NEW IMPROVED LESSONS BY MAIL
We're very pleased to announce new and improved "Lessons By Mail". We are updating all lessons with NEW DESCRIPTIONS as well as PREVIEW CLIPS to help you better understand what each lesson entails. Also, we are updating the lessons with a RATING SYSTEM from 1-10 (1 being the most basic and 10 being the most advanced). We've also included suggestions for lessons that we think work well together or should be considered next.
B Flat Blues Concepts
Finally, “break out of the box”! Expand your musical horizons and take your blues playing to the next level. In this multi-tiered lesson, the intermediate/Advanced level guitarist will learn how to successfully and effortlessly “nail the changes” by utilizing a unique triad approach. After struggling with modes myself (while listening in awe to Charlie Christian and Jimmie Rivers) I discovered applying simple triads to target chord tones. In this lesson, the basic triads are played over a jazz chord progression in B flat that are easy to memorize and to begin the platform of self expression without struggling to keep track of the changes. The next part of this lesson, the more advanced tier - will guide the guitarist through a sophisticated and user friendly blues lead line over the B flat chord progression. This solo incorporates not only the triad approach but also many blues concepts and techniques familiar to most players. This is a very popular lesson that helps blues guitarists “break out of the box” and a lesson that should provide a lifetime of improvisational ideas. See testimonials http://jimcampilongo.com/lessons/testimonials.php.
Difficultly: 4-7 (Recommended that the student be familiar with basic jazz chords and the blues scale– A great follow up lesson for the student who has taken Playing the Blues Nailing the Changes. Proceed on to Blues in F, How's it Going?, Not Much, Bill Jennings' Solo on Bill Doggett's "Big Boy", Bryants Bounce, I Got Rhythm Changes.
Chet Song (Main Street Breakdown)
My favorite kind of songs ... sound hard, but easy to play! A fun and user friendly introduction into Chet Atkins style that will benefit players of all levels. In this lesson the guitarist will learn Chet’s Main Street Breakdown which incorporates some easy to apply hybrid picking (pick and middle). The second part of the lesson will demonstrate how to incorporate various soloing and improvisational ideas over the chord structure of the tune. We then delve into solo concepts which incorporate the often overlooked .... major scale! We also include a practical and easy to digest study of 3rds and 6ths, all while creating catchy and memorable melodies that maintain the feel and spirit of the song. A great lesson for players of all levels.
Difficulty level: 3-10. Some fingerpicking and a few quick pull offs that should not prove too difficult.Proceed to Tennessee Waltz, Twister, Wishful Thinking, Country Lead, Mr Sandman, Steel Guitar and Beyond.
Country Lead in G
Country lead in G offers five choruses of hot country style lead lines over a the classic progression of G-C-D7. This lesson incorporates a large variety of lead techniques including hot doublestops, chicken picking, behind the nut bending, sweep picking, dramatic descending riffs and more… all in the context of tightly constructed melodic phrases that are guaranteed to be a launching point for your own creative lead playing ideas. This is a fun, lick filled lesson that can expand your guitar horizons and show your band - you've been practicing!
Difficultly: 4-8 Intermediate – advanced. A great follow up to Playing the Blues Nailing the Changes, Proceed to Twister, Chet Song, Wishful Thinking , Country Soul Guitar Mr Sandman, Steel Guitar 101 and Beyond, Too Far Gone
Over the Rainbow Chord Melody
Learn the chord melody of the timeless classic while having fun. An excellent piece for any guitarist looking to add new depth and color to their musical pallet in the form of sophisticated yet fairly easy to grasp pretty chord voicings. Playing a chord melody is an inspiring, useful form of musical expression that can dramatically and positively affect the student’s playing while expanding your performance repertoire. In addition to the straight chord melody is a Freddie Green style rhythm that is also easy to incorporate and a load of fun to play!
Difficulty level: 3-8 (For students with rudimentary knowledge of jazz chords or for students looking for a good introduction to alternative chord voicings. Recommended as a follow up to Understanding Voice Leading ii V I vi with a "constant top"... then follow up with Stardust, Polkadots and Moonbeams, When You Wish Upon a Star, Smoke Get's in Your Eyes, Danny Boy...
