Have you ever wondered how to actually learn your blues scales?

What order you should go in?

And what’s a good way to structure scales in your practice sessions?

I’ve talked to many campfire guitar players over the years who want to learn how to add more depth, versatility, and skill to my playing in general with the blues scale. But many practice for years and never get it down.

They can’t navigate the neck, and they can’t improvise blues licks.

So today, you’re ole’ pal Johnny is going to reveal 3 powerful tips for mastering the blues scale on guitar. Starting with one, not a single online fake guitar goo-roo is going to tell you and that is…

1) Sing It

No, you don’t have to be a singer. You don’t have to sing onstage or sing loud. Just in the privacy of your own home. In fact, you can even lightly hum or whistle it. 

My old guitar teacher Kenny Burrell (I was in a band and he was the leader), used to whistle notes at me – and the other musicians in the band all the time. ...

Ever wonder what you should do the day of a performance?

In this video, I want to share 7 tips I've found useful to prepare for a performance. These tips have helped me play HUGE shows with great success.

But they work the same if you're retired, and maybe you want to play for friends and family at a summer barbecue. Or you want to play at your church, or you have an open mic night coming up.

I help a lot of my students in my programs on my site do exactly this.

And it's been awesome to hear amazing stories from retired students live their dreams. So I thought I would share 7 quick ones here to help you out.

1. Play your guitar the day of the performance

Don’t go in cold. You want your fingers to feel warmed up. I often don’t leave my guitar out onstage. When possible I bring it backstage and I’m running through songs and playing quietly before the show. That way when I walk out, my guitar and strap are already on and I’m ready to rock. If it’s an open mic night, this might me...

Just like Jimi Hendrix, one of my favorite artists is Bob Dylan.

For years, I’ve had his records on repeat. His lyrics and the songs can take you away to another world, and today’s lesson is a perfect example of that. 

It’s a simple tune, with a very minimal production, yet it’s had a HUGE impact. 

So grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Mr. Tambourine Man” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man? 

"Mr. Tambourine Man" was originally written and performed by Bob Dylan. The song is famous for its vivid, surreal imagery and has been widely interpreted in various ways. Some listeners believe this song is about drugs, particularly with lines like "take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship." However, others argue it’s more about the search for artistic inspiration.

“Mr. Tambourine Man” was recorded on January 15, 1965, at Columbia Studios in New York City, and the production was incredibly simple. 

It only has Dylan on acoustic, vocals, and harmon...

Have you ever said:

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"I’ll do it tomorrow."

"I’ll get to it eventually."

"It’s on my to-do list."

=== 

Well if so, you might be able to relate to this epic Eagles rock song below. You see, the inspiration for it came from – putting off dreams until tomorrow.

This monumental tune also marks a pivotal change in the band’s sound.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “One Of These Nights” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote One Of These Nights?

"One Of These Nights" was co-written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, two founding members of the American rock band Eagles. Frey explained in an interview that the song's inspiration came from about from the them of postponing ambitions. 

He noted, "We've all said, 'One of these nights I'm gonna do something – get that girl, make that money, find that house.' We all have our dreams – a vision we hope will come true someday." 

The track was recorded between late 1974 and early 1975 at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida. The reco...

Just like you, I used to suffer from not being able to play killer blues guitar solos.

I was constantly hitting notes out of key. I didn’t know where to go on the neck. And, I was confused by all the different scale patterns, and music theory I thought I had to know.

It was miserable.

And I feel for anyone in this place.

But I’ve helped so many older retired students play the blues like they’ve never thought possible, inside my programs on my site. I specialize in blues guitar.

So today, I wanted to share an easy blues guitar solo that lets you sound like a pro with just 4 notes.

And this relies on an almost ancient method used by the old-school blues masters. They did this on countless songs. It’s so simple that many of today’s players would just laugh at it.

But this is to their own detriment. Because it’s been used on more recordings and hits than you can count.

So let’s get started with this easy blues guitar solo lesson.

The first thing you need to know is that this so...

Behold… one of the first true rock-and-roll songs.

