EASY ROCK GUITAR

Amp Settings

Lets take a 6th string, open E note and learn how to adjust our amp settings for premium rock tone. The controls on this amp feature 2 channels. In most cases, the first channel is a clean guitar sound. Channel 2 is usually a distorted guitar sound. For this channel, the more gain you use, the heavier the guitar tone will be. For a common rock guitar tone, engage overdrive and set Drive to 6 or 7.

This amp features a mid gain frequency control, which we will set to 12 o clock. The level is the same as volume.

Next we have the EQ or equalizer controlling the low, mid and high frequencies. Lets put these all at 12 o clock, which means they are flat, not giving or taking away from the tone.

In rock, it is typical to raise the bass a little, to the #7 marker, and slightly boost the mids to #6, and Treble just past the #7 marker.

Here’s the open E note. An E power chord. Here’s an open E chord.

Effects

Distortion

If your amp and guitar combination aren’t giving you the tone you desire, you can insert a distortion pedal between your guitar and your amp. Here I am using my amp set to the clean channel, with the rock EQ settings that we just learned. For the distortion, I’m using a Carl Martin Plexitone. I have the boost set just before 10 o’clock. The level control is the same as volume and you can adjust it to your liking, just before 1 o’clock would be ideal. Tone is set to 3 o’clock. High Gain to 1 and crunch is dialed in just past 10 o’clock.

The use of a distortion pedal allows a lot more tonal possibilities, and it also allows us to easily switch from a clean tone to a dirty rhythm tone. The select button allows me to choose between two tones, High Gain and Crunch. By engaging the Boost, I have a slightly louder lead guitar tone.

During each lesson, I’ll use a general distorted tone for each description. During the practice tempos, I’ll be adding more effects.

Chorus

To give the guitar sound a little more depth, you might also want to add some Chorus. Here I’m using the Carl Martin Classic Chorus with Rate all the way up, speed is set low, to about 9 o’clock. Depth is between 11 and 12 o clock, and level is set to 11.

ECHO (Delay)

During the guitar solos, I’ll be adding a Carl Martin EchoTone delay effect. with Echo set just before 3. Feedback just past 12 o’clock. Tone to 1 and Time to 4 o clock.

EASY BEGINNER LESSONS

HANDS FREE ROCK GUITAR

DAMPING TECHNIQUE

1 FINGER ROCK GUITAR

2 FINGER ROCK GUITAR

POWER CHORDS

SONG 1

HANDS FREE ROCK GUITAR

The key of E dominates guitar and rock music, so lets start out by learning a basic structure for a Rock Guitar Rhythm based in the key of E.

This riff starts out on the 6th string open E note. no frets, no fingers. Eventually we will be playing an E power chord in place of this note. But for the sake of beginners watching this video, we are starting out with an E bass note by itself.

Simply start with a downstroke on the open E note and let it ring out for 4 beats. 1-2-3-4.

Then we’ll switch to the 5th string open A note. Here I’ll alternate to an upstroke and hold for 4 beats. 1-2-3-4

Next, we switch back to the open 6th string E note. Pick with a down stroke for 4 beats. 1-2-3-4. Then E again with an upstroke for 4 beats. 1-2-3-4.

DAMPING TECHNIQUE

It’s a very simple structure E-A-E-E. Since your not holding any frets with your playing hand, you can use a technique called Damping or Muting to prevent any stray notes from ringing out on other strings. To do this, just lightly touch the strings you don’t want to ring out. So for when you play the open 6th string E note, you can lightly touch the 5th through 1st strings and this will prevent unwanted notes from ringing out. That way, if you accidentally pick extra strings, they will be muted and you’ll only hear the note you want, which is the open E note.

When you switch to the open 5th string A note, just move the damping technique down to the 4th string, and you can even bring your thumb around to mute the 6th string. With this muting technique, you can even strum all 6 strings, but you’ll only hear the note you are allowing to ring out.

Of course, you can also practice picking accurately so you don’t hit any stray notes.

Alright, so our first exercise was made with the beginner guitarist in mind. It is very simple, just E-A-E-E. Don’t worry, as we discussed earlier, we are going to progress to a lot of advanced rock guitar playing, but for starters lets keep things simple for our beginner viewers.

