Your Secret Stash Of Licks You Don't Know You Already Know...
Other Videos In This Series...
Video 1 – The 3 Best Blues Rhythms To Play Hundreds Of SongsDownloads
Download This Video (MP4)Mac users should use the MP4 version. Also works on Windows computers with iTunes.
- Download This Video (WMV)
Windows users should use the WMV version.
Jam Track In EThis is the jam track I was playing over.
The TAB For This LessonThe TAB for this lesson
54 Comments
Mike Pfeiffer
November 20, 2014Thank You so much for taking the time to record these videos. You are one of the best teachers I have found. I will be looking into more of your materials. Mike
ACEDRAGON
January 13, 2024I never get nervous playing in front of a lot of people. I played AN AUDIANCE OF OVER 350 AT THE LOS ANGELES FORUM FOR BLACK ROSE. Way back in the 80’s. I had TO LEARN CHERS SONGS BY THIS TECHNICE.
Always nice seeing your old videos from California. Just wish I could play like I did back then. left shoulder rotator cup damage.
THANKS, GRIFF.
Renzo Alessandrini
November 20, 2014Thanks for being the first guy who’s inspired me to learn a few basic blues tricks that I can apply when people ask me to do ‘blues stuff’ at a gig or party. I too will look forward to seeing more of you in the nearby future I hope…Renzo
Regina
May 13, 2021Excellent!! Thank you…it all makes sense.
Dave Swanson
November 22, 2014That’s a great way to put it. Thanks for helping me ,Griff. I first saw one of your lessons a couple years ago,and you still inspire me. Thanks. Love it
Ernie Cook
November 22, 2014This has been very helpful. Thank you.
Dave Beltran
April 29, 2016HEY,that was aKickOn the fret board
thanks a lot!
YourFriend,
Dave
larry d. toronto
November 23, 2014You seem to know ahead what we need next in our playing. This has really improved my feel. I am more fluidly connected (not robotic) and immersed in the song. The singing for me was the missing ingredient. Lyrics with the lessons (and melody)
has been very helpful. With great thanks.
Bruce R. Johnson
November 25, 2014Thanks for your lessons, Griff. You seem to be 1 of the best tutors of the Blues I have ever seen. Downloaded videos & now need to go practice them.
Hope to receive more of of your tutorials in the future.
Geoff Clegg
November 26, 2014Fantastic as always – Great presentation -Thanks Griff
Geoff Clegg
November 26, 2014Fantastic as always – great presentation – Thanks Griff
Diane Voyentzie
June 12, 2015This was another good lesson! Thanks for your generosity!
Karen Gillespie
June 12, 2015thanks for all you do. i have learned so much already. so, here’s my question: do you have anything for blues bass? by nature, i’m a bass player. i’m schooled in classic country, some rockabilly, and when i hear that blues bass, i really feel it. do you have any bass tracks for the blues styles and scales that are played behind your jam tracks?
John Strickland
June 12, 2015Video one was easy and I enjoyed it. Video two made my stomach churn (fear) I will get the nerve to try it later today. Video three was great and I will master this one. Thanks for your dedication and help to all us wanta-bees.
Paul Hachey
June 12, 2015Thanks so much Griff; you not only teach you have a knack for making us WANT to learn & utilize what your showing us!!! Keep the good stuff coming and bringing out the WANT to in all of us!
don carmen
June 13, 2015I AM LOOKING FOR EXPRESSION. YOU HELP IN A VERY REAL WAY. LUV YA MAN.
Aedenn Rowan
June 13, 2015G’day Griff – man, these videos are like manna from heaven! I finally get it! Just jammin’ along with you and actually playing around with the concepts. Absolutely the most relaxing thing to do while learning the most!! Thanxs heaps old son, from the Blue Mountains of Australia.
michael samaritano
June 13, 2015I play every weekend in sacramento ca and I use all of these ideas you are a very good teacher your explanations are wonderful I always get something good from you to use on my gigs
Dan
December 30, 2015Excellent teaching Griff!
