These “play by yourself” lessons are my favorites because they blend chord progressions and lead playing. I admire players that can sit down with no accompaniment and play a song like this. It demonstrates a higher level of mastery than playing just chords OR lead. Lots of fun too!
Yes, exactly my thoughts! I am thinking of buying premium lessons from Brian, anyone some experience with it? Brain is in my opinion one of the best guitar teachers out there. His teaching method of learning is very understandable. Keep rocking Brain!
being somebody that struggled in that zone of learning where I wasn’t making much progress after learning some basic chords. I really appreciate the stuff you teach. This is a great little jam that incorporates just some chords with little licks. That is the stuff that has improved me as a player tremendously. Thank you.
What i like about your videos is that you present your ideas like a Swiss Army knife. Ideas that are useful in so many ways and every time you pull out a different tool from the knife. Same with this one. I find myself improvising in all kinds of ways for an hour on the first few bars alone... Awesome !
suddenly complicated things become easy: an excellent teacher is at work! Many thanks to you, Brian. And to answer your question: your little tunes are the best way to learn!
I love these “on the porch” compositions. Reasons: (1) They sound great at home, (2) short enough that they’re easier to memorize, (3) they cover a variety of styles and genres, (4) it gives me something to play when I go to the guitar store and want to noodle around.
I love the bits where you're explaining why you're playing the notes you're playing. For example in this video where you talk about playing on the two sides of the 'fence'. These are the best bits. All the other teachers just say 'put your finger here, now put your finger here ...' More of this please!
Jam by yourself lessons keep me going. They are a challenge AND sound good. These lessons help me pull a few things together about past lessons. Thank you for your encouragement. N
This is brilliant Brian, exactly the level I'm trying to work towards. The standalone is perfect because many of us don't play in bands. Thank you so much!
Nothing gives me more of a sense of accomplishment than taking these lessons in and slowly but surely get proficient with it….all the while really understanding what’s going on with the chords and scales behind it! Best way to learn and feel encouraged to go further!
I’m 5 minutes in and loving it. Very clear , easy to understand instructions. The comments seem filled with praise for Brian and the channel. Let’s play!!
Brian-the stand alone blues comps are my absolute favs. The ones I learn become my go to practice exercises. As a bonus, they always sound good and my family enjoys hearing them. I really like the ones where you talk through were a lick/chord is coming from and why it works.
I have been playing rhythm guitar for over 45 years but never took an interest in learning lead... until now. So I booked a lesson at my local music store but the teacher became frustrated with me when I didn't understand the charts he was trying to teach me as I am completely self taught and had never had a guitar lesson before. Needless to say, I never went back but was fortunate to find your lessons. Your teaching method is amazing and I have learned so much. Your patience and the way you explain things and show licks keeps me engaged. I learn something new each time I re-watch one of your videos. Thank you!
Since you asked for feedback, here’s my two cents… I would love some more looping lessons. I want lessons just like this one where you teach note for note, but with the chords, percussive bits, and solo all on three different layers so that I can begin to develop my looping skills. I hope this helps. also, thank you for all that you do, it’s helped me immensely.
While I love all your lessons, these are the ones that got me to become a paid member. Only thing I might add is just a few seconds of “how did I dial in this tone” . . . I’d also like to see more of thes for different genres. Your ‘Re the best on the net IMO. Perfect pace for me and where I’m at in my journey.
This is superb Brian. I too like these ‘no jam track needed’ lessons very much, but not really more than the other stuff. The variety you produce is what works for me - please keep surprising me 😊👍🏻
Absolutely fantastic, Brian. Dropping on by here from Active Melody (where I’m working through the full lesson) to give this video the thumbs-up it deserves. For what it’s worth, I love these stand-alone compositions; at the same time, I also love the theory lessons and deep-dives. Honestly, I get so much from the whole package. Your versatility and the wide range of topics and lessons all add up for me, and it’s why I view my Premium Yearly membership as such a killer value. Thank you!!
I second this! Mike Campbell is one of my favorite guitarists and I love trying to learn his solos note for note and I can hear his Chuck Berry influence
Hi man. I’m Robbie . I absolutly love all your youtube tutorials. I I’m 72yrs old and i will start learning this Minor BluesJam. I find all your tutorials are great and easy to understand. Please don’t change anything. I have been thinking of becoming a member. Thankyou
Brian, I'd just like to say I am so glad I found your lessons on you tube. You have a way of teaching that is easy to follow. I love the type of licks, grooves, chord changes etc... I grew up listening to all the 60's 70's type of blues, gospel ,soul music from Muscle Shoals, Stax Volt, Steve Cropper, and any other blues or soul etc... I could find. I am a bass player and have been playing over 50 years. I am pretty much retired now, but am learning the guitar and finding your web sight was a total blessing. All the licks you play to me are like hearing Wilson Pickett , Aretha Franklin, BB King, Albert King and any other artist in that vein of music. Thank you for the way you teach, and I hope to work myself into a premium member. Keep the licks coming.
