Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest rhythm guitar players ever. 

Now sure he came out onstage and did circus stunts like playing guitar solos with his teeth and behind his back. But too often his rhythm playing gets overlooked. 

The truth is, Hendrix changed the game in this area as well. 

He combined the influences of players like Curtis Mayfield and Cornell Dupree and had some of the most beautiful and inventive rhythm guitar playing you’ll ever hear.

Today I want to share an example of this with you in this Wind Cries Mary guitar lesson. 

So grab your guitar and let’s get started!

Who originally wrote The Wind Cries Mary?

"The Wind Cries Mary" is a blues rock ballad written by Jimi Hendrix. He wrote the song as a reconciliatory love song for his girlfriend in London, Kathy Etchingham. The song was originally titled "Katherine" before Hendrix changed it to "The Wind Cries Mary."

This groovy song was recorded at Studio One in London in July 1967....

Few guitarists are able to fuse together the roots of the blues and rock ‘n’ roll better than Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. 

In fact, songs like ‘You Shook Me’, ‘Whole Lotta Love’, ‘Bring It On Home’ and ‘The Lemon Song’, are almost all directly ripped off from old blues classics. 

So it’s safe to say that Page’s style has come straight out of artists like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Willie Dixon…

But he did take their sound and styles to a new place. And played some amazing guitar parts with Led Zeppelin. 

So today, I’m going to share with you one of them…

You’ll learn a great tuning for blues guitar. How to blend bluesy riffs right into your rhythm playing, and even some more advanced concepts about theory, chords, and scales…

So grab your guitar, tune down, and let’s jump into this “Hey Hey What Can I Do” Led Zeppelin...

I’ve noticed over the years often students have a hard time hearing the difference between ARPEGGIO picking and FINGER-picking in a song.

This can be tricky to know and distinguish.

Both techniques can create a similar vibe. However, there is a slight difference in the sound and style with each technique. 

Today I want to share with you an example of arpeggio picking in this “Simple Man” guitar lesson. With hopes that it reinforces this technique in our minds. So we can easily recognize it when it comes up again. PLUS we’ll also take a look at a number of other super valuable techniques you can start using in your guitar playing right away.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive in!

Who Wrote Simple Man?

The song "Simple Man" was written by Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington of the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was released on their debut album, "Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd," which came out in 1973. 

The album also...

Today I want to share with you how I play what is often cited as one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. 

“What song is this?” you may be wondering…

I am talking about “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. 

This epic composition has some INCREDIBLE guitar playing in it. And I am going to be breaking it down from top to bottom in this ultimate Pink Floyd Comfortably Numb guitar lesson.

So grab your guitar, tune-up, and let’s get started! 

Who wrote Comfortably Numb?

"Comfortably Numb" is an iconic song by the British rock band Pink Floyd. The tune was written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour, two of the band's primary songwriters. It was released on Pink Floyd's 1979 album, The Wall. The song is one of the most signature and lasting tracks in the band's catalog.

"Comfortably Numb" has it all, from powerful guitar solos, to haunting lyrics, and emotional depth. It features dual lead vocals, with Waters singing the verses and...

Neil Young was once asked about his perspective on his musical career, and his response was… 

"It's all one song." 

I thought that was an interesting way to look at it…

Now sure he’s had continuous themes and emotions in his vast discography. 

But there are a handful of his tunes that have REALLY resonated with audiences more than others. Ones they’ve latched on to for decades.

And today I want to share one of those with you.

In this lesson, you’ll discover how to combine syncopated rhythms with quick chord changes. How to play folk-style chord embellishments, and even how to add walk-ups and licks in the middle of your rhythm playing.

Plus if you are a singer yourself, or you want to accompany others, this song is a great example of how to do that with just one guitar.

So tune up, and let’s dive into this “Old Man” guitar lesson. 

Who Wrote Old Man? 

"Old Man" is a classic song by Canadian singer-songwriter...