Lets practice this rhythm at a slow tempo of 50 Beats Per Minute, or 50 BPM. We’ll play it twice, then move on to the next lesson

EASY BEGINNER LESSONS -

1 FINGER ROCK GUITAR

The last exercise taught us 3 beginner techniques. One was the basic rhythm structure for a rock song, E-A-E-E, next was basic picking. and we also introduced the damping or muting technique to prevent unwanted notes.

Here we are going to introduce a quick change passing tone, on the 6th string 3rd fret G note. To play this note, simply place your index finger directly behind the 3rd fret wire on the 6th string. To help with leverage, your thumb should be on the back of the neck, directly behind your index finger. Squeeze the 6th string and guitar neck between your thumb and index finger, pick the string and you have a G note.

Some problems that beginners often have is to hold the note to far up the neck. So if your finger is past the 3rd fret wire, you will get a muted tone. Or, if your finger is too far back from the wire, you might not have enough finger strength to hold the note. The easiest way to get a note to ring out is to make sure your finger is directly behind the fret you want to ring out.

Now that we’ve learned the G note, we’re going to add it to our E-A-E-E rhythm. Instead of holding E for 4 beats, we’ll hold it for 2, then switch to G. The trick is to hold your thumb in place as if you were playing the G note, but lift your index finger so you can play E, then easily switch to G. We’re still using a 4 count, so play E for 1-2, then hold G for 3-4. Then we change strings and play the open 5th string A note for 4 beats. All together, 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4. This positioning also allows me to mute the other strings.

The second half of this rhythm takes us back to the 6th string open E for counts 1-2, up to the 6th string 3rd fret G for counts 3-4, then back to the 6th string open E for 1-2-3-4.

Then repeat the rhythm.

Here’s exercise 2 played twice with a practice tempo.

EASY BEGINNER LESSONS - 2 FINGER ROCK GUITAR - POWER CHORDS

Now we are going to expand on our open 6th string E note, and make it an E5 Power Chord by adding the 5th string 2nd fret with the index finger. With this fingering in place strum down on strings 6 and 5 together. You can practice strumming just the 6th and 5th strings. You can also mute the other strings in case you over strum, preventing unwanted notes from ringing out.

Just like the last exercise, we’ll play the E power chord for counts 1-2. Then the 6th string 3rd fret G note for counts 3-4. But this time we will use our middle finger for the G note. All together, 1-2-3-4.

Next, switch to an A5 Power Chord by moving your index finger down to the 4th string 2nd fret, and play it along with the 5th string open. Strum down on strings 5-4. and hold for 4 beats, 1-2-3-4.

So all together, we have E5 - G to A5. I’m strumming down on E5, up on the G note, then down on A5.

The second half of the rock rhythm is E5, to G, back to E5. Here’s exercise 3 played twice with a tempo.

EASY BEGINNER LESSONS - SONG 1

Now lets combine exercises 1-2-3 and play them together as our first rock song. First we’ll play it at a very slow beginner tempo, then again at a medium speed, and finally at a fast speed. If the medium or fast speeds are too challenging for you, don’t worry. Keep moving through the rest of this DVD and by the time you have finished all of the lessons, you’ll be able to play these faster sections with no problem at all.

BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE LESSONS

DEVELOPING RHYTHM

PALM MUTE TECHNIQUE

QUARTER NOTES

EIGHTH NOTES

ROCK SONG 2

PALM MUTE TECHNIQUE

In this section of Easy Rock Guitar, we are going to establish a good sense of rhythm or timing. We’ll start with an E5 Power Chord, then play palm muted notes in time with the drums. The palm mute technique is achieved by placing the edge of your palm against the string while picking it. For a heavy sounding mute, place your palm close to the bridge of your guitar. To get brighter mutes, move your palm away from the bridge.

In the first measure, we play an E5 power chord without a mute. Then palm mute an open E by itself, then place your middle finger on the 3rd fret G note, and play it with a palm mute, then again with a palm mute.

QUARTER NOTES

To play in time with the drums, we are going to count out quarter notes, which receive one beat each. 1 2 3 4. So the first beat is an E5 which rings out, then we apply the palm mute and play an E note for the 2nd count, then up to the 3rd fret and play G for the 3 count, and G again for the 4 count. 1 2 3 4 - I recommend that you practice this rhythm two ways. One is with all down strokes, which will give your palm mutes a heavier tone, 1 2 3 4. And the other technique is to alternate your picking strokes, 1 2 3 4.