I’m a premium member and often just search past lesson. EP427 is a good one. I love your teaching style and how you always explain where the ideas relate theory wise. I you always make it look so simple…just wish I could also. Thanks for the lessons.
These stand alone lessons really help my growth as an intermediate lead player. It really cements a lot of the theory on pentatonic, chord shapes, triads and the mechanic's of rhythm and lead fills and timing. Thank you, Brian more please....Ive been a AM premium member for 3+yrs from North Nashville area: IMO, best value on the virtual guitar learning platform.
Your approach of describing the riffs as voicings in the context of the chord progression was the perfect immersion for me into the lesson- you described the forest without ignoring the trees!
YES!!! these lessons are awesome. I’ve been playing for about a year now. These types of lessons are helping me tremendously. The other stuff is great too. I am a active melody member and will be for a long time. Thanks for time and effort. Just know you are really a great teacher and your really helping everyone. If anyone’s reading that isn’t a member. Please sign up you will not be disappointed. Especially if your stuck in scales and basic chords like I was. There’s so much value here it’s great. Thanks again and keep em coming
With friends that tend to drift from jamming to songs they have played over the last 30 years together I really look to these to help break that drift. They tend to expect a lead into jamming and are really good at adapting. They seem to enjoy this adaptation as long as I can keep a loose progression that allows a journey into improvising. These types of lessons allow me to expand my playing and learning.
Thank you Brian. These stand alone jams are the best way to really learn how to feel your guitar to know what works and express your emotions. This simple little rhythm call can provoke amazing responses. Thanks again.
Brian: I am a premier member and have been for years. Please keep the stand alone lessons coming. I had a gig with 3 other musicians, all four of us are high school graduate classmates, but "lost" our band largely due to Covid and aging. I regularly circulate through 33 of your "no accompaniment" lessons and would be lost without them especially now. Many thanks!
I really like these stripped down lessons. At the end of a day when all the dishes are done, I don't want anything to get too complicated. The call/response format is perfect for playing on the couch.
These are my favorite lessons that you put out and why I'm a premium member. Any lesson that I can learn how to write my own piece from and around, and helps me understand a little more theory is always great.
Once again, thank you. The go-to man when you are stuck. This video came up, I was somewhat discouraged with my day's progress and then I watched this. NIce groove Man!
I've subscribed for years, a huge fan. I've learned more than I say. I play finger-style, usually accompanying a singer in a duet. We rarely do blues (more indie, folk, ballads, rock). Jazz is my passion, but I haven't gotten very far with that. I don't improvise often, but what I've learned through your lessons means I can, I now know how. As well I've learned to use the entire fretboard comfortably, use the pentatonic, major and minor scales, triads, double-stops, etc. There hasn't been a single lesson that hasn't taught me tools, and kept me moving forward. Thank you.
I don't get to jam with others very often and even then it's with people who have been together for forty years or so. They do not have ready access to the internet which doesn't bother them. They are tight. These "play by yourself" lessons allow me to feel a greater comfort as it pushes them to adapt outside their normal comfort zone.
Very helpful lesson. When playing alone, its difficult , if not impossible to get through an entire song without the help of other instruments playing in the background. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the blues! The foundation of rock-n-roll
I know you've asked for comments and it's about time I share mine with you. I bought your premium course back in June and I've more than gotten my money's worth. It has taken me to the next level in my playing. This piece is only my fourth song to learn. It's taken a lot of work and frankly, I wondered if I'd bitten off more than I could chew - I started with Lesson 268. Between deciphering every note and then playing it again and again and again, I'd guess maybe 800 times, but it has finally become part of me. I will definitely re-up for another year's subscription once this membership expires. You're really quite amazing. Thanks.
That was sweetly unique... How you are teaching this lesson is how I self taught myself, with chords interspersed with little runs leading into and away from chords, though without the technical knowledge of what I was actually doing, if that makes any sense. But I can learn a lot here, and from your other posts that I will now follow. Wish I learned the technical side of music in the beginning. I would've been a lot better. Now the arthritic hands are slowing me down. The pace that you teach at is ideal for me. I have trouble following other folks who don't slow it down enough or explain it in enough detail. And I love to play blues influenced stuff.
I needed this! I’ve been plateaued for months playing to backing tracks and not progressing to my standards. I wasn’t really hearing what I was playing. This lets me focus more on MY playing. Thank you!!
Can't understand how anyone would hit the thumbs down on a video like this. These pieces are are just a heap of fun and there is always so many useful tasty little bits to steal from them. Best blues guitar teacher on the internet bar none -Thanks for what you do!
I've been watching your videos for years, but never learned anything, just noodled around. Now after starting again with some little knowledge of pentatonic scales and some licks, your videos make more sense to me. I can finally play by myself, and enjoy it better than ever.