Learned more in these three vids than a whole year elsewhere!
What do you use for transcribing music? I’d like to transcribe ideas quickly but haven’t found anything good to do it with.
Dan
Kevin
August 25, 2022Dan,
I have been using a program that works really well for transcribing anything I might need. It’s called “Finale Notepad”. I have the 2012 edition which just lets you know how long I’ve been using it. What I particularly like about it is that when you go to put the notes on the staffed sheet, it plays the note, sounds it out, in whatever instrument you have chosen to write it in. That way you can actually hear what you are humming. I find that especially helpful when I have a tune in my head that I am humming and want to save it or transcribe it for later use. There is a small learning curve in using it but it is merciful in that you can click something and easily change it back, if it isn’t what you needed. Give it a try. Good luck and have fun with it!
Rob Jones
December 30, 2015Griff, I’ve been playing for 30 years or so, and one thing I’ve learned is that you never stop learning. Playing blues in Chicago, I’m constantly listening to other guitarists, pros and amateurs, for new ideas.
Your videos are most helpful in this regard. I look forward to each video, and always learn something new. Thanks for the time and effort you put into sharing your knowledge with your fellow musicians.
Hurley
December 31, 2015Griff,
Very good idea. Something that people don’t think to do. And yes, I’ve gone blank when some one sys, hey play something.
Tom
January 1, 2016Thanks Griff great lesson. Could you help with a lead on a 4 cord pattern like C-Am-F-G for some reason I can’t find a fit just having one.
Johnno
January 1, 2016Your soloing idea was pretty obvious……after I heard you explain it. It’s a differenct angle and think it’s the answer to my mindless meandering scales problem. Thanks lot the original tip; although I think Carlos Santana said something similar about his soloing method.
BlueRick
January 1, 2016Using the vocal melody of a song is a tried and true strategy and jumping off point for soloing. I’ve been doing it for years…and so has just about every other guitar player/soloist at one point or another. I thank Griff for reminding us….
kado sodiq
April 23, 2016Sir, you are very great am improving with your lessons. Though am not fluent yet.
Dom
April 23, 2016Exelent for folk,s who think they cant sing!
tony
April 23, 2016i got WOWED when young. a friend started playing the song wendy that way and been hooked ever since . it was not just the minor pentatonic scale he was using i think. c ya
Danny Deliicfunk Brack
April 23, 2016Man you are truly an inspiration to anyone attempting or seriously interested in developing guitar skills. I have been receiving your outstanding videos for a few month now, although I have not taking my guitar practice 100 percent serious, I have notice that once I start observing your videos, somehow I always come
out a bit more inspired to continue learning. Thanks a Billion for the great online video lessons, and PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING.
Respectively
Danny Deliicfunk.
jim
April 23, 2016T.V. Theme Songs?! Really?! Me, too! I once tried to write a medley in my teens, but didn’t know enough basics (scales/boxes)
to even know where to start. I did see Herb Ellis & Barney Kessel play “The Flintstones” live in S.F. years ago…Great fun!
Thanks for another great lesson! Really need to improve my ear.
ChrisGSP
April 24, 2016Hi Jim, you reminded me – Herb and Barney toured with Charlie Byrd as The Great Guitars. They came to Australia 3 or 4 times and I saw them every time. Fantastic players and great guys. Do you know that Herb actually recorded The Flintstones Theme? It’s on a Concord LP from about 1975 with Ray Brown and Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, called Soft Shoe – and yes, I’ve got it and I still play it occasionally. Herb was from the Dallas area and he could play some pretty good blues.
Michael Johnson
April 23, 2016Hola, yes thanks so much, you will have to come to El Salvador sometime as my guest
it is wide open there also for any gringo musicians
thanks again so much
Lonnie6a
April 23, 2016Griff you know this is a great video lesson but by the way do you have any courses on playing southern gospel . just asking because I would definitely be interested in this course
billski
April 23, 2016thanks my friend as always a great and informative vid will take this one a long way
luis correa
April 24, 2016Very beautiful explanation clear as the water, I would like to learn more about playing jazz and how to improvise. Thank you so much cze you are a great help.