Today I want to share with you a song from the 4th best-selling album of all time. In this “Breathe” Pink Floyd guitar lesson we’ll unpack beautiful lush-sounding chords, how to get a David Gilmour type of guitar tone, arpeggio picking, and even some cool fills you can use to add a splash of lead guitar style to your rhythm playing.

So get all tuned up, and let’s get started!

Breathe Guitar Tone

The guitar tone on “Breathe” is a result of several factors. Here are a few pointers worth mentioning.

Guitars: Gilmour often uses Fender Stratocaster guitars, which has become a signature part of his sound. His preferred Stratocaster during the recording of "The Dark Side of the Moon" was a 1969 Black Fender Stratocaster with a maple neck.

Amplifiers: Gilmour's amplifiers were a crucial element of his tone. During this period, he used a Hiwatt DR103 100-watt head and a WEM (Watkins Electric Music) Custom 4x12 speaker cabinet. The Hiwatt's clean and full...

I’ve never heard any two guitarists play together in a Southern rock style as well as Duane Allman and Dickey Betts. 

Whether it was their harmonized lead guitar lines…Or one holding down some rhythm for the other, the interplay between these two with the Allman Brothers Band was always magical…

So today I’m going to break down both their rhythm and lead guitar approaches in this “Blue Sky” guitar lesson.

So tune up, and let’s get started!

Who Wrote Blues Sky? 

"Blue Sky" was written by guitarist Dickey Betts and was featured on their 1972 album titled Eat a Peach. Betts was known for his contributions as a songwriter and lead guitarist in The Allman Brothers Band, and "Blue Sky" is one of his most celebrated songs.

"Blue Sky" was recorded at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia, USA. Capricorn Sound Studios was a significant recording facility for The Allman Brothers Band and other Southern rock artists of the era.

While...

I’m a guitar nerd. I’ve been obsessed with playing and studying this wonderful instrument for over 25 years. 

And the story I’m about to tell you is the absolute truth, as incredible as it may seem.

It all started one day sitting down in my studio creating a new song lesson for you... 

After countless hours of listening...

I'd figured out the basic chords to this iconic song but something still wasn't right...

Suddenly I had this unusual thought to try changing the tuning...

What happened next was I stumbled upon a magical SECRET...

A SECRET that has not been uncovered for the past 50 years...

Instantly the chords that came from my guitar sounded GLORIOUS...they were lush...like none I've ever played...

What I am about to share with you is incredibly RARE...

In fact, you won't find this ANYWHERE on the internet…  

There is not one single video online that reveals what you are about to see…

But because you are here with me…

Keith Richards said, "Music is a great healer, a great diffuser of things. It's a great way to express yourself." 

I couldn’t agree more. And that’s why today I wanted to share with you a classic Rolling Stones tune that hits on all 3 of these points.

The groove and vibe will give you a healing feeling. 

The lyrics are about diffusing any problems and tensions within a relationship. 

And finally, the chords and solo sections are a great way to express yourself on the guitar.

So tune up, and get ready, as we dive into this “Beast of Burden” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Beast of Burden?

"Beast of Burden" was written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood. The song was recorded for their 1978 album titled Some Girls, which is considered one of the band's most successful and iconic albums.

The recording of "Beast of Burden" took place at the Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris, France, and overdubbed at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles,...

There’s something that I noticed about some of the BIGGEST guitar riffs of all time. I am talking about the fist-pumping anthems you hear played at sports events and ones that seem to hit home with virtually everyone. In fact, when you think about it, it’s kind of a crazy idea. 

What am I talking about?

I am talking about a one-string riff. And despite its simplicity, a well-crafted one-string riff can create a catchy and memorable song. 

Today I want to explore this idea with you in this “Satisfaction” guitar lesson.

So make sure you’re tuned up and let’s get started!

Who wrote Satisfaction

The song "Satisfaction" was primarily written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger, the band's lead vocalist, contributed the lyrics, and Keith Richards, the guitarist, came up with the iconic one-string guitar riff that defines the song. 

The songwriting credit officially goes to "Jagger/Richards," which was the...