I always love stand alone blues lesson . The way you dissect and then explain how it fits, together. Always the Internet Expert/ Artist at this teaching style ! Thank you Brian .
another helpful video and a neat little song. I have been a premium member for a couple months now and the stand alone compositions are probably my favorite. I have been playing for 42 years and realize you can always learn something new. Brian has a real laid back way of teaching that i enjoy. Thanks - Scott
Brian I really appreciate your "stand alone" lessons. It allows focus on the arrangement itself, without special affects. Acoustic even better. Thanks for your efforts!
I loved the video. I've been studying with your videos for 2 years and my way of playing the guitar has changed for the better. Now I am more free when it comes to playing. In my city there are no blues or country teachers for that I am very grateful to you. Thanks from Spain.
These kinds of lessons are really very good for individual growth. You really have to stay in time to make it work. They are my favorite that you do. I've been playing for a long time but always come away from your lessons with something "new". It's great, lessons are great.
I think that this site is the best value for money by far, it is the most educational and enjoyable guitar lessons and the stand alone lesions are awesome that is why I joined this site 2. Years ago thanks Brian
Incredible musicianship Brian. Your lessons are a treasure trove of must know skills. I also appreciate your encouragement with comments like "this isn't that hard" and "you can do this."
As a relative 'newbie', these types of lessons help a ton in learning to _play_ guitar. The theory, exercise, etc. lessons are invaluable in *teaching* guitar, but these help tremendously in making one *feel* like a guitarist.
As always you keep giving your special talent. Letting us in on the groove that makes sense. And allows us to expand our creativity and musical experience. The best in my opinion.
Thanks Brian, I have been bouncing around RUclips like a lunatic looking for a starting point to build on the limited guitar skills I picked up years ago & I have now found it, I am having tonnes of fun with this lesson. Echoing some of the comments, an insight into your tone & a look at practicing with a looper would be very much appreciated.
Hi Brian, just a quick note to say thanks for these “call and response” play by yourself lessons they are my favourites. I have been playing 45 years but they give me loads of ideas for improvising and your style of teaching is so relaxed its a breath of fresh air, cheers!
I love this lesson. It exemplifies why most of the best lessons on line are yours, Brian. I'm trying to catch back up after not playing much for a number of years and I really appreciate the approachability of the lessons - love the way you break things down into pieces, some come pretty easy, some hard. Also blues - check, play without a band - check (play with jam track is good, but being able to do both is better) - focus on transitions - check! Some discussion of how to pull pieces together/the logic behind transitions is so helpful. Best of all though is that both the rhythm and lead parts really sound and feel good. A++ Please do more like this! And please keep the lessons on rhythm lines and turnarounds coming - they really help me when playing with more skilled folks.
I think Brian's tutorials are well assembled, easy to follow as well as being highly informative & they grab attention as the blues are great. Personally I am in a void as I think i need a simple step by step progress guide on what I should be learning next rather than being left to my own discovery trail, which undoubtedly leaves or misses "next step" info. I suppose the older I get then the harder it is to recall what I have learnt or more importantly what I have missed. Nobody warned me when I was young about whats coming as I age. Brian - thank you for your lessons. Dont know where I would be without them
I love these stand alone /play by yourself lessons. I am teaching my grandson drums and we play these together. Thank you for a fabulous learning experience.
These are very good lessons and easy to follow. It is like connecting the dots for all the things I never tried before. For someone like me who has felt like I've been in a rut for a long time, you're helping me become a more complete guitar player. You're never too old to get better.
Thank you Brian, you are such a wonderful teacher. You break what looks like the impossible down to a feeling of ‘yes, I can do that too’ not so impossible. I’ve been following you for about 6 months and I haven’t signed up yet but I’m thinking if I want to play then I will join. I love your jams such as this one. Please, please can you do more. They are such an inspiration as I’m on my own for most of the time. Thank you so much for taking the time to show your life Guitar skills. Susie
Right down my alley Brian! I totally agree that this is not only a new set of links for my toolbox, but a fantastic way to practice. I will fully retire in February 2025 and look forward to your videos! Thank you Brian.
You’ve ask for comments, so here goes. I’m retired. I’m a pop music lover. I am self taught. I play drums and some bass guitar on my RUclips channel. I play karaoke cover songs. It’s been a great deal of fun, but it’s gotten stale for me. I’ve decided to play some guitar. Primarily acoustic since I already have a couple good guitars. Active Melody seem to be the choice for any online taught courses. I understand a bit of theory but I’m definitely a hands on learner. I haven’t become a premium member yet, but I will soon. I’ve got another drum/bass cover I’m working on now. You are a super teacher from the videos I’m watch thus far. I thank you. I will like and comment more soon!
Have been enjoying your perspective, insights, technique and explanations for about 6 or 7 years now and wish to let you know how much we are fascinated and entertained with what you say as well as what you play and how you play it. I am over 70, have been in a garage band 60 years ago, maybe a little less, and am losing the ability due to arthritis and hand, thumb, finger tendon/joint pain. Use it or lose it, or in my case, use it before you lose it. In any event, one observation about your musing over the diad or triad chords you were making by doing a basic double stop up on the fifth and fourth strings, extensions off the A-shaped D or E chord. I think you spoke about this cool way of getting a different chord voicing like Jimi Hendrix did, especially in his The Wind Cries Mary....one of the first tutorials of yours I watched....an incredible cover/lesson BTW. In any case, don't know if I'm making myself understood, but there are others who use these min-chord voicings and have so since the 70's. The Doobie Brothers, and especially Tom Johnston's playing/songs feature this technique.....listen again to Dark Eyed Cajun Woman as an illustration. Take care and my eternal gratitude for keeping us old senior citizen guitar players mesmerized.
I love this lesson! It is a great building block for expanding and improving call and response skills. At the end of the day you really help me to improvise more comfortably.
These stand-alone compositions are my absolute favorites. They are extremely musical, but at the same time you learn a lot. They are the reason I got the premium memberships. I would love to see more of the jazz-blues crossover compositions, both for electric and acoustic. They are my favorites!
I love it. Non-accompanied electric pieces are the highlights of your lessons for me. Few others do it, and even fewer do it as well as you do. What a gifted and creative guitarist!
I'll echo what many others have said, these stand alone compositions are what really sets your lessons apart from most others and are by far my favorites. Also, the premium member content with the ability to loop and slowdown is worth 10X what you are charging.
your videos are so informative I played for years in the living room I always deal with life as I play to this way. I just find rythims like this and play for hours.thx so much you teach very well
I'm an Active Melody member and LOVE your lessons. Like the guy you mentioned I really like the stand alone lessons, they are super fun to learn and all add to my practice repertoire. What I'd love to learn is how to build these pieces myself, I'm a pretty good mimic and can learn your pieces (and I love them) but wish I understood more to create my own. All that said, please keep these coming, great fun. Thanks.
The thing that keeps me coming back to your channel is that you always give the context of what your playing. You show where it comes from, be it the chord shape, the scale, whatever. That really appeals to my technical mind. I need a framework. Also, it helps apply the concepts to a different song or a different key. Just memorizing a song doesn’t teach me anything. It’s all about that context, and I think you do it probably better than any channel I’ve found while also keeping it from being too advanced.
After teaching guitar and keyboard for over thirty years I hope my celebration of your musicianship and thoughtfully constructed video lessons brings a good vibe back to you. I'm a fan and subscriber. You're doing a great job. Keep mixing it up.
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These “play by yourself” lessons are my favorites because they blend chord progressions and lead playing. I admire players that can sit down with no accompaniment and play a song like this. It demonstrates a higher level of mastery than playing just chords OR lead. Lots of fun too!
Yes, exactly my thoughts! I am thinking of buying premium lessons from Brian, anyone some experience with it?
Brain is in my opinion one of the best guitar teachers out there. His teaching method of learning is very understandable.
Keep rocking Brain!
@@detike14 Definitely worth the subscription
@@pete8081 Thanks for the feedback Pete
@@detike14 it’s worth the money. High value, low cost.
@@detike14 Well worth it mate, especially for the active tab or print it plus Brian also does backing tracks at slower speeds for practice too.
I've been playing guitar for 25 years and there is ALWAYS something I learn when I watch your videos.
What did you learn THIS time?
Totally agree with aarnx82
All your lessons are awesome but these "stand alones" are what inspired me to join the Actiive Melody membership. Thanks Brian!
Haha me too my friend I joined because of this reason aswell👍
Me too!
Yea, love these lessons!
Yes these are my favourite lessons, “stand alone” with chords and fills!👍🎸🇨🇦
being somebody that struggled in that zone of learning where I wasn’t making much progress after learning some basic chords. I really appreciate the stuff you teach. This is a great little jam that incorporates just some chords with little licks. That is the stuff that has improved me as a player tremendously. Thank you.
What i like about your videos is that you present your ideas like a Swiss Army knife. Ideas that are useful in so many ways and every time you pull out a different tool from the knife.
Same with this one. I find myself improvising in all kinds of ways for an hour on the first few bars alone... Awesome !
suddenly complicated things become easy: an excellent teacher is at work! Many thanks to you, Brian. And to answer your question: your little tunes are the best way to learn!
I love these “on the porch” compositions. Reasons: (1) They sound great at home, (2) short enough that they’re easier to memorize, (3) they cover a variety of styles and genres, (4) it gives me something to play when I go to the guitar store and want to noodle around.
And when you only have 20 min to practice at home or away.
4)…noodle in the guitar store and pass it off as an original hehe
This is ABSOLUTELY one of THE BEST Blues LESSON RIFFS ever! AWESOME for practicing alone. THANK YOU, THNAK YOU, THANK YOU.
I love the bits where you're explaining why you're playing the notes you're playing. For example in this video where you talk about playing on the two sides of the 'fence'. These are the best bits. All the other teachers just say 'put your finger here, now put your finger here ...' More of this please!
Have found myself at a brick wall for ages and almost gave up playing. Thank you for such an easy to follow lesson.... I am re-inspired !
Just started (at 63) to learn guitar. I realy like these kind of lessons because there is quick progress which makes it more fun to play
I really enjoy the jam by yourself lessons. They sound good, are good practice pieces, and something to build on. Thanks for sharing!
Jam by yourself lessons keep me going. They are a challenge AND sound good. These lessons help me pull a few things together about past lessons. Thank you for your encouragement. N
This is brilliant Brian, exactly the level I'm trying to work towards. The standalone is perfect because many of us don't play in bands. Thank you so much!
That's a good lookin guitar . It even looks like a guitar I would love to play .
Nothing gives me more of a sense of accomplishment than taking these lessons in and slowly but surely get proficient with it….all the while really understanding what’s going on with the chords and scales behind it! Best way to learn and feel encouraged to go further!
I’m 5 minutes in and loving it. Very clear , easy to understand instructions. The comments seem filled with praise for Brian and the channel. Let’s play!!
Brian-the stand alone blues comps are my absolute favs. The ones I learn become my go to practice exercises. As a bonus, they always sound good and my family enjoys hearing them. I really like the ones where you talk through were a lick/chord is coming from and why it works.
I second that - it’s my favourite format for applying the theory I’ve been learning. And we get the inspiration from a nice composition.
I have been playing rhythm guitar for over 45 years but never took an interest in learning lead... until now. So I booked a lesson at my local music store but the teacher became frustrated with me when I didn't understand the charts he was trying to teach me as I am completely self taught and had never had a guitar lesson before. Needless to say, I never went back but was fortunate to find your lessons. Your teaching method is amazing and I have learned so much. Your patience and the way you explain things and show licks keeps me engaged. I learn something new each time I re-watch one of your videos. Thank you!
Since you asked for feedback, here’s my two cents… I would love some more looping lessons. I want lessons just like this one where you teach note for note, but with the chords, percussive bits, and solo all on three different layers so that I can begin to develop my looping skills. I hope this helps. also, thank you for all that you do, it’s helped me immensely.
I second that, thanks :)
I third that, great idea
What a superb idea! Yes please... some of this!
While I love all your lessons, these are the ones that got me to become a paid member. Only thing I might add is just a few seconds of “how did I dial in this tone” . . .
I’d also like to see more of thes for different genres. Your
‘Re the best on the net IMO. Perfect pace for me and where I’m at in my journey.
These Solo style lessons are the reason I became a member of the Active Melody community. Please keep them coming.
This is superb Brian. I too like these ‘no jam track needed’ lessons very much, but not really more than the other stuff. The variety you produce is what works for me - please keep surprising me 😊👍🏻
Just excellent.....I love the stand alone stuff, and the uniquely detailed yet simple explanations
Absolutely fantastic, Brian. Dropping on by here from Active Melody (where I’m working through the full lesson) to give this video the thumbs-up it deserves. For what it’s worth, I love these stand-alone compositions; at the same time, I also love the theory lessons and deep-dives. Honestly, I get so much from the whole package. Your versatility and the wide range of topics and lessons all add up for me, and it’s why I view my Premium Yearly membership as such a killer value. Thank you!!
This is the reason I joined Active Melody - with each lesson, you get a piece of music you can play. Thanks Brian!
I really appreciate all of these lessons. But if you could do a “in the style of Mike Campbell,” that would be awesome.
I second this! Mike Campbell is one of my favorite guitarists and I love trying to learn his solos note for note and I can hear his Chuck Berry influence
Hi man. I’m Robbie . I absolutly love all your youtube tutorials. I I’m 72yrs old and i will start learning this Minor BluesJam. I find all your tutorials are great and easy to understand. Please don’t change anything. I have been thinking of becoming a member. Thankyou
Brian, I'd just like to say I am so glad I found your lessons on you tube. You have a way of teaching that is easy to follow. I love the type of licks, grooves, chord changes etc... I grew up listening to all the 60's 70's type of blues, gospel ,soul music from Muscle Shoals, Stax Volt, Steve Cropper, and any other blues or soul etc... I could find. I am a bass player and have been playing over 50 years. I am pretty much retired now, but am learning the guitar and finding your web sight was a total blessing. All the licks you play to me are like hearing Wilson Pickett , Aretha Franklin, BB King, Albert King and any other artist in that vein of music. Thank you for the way you teach, and I hope to work myself into a premium member. Keep the licks coming.
Been playing over 50 years....with same band...still learn good stuff every time I watch and listen...thanks...u da man...