In the second measure, we switch to the A5 power chord, letting it ring out for the 1 count.

Then we apply the palm mute technique to the 5th string and play single A notes for counts 2 3 4. Again, practice all down strokes 1 2 3 4, as well as alternate picking 1 2 3 4.

The second half of our rhythm starts out the same, Playing an E5, palm mute an E, then palm mute G, G. But for the last measure, we’ll play E5, and end with 3 palm muted open E notes. Here it is played twice with a slow practice tempo.

EIGHTH NOTES

Our next exercise introduces 8th notes. So far we have been counting straight quarter notes, as in 1-2-3-4. An 8th note divides a single beat into 2 pulses. So instead of counting 1-2-3-4

we will now count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Start with an E5 power chord, then apply the palm mute and play open E, E, E.

Move up to the 3rd fret G note and play G, G, G, G.

So now we have 8 pulses in this measure. 1& 2& 3& 4&.

<pick> Since this is a little quicker, it might be easier for beginner players to play using alternate picking strokes. Down-up-down-up-down-up-down-up. 1& 2& 3& 4&.

For more advanced players, I definitely recommend learning to play both alternating as well as all down strokes.

In the second measure we switch to A5, remember to lift the palm mute. Then after strumming the A5 power chord, apply the palm mute and play open 5th string A notes for the rest of the measure.

For the second half of the rhythm, we play the same E5, then palm muted E to G notes.

Then back to E5, and palm muted E notes for the rest of the measure.

ROCK SONG 2

Now lets put these sections together with a slow, medium and fast tempo.

BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE LESSONS

2 & 3 FINGER ROCK GUITAR

BENDS & VIBRATO

STRUMMING EIGHTH NOTES

SCALES & RIFFS

OCTAVES

EIGHTH NOTE SCALE RUN

END TAGS

4 FINGER ROCK GUITAR

FRETTED POWER CHORDS

ROCK SONG 3

RECAP OF SECTION

E MINOR PENTATONIC SCALE & CHORDS

BENDS & VIBRATO

Here we are going to incorporate some more advanced techniques and fingerings. For example, we’ll start off with our E5 rhythm from the previous lessons, but when we switch to the G note, we are going to give it a slight bend. Play the note like you normally would, but pull down on the string to slightly raise the pitch. When you do this, it is important to keep your middle finger in contact with the string and keep it pressed against the fretboard as you bend. Then switch to the A5 chord that we’ve previously learned.

So all together, you have E5, G bend to A5..

1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4.

The second half of our rhythm teaches the vibrato technique. Start off with the E5 for counts 1 and 2. switch to the G note, but this time while holding the note, rapidly rotate your wrist. This vibrato technique will lightly raise and return the pitch of the G note. Continue the vibrato technique for counts 3-4, then return to the E5. But only allow E5 to ring out for the first count, then mute the strings for counts 2-3-4. To achieve this mute, you can simply lay your fingers across all 6 strings.

So all together, the second half is 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4. When you mute the strings, be sure not to press them against the frets, just touch them lightly enough to mute them. If you press too hard, you will sound unwanted notes.

You can also mute the strings with your picking hand. Strum the E5 for the first count, then lay your palm across the strings to silence them for counts 2-3-4.

Here’s section 3, exercise 1 at a slow tempo of 55 Beats Per Minute, or 55 BPM.

Following the same structure as the previous exercise, here we start with an E5, to a 3rd fret G note with a slight bend, then A5, and a change up, which has us playing the 4th string open, along with the 3rd string 2nd fret with your index finger. These two notes together make a D5 power chord. Just strum strings 4 and 3.

All together, we have a quick paced ascending rhythm. 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4.

For the second half, we walk up from E5, G with a bend, to A5. Then descend in pitch to E5, and a mute. The count is E5 for 1-2, G for 3-4, the next measure is A5 for 1-2. E5 for 3, and mute for 4. Here it is with a tempo.

STRUMMING EIGHTH NOTES

Our next exercise has us strumming 8th notes. In our sheet music we see 2 E5 chords, strum down for the 1 count, strum up for the & count. 1 &

Next, we’ll mute the strings for the 2 count. Then play G with vibrato for counts 3-4.

1&-2-3-4

Then switch to a double A5 for counts 1&, strumming down and up. then mute for the 2 count. Switch to our D5, but we’re going to add the 2nd string 3rd fret with the middle finger for an extended D5 power chord. This is still a D5, but with an added octave D note which makes it sound fuller. So for the second measure, we have double A5, mute, to an extended D5. 1& 2 3 4.

All together, starting with E5, 1& 2 3 4 - 1& 2 3 4.

The second half starts out the same with double E5, mute, to G with vibrato. For the end, we have double A5, then in place of a G note, we are going to play a G5 power chord. Place your middle finger on the 6th string 3rd fret, and angle your finger so the bottom skin lightly touches the 5th string, causing it to mute. But make sure it does note touch the 4th string, because you want the 4th string open to ring out along with the 3rd string open.

With this fingering in place, strum down on strings 6-5-4-3. Then switch from this G5, to our E5 chord, then mute. Starting with the A5, the count is 1&, switch to the G5 for 2. E5 for 3, mute for 4.

1& 2 3 4 - 1& 2 3 4.

Lets run through it a couple times with a tempo.

SCALES & RIFFS

In this next exercise we’ll introduce some scale notes in the form of guitar riffs. Start with the E5, mute, then G with vibrato. Next we’ll play an ascending guitar riff, keeping it simple at first, we’ll start on the 5th string open A note, to the 2nd fret B with the index finger. Next is the 4th fret open D, to the 2nd fret E with the index. This will be our ascending rhythm riff. 1& 2 3 4 - 1 2 3 4.

Next we’ll play the same E progression for the first half and follow it up with a descending riff, starting on the 4th string 2nd fret E note with the index, drop down to the open D. Then to the 5th string, playing a 2nd fret B with the index, then an open A.

For exercise 5, we’re starting on the double A5, then a mute, and to change things up, we’ll play the 5th string 2nd fret with B our index finger and add vibrato. Again, this popular technique is achieved rotating your wrist while keeping finger pressure on the string allowing it to ring out while you raise and return the pitch of the B note. The count is 1& 2 3 4.

Next we play an ascending riff on the 4th string open D, 2nd fret E with the index, to the 3rd string open G note, then an octave A note on the 3rd string 2nd fret with the index finger.

OCTAVES

When you hear the term octave, it simply means a note that is doubled in pitch. For example, earlier we learned that the 6th string open is an E note., then as lessons progressed, we found there was another E note on the 4th string 2nd fret, this is exactly double the pitch or frequency of the 6th string E. You can also look at the lower E note as half the pitch or frequency of the 4th string E. Either way, you have a lower octave E and a higher Octave E. As we progress, you’ll see that there are several octaves for every note.

Back to our rhythm, we have the double A5, mute, then a 5th string 2nd fret B with vibrato,

then the ascending scale riff, D-E-G-A.

1& 2 3 4 - 1 2 3 4.

Next we double up on the extended D5, mute, then D5 again. The count is 1& 2 3 4.

This is followed by a descending scale run, starting on the 1st string 3rd fret with the middle finger, This is now a second octave G note that we have learned. Followed by an open 1st string E note. Switch to the 2nd string 3rd fret for an octave D note. played with the middle finger. Then drop down to the 2nd string open octave B note.

EIGHTH NOTE SCALE RUN

To wrap up this exercise, we are going to play a faster scale run, starting on the 3rd string 2nd fret A with the index finger to the open G. On the 4th string, play a 2nd fret E, to open D.

On the 5th string, play a 2nd fret B, to open A. So far, all of these notes will be counted as 8th notes. 1& 2& 3&.

Then we’ll switch back to a single beat for the 4 count, playing a 6th string 3rd fret G note with a slight bend. 1& 2& 3& 4.

Then end on an extended E5 power chord. There are two ways you can play this. It starts the same as our previous E5, with the 6th string open along with the 5th string 2nd fret with our index finger, but to extend the chord, we will add the 4th string 2nd fret octave E note, which can be played with your middle finger. Or you can hold the 5th and 4th string notes with your index finger by barring across the 2nd fret. It’s up to you to decide which you prefer. With these fingers in place, strum strings 6-5-4.

END TAGS

A common technique in rock music is to make it sound you have ended a song, or a section of a song, then add on another ending, or an end tag. So if the last exercise sounded like it could have been an end to a song or a section of a song, this next exercise will serve as an example of an end tag. Here we’ll start with the extended D5 power chord. Double, then mute, then strum and hold. Then using 8th notes, play the 1st string 3rd fret with the middle finger, then open. To 2nd string 3rd fret, then open. On the 3rd string, play the 2nd fret with the index finger, then open. And 4th string 2nd then open. So we have double D5, mute, D5 - then a descending scale run, 3-0, 3-0, 2-0, 2-0.

The count is 1& 2 3 4 - 1& 2& 3& 4&.

4 FINGER ROCK GUITAR

FRETTED POWER CHORDS

Next we introduce a new power chord. This is a fretted B5 power chord, play the 5th string 2nd fret with your index finger, along with the 4th string 4th fret with your ring finger, and add the 3rd string 4th fret with your pinky. With these fingers in place, strum strings 5-4-3.

If this Extended B5 is giving you trouble, you can cheat and just play strings 5 and 4 together, but ultimately you should work on strengthening up your pinky so you can play the extended version. This B5 is going to ring out for a full 4 beats, 1-2-3-4.

Then we’ll continue our descending scale run starting on the 2nd string 3rd fret with the middle finger, to open. 3rd string 2nd fret with the index to open, - 4th string 2nd to open. Then hold the 5th string 2nd fret with a slight bend.

The count is 1& 2 & 3& 4.

Then end on an extended A5 power chord. Which adds the 3rd string 2nd fret to our previous A5 chord. you can add this note with the middle finger, or you can barre the 4th and 3rd strings with the index finger across the 2nd fret. This A5 is held for 4 beats.

All together, the count is 1 2 3 4 - 1& 2& 3& 4 - 1 2 3 4.

To wrap up our end tag, we continue with a descending scale run start on the 3rd string 2nd fret to open. On the 4th string, play a 2nd fret to open. 5th string, 2nd fret to open. Then play a 6th string 3rd fret G note with a slight bend.

1& 2& 3& 4.

Play an extended E5 for 4 beats, 1 2 3 4. Then end with a double E5 and mute. Lets put the end tag together with a tempo.

ROCK SONG 3

Now lets put all of the exercises from section 3 together and play them in order as our 3rd Rock Song. We’ll start at a slow tempo, then medium and wrap things up with a fast version.

RECAP OF SECTION

To close up this section of Easy Rock Guitar, we added some scale notes to our rhythm guitar parts and used the scale as lead guitar riffs. You may have noticed that each scale note was also used as power chords.

E MINOR PENTATONIC SCALE & CHORDS

The scale we used in this section is the E minor pentatonic scale, made up of the notes E-G-A-B-D. Then it repeats with the E octave, G-A-B-D, the another Octave E then G.

Scale notes compliment each other musically. Which means you can use scale notes together to create riffs and lead guitar runs and you can also use each scale note as a chord, which we have been doing so far with the E5 G5 A5 B5 and D5 power chords.

Knowing this minor pentatonic scale and the power chords derived from it, allows us to write songs in the key of E.

Here’s an exercise playing the E minor pentatonic scale ascending, then descending, followed by each power chord derived from the scale.

Easy Rock Guitar DVD

Heavy Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lessons: Beginner to Intermediate

BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE LESSONS

COMBINING MAJOR & MINOR

HAMMER ONS

PULL OFFS

SLIDE TECHNIQUE

TRIPLETS

ROCK SONG 5

COMBINING MAJOR & MINOR

If you play the E minor pentatonic scale, then compare it to the E major pentatonic, you’ll notice some notes the two have in common, and some that don’t. It is very common in rock music to combine the two scales, in which case, we’ll start with E, to the 2nd fret F# with the index, 3rd fret G with the middle and 4th fret G# with the ring, switching to the 5th string, we’ll play B on the 2nd fret with the index, to C#, then end on E.

HAMMER ONS

For our E rhythm, we’ll start with E5, then mute, then skip right to the 3rd fret G, to G#

To the 5th string B to C#, then E. Here we will also introduce the Hammer on, so back up to the G note, and you see a curved line above G to G#, this tells you to use the hammer on technique. Which means you will pick the G note, but hammer your ring finger to the 4th fret to produce the G# note without picking. Again, pick G, and hammer to G# without picking. Then switch to the 5th string picking B and hammer to C#, sounding it without picking and end on the octave E.

The count is 1& 2& 3& 4

PULL OFFS

The second half of the E rhythm introduces the pull off technique, which is the opposite of the hammer on. First we play E5 and mute, then the octave E on the 4th string 2nd fret, to the 5th string C#, play this with your ring finger on the 4th fret, and pull off to the B note, played with your index finger on the 2nd fret. To apply the pull off technique, you need both fingers in place, then pull your ring finger away from the fretboard at a 45 degree angle,

as if you were snapping the string away from the fingerboard to produce the pitch of the 2nd fret which is held by your index finger. So altogether, we have E5, mute, to the octave E, then C# pull off to B, and to end, play the 6th string 4th fret G#, G, then F#

The count descending is 1& 2& 3& 4&

And when you put it all together we have 1& 2& 3& 4 - 1& 2& 3& 4&

Lets practice it a couple times in a row with a tempo of 60 BPM

For the A rhythm, we’ll apply the same pattern So play A5 and mute. To the 5th string 3rd fret hammer to 4. To the 4th string 2nd fret hammer to 4 end on the 3rd string 2nd fret. To return, play A5 and mute, 3rd string 2nd fret, then 4th string 4 pull off to the 2nd fret. To the 5th string 4-3-2. For the practice tempo, we’ll play this A rhythm once, followed by the E rhythm.

SLIDE TECHNIQUE

For the turn around, we’ll start with B5 and mute, then place your ring finger on the 5th string 5th fret and slide up 1 fret to end on the 6th fret. The slide technique is achieved by keeping pressure on a strings, making sure you hold it against the fret board while sliding up or down the neck. Again, we start with the B5 and mute, to 5th string 5 slide to 6 with the ring finger, which puts us in place to play the 4th string 4th fret with the index, hammer to 6 with the ring, to 3rd string 4. Drop down to A5, mute, then play the descending scale run from the 2nd half of the A rhythm.

For the end tag, we’ll play E5 and mute, then F# on the 2nd fret with the index, and hammer to the 3rd fret G with the middle, hammer again to the 4th fret G# with the ring, then play the 5th fret 2nd fret B with the index. From here, we walk down on the 6th string 4th fret, 3, 2, then end on an E5 Power Chord.

TRIPLETS

This rhythm uses triplets, which break each beat into 3 pulses. So instead of counting quarter notes, which would be 1 2 3 4, or 8th notes, 1& 2& 3& 4&, Triplets are counted 1&a 2&a 3&a 4&a. The count for this end tag rhythm is 1&-2&a-3&-4& - 1 2 3 4

ROCK SONG 5

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LESSONS

MAIN RIFF

VERSE

CHORUS

ROCK SONG 07

MAIN RIFF

For section 07 we’re going to construct a song using common elements found in rock music such as a main riff, verse and chorus. and Later we will be adding a lead guitar solo to this section. For the main riff we’ll drop down to our open E5 power chord, barring the 5th and 4th string 2nd fret notes with your index finger. Strum Down, up, then down on a single 6th string open E note with a palm mute. After the palm mute, strum up on an open G power chord. So far we have E5, E5 palm mute, G - 1e&a. It is going to be very important to get the correct strumming pattern down, so be sure to strum down then up on E5, down on the palm mute and up on G5.

Next is another palm mute with a down stroke on an open E note Up on an A5. Another palm mute with a down stroke, then up on an open D5. 2e&a

So for the first half of our main riff, we have double E5 - palm mute G5 - palm mute A5 - palm mute D5. The proper strumming pattern is down up on E5 - down on the palm mute - up on G5 - down on the palm mute - up on A5 - down on the palm mute - up on D5.

The rhythm is 1e&a 2e&a 3 & 4 &

The second half of the rhythm starts out on double E5, strum down up, then down on an open E palm mute Strum up on D5 - 1e&a. Down on an E palm mute, up on A5 - another downstroke palm mute, then Up on G5. - 2e&a

Down on a palm mute, up on E5 3e&a 4e&a

Here’s the main riff with a slow practice tempo.

