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Lessons for Lead Guitar Players! These lessons are a little more advanced than the intermediate and beginner lessons, but we still try to keep them simplified to allow users to fully comprehend the information. Feel free to download, print out, and share the files with other guitar players (and while you are at it, feel free to let others know about our website). We are constantly updating our lessons page so we encourage you to check back often - you don’t want to miss out... NEW LESSONS ADDED - SCROLL DOWN... Lesson #1 – Basic Lead Pattern #1 Just in case you are not familiar with this basic Lead Pattern (minor pentatonic scale) or you need a quick review - we are going to demonstrate it here again. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #2 – The “Blues” Scale Once you are familiar with the first lead pattern (minor pentatonic scale) it’s easy to learn the next type of scale – the “Blues Scales” which adds 1 note to the basic minor pentatonic scale. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #3 – Triplets (open string triplets) Open string triplets are great for leads and fills – a little difficult for the beginner, but with a little practice you will get them down in no time…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #4 – Basic Two Hand Tapping This very basic lesson on two hand tapping will introduce you to a style of playing that Eddie Van Halen put on the map. Once you get this easy riff down, you’ll discover the endless riffs that can come from this style of playing…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #5 – Basic Down-Up-Down / Up-Down-Up Picking This is the picking technique that is mainly used on 3-note per string scales (such as Major, Dorian, and Mixolydian scales). A very important picking technique for all lead guitar players.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #6 – The “Hammer-On” Technique The “hammer-on” is one of the top techniques that is used in all styles of music – very easy to learn, and very effective once you are comfortable with it…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #7 – “Tap Harmonics” - Basics A cool riff to add to leads or to use as fills. It’s easy to learn, and sounds awesome when used correctly. Bend up any note and tap the octave down the fretboard – see the example here…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #8 – The “Pull-Off” Technique Another very important (easy to learn) technique used by lead guitarists in all styles of music. The pull-off is used along with hammer-ons and two hand tapping (also used with chords, and fills), Check it out…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #9 – The "E" String Trick (using the tuning peg) Try this very cool trick that can sound like you are using a “whammy” bar on your guitar. Use wisely…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #10 – Blues Ending Riff - Basic This lesson covers a blues type ending riff that has been used in many styles of music. Basic, but introduces the beginner to another aspect of lead guitar playing. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #11 – The “Vibrato” Technique The “vibrato” technique is the all time favorite of guitarists (all styles of music). The vibrato takes a simple note and adds “flavor” to it – the vibrato is essential to any lead guitar players database…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #12 – The “Trill” Technique The “trill” is yet another very popular technique widely used in all styles of music. The trill can be used on “single notes” and also on “chords” (see lesson #13 for a chord example).
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #13 – Chord “Trills” – Basic Remember “Cat Scratch Fever” from Ted Nugent – the intro uses chord trills (see the video clip for demonstration). Chord trills can be a little tricky at first, but very effective once you get it down. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #14 – Two String Walk (diatonic 6ths) Two string walks (formally called diatonic 6ths) are widely used in all styles of music. Make sure you use the down-up picking technique. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #15 – Bends (Octave Bends) Part 1 Bends are essential for any aspiring lead guitarist. There are many types of bends – we will only cover one type in this lesson... Lesson #16 – Basic Tapping Lesson There are many different riffs used with tapping, we will only show one basic riff here. If you are planning on learning "tapping" this riff will get you started in the right direction.
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Lesson #17 – Blues Riff #2 This lesson will teach you another blues type riff that is very easy to learn. Add this basic riff to your lead playing. Don't forget to download the handout!
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Lesson #18 – Lead Lick #1 This lesson will teach you a basic lead lick (riff) that you can start using right away in your lead playing – Check it out. Don't forget to download the handout!
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Lesson #19 – Lead Lick #2 This lesson will teach you another basic lead lick (riff) that you can start using right away in your lead playing. Don't forget to download the handout!
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Lesson #20 – Lead Lick #3 This lesson will teach you another lead lick (riff) that is also very easy to learn and start using in your lead playing. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT!
Lesson #21 – Lead Lick #4 This lesson will teach you another lead lick (riff) that is easy to learn and add to your lead playing. Don't forget to download the handout!
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Lesson #22 – Toggle Switch "Trick" This lesson will teach you a basic but very cool lead guitar trick using your toggle switch - check it out.
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Lesson #23 – Harmonic Bend "Trick" This lesson will teach you another lead guitar trick that is just a little harder than the previoues trick. Check it out...
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Lesson #24 – Pull-Off Exercise This lesson will teach you a basic Pull-Off exercise that will help increase your pull-off skills. The pull-off is widely used in all styles of music.
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Lesson #25 – Hammer-On Exercise This lesson will teach you a basic Hammer-On exercise that will help increase your hammer-on skills. The hammer-on is used in all styles of music - a must learn riff for all lead guitarists.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #26 – Palm Muting / Lead Riff Example This lesson will show you a basic "Palm Muting" Lead Riff example. Palm Muting is widely used with lead guitar playing.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #27 – Minor Pentatonic Scale over a Chord Progression This is a very good video clip that demonstrates a minor pentatonic scale being played over a chord progression. Starts off really slow so you can hear the notes, and then shows an example a little faster.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #28 – Major Pentatonic Scale over a Chord Progression This video clip shows an example of a Major Pentatonic Scale being played over a chord progression. Starts slow, so you can hear the notes, then picks it up with a faster example…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #29 – Down / Up Picking Exercise This basic lesson demonstrates the Down / Up picking sequence - used mainly on 2-note per string scales (such as the Minor Pentatonic, Major Pentatonic, and also on the Blues scales). A very important picking sequence to master…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #30 – Diatonic 3rds Picking Exercise Once you are comfortable with the basic picking techniques - you will need to graduate to a more advanced picking technique – one very good picking exercise to learn is the Diatonic 3rd's Exercise. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #31 – Down/Up/Down - Up/Down/Up "Picking Exercise" Once you are comfortable with the Down/Up/Down - Up/Down/Up picking sequence, you will need to practice this sequence to get it down. Don't forget to download the handout…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #32 – Blues Scale over a Chord Progression This video clip shows a Blues Scale over a chord progression. The scale is played slowly so you can hear the notes, then a faster example…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #33 – Bending Strings / Half Steps When bending strings it is important to incorporate half-step bends and whole-step bends. This video clip demonstrates the half-step bend. Check it out…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #34 – Bending Strings / Whole Steps This video clip demonstrates bending strings a whole-step. Understanding both whole-steps and half-steps is very important for lead players…
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #35 – Arpeggio in "A" Major This lesson demonstrates how to play a basic "Arpeggio" in "A" Major - using the "A" Major barre chord. There are hundreds of arpeggios - this is just one of the most basic. Don't forget to download the handout!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT! Lesson #36 – A Basic "Hammer On" Lesson This video clip will show you a basic "Hammer On" lesson, the hammer-on is used by many lead guitar players in many styles of music. Start slow, speed will come with lots of practice...
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Lesson #37 – A Basic "Pull-Off" Lesson This video clip will show you a basic "Pull-Off" lesson, the pull-off is used by many lead guitar players in many styles of music. Once you get the hang of it, it will do wonders for your lead playing... Check it out!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP! Let us know if there is a certain lesson (or subject) that you would like to see covered, and we will do our best to add it to the collection of lessons above. Email all suggestions to
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