This one is all about coolness, swagger, and the rebellious spirit of rock.

There are only 3 chords you need to know to play it. Below I’m going to break down the guitar style in the original Carl Perkins version, as well as the Elvis Presley version.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Blue Suede Shoes” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Blue Suede Shoes?

“Blues Suede Shoes” was written by Carl Perkins, a pioneering figure in rock and roll and rockabilly. The inspiration for the tune came about from a casual remark Perkins overheard at a dance in Jackson, Tennessee. 

A young man told his date… 

Don’t Step On My Suede Shoes!

Perkins was struck by the phrase and that was the start of the simple yet evocative message behind the song of: protecting a prized possession—one's blue suede shoes. From there, the tune ended up being crafted around humor, swagger, and the rebellious spirit of early rock and roll. 

“Blue Su...

Behold… an epic song about the dreamy California lifestyle and all its glory.

There are many guitars on the recording that create the sound you hear. But below I’m going to show you some tips for playing in this style and also getting a full sound with one guitar. 

You only need a handful of chords to play it. And, you get to blend together RHYTHM and LEAD.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Ventura Highway” chords and guitar lesson! 

Who Wrote Ventura Highway?

"Ventura Highway" was written by Dewey Bunnell, a founding member and singer-songwriter for the folk-rock band America. It reflects the spirit and vibe of the Calfornia lifestyle in the early 1970s. 

The lyrics of "Ventura Highway" are deliberately abstract. There are phrases like “purple rain” and “alligator lizards in the air.” These lines are meant to evoke imagery and feelings rather than tell a linear story. The "alligator lizards in the air" reference has puzzled listeners for decades. According to Bunnel...

I've always wondered about these famous songs titled a woman’s name...

Are they real? What was this person like at that time? Do they know said song was written about them?

Tunes like: 

* Jessica

* Layla

* Or Josie…

Well, below I’m going to break down the guitar style behind one of these types of songs. So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this "Roxanne" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Roxanne?

"Roxanne" was written by Sting, the lead vocalist and bassist for the English rock band The Police. The song sings of a man's romantic feelings for a woman named Roxanne, who is implied to be a prostitute. He drew inspiration from his experiences in Paris, where he observed the city's red-light district. The name "Roxanne" was inspired by a character from the play Cyrano de Bergerac, a poster of which was present in the hotel where the band stayed. 

"Roxanne" was recorded in 1978 at Surrey Sound Studios in Leatherhead, England. It was released on April 7, 1978, as part of the...

Behold... the forbidden riff.

I’m thrilled to announce a brand new series of posts where I’m going dive deep into the guitar style behind “Stairway To Heaven”. We’re going to go slow and leave no stone unturned. 

So get excited, grab your axe, and let’s dive into this "Stairway To Heaven" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Stairway To Heaven?

“Stairway To Heaven” was co-written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant – the guitarist and lead vocalist for the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. 

They wrote the song in 1970 while they were staying at Bron-Yr-Aur, a remote cottage in Wales. It started with the guitar instrumental Page had already composed and the Plant developed the lyrics and melody around it. Plant described the lyrics as reflective of a journey and a warning against materialism, touching on the idea that chasing the wrong things in life can lead to spiritual emptiness. This journey is symbolized by the “stairway,” suggesting a path to enlightenment or transcendence...

Ever been at a party and stuck in the middle of an awkward conversation? 

This can be quite uncomfortable, and that’s where the inspiration for this song came.

It only uses a handful of chords. Below I’m going to break down a couple of ways to play it – easier to advanced.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this "Stuck In The Middle With You" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Stuck In The Middle With You?

"Stuck in the Middle with You" was co-written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan, two members of the Scottish band Stealers Wheel.

The song’s inspiration came from an awkward industry party hosted by their record label. They were at this party and feeling out of place. They took their discomfort and channeled it into the lyrics which poke fun at the superficiality of the music industry. The chorus, "clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right," reflects their sentiments of being caught between insincere individuals. 

“Stuck In The Middle With You” was released as a single...