VERSE

The verse is very simple, playing only E5 power chords. The reason for this simplicity is to allow freedom for vocals, a guitar solo or other solo instrument to explore more melodic riffs or intricate rhythms. Here we’re playing a 5th string E5 power chord bassed on the 7th fret Strum and hold for 2 beats each 1 2 3 4. Next we move up to the 6th string octave E5 position Index on the 6th string 12th fret, ring on the 5th string 14, and pinky on the 4th string 14th fret strum and gradually slide down the neck, then play an open E5 Each chord is held for 2 beats, 1 2 3 4. This section will make up the verse, here’s a practice tempo.

CHORUS

The chorus puts this song in full gear with a steady 16th note rhythm Strum down up on E5 down on an open E note (you can add a palm mute here if you like, but I left it out for variety). Strum up on G5, then down on a muted string To do this, release pressure on the G note, but still keep your finger in contact with the string while you pick downward. Then up on A5 then down & up on open strings 5-4-3-2 Next you see a repeat symbol.

So we have E5 E5 - single E note - G5 - muted note - A5 - open strings - open strings. Then the sheet music repeats. The count is 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

ROCK SONG 07

Now lets put all the parts together. We’ll start playing the main riff twice, one verse, one chorus, to end we’ll play the verse once, and the main riff twice.

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LESSONS

EASY LEAD GUITAR SOLO

OCTAVE EM PENTATONIC SCALE

ROCK SONG 8

EASY LEAD GUITAR SOLO

ADVANCED LEAD GUITAR SOLO

BUILD UP OVER MAIN RIFF

TRIPLETS OVER VERSE

SIXTEENTH NOTE RIFF

ASCENDING TRIPLET RUN

SOLO END

ROCK SONG 9 - ADVANCED LEAD GUITAR SOLO

OTHER TITLES

EASY LEAD GUITAR SOLO

OCTAVE Em PENTATONIC SCALE

Now lets learn the octave of our Em pentatonic scale. Use your index finger for all 12th fret notes. Starting on the 6th string 12th fret E, to the 15th fret G with the ring finger. To the 5th string 12th fret A, then the 14th fret B with the ring finger. Next is the 4th string 12th fret D, to the 14th fret E. The 3rd string 12th fret G to the 14th fret A. To 2nd string 12th fret B and 15th fret D. And the 1st string 12th fret E and 15th fret G

To get used to playing lead guitar with this scale, we are going to use it over the main riff from song 7. In the first half of exercise 1, we’re going to play the scale ascending over the first part of the rhythm guitar. Here we’ll use 16th notes starting on the 6th string 12th fret E, and play the scale up to the A note on the 3rd string 14th fret The count is 1e&a 2e&a 3 4, then we’ll add vibrato to the A note.

For the second half of the main riff rhythm guitar we’ll play a descending scale run from the 1st string 15th fret G, down to 4th string 12th fret D, then back up to the 14th fret E with vibrato.

1e&a 2e&a 3 4

Here it is with a slow, medium and fast tempo

ROCK SONG 8

EASY LEAD GUITAR SOLO

ADVANCED LEAD GUITAR SOLO

BUILD UP OVER MAIN RIFF

To start off our advanced guitar solo, we’ll palm mute the Em pentatonic scale starting on the 5th string 7th fret with the index, to 10th fret with the pinky. To the 4th string 7 - 9 with the ring, and barre the ring finger, so we can easily switch to the 3rd string 9th fret, then back to the 4th string 9th fret and end on the 3rd string 7 with the index and vibrato All the notes are palm muted, except the last note. For the second half, we’ll slide up to the 2nd string 15 with the ring and heavy vibrato. Down to the 12th fret with vibrato, to the 3rd string 14 add vibrato

and back to the 2nd string 12 with vibrato. Here it is played along with the main riff at a slow practice tempo.

TRIPLETS OVER VERSE

We’re going to play a triplet lead section over the verse Here you want to barre your index finger across the 12th fret of strings 1 and 2, but start with your ring finger on the 1st string 15th fret, pull off to the 1st string 12th fret to sound it without picking, then play the 2nd string 12th fret. This is repeated with a triplet rhythm 1&a 2&a 3&a 4&a.

In the 2nd measure, play this again for count 1&a then play the 2nd string 15 to 1st string 12, back to 2nd string 15 and add vibrato.

