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Top-rated r&b and neo-soul guitar lessