Other RUclips teachers: “Here’s how to sweep pick at blazing speeds.” RJ: “Here’s how to solo with three notes.” “No, two notes.” “No! ONE NOTE!” Ironically, THIS is one of the best instructional videos I’ve come across.
He plays great in multiple genres, and yet remembers what it's like to be new and struggling to the degree that he knows how to teach complex ideas in a way anyone can understand. RJ is really one of a kind. I'm sixty, played in bands much of my life yet still learn something interesting from him in every video. Love this channel. Thanks RJ!
RJ, I believe your keep it simple style is the best thing on the web. I was a concert promoter for the Seattle Folklore Society in the 1970s and I was blessed to play with many of the great southern bluesmen. Your acoustic playing is authentic and compelling. I stopped playing with a flatpick 25 years ago to curb the natural tendency to over-play. I think all young players should see this video, or anyone trying to figure out how to play blues. Thank you!
This is a really, really useful lesson! I'm going to hit the three note solos hard. You're really articulate about the process without being too techinical. And that Barney: my fave headstock inlay ever!
Yo RJ. Ive been hitting a wall exactly as you described. Been doing this and corparated it in to my regular bluesplaying. BOOM!! Its like I'm a new player now. This opened a new door and gave me so many more options. I suddenly kill it by mixing minor/major. Thank you so much man. ✌🏼👊🏻👋🎵🎶
Now that was fun 🎸 Thanks RJ, some great tips. I just played along to the backing track about 5 times in a row. Finding the same 3 notes on the guitar in different places was a great way to learn where some more of the notes are on the fretboard. Been doing a lot of work around A minor pentatonic so this was great practice.
I've been recently trying to rediscover my playing. Break from my cliches. Your playing and videos are a big help. Thank you for sharing and being a part of my musical journey!
This video, and RJ's video about exercises to play each day have really advanced my guitar playing. I do the daily exercise runs with a metronome and it is very challenging, yet you can turn it down and have a great practice tool. This Phrasing video is similar and makes you think a little more than a predefined run. Very well done, and worth much more than the average sit down 30 minute lesson. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos, because I'm watching them several times trying to keep up!!
Thank you very much for this inspiring lesson! Amazing what you can do with only three notes by varying the timing for each note. I believe the key is the duration for each note and it will need a lot of exercise to build the good feeling. Thanks a lot Chief, cheers from Indonesia.
Great lesson, R.J.! Helps me as I needed a break from the mind-bending challenge of trying to pick "good" notes over chord changes; rough going for me just starting in on that. Taking that complexity away and focusing on phrasing is a perfect complement. Thank you, thank you!
Man, thank you for this video! I've been playing for about 30 years, and the first 25 or so were the most difficult. I practiced scales in my teens to the point of developing OCD. One thing I didn't anticipate was that I had developed this crazy muscle memory! About 5 years ago I started playing electric again and woodshedding, which I had never done as a kid, and my playing has taken off. I've been trying to concentrate on simplifying things and this video has done that and I can check that off the list. Thanks
Like they say about real estate.. Location, Location, Location... The same has always been true with soloing.. Phrasing, Phrasing, Phrasing! Great video, man!
RJ thank you so much for your videos, you're an amazing player and teacher. I remember when Texas Blues Alley posted a video of yours and to see your channel grow has been awesome, I'm always taking away something from these videos!
Good lesson...thanks. I had a left-handed Barney Kessel back in the seventies. I quit playing for a while and sold it. I wish I had the thing back now. I've looked for it online hoping someone was selling it but no luck.
RJ, your playingconvknced me to buy my eastwood mandolin. I'm a rythm guy that has never had the chops to do solo work, but this video was great for helping me understand simple is fine too. Thank you!
here's a lesson: Put your guitar down and Listen Listen Listen. A good place to start is to listen to all of RJ's demo videos. There is a ton of stuff in those demos to eventually add to your playing. But listen first.
Picking high and low notes is definitely important which he called octaves. If you keep picking high notes for too long it can sound very boring so you have to balance the sound picking low notes too, or vice-versa
The lesson is a great concept that can be applied across more than just blues/pop/rock. It’s a lesson in musicality and making sure each note/rhythm/blazing fast lick has meaning and intentionality behind it. But let’s forget the lesson for a moment and listen to that snare drum in the backing track.
Other RUclips teachers: “Here’s how to sweep pick at blazing speeds.”
RJ: “Here’s how to solo with three notes.”
“No, two notes.”
“No! ONE NOTE!”
Ironically, THIS is one of the best instructional videos I’ve come across.
Rob Davis so,true .
He plays great in multiple genres, and yet remembers what it's like to be new and struggling to the degree that he knows how to teach complex ideas in a way anyone can understand. RJ is really one of a kind. I'm sixty, played in bands much of my life yet still learn something interesting from him in every video. Love this channel. Thanks RJ!
RJ, I believe your keep it simple style is the best thing on the web. I was a concert promoter for the Seattle Folklore Society in the 1970s and I was blessed to play with many of the great southern bluesmen. Your acoustic playing is authentic and compelling. I stopped playing with a flatpick 25 years ago to curb the natural tendency to over-play. I think all young players should see this video, or anyone trying to figure out how to play blues. Thank you!
instablaster
Thanks bro!! This helps with what I'd like to call ”clogged up” solos
I feel like I might actually be able to play guitar someday with these videos RJ! 😜
Can't believe how simple you make all this seem . Thanks for a great lesson.
Love the simplicity of this and the concept of adding space.
Nothing this good should be this easy! Thanks for a great channel!
Dude I gotta say I love your videos man. There's always real substance to the lesson. Not just another common guitar lesson video. Tasty too
Just realized I said "Dude man"
Thanks Mr. Yellowstrat!! 😀👍
Appreciate these tips. Gonna give this a shot. I mostly play rhythm for our band. Something like this motivates stepping out of my comfort zone a bit
Never seen a video INCLUDE A BACKING TRACK. Too kind. Prolific concepts, gorgeous guitars. Thanks RJ!!
Hands down. One of the best youtube guitar teacher around incl. Tim pierce 👍
This is really really OUSTANDING! RJ is a fantastic player - a great teacher too - and seems to be a very nice guy to boot.
Amazing to do so much with so little. Great lesson.
Great lesson!!!🙏🙏🙏
I like this simple and easy to do. Thanks R.J.
Fantastic lesson! Liked and subscribed, thank you sir! 🙏🏼
This is a really, really useful lesson! I'm going to hit the three note solos hard. You're really articulate about the process without being too techinical. And that Barney: my fave headstock inlay ever!
Yo RJ.
Ive been hitting a wall exactly as you described.
Been doing this and corparated it in to my regular bluesplaying.
BOOM!! Its like I'm a new player now. This opened a new door and gave me so many more options. I suddenly kill it by mixing minor/major.
Thank you so much man.
✌🏼👊🏻👋🎵🎶
Great to hear man!
Man! Love this lesson, I would like to see more on this subject and ideas for soloing. Thank you a lot, regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Thank you RJ. I’m enjoying my slide lesson and this lesson with SIMPLICITY. Listening 👂 too.
Now that was fun 🎸 Thanks RJ, some great tips. I just played along to the backing track about 5 times in a row. Finding the same 3 notes on the guitar in different places was a great way to learn where some more of the notes are on the fretboard. Been doing a lot of work around A minor pentatonic so this was great practice.
I've been recently trying to rediscover my playing. Break from my cliches. Your playing and videos are a big help. Thank you for sharing and being a part of my musical journey!
Excellent theorys sir, i love the
"dont be afraid of silence "
And a one note solo?
BRILLIANT!
This video, and RJ's video about exercises to play each day have really advanced my guitar playing. I do the daily exercise runs with a metronome and it is very challenging, yet you can turn it down and have a great practice tool. This Phrasing video is similar and makes you think a little more than a predefined run. Very well done, and worth much more than the average sit down 30 minute lesson. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos, because I'm watching them several times trying to keep up!!
Great to hear! Thanks for watching!
Thank you very much for this inspiring lesson!
Amazing what you can do with only three notes by varying the timing for each note.
I believe the key is the duration for each note and it will need a lot of exercise to build the good feeling. Thanks a lot Chief, cheers from Indonesia.
This sounds like more than just three notes. Cool!
Thank You Sir. Best Regards/Wishes!
Just stumbled upon this lesson and have to say I'm impressed, I subscribed because of your Vlogs but your lessons are great!
Thank you , I hope you enjoy the videos!
Dude, hell yeah. This is sick.
Man that is valuable advice, so easy to get lost in the forrest
not seeing the tree.
Great lesson, R.J.! Helps me as I needed a break from the mind-bending challenge of trying to pick "good" notes over chord changes; rough going for me just starting in on that. Taking that complexity away and focusing on phrasing is a perfect complement. Thank you, thank you!
Man, thank you for this video! I've been playing for about 30 years, and the first 25 or so were the most difficult. I practiced scales in my teens to the point of developing OCD. One thing I didn't anticipate was that I had developed this crazy muscle memory! About 5 years ago I started playing electric again and woodshedding, which I had never done as a kid, and my playing has taken off. I've been trying to concentrate on simplifying things and this video has done that and I can check that off the list. Thanks
Useful as well as inspiring!
Like they say about real estate.. Location, Location, Location... The same has always been true with soloing.. Phrasing, Phrasing, Phrasing! Great video, man!
Very helpful and enlightening thank you
best video i've watched till now !
RJ thank you so much for your videos, you're an amazing player and teacher. I remember when Texas Blues Alley posted a video of yours and to see your channel grow has been awesome, I'm always taking away something from these videos!
Thank you and awesome! Anthony has such a great channel.
Your lessons are fantastic! Thank you..
Very clever way to improvise! Thanks for posting this lesson!
one note solos for the win - great stuff!
Great tips mate, thanks a lot. I was feeling overwhelmed trying to play a thousand notes... Back to basics now, that wasn't working!!
Mad props man!!! Such a cool simple concept that speaks volumes.
You're killin" it, so educational for guitar or any instrument.
Amazing advice mate..cheers
❤❤❤great one! Thx a lot!!! 👌👍🎸🎶🤟💪☝️🙏
Good lesson...thanks. I had a left-handed Barney Kessel back in the seventies. I quit playing for a while and sold it. I wish I had the thing back now. I've looked for it online hoping someone was selling it but no luck.
RJ, your playingconvknced me to buy my eastwood mandolin. I'm a rythm guy that has never had the chops to do solo work, but this video was great for helping me understand simple is fine too. Thank you!
I've learned more from you and enjoyed seeing all the guitars more than anyone else on the web. Thanks!
Good advice. Love that Barney Kessel! I had a Ventura copy about 30 years ago.
This is a great practice idea, thanks and regards from Spain.
Not only 3 notes, but it totally sounded great!
the guitar looks so badass and so does he. there so much badass
Great video.. thanks brother...
Thx RJ as always.. very helpful video for a beginner like me..God bless
Limitations usually add more than they subtract. I like this as a great example of this concept.
Man, you just opened my eyes by adding that F#. I never thought to use that tone over a blues.
Thank you I needed this. Very BB Kingish
Now THAT'S the way to do it, thanks R J - and I'm still dreaming about that BEAUTIFUL guitar!
One of your best videos thus far.
Awesome video RJ! Close your eyes and it sounds like BB King is playing! I knew you were a blues man at heart buddy!
Exactly what I thought of.
Cool lesson bro!
Dude ... you're great. Love your videos.
love that Big Barney !!
Great video R.J. I’m going to apply this in my soloing. Thanks for the great lesson!
You’re the man mate!! Some much tasty playing right there, thanks from down under!
Awesome. Never approached it that way.
Also a great way to learn notes and intervals!
Holy cow this is a helpful video
Nice one R.J. - gotta say something with your phrasing. Love it.
Always really informative!
here's a lesson: Put your guitar down and Listen Listen Listen. A good place to start is to listen to all of RJ's demo videos. There is a ton of stuff in those demos to eventually add to your playing. But listen first.
#1 rule in Jazz...LISTEN
Ironically, it's harder to do than sweep picking
Great stuff, so good, so true!
I am digging this concept! Thanks for doing this vid and thanks for the backing track! Great Ideas!
This is a fantastic video. Thanks for the insight, RJ! You rock
Great lesson, thank you!
Great lesson. You crack me up at 1:28 mark, Let Me Show You Something. R J that was funny !!! Thanks.
Great concept R.J.! Thanks for another great video lesson.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights!
What an amazing example for less is more...
Yes indeed....exhausted of shredders after 30 years!
Picking high and low notes is definitely important which he called octaves. If you keep picking high notes for too long it can sound very boring so you have to balance the sound picking low notes too, or vice-versa
So useful
Love the Barney Kessel!
super great lesson thanks!
That guitar is killer man!
I love your videos they help so much thank you
R. J.! Plz make a video about blues phrasing! You Are sooo good!
Awesome lesson!
Nice video! I love these videos on improvisation and I love your Barney 😍
Thanks RJ. I'm going to weave this into my practice routine.
I came over after seeing you on Brett Papa's channel ... so glad I did!
Love that Barney Kessel!
Awesome RJ!!!
subbed, awesome content man!
That looks like a very thick pick... I love all of your videos! :)
Great!
beautiful guitar
The lesson is a great concept that can be applied across more than just blues/pop/rock. It’s a lesson in musicality and making sure each note/rhythm/blazing fast lick has meaning and intentionality behind it.
But let’s forget the lesson for a moment and listen to that snare drum in the backing track.
Nathan Lundstrom I was digging that snare sound as well.
This is a really great lesson, thanks. Also like the Gibson Barney Kessel, that's a rare bird and I've never tried one.
Nice Trini Lopez Guitar RJ! And awesome lesson as usual.
Aye Nonymus
Barney kessle
Not trini no diamond f holes but same body
very cool idea r.j.
Great advice!