Sixteenth Note Riff

When the chorus kicks in, we will match the rhythm with a 16th note lead guitar riff. Barring the 12th fret and strings 1 and 2, start with the 1st string 15th fret, pull to 12, then 2nd string 15 pull to 12. This is repeated 4 times counting 16th notes.

1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

Next is a descending sixteenth note scale run: 1st string 15 pull to 12, to 2nd string 15 pull to 12. Repeat the 2nd string 15 pull to 12, and switch to 3rd string 14 pull to 12. Repeat 3rd string 14 pull to 12 and switch to 4th string 15 pull to 12. Then end with 4th string 14 pull to 12, to 5th string 14 pull to 12. This fits in perfect with the 16th note rhythm.

1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

So all together we start out with the repetitive riff on strings 1 and 2.

1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

Then we have the descending riff - 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

ASCENDING TRIPLET RUN

Part 3 of our solo had us play a descending 16th note run So in traditional rock fashion, in part 4 of our solo we will counter with an ascending scale run, but this time counting triplets and using a palm mute. Start on the 5th string 12, 14 to 4th string 12.

Back to 5th string 14, to 4th string 12, 14

Back to 12, 14, up to 3rd string 12.

Back to 4th string 14, to 3rd string 12, 14 to end the triplet run.

1&a 2&a 3&a 4&a

In the second measure, release the palm mute and pick the 3rd string 14th fret with vibrato

Then 14 with a bend. To achieve this, bend with your ring finger, but allow your middle and maybe even your index to assist with the bend. This is a full bend, so you want it to match the pitch 2 frets higher than what you are playing, so we want to bend this 14th fret note high enough so it matches the pitch of the 16th fret. Hold this bend, then pick the string again and release the bend.

SOLO END

We’ll end our guitar solo over the main riff of our rhythm. Since we played a lot of fast notes earlier, here we will slow things down to give the feel of a break or ending. Start on the 2nd string 12, then 15 Then prebend 15 without picking. Once you have the bend in place, pick the string and release the bend This will compliment the ascending part of the main riff.

For the descending rhythm We’ll barre the 12th fret of strings 1 and 2, and pull off the 1st string 15 to 12, to the 2nd string 12. Next, we’ll walk up the 2nd string 15, 16 and 17 with vibrato to end on an E note then eventually slide down the neck.

Lead

Main Riff - Verse - Chorus - Verse - Main Riff

OTHER TITLES

That wraps up Easy Rock Guitar DVD. We’ve covered a lot of ground, but there is still a lot left that you can learn to expand on your guitar playing skills.

Other Scales

In Easy Rock Guitar DVD, we used the major and minor pentatonic scales. There are many other scales that can be used to enhance your guitar playing, and many different tricks, techniques and patterns that can be applied to these scales.

To learn more about scales and techniques, check out our best selling Total Scales Techniques and Applications. This DVD will show you how to apply all of the tricks and techniques used by the pros to create awesome guitar solos.

Or, if you would just like to learn quick, basic scales in one position, check out Easy Guitar Scales DVD.

Either one will have you playing a ton of scales Get total scales for complete fretboard mastery Or Easy Scales to learn basic root to octave positions. Both titles teach over 50 different scales.

CHORDS

Easy rock kept things simple by teaching only power chords. There are many other chords you can learn. We recommend Easy Guitar Chords DVD.

Another great learning tool is Easy CAGED Guitar DVD which shows you scales and associated chords mapped out on the entire fretboard.

MORE EASY TITLES

Be on the lookout for other titles in the MJS Easy DVD series. From Blues to Rock and Metal to Country, Whammy Bar, fingerpicking, slide guitar and more.

THEORY

Finally, no guitarist is complete without a good dose of music theory. Easy Rock Guitar DVD teaches you to play using TAB, but it does so by keeping things very simple.

If you would like to understand more about musical notes, and how they interact with each other, then we highly recommend Easy Guitar Theory DVD. This will give you a world of insight into understanding, reading and writing music and how it is applied to the guitar.

Also, many of our titles are available for Bass Guitar, so if you are starting a band, or jamming with other musicians, you can make amazing progress by using our bass and guitar titles together.

For more information about any of our titles, please visit www.markococonut.com.

Outro

I’m Marko Coconut, thanks for hanging out with me and learning to apply Easy Rock guitar.