Luis
Rich
April 24, 2016When you say in “E” & in “A”, 12th & 5th frets respectively, those would be Eminor/A minor box 1……right?
DIANE GEISE
April 24, 2016Thank you so much for the lesson. I loved it. It really help me so much.
billy
April 25, 2016good
Kenny Blakey1===
April 25, 2016Thank you for the lesson and the tabs too. My ear isn’t what you could say in tune.
Tom
November 9, 2016A great lesson, thanks again Griff. As always you keep it simple and that is where it is every time
Bob
November 9, 2016Thanks for a great lesson. I think it was Happy Traum who said “If a blues guitarist you will be, learn to play the melody”. I wondered when you would have something like this lesson.
Craig Miller
November 9, 2016This is probably the most critical topic for me and where I’m at with my music. I know scales and theory from both guitar ans saxophone but when it comes to soloing or improvising with either instrument I tend to, as Griff says, just noodle around lost
Len Lawson
November 9, 2016Hi Griff,Thanks this is very helpful,Len.
Len Lawson
November 9, 2016Hi Griff, Thanks this is very helpful.Len
Louis Ogden
November 10, 2016Great idea for increasing my “vocabulary” of licks. Thanks for all you do, Griff!
Gene Rife
November 10, 2016Griff, this is really great.I feel like I am getting it.Thank you .Gene
Will G.
November 10, 2016Holy Heck and Hallelujah! It actually works!
Ray Couzens
November 10, 2016Hi Griff
I’ve been a student of yours since last fall, starting off with beginner package, but I’ve purchased a number of other courses of yours when they came on sale. I finally moved on to the BGU series last night – not that I don’t play almost daily but I am very busy doing other things including collecting around 35 guitars, 7 amps, 11 pedals plus a big board and a serious collection of magazines and music related books. Most of the guitars need work, repairs and or upgrades with a view to resale. I figure at least a five year backlog. I began playing as a youngster in the UK on a uke, then a banjelele, then a solid body strat type. Huge Hank Marvin fan. Never got very good and eventually sold everything including my Shadows vinyl collection. Moved to Canada in 1975 then the US in 1995. Finding myself on a long term long distance work gig in CT last year I splurged on a Peavy ES335 clone and a spyder modeling amp to occupy myself evenings and weekends. Since then I find I have G.A.S. pretty bad but am having a lot of fun.
One thing related to this post of yours is that I have the hardest time recalling a melody – I get one or two stuck in my head and can’t seem to load anything else. My workaround is just to search for it on youtube or in my own collection and listen. One question though, how do you find an appropriate jam track? What search criteria would work best. Lastly I would just like to let you know I find your teaching style pleasantly effective. I also enjoy Steve Trevato, Tim Pierce, Marty Music and Steve Stine.
Jim P
October 12, 2019Thanks Griff. Thanks again for presenting the music theory behind how and why this all works. It’s great you demonstrated this with known blues songs as well. You are really providing a generous gift to students of the guitar.
Brandon Haydel
June 1, 2020Thanks Griff I’m getting ready to grab my guitar and try them out. Thanks for video’s.B
phillip norman
October 5, 2020Ta fella.
Hope everyone well.
Phil
Paul Spiel
October 10, 2020thx Griff, good lessons
Christopher
December 27, 2020Hi Griff,
This is good stuff. Thanks for posting. I found this short interview with Eric Clapton about soloing. He said, “I just start signing……” https://youtu.be/VWYps2c0tM0
Dan
July 3, 2021I learned this lesson, when I decided that if I want to sit in a jam, I ought to be able to play with any blues song. So I put on the Blues channel or some large collection of blues songs on Youtube and just started playing along with whatever was on. It helped me immensely, especially in quickly determining the key, and if it was a major or minor sound. And as Griff says, you learn you already have a secret stash of licks you didn’t even know. This was my practice routine for a couple of years and I enjoy doing it.