I learned to play the basics 50 years ago, but never learned the embellishments. Thank you so much for this vid. It is absolute gold for me.
I’m a premium member and often just search past lesson. EP427 is a good one. I love your teaching style and how you always explain where the ideas relate theory wise. I you always make it look so simple…just wish I could also. Thanks for the lessons.
These stand alone lessons really help my growth as an intermediate lead player. It really cements a lot of the theory on pentatonic, chord shapes, triads and the mechanic's of rhythm and lead fills and timing. Thank you, Brian more please....Ive been a AM premium member for 3+yrs from North Nashville area: IMO, best value on the virtual guitar learning platform.
Your approach of describing the riffs as voicings in the context of the chord progression was the perfect immersion for me into the lesson- you described the forest without ignoring the trees!
YES!!! these lessons are awesome. I’ve been playing for about a year now. These types of lessons are helping me tremendously. The other stuff is great too. I am a active melody member and will be for a long time. Thanks for time and effort. Just know you are really a great teacher and your really helping everyone. If anyone’s reading that isn’t a member. Please sign up you will not be disappointed. Especially if your stuck in scales and basic chords like I was. There’s so much value here it’s great. Thanks again and keep em coming
With friends that tend to drift from jamming to songs they have played over the last 30 years together I really look to these to help break that drift.
They tend to expect a lead into jamming and are really good at adapting. They seem to enjoy this adaptation as long as I can keep a loose progression that allows a journey into improvising.
These types of lessons allow me to expand my playing and learning.
Thank you Brian. These stand alone jams are the best way to really learn how to feel your guitar to know what works and express your emotions. This simple little rhythm call can provoke amazing responses. Thanks again.
Brian: I am a premier member and have been for years. Please keep the stand alone lessons coming. I had a gig with 3 other musicians, all four of us are high school graduate classmates, but "lost" our band largely due to Covid and aging. I regularly circulate through 33 of your "no accompaniment" lessons and would be lost without them especially now. Many thanks!
These „play by yourself“ lessons of yours I really like best, very helpful for beginners and intermediate!
Top notch lesson. Just the right thing to groove by yourself. Hats off, Brian
I really like these stripped down lessons. At the end of a day when all the dishes are done, I don't want anything to get too complicated. The call/response format is perfect for playing on the couch.
These are my favorite lessons that you put out and why I'm a premium member. Any lesson that I can learn how to write my own piece from and around, and helps me understand a little more theory is always great.
Once again, thank you. The go-to man when you are stuck. This video came up, I was somewhat discouraged with my day's progress and then I watched this. NIce groove Man!
These lessons are my absolute favorite Brian! I absolutely love the jam by yourself videos, I learn so much. Rhythm, timing, lead. Thank you very much
I've subscribed for years, a huge fan. I've learned more than I say. I play finger-style, usually accompanying a singer in a duet. We rarely do blues (more indie, folk, ballads, rock). Jazz is my passion, but I haven't gotten very far with that. I don't improvise often, but what I've learned through your lessons means I can, I now know how. As well I've learned to use the entire fretboard comfortably, use the pentatonic, major and minor scales, triads, double-stops, etc. There hasn't been a single lesson that hasn't taught me tools, and kept me moving forward. Thank you.
I don't get to jam with others very often and even then it's with people who have been together for forty years or so. They do not have ready access to the internet which doesn't bother them. They are tight.
These "play by yourself" lessons allow me to feel a greater comfort as it pushes them to adapt outside their normal comfort zone.
Very helpful lesson. When playing alone, its difficult , if not impossible to get through an entire song without the help of other instruments playing in the background.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the blues! The foundation of rock-n-roll
I know you've asked for comments and it's about time I share mine with you. I bought your premium course back in June and I've more than gotten my money's worth. It has taken me to the next level in my playing. This piece is only my fourth song to learn. It's taken a lot of work and frankly, I wondered if I'd bitten off more than I could chew - I started with Lesson 268. Between deciphering every note and then playing it again and again and again, I'd guess maybe 800 times, but it has finally become part of me. I will definitely re-up for another year's subscription once this membership expires. You're really quite amazing. Thanks.
That was sweetly unique...
How you are teaching this lesson is how I self taught myself, with chords interspersed with little runs leading into and away from chords, though without the technical knowledge of what I was actually doing, if that makes any sense.
But I can learn a lot here, and from your other posts that I will now follow. Wish I learned the technical side of music in the beginning. I would've been a lot better.
Now the arthritic hands are slowing me down.
The pace that you teach at is ideal for me. I have trouble following other folks who don't slow it down enough or explain it in enough detail. And I love to play blues influenced stuff.
I needed this! I’ve been plateaued for months playing to backing tracks and not progressing to my standards. I wasn’t really hearing what I was playing. This lets me focus more on MY playing. Thank you!!
Can't understand how anyone would hit the thumbs down on a video like this. These pieces are are just a heap of fun and there is always so many useful tasty little bits to steal from them. Best blues guitar teacher on the internet bar none -Thanks for what you do!
Brian, this was a real magic lesson. Cannot say thankyou enough
I've been watching your videos for years, but never learned anything, just noodled around. Now after starting again with some little knowledge of pentatonic scales and some licks, your videos make more sense to me. I can finally play by myself, and enjoy it better than ever.
I always love stand alone blues lesson . The way you dissect and then explain how it fits, together. Always the Internet Expert/ Artist at this teaching style ! Thank you Brian .
another helpful video and a neat little song. I have been a premium member for a couple months now and the stand alone compositions are probably my favorite. I have been playing for 42 years and realize you can always learn something new. Brian has a real laid back way of teaching that i enjoy. Thanks - Scott
Brian
I really appreciate your "stand alone" lessons. It allows focus on the arrangement itself, without special affects. Acoustic even better. Thanks for your efforts!
I loved the video. I've been studying with your videos for 2 years and my way of playing the guitar has changed for the better. Now I am more free when it comes to playing. In my city there are no blues or country teachers for that I am very grateful to you. Thanks from Spain.
These kinds of lessons are really very good for individual growth. You really have to stay in time to make it work. They are my favorite that you do. I've been playing for a long time but always come away from your lessons with something "new". It's great, lessons are great.
I think that this site is the best value for money by far, it is the most educational and enjoyable guitar lessons and the stand alone lesions are awesome that is why I joined this site 2. Years ago thanks Brian
A lesson like this is a perfect example of planting the seed for expression and creativity.
Best video in ages. Love this. As so many other have said, these pieces are the reason I went premium!
Please do more of these. These are pretty unique lessons the other guitar teachers are not focusing on.
I agree with Steve Adams, I love the "play by yourself" lessons. I've followed you for years and love the way you present the lessons.
Incredible musicianship Brian. Your lessons are a treasure trove of must know skills. I also appreciate your encouragement with comments like "this isn't that hard" and "you can do this."
Gotta say these are my favourite type of lessons. Love your way of teaching Brian!
As a relative 'newbie', these types of lessons help a ton in learning to _play_ guitar. The theory, exercise, etc. lessons are invaluable in *teaching* guitar, but these help tremendously in making one *feel* like a guitarist.
As always you keep giving your special talent. Letting us in on the groove that makes sense. And allows us to expand our creativity and musical experience.
The best in my opinion.
The stand alones are really fun ones to learn the techniques. You are so good at explaining the how and the why.
Thanks Brian, I have been bouncing around RUclips like a lunatic looking for a starting point to build on the limited guitar skills I picked up years ago & I have now found it, I am having tonnes of fun with this lesson. Echoing some of the comments, an insight into your tone & a look at practicing with a looper would be very much appreciated.
A whole different world in A minor! Can’t thank you enough! Keep up the good works!
Love your courses and lessons. As a Premium member I can honestly say it is worth every penny!
I loved how well the lesson was delivered and it used a lot of what i already know about playing. It became so easy to play.
How many videos do you come across where every lick and chord is useful? Top tier content right here. 🫡
Hi Brian, just a quick note to say thanks for these “call and response” play by yourself lessons they are my favourites. I have been playing 45 years but they give me loads of ideas for improvising and your style of teaching is so relaxed its a breath of fresh air, cheers!
I love this lesson. It exemplifies why most of the best lessons on line are yours, Brian. I'm trying to catch back up after not playing much for a number of years and I really appreciate the approachability of the lessons - love the way you break things down into pieces, some come pretty easy, some hard. Also blues - check, play without a band - check (play with jam track is good, but being able to do both is better) - focus on transitions - check! Some discussion of how to pull pieces together/the logic behind transitions is so helpful. Best of all though is that both the rhythm and lead parts really sound and feel good. A++
Please do more like this! And please keep the lessons on rhythm lines and turnarounds coming - they really help me when playing with more skilled folks.
I think Brian's tutorials are well assembled, easy to follow as well as being highly informative & they grab attention as the blues are great.
Personally I am in a void as I think i need a simple step by step progress guide on what I should be learning next rather than being left to my own discovery trail, which undoubtedly leaves or misses "next step" info.
I suppose the older I get then the harder it is to recall what I have learnt or more importantly what I have missed. Nobody warned me when I was young about whats coming as I age.
Brian - thank you for your lessons. Dont know where I would be without them
These one people jams are my favorite because a play alone almost all the time. Keep bringing them
I love these stand alone /play by yourself lessons. I am teaching my grandson drums and we play these together. Thank you for a fabulous learning experience.
These are very good lessons and easy to follow. It is like connecting the dots for all the things I never tried before. For someone like me who has felt like I've been in a rut for a long time, you're helping me become a more complete guitar player. You're never too old to get better.