B Flat Blues Concepts
Finally, “break out of the box”! Expand your musical horizons and take your blues playing to the next level. In this multi-tiered lesson, the intermediate/Advanced level guitarist will learn how to successfully and effortlessly “nail the changes” by utilizing a unique triad approach. After struggling with modes myself (while listening in awe to Charlie Christian and Jimmie Rivers) I discovered applying simple triads to target chord tones. In this lesson, the basic triads are played over a jazz chord progression in B flat that are easy to memorize and to begin the platform of self expression without struggling to keep track of the changes. The next part of this lesson, the more advanced tier - will guide the guitarist through a sophisticated and user friendly blues lead line over the B flat chord progression. This solo incorporates not only the triad approach but also many blues concepts and techniques familiar to most players. This is a very popular lesson that helps blues guitarists “break out of the box” and a lesson that should provide a lifetime of improvisational ideas. See testimonials http://jimcampilongo.com/lessons/testimonials.php.
Difficultly: 4-7 (Recommended that the student be familiar with basic jazz chords and the blues scale– A great follow up lesson for the student who has taken Playing the Blues Nailing the Changes. Proceed on to Blues in F, How's it Going?, Not Much, Bill Jennings' Solo on Bill Doggett's "Big Boy", Bryants Bounce, I Got Rhythm Changes.
Chet Song (Main Street Breakdown)
My favorite kind of songs ... sound hard, but easy to play! A fun and user friendly introduction into Chet Atkins style that will benefit players of all levels. In this lesson the guitarist will learn Chet’s Main Street Breakdown which incorporates some easy to apply hybrid picking (pick and middle). The second part of the lesson will demonstrate how to incorporate various soloing and improvisational ideas over the chord structure of the tune. We then delve into solo concepts which incorporate the often overlooked .... major scale! We also include a practical and easy to digest study of 3rds and 6ths, all while creating catchy and memorable melodies that maintain the feel and spirit of the song. A great lesson for players of all levels.
Difficulty level: 3-10. Some fingerpicking and a few quick pull offs that should not prove too difficult.Proceed to Tennessee Waltz, Twister, Wishful Thinking, Country Lead, Mr Sandman, Steel Guitar and Beyond.
Country Lead in G
Country lead in G offers five choruses of hot country style lead lines over a the classic progression of G-C-D7. This lesson incorporates a large variety of lead techniques including hot doublestops, chicken picking, behind the nut bending, sweep picking, dramatic descending riffs and more… all in the context of tightly constructed melodic phrases that are guaranteed to be a launching point for your own creative lead playing ideas. This is a fun, lick filled lesson that can expand your guitar horizons and show your band - you've been practicing!
Difficultly: 4-8 Intermediate – advanced. A great follow up to Playing the Blues Nailing the Changes, Proceed to Twister, Chet Song, Wishful Thinking , Country Soul Guitar Mr Sandman, Steel Guitar 101 and Beyond, Too Far Gone
Over the Rainbow Chord Melody
Learn the chord melody of the timeless classic while having fun. An excellent piece for any guitarist looking to add new depth and color to their musical pallet in the form of sophisticated yet fairly easy to grasp pretty chord voicings. Playing a chord melody is an inspiring, useful form of musical expression that can dramatically and positively affect the student’s playing while expanding your performance repertoire. In addition to the straight chord melody is a Freddie Green style rhythm that is also easy to incorporate and a load of fun to play!
Difficulty level: 3-8 (For students with rudimentary knowledge of jazz chords or for students looking for a good introduction to alternative chord voicings. Recommended as a follow up to Understanding Voice Leading ii V I vi with a "constant top"... then follow up with Stardust, Polkadots and Moonbeams, When You Wish Upon a Star, Smoke Get's in Your Eyes, Danny Boy...
Comments
A fun and practical application of the pentatonic scales and the blues scale up & down the fingerboard. Eliminate those "dead zones"!
Included for application are some tasty blues rhythms and lead lines that are easy to memorize and easily applicable in countless "real" playing situations.
Also included in "Playing the Blues" is a valuable study in string bending with exercises for application – a tried and proven way to simultaneously improve your technique and your ear.
