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

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

View the Lesson
Angus Young Style Solo Lick

Angus Young Style Solo Lick

We will be studying a lick in A pentatonic minor in the style of Angus Young from AC/DC.
View the Lesson
Rumble by Link Wray

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

View the Lesson
Power Chords Revisited

Power Chords Revisited

This lesson explores how to play power chords differently using a 4th interval sound.
View the Lesson
Power Chords and Riffs

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.
View the Lesson
ACDC Style Chord Progressions

ACDC Style Chord Progressions

In this lesson you will learn some chord progressions in the style of ACDC.
View the Lesson
Beefing Up the Power Chord

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.
View the Lesson
The Palm Mute

The Palm Mute

In this lesson you will learn the technique of palm muting and how to apply it to your playing.
View the Lesson
The Jimi Hendrix Chord

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.
View the Lesson
Drop D Tuning

Drop D Tuning

This lesson scratches the surface of playing in Drop D tuning.
View the Lesson
Embellishing the Major chord Hendrix style

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
View the Lesson
Sweep Picking 101

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.
View the Lesson
Sweep Picking C Shape Arpeggio

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.
View the Lesson
Sweep Picking Exercise

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.
View the Lesson
2 and 3 String Sweep Picking

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.
View the Lesson
Chord Tensions

Chord Tensions

In this lesson we will discover chord tensions using open strings and common chord shapes.
View the Lesson
Basic Finger Tapping

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.
View the Lesson
Volume Swells

Volume Swells

In this lessons we will learn a technique called volume swell.
View the Lesson
Pentatonic Style of Eric Johnson

Pentatonic Style of Eric Johnson

In this lesson we will study some pentatonic licks in the style of Eric Johnson.
View the Lesson
Eric Johnson Style Pedal Tone

Eric Johnson Style Pedal Tone

In this lesson we will learn a pedal tone lick from Eric Johnson's Cliffs Of Dover.
View the Lesson
Extending the Major Chord

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,
View the Lesson