These play by yourself are my favorite lessons! I would like to see more of them! I like to be able to just pick up my guitar and play something
I love all your compositions or improvisations. I also find you to be the best teacher on RUclips.
Thank you Brian, you are such a wonderful teacher. You break what looks like the impossible down to a feeling of ‘yes, I can do that too’ not so impossible. I’ve been following you for about 6 months and I haven’t signed up yet but I’m thinking if I want to play then I will join.
I love your jams such as this one. Please, please can you do more. They are such an inspiration as I’m on my own for most of the time. Thank you so much for taking the time to show your life Guitar skills. Susie
Right down my alley Brian! I totally agree that this is not only a new set of links for my toolbox, but a fantastic way to practice. I will fully retire in February 2025 and look forward to your videos! Thank you Brian.
Such subtle call and response sound, very inspiring, thank you
Great stuff. Thanks for making this very bluesy jam as easy as possible. Cant wait for next lesson.
Play by yourself are the some of the best lessons you teach. ,thank Brian 🇬🇧Steve🇬🇧👌
You’ve ask for comments, so here goes. I’m retired. I’m a pop music lover. I am self taught. I play drums and some bass guitar on my RUclips channel. I play karaoke cover songs. It’s been a great deal of fun, but it’s gotten stale for me. I’ve decided to play some guitar. Primarily acoustic since I already have a couple good guitars. Active Melody seem to be the choice for any online taught courses. I understand a bit of theory but I’m definitely a hands on learner. I haven’t become a premium member yet, but I will soon. I’ve got another drum/bass cover I’m working on now. You are a super teacher from the videos I’m watch thus far. I thank you. I will like and comment more soon!
Easy to follow , love how you compose the progression and practice practice practice
Have been enjoying your perspective, insights, technique and explanations for about 6 or 7 years now and wish to let you know how much we are fascinated and entertained with what you say as well as what you play and how you play it. I am over 70, have been in a garage band 60 years ago, maybe a little less, and am losing the ability due to arthritis and hand, thumb, finger tendon/joint pain. Use it or lose it, or in my case, use it before you lose it. In any event, one observation about your musing over the diad or triad chords you were making by doing a basic double stop up on the fifth and fourth strings, extensions off the A-shaped D or E chord. I think you spoke about this cool way of getting a different chord voicing like Jimi Hendrix did, especially in his The Wind Cries Mary....one of the first tutorials of yours I watched....an incredible cover/lesson BTW. In any case, don't know if I'm making myself understood, but there are others who use these min-chord voicings and have so since the 70's. The Doobie Brothers, and especially Tom Johnston's playing/songs feature this technique.....listen again to Dark Eyed Cajun Woman as an illustration. Take care and my eternal gratitude for keeping us old senior citizen guitar players mesmerized.
Love these solo guitar lessons. I like deep dives! the deeper the better
I love this lesson! It is a great building block for expanding and improving call and response skills. At the end of the day you really help me to improvise more comfortably.
Jammin along with this dude is the funnest way I've found to learn new licks and connect them with things I already know!
Great classes
These stand-alone compositions are my absolute favorites. They are extremely musical, but at the same time you learn a lot. They are the reason I got the premium memberships. I would love to see more of the jazz-blues crossover compositions, both for electric and acoustic. They are my favorites!
These play along lessons are exactly why I joined Active Melody. Love it, thanks
I love it. Non-accompanied electric pieces are the highlights of your lessons for me. Few others do it, and even fewer do it as well as you do. What a gifted and creative guitarist!
I'll echo what many others have said, these stand alone compositions are what really sets your lessons apart from most others and are by far my favorites. Also, the premium member content with the ability to loop and slowdown is worth 10X what you are charging.
your videos are so informative I played for years in the living room I always deal with life as I play to this way. I just find rythims like this and play for hours.thx so much you teach very well
You are simply the best mate! It’s wonderful thing someone like you that God created to be honest. 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
I'm an Active Melody member and LOVE your lessons. Like the guy you mentioned I really like the stand alone lessons, they are super fun to learn and all add to my practice repertoire. What I'd love to learn is how to build these pieces myself, I'm a pretty good mimic and can learn your pieces (and I love them) but wish I understood more to create my own. All that said, please keep these coming, great fun. Thanks.
The thing that keeps me coming back to your channel is that you always give the context of what your playing. You show where it comes from, be it the chord shape, the scale, whatever. That really appeals to my technical mind. I need a framework. Also, it helps apply the concepts to a different song or a different key. Just memorizing a song doesn’t teach me anything. It’s all about that context, and I think you do it probably better than any channel I’ve found while also keeping it from being too advanced.
After teaching guitar and keyboard for over thirty years I hope my celebration of your musicianship and thoughtfully constructed video lessons brings a good vibe back to you. I'm a fan and subscriber. You're doing a great job. Keep mixing it up.