In addition, the lesson includes an original 12 bar blues entitled “Blues For Elmore” that incorporates many ideas and concepts from the lesson while providing the student with a grab bag of fun an easily accessible licks. A perfect lesson for both the beginning guitarist with some rudimentary knowledge of the blues and for intermediate players who are looking to gain fluency and freedom on the fingerboard while ultimately, expressing the blues.
Difficulty level: 3-5 Proceed to Playing the Blues - Nailing the Changes
Playing the Blues – Nailing the Changes
This lick filled lesson continues where “Playing the Blues” finishes by demonstrating how to nail the changes of a 12 bar blues in G (G7 C7 D7). This is a succinct and precise lesson chock full of useful tips and tricks that should easily result in immediate and dramatic results.
Utilizing a unique triad approach the student will be instructed on how to gracefully and effortlessly play expressive transitions over a standard blues progression. The student is walked through a bending exercise that demonstrates how to “bend the changes” and how to work some passing tones into a lead line. Working through the exercise will hone your ear and develop accuracy and subtlety in your bending technique as well as open you up to a world of creative expression.
Difficulty – 3-8 Proceed to Bb Blues Concepts, F Jazz Blues Concepts
Travis Picking & Beyond
This is a basic/intermediate fingerpicking lesson that I'm very proud of. Although it is a thorough look at basic "folk" styles, it serves as a spring board to hot hybrid picking, country and rockabilly stylings. This lesson is targeted at the guitarist who does not have a background in fingerpicking or for the guitarist who may have some experience but is looking to tighten up their style. Regardless of your skill and experience level, beginner, intermediate, advanced etc., - one sure fire way of taking your playing to the next level. In this lesson we cover 3 easy basic Travis patterns that can be used in a multitude of playing situations. The guitarist will be taught the patterns and then given exercises that help develop speed, dexterity, proficiency and ultimately creative expression. A personal favorite - See testimonialshttp://jimcampilongo.com/lessons/testimonials.php.
Difficultly – 2-7 Good for the guitarist who is brand new to fingerpicking and for the guitarist who has some fingerpicking background who want to hone in their skills. Proceed on to Working Man Blues, That's All Right Mama, Mystery Train.
Twister Note For Note
A Note for Note transcription from Twister on "Heavy". One of the best lessons offered here is Twister Note for Note... In this lesson, the intermediate and advanced guitarist will be guided through some hot Jerry Reed-like doublestops, classic country lines and quirky phrases that are all easier then they sound. We slow down the difficult passages in a way that allows the guitarist to connect with the song on a basic level and then gradually speed things up as necessary. Particular attention to detail is placed on the solo section wherein the student is given a variety of tips and tricks that should be applicable in numerous playing scenarios. This tune is fun to play and should open your music to a whole new world of creative riff writing and lead playing. Applicable to almost any genre.
Difficulty 4-10 Some prior fingerpicking experience helpful, but not necessary. Proceed to Chet Song, Wishful Thinking, Country Lead, Country Soul Guitar Mr Sandman, Steel Guitar 101 and Beyond, Too Far Gone
This mind expanding lesson promises to open up your rhythm and lead playing regardless of your skill level. The first tier of this lesson covers basic chord grips that EVERY guitar player should have at their fingertips.
The next tier of the lesson will teach you how to practice the chords from the first tier of the lesson, by identifying the correct chord using the notes on the 6th and 5th strings of the neck.
The final tier of the lesson delves into the world of voice leading. This advanced portion of the lesson provides a tremendous amount of insight into how to create your own chord melodies. In addition to going over a large number of more advanced chord forms, we will walk through the nuts and bolts of how to “keep a note on top” - create melodic lines in conjunction with logical underlying chord voicings of the ii V I vi progression.
Difficulty – 3-10. An essential lesson that will open up you up to a new world of playing. Consider this a great springboard for most of the lessons offered through Lessons by Mail. Proceed to Over the Rainbow, Smoke Get's in Your Eyes, Danny Boy, Polkadots and Moonbeams, When You Wish Upon a Star, Smoke Get's in Your Eyes, Danny Boy
Yeeeeee-Haaaaaaa!!!
This makes my day. This will be a big help!