 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Rock Songs with Mark

Take a step back in time with Mark and learn to shred some rock n' roll classics.

"She Talks to Angels"

Black Crowes

Mark Brennan and his wife, Marla, take on "She Talks to Angels". This song is from The Black Crowes release, Shake Your Money Maker.

34:12 Runtime

"Big Yellow Taxi"

Joni Mitchell

"Big Yellow Taxi" appears on Joni Mitchell's Ladies of the Canyon, released in 1970.

23:13 Runtime

"Landslide"

Fleetwood Mac

Mark teaches you the ins and outs of a Stevie Nicks' / Fleetwood Mac fan favorite. After Mark plays the full song demo, Marla (Mark's lovely wife) joins him and sings this beautiful song.

34:23 Runtime

"You and Me"

Lifehouse

Mark Brennan takes you through the mega hit that brought Lifehouse international attention.

23:34 Runtime

"Aqualung"

Jethro Tull

Mark Brennan teaches this classic rock song by Jethro Tull.

69:09 Runtime

"Bad Moon Rising"

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Mark Brennan teaches this classic rock staple.

35:05 Runtime

"Down On The Corner"

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Mark Brennan teaches this Creedence Clearwater Revival classic.

31:14 Runtime

"Proud Mary"

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Mark Brennan teaches this Creedence Clearwater Revival classic.

36:25 Runtime

"I've Got A Rock 'n' Roll Heart"

Eric Clapton

Mark Brennan teaches you how to play this hit song from Eric Clapton. Released on Money And Cigarettes in 1983, the song has had a recent boost in popularity thanks to its use in a cell phone commercial.

75:00 Runtime

"Dear Prudence"

The Beatles

Mark Brennan returns to JamPlay with a song lesson for "Dear Prudence" by The Beatles. Originally released on the famous White Album, this song was written about Prudence Farrow.

72:55 Runtime

"Blackbird"

The Beatles

Mark Brennan returns to his Phase 3 lesson set with a lesson on the classic Beatles tune "Blackbird." This is a somewhat simple, but elegant fingerstyle acoustic arrangement that chronicles the struggles of the civil rights movement.

28:13 Runtime

"Rocky Raccoon"

The Beatles

Mark Brennan returns with another song for his Phase 3 series. In this lesson, he tackles the Beatles tune "Rocky Raccoon." This is The Beatles' attempt at a bit of humor and some country western flair.

22:31 Runtime

Title	Detail	Genre	Runtime
Pentatonic Pull-off Lick	Mark Brennan demonstrates a nifty pull-off riff based...	Rock Lead	3:17
Double Stop Pentatonic Lick	Mark Brennan offers up a minor pentatonic lick that...	Rock Lead	3:08
Mellow Blues Riff	Mark teaches you a soft, mellow blues rhythm riff in...	Blues Rhythm	3:45
Bluesy Comping Riff in A Minor	Mark delivers a cool comping riff in A minor. He blends...	Blues Rhythm	4:16

Learn more about Mark Brennan

Mark Brennan, born August 12th, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio, began playing guitar at the age of 10. His first influences were from the Ventures and the British Invasion, especially the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Shortly afterwards he was playing in rock bands with his brother on drums, developing his ear by learning songs straight from records. Playing in a band became a passion. Mark Brennan, born August 12th, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio, began playing guitar at the age of 10. His first influences were from the Ventures and the British Invasion, especially the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Shortly afterwards he was playing in rock bands with his brother on drums, developing his ear by learning songs straight from records. Playing in a band became a passion.

In high school, he grew to love acoustic and classical guitar. He spent time playing acoustic music, influenced by The Eagles, CSN, Dan Folgelberg, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, etc. In the 70's, he headed a very popular Cleveland band, The Brennan-Cosma Band, which played a variety of acoustic and rock music, along with originals. He also took up classicalguitar, and began developing his fingerstyle technique.

Mark is a graduate of Cleveland State University (1980), with a Bachelor of Music in Classical guitar performance. He also studied Music Composition, and took many Music Education classes. After graduation, he began his private teaching career, teaching electric, acoustic, and classical guitar, along with music theory. He taught in various studios and guitar shops throughout his career, and currently has a private practice at his home in Fairview Park, Ohio.

In the 80's Mark took an affection to Progressive rock. With his band Polyphony, he was influenced by the music of Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, Styx, along with a set of prog rock originals.

Currently, Mark is in the regionally successful Pink Floyd tribute band Wish You Were Here. The band performs faithful renderings of the Floyd classics spanning their entire catalog, along with a strong visual stage show. Here, Mark displays his command of the David Gilmour style.

Mark is excited to be part of JamPlay.com's fine roster of teachers. He's looking forward to extending his 35 years of performing and teaching experience to the JamPlay members. His philosophy is about developing a passion for guitar and being the best musician you can be; being true to yourself and developing a personal style, and truly expressing your heart through your music.

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Recent Courses & Releases

Mark Brennan

Mark is a Guitar instructor at JamPlay.com

Mark Brennan's contribution to JamPlay

Beginner 29 Lessons

Songs 12 Lessons

Licks & Riffs 4 Licks

Entertain 2 Videos

Biography Read Up

Basic Electric Guitar

Series Intro - Guitar Parts and Tuning

Amplification

Using Tablature and Learning the Fretboard

Right Hand Technique

Left Hand Technique

Natural Notes in the 1st Position

The C Major Scale - 1st Position

Chords in C major - Part 1

Chords in C major - Part 2

Power Chord Primer

Open Position Minor Pentatonic

Blues Scale Basics with Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Vibrato

Movable Power Chords

Rhythmic Notation Part 1

The Key of G Major

Chords of G Major

The Key of D Major

Chords in D Major

More Movable Power Chords & the Circle of Fifths

The Movable Minor Pentatonic Scale

The Minor Blues Scale Transposed to A

Blues Boogie Shuffle

Amplification Part Two

Introduction To Improvisation

The Key of A Minor

Two Movable Major Chord Forms