Truefire's Guitabulary

McErlain shows you one of Chris's more twisted blues pieces, played on open-tuned Dobro. Chris describes it as Bukka White meets Thelonius Monk. Need we say more? Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=2042 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Burrell's funky comping powers many of the best late 50s and 60s beatnik-jazz records. Andy Ellis helps you summon this late-night mood by using the comping moves in this rhythm figure. Played at faster tempos and with a tighter feel, the lower line is the foundation for '50s rock and and much of '60s soul and honky tonk. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=2398 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

It's an amazing sight. Armed exclusively with a twangy 6-string resonator-an instrument most audience members associate with the likes of Son House and accompanied by a pumping drums-and-bass rhythm section, the lanky, tattooed, 6'2" Eric Sardinas delivers a fast-paced set of adrenaline-drenched blues. But because Sardinas cranks through a Rivera half-stack and displays a penchant for crunchy, feedback-laced tones, his wicked solos evoke Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman, even as they pay homage to Charley Patton and Elmore James. An hour before show time, the soft-spoken Sardinas sat with GP, sharing his techniques and demonstrating the slide riffs he used on his latest album, Black Pearls. Produced and mixed by the legendary Eddie Kramer, the disc is packed with taut grooves and snarling resonator tones. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=5632 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

She's not only an enchanting singer and superb songwriter, but Joni Mitchell is also an outstanding player and master of open tunings. This lesson from Andy Ellis, explores her penchant for open tunings, and details how she uses these tunings to spur inspirations for songs including how she developed the classic riff for "Big Yellow Taxi" out of open D. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1222 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Few guitarists become so strongly identified with a genre of music as John Lee Hooker and his timeless boogie. Hooker laid down his share of classics, such as "Boogie Chillen" (a.k.a. "Boogie Chillun"), "I'm in the Mood," and "Boom Boom," and inspired a host of musicians to elaborate on his insistent, hypnotic themes. ZZ Top ("La Grange"), one-hit wonder Norman Greenbaum ("Spirit in the Sky"), Booker T. & the MG's ("Green Onions"), Stevie Wonder ("Higher Ground"), and even Steely Dan ("Black Friday") are among those who paid homage to Hooker by reworking his swampy riffage. Andy Ellis guides your Hooker tour. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=6203 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Even metal icons like Metallica's Kirk Hammett go searching for the roots. This lesson deals with his recent interest in the blues and how using blues style can add emotional heft to your hard-rock solos. Instead of just shredding through modes and scales, Hammett is interested in phrasing and bends. Fig. 1 is a cool blues-rock lick that you can master and include in metal solos. One among several. 3120, Achtung Baby!, (The Sound & The Fury/Kirk Hammett). When you're a rocker and you get up in front of people, there ain't a thing wrong with doing handstands. Show off, babe. Jimmy Brown demonstrates three of Hammett's favorite ways to put the achtung' in his solos: killer bends, repeated speed licks and other ways to get the crowd's attention away from their beer and on you. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1776 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

When most guitarists think of the Allman Brothers Band, the image usually held in their minds is that of the late, great slide master Duane Allman. While Duane was a peerless icon of the electric blues, his counterpart in the Allmans' potent twin-guitar assault, Dickey Betts, was equally responsible for the group's innovative sound. Betts injected the band with a healthy dose of jazz and country, and was the major architect of the Allmans' extended in-concert improvisational forays. Protracted instrumentals such as "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "Jessica" showcase Betts' stellar mastery of theme and variation. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=6327 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Want to be a better player? Of course we all do. That's why we practice. So why does it seem like all that practice time isn't paying off? It could be because you're not practicing the right stuff. Guitarists tend to associate the term chops with playing fast. And while technical proficiency is definitely part of the equation, there's a lot more to chops than just burning through scales. To really grab a listener's attention you've got to play with confidence and conviction. You need accuracy, dexterity, and a solid sense of time. The good news is that if you strive for all these things, the speed will come. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1600 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

He's one of the most under-heralded geniuses of the jazz guitar. After cutting his teeth on the NYC bebop scene of the late '40s, and building a rep with vibraphonist Red Norvo, Farlow receded from jazz life to live in a shore town in New Jersey. Pete Wagula's lesson examines the titan's style, with a predilection for chord melody, but an astonishing facility for single-note runs and double stops. Farlow, renowned for his big hands, will test your stretching capabilities. Overall, an invaluable look at one of the all-time greats. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1339 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Rockabilly is a kissin' cousin of Jazz, with twangy tone and playful techniques disguising an often very sophisticated harmonic and melodic structure. Jim Campilongo lays out some of that tricky stuff-arpeggios, altered tones and substitute chords- in clear detail, giving you enough ideas to fuel your playing for weeks to come. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1571 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Chances are good that when Jimi Hendrix was playing timeless blues intros like the one presented in Ex. 1-which is similar to the opening notes of Red House - he wasn't consciously thinking, I'm now fretting the interval of a major sixth for two beats and then moving it down a half-step. But like great blues players before and after him, Hendrix used intervals of major or minor sixths all the time because these grips- when played with passion and conviction-have a mesmerizing, open sound. While Ex. 1 may be one of the most popular sounds in the history of the blues, an equally tasty but less common example of a blues-inflected sixth is shown in Ex. 2. Hendrix sometimes played this lick when approaching the IV chord of a slow 12-bar blues in G. This lick gets its savory flavor from the minor sixth that occurs between E and C, just before C slides down to Bb. To ensure this meaty maneuver has a huge emotional impact, play it not just with your fingers, but also with your heart-as well as a warm, biting tone an

Another one of Andy Ellis' six-string history lessons, this 24-parter looks at slide playing from myriad angles, from Blind Willie Johnson's pocket-knife lick from 1927 to Jeff Beck's violin-like line on Beck's Bolero to Bonnie Raitt's thick-toned finesse. This two-part lesson hits the big names - Duane Allman, Cooder, Clapton, Walsh, Page- along with forefathers like Son House, Elmore James, Tampa Red and Robert Nighthawk. This stuff'll keep you busy for months. And if you haven't started sliding yet, this lesson is a perfect entry point. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1164 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Another one of Andy Ellis' six-string history lessons, this 24-parter looks at slide playing from myriad angles, from Blind Willie Johnson's pocket-knife lick from 1927 to Jeff Beck's violin-like line on Beck's Bolero to Bonnie Raitt's thick-toned finesse. This two-part lesson hits the big names - Duane Allman, Cooder, Clapton, Walsh, Page- along with forefathers like Son House, Elmore James, Tampa Red and Robert Nighthawk. This stuff'll keep you busy for months. And if you haven't started sliding yet, this lesson is a perfect entry point. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1163 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Although he has known fame as a rock star, Eric Clapton has always remained planted in the blues. Here, Andy Ellis examines nine prime Clapton-isms, from a typical Bluesbreakers turnaround to the slippery bite of his Cream stuff to the stinging roots feel of his work with Derek and the Dominoes. Besides picking the pocket of one of the all-time greats, this lesson will help you add melodic interest to the blues scale. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1655 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Many guitarists know how to play barre chords, yet few tap into all of the magic a 1st-finger barre can offer. Great players often use the 1st finger like a mobile capo, holding down two or more strings while the other three fingers create riffs and chords. Shane Theriot teaches you Star Barre examples from Keith Richards, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Allan Holdsworth. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=4128 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Keith Wyatt explores the Memphis sound from the axe of Steve Cropper, who was the guitarist for Booker T and the MGs. First, he fleshes out the rhythm part of the classic Green Onions' by adapting the keyboard counter melody to go along with the bass line. Then, on Fig. 2, it's time for nasty, grits-and-gravy funk, working a bass line with syncopated chord figures. Relax your right arm, Keith encourages, and go for the pure soul. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1847 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

With his stinging, soulful solos and flawless pocket, Robben Ford has an uncanny knack for making complex music seem simple. Conversely, the guitarist can elevate a mundane one-chord vamp into something divine. Perhaps this is because Ford has successfully tackled so many genres. What has Ford learned from all of his musical adventures? We're all playing the same things, he explains to our instructor for the day, Jude Gold. To prove that common threads abound in music, Ford will take a I-VI-II-V progression and show that whether it's played with a doo-wop group's simplicity or a bebop pianist's extended chords and slick substitutions, the underlying vibe is the same-just one more universal phrase in the language of music. Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=4002 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

Revered as one of the best firebrand lead guitarists to ever strap on a Strat, Hendrix was also an innovative rhythm guitarist. Joe examines Jimi's chordal sensibilities, the likes of which you hear on quieter tunes like Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand," Have You Ever Been To Electric Ladyland and others. Hendrix took the standardized rhythm guitar language of R&B and mutated it into weird, wondrous new shapes. This lush, beautiful stuff from Joe Gore will spice up your ballad playing and color up your rhythm chops! Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=1696 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).

There's one fistful of notes that never gets old, it's the blues scale. Once it finds its way into the hands of a young, inspired guitarist, it typically stays there for a lifetime. Though the blues scale is timeless, many players yearn for ways to import new melodic colors into their blues-based solos. The simplest way to do this is to change one note of the blues scale, resulting in a soulful sound you may have heard in the playing of Hollywood Fats, Duke Robillard, Charlie Christian, and Larry Carlton-a sound often referred to as the voodoo blues scale. Steve Trovato serves up a little voodoo here! Tab, notation and Power Tab files available at http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&item=4862 (log-in to access streaming audio and files).