Rock Guitar Lessons
Welcome to the section dedicated to rock guitar lessons. These lessons encompass those techniques most frequently used by rock and rock an roll style guitar players. Subjects such as power chords, palm muting, sweep picking, and rock style chord progressions are covered in this section
Me And Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin
In this lesson we will be learning Me And Bobby McGee on acoustic guitar. The song consists of a simple 3 chord progression that switches keys about half way through. It starts in the key of G playing G, C, and D chords. The key change is to A using A, E, and D chords. The most challenging part about this tune is the intro strumming pattern.
Song Difficulty: 3
Angus Young Style Solo Lick
We will be studying a lick in A pentatonic minor in the style of Angus Young from AC/DC.
Rumble by Link Wray
In this lesson we will be learning the instrumental Rumble by Link Wray. The song consists of just 4 chords and a descending pentatonic minor riff in the key of E. The 3 chords used are D, E, A, and B7.
Song Difficulty: 2
Power Chords Revisited
This lesson explores how to play power chords differently using a 4th interval sound.
Power Chords and Riffs
This lesson shows you ways to combine power chords and single note riffs similar to ACDC, and ZZ Top. You will also learn a few chord exercises.
ACDC Style Chord Progressions
In this lesson you will learn some chord progressions in the style of ACDC.
Beefing Up the Power Chord
In this lesson we will be learning a different approach to the power chord by adding the 5th interval on the bottom of the chord. This is commonly used in hard rock styles and several examples are given.
The Palm Mute
In this lesson you will learn the technique of palm muting and how to apply it to your playing.
The Jimi Hendrix Chord
This lesson covers the Dom 9 chord and the Dom 7#9 chord made famous in rock music by Jimi Hendrix.
Embellishing the Major chord Hendrix style
In this lesson we will learn some cool riffs to embellish the Major chord. This is in the style of Jimi Hendrix, SRV, and many bluesy players
Sweep Picking 101
This is an introduction to sweep picking technique. The lesson covers the basic concept and uses a common A minor and A major arpeggio fingering as an example to practice.
Sweep Picking C Shape Arpeggio
In this lesson we will learn another sweep friendly arpeggio pattern based on the C CAGED shape chord. We will learn both the major and minor shape.
Sweep Picking Exercise
In this lesson we are going to combine the A and C chord shape arpeggio forms into one exercise. This will help you improve your ability to move from one position to another as you sweep pick through a series of arpeggios.
2 and 3 String Sweep Picking
In this lesson we will learn some 2 and 3 string sweep picking patterns in the style of Randy Rhoads and other rock guitarists.
Chord Tensions
In this lesson we will discover chord tensions using open strings and common chord shapes.
Basic Finger Tapping
This lesson is an intro to finger tapping technique. Finger tapping is a technique where you use your pick hand to hammer on and pull off notes on the neck. The technique has been made popular by the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and many more.
Pentatonic Style of Eric Johnson
In this lesson we will study some pentatonic licks in the style of Eric Johnson.
Eric Johnson Style Pedal Tone
In this lesson we will learn a pedal tone lick from Eric Johnson's Cliffs Of Dover.
Extending the Major Chord
In this lesson we will learn to extend the major chord with the 9th interval. This Major 9 sound has been used by many from Prince to Pearl Jam,