Showing titles in Instruction & Technique

Learn both the rhythm and lead guitar parts to this level-one surf guitar classic without using music, tab, or video. The entire song is taught in two- to four-measure sections, describing every note and finger used, completely “by ear". Full demo and backing tracks are included.

Learn a fingerstyle solo of this Eddie Holman classic without using music or tab! The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song and then teaches every note and phrase completely “by ear” without using music, tab, or video.

Learn a fingerstyle solo of this Beatle’s hit without using music, tab, or video. The lesson includes a full demonstration of the solo and then a detailed “by ear” lesson teaching every phrase slowly, including fingering and any helpful technique and performance tips.

In this lesson, the student is first given a full demonstration of the guitar parts with backing tracks as a reference. Then they get a detailed “by ear” lesson on both the rhythm and lead guitar parts and guitar and effects settings. This lesson is broken down into two to four measure sections using no music, tab, print, or video. At the end of the lesson are backing tracks in different formats to be used for live performance!

All 14 verses of this blues/rock hit are taught in extreme detail including the use of the wah-wah pedal. The entire song is demonstrated and then taught completely “by ear”. At the conclusion of the lesson, you are given the backing tracks to practice and perform with.

In this lesson, the student learns both the acoustic rhythm and electric lead guitar parts to “Zephyr” by Mary Chapin Carpenter. The lesson begins with full demonstration of the song arrangement followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson on all the guitar parts of the song. At the end of the lesson, there are backing tracks in three different configurations to be used for practice and performance.

In this lesson on the song by The Rolling Stones you will learn the 12-string guitar part and a lead guitar part that was assembled from the string orchestra solo in the middle of the song. This way, if you are the second guitarist in the band, you can fill in for the missing orchestra solo. There is a full demonstration of the song given before a detailed “by ear” lesson of each part. At the end of the lesson, you are given backing tracks to practice the lead guitar part with!

In this lesson, you learn both the rhythm and lead guitar parts to the studio version of this song. A full demonstration is provided at the beginning, and then the lesson is taught “by ear” in short phrases. Once you have mastered the lesson, three different versions of the backing tracks are given for you (and a friend) to practice and perform with.

Alan Holdsworth is the guitarist for U.K. on this song, so there are plenty of tasteful progressive rock licks for you to learn in this lesson. The song is also loaded with exotic time signatures so you will get a counting workout, as well. The song is played in its entirety and then taught in two- to four-measure sections. At the end of the lesson, you are given the backing tracks with no guitar for you to play along with.

For this lesson on the Led Zeppelin hit we will be using the studio version and learning both the acoustic and electric guitar parts. The song is demonstrated in its entirety with a light metronome track so that you can hear the timing. Then the entire song is taught in two- to four-measure sections completely “by ear".

The Drifters’ version of this song stayed number one for three weeks when it was first released on Atlantic Records. In this level one song lesson, you will learn both the rhythm and electric guitar parts to this epic hit completely “by ear". The song is demonstrated in its entirety and then taught in small detailed sections without the use of music, tab, or video.

This classic rock standard is fun and easy to learn! In this lesson, the student learns the rhythm and lead guitar parts completely “by ear” using no music, tab, or video. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song followed by a detailed lesson of every phrase and lick. At the end of the lesson there are backing tracks in three different configurations for live performance! This song is rated as a level one arrangement.

This lesson is based on the One More Car, One More Rider acoustic version by Eric Clapton. This is a level two and contains a lesson on the long improv section at the beginning of the song as well as the rest of the arrangement. There is a demonstration recording and a backing track included.

Greg Graffin, of Bad Religion fame, takes this punk standard and makes it a flat-picking ballad. If you love rock and punk, you will want to learn this song. If you like modern bluegrass, you will want to learn this song. This is about as eclectic as one could hope to get! The song contains a full demonstration of the guitar part and then a detailed “by ear” lesson teaching every phrase of the entire song without video, music, or tab. Learn by ear, play by ear.

Learn this beautiful neo-classical solo from the movie The Deer Hunter without using music, tab, or video! The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song and then teaches the entire arrangement “by ear” describing every note and phrase, including fingering.

In this classic rock lesson, the student learns the rhythm and lead guitar parts. The song is fully demonstrated then taught incrementally using no music, tab, or video. This method allows mastery of the materials quickly and easily. Finally, the student is provided three backing tracks to utilize when performing. This is a level 1.5.

In a delightfully self-conscious philosophical "mash-up", Randall Everett Allsup provides alternatives for the traditional master-apprentice teaching model that has characterized music education. By providing examples across the arts and humanities, Allsup promotes a vision of education that is open, changing, and adventurous at heart. He contends that the imperative of growth at the core of all teaching and learning relationships is made richer, though less certain, when it is fused with a student's self-initiated quest.

Music practice arguments in families are seemingly so ubiquitous that it's become a trope used in sitcoms. But it doesn't have to be this way. Your child can have a wonderful experience with music, and you can enjoy watching their progress without it becoming a battlefield. In Practice Pie, I'll teach you how to support your child in their musical journey. I can't promise it will be as easy as pie (but then, is pie really easy?), but I can promise to make it quick and practical, with a little humor thrown in for good measure.

In this Piano by Ear lesson you will learn an intermediate-level arrangement of this gospel standard without any music, print, or video! The lesson begins with a full demonstration of the song and then teaches it in two- to four-measure sections completely “by ear”.

There may be an idea, a thought, a feeling, an emotion, or a sensation growing inside you like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. With the right tools, you can become the engineer of your own ideas, building them brick by brick, putting all the pieces together, until your song finally starts unfolding as your lyrics and tunes merge to make one coherent whole.