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Blues I: Fundamentals

Group guitar class taught by Joey Weidner

8 lessons · 1 hour per week · beginner

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In this fun and interactive 8-week class, I will be introducing you to the most important aspects of playing blues guitar. You will also learn about the fascinating history of the blues and its most influential artists, and the songs and riffs that changed music forever. Throughout this class, you will be encouraged to play along, interact and share your progress on the community forum. Blues, in its essence, is simple. It's even considered by some to be "easy" to play. This is a dangerous trap, and frankly, it's disrespectful to the blues masters who paved the way for the rest of us. I know this from first-hand experience; I have been obsessed with the blues my entire life, and although I've been practicing it diligently for nearly 20 years, I would be reluctant to call it easy to play. That's the greatest trick with the blues. On the surface, it is straightforward, but in order to really get a handle on it, you have to be willing to go deeper beneath the surface. You have to be willing to go deeper within yourself. Blues isn’t about showing off. It’s about conveying emotion. It’s about connecting with yourself, with other musicians and (hopefully) an audience. Blues is a feeling. It's not all about technical skill, it's about developing and believing in your own unique voice.

What's included

Video chat lessons

Learn and ask questions with Joey Weidner every week.

Lesson replays

Unlimited access to recordings from class.

Private community

Practice with people who share your love of guitar.

Taught by Joey Weidner
Teaching on Til since 2021

4.95 · 54 students · 33 lessons

Hello! I'm a blues guitarist, producer and educator based in West Cork, Ireland. My unique blend of blues, roots, soul, and rock has led me to work with a diverse range of artists and producers from all over the world. In the past 15 years I have gained a wealth of experience as a musician, producer and songwriter. I have been a signed artist, a touring session musician, a studio engineer, and most recently, an avid music educator. I aim to demystify the guitar, and get you grooving ASAP!
What you'll do

Hill Country Blues

We will start our journey with some good old-fashioned hill country blues. This is a style that is focused on rhythm and groove more than anything else. It's a great place to start, as you will be working on all of the most important aspects of playing the blues. You will immediately be able to play along and get lost in the hypnotic boogie.

Delta Blues

The Mississippi Delta is often considered to be the birthplace of the blues, and it produced some of the most influential artists of all time. Charlie Patton, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnston, Howlin' Wolf, Son House and everyone in between. We will be working through some of the most important music of the Delta.

Blues History

In order to play the blues with true passion, I consider it critically important to learn about the history of the blues. Throughout this class, you will gain a deeper understanding of the artists and the context in which this music was developed.

Blues Techniques / Blues Form

Throughout this class you will be introduced to the most important techniques of blues guitar. We will discuss: Turnarounds, Bends, Slides, Vibrato, Hammer ons / Pull offs, Syncopation. We will also be studying famous blues songs and discussing some of the most common song structures used in blues music.

Classic Riffs and Blues Scales

I will introduce to the most important scale to know as a blues musician: the pentatonic scale. We will have fun learning some of the most iconic blues riffs, and you will learn how to put this knowledge to use by improvising your very own blues licks and solos.

Who you are
This is a beginner friendly class. However, if you have never picked up a guitar before, it might be a bit too challenging to keep up. At the very minimum, you should know the basics of tuning your guitar, strumming, fretting notes, and the root position chords ( C A G E D).
What to bring
Your favourite guitar! ( a nice glass of whiskey is also optional)

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Blues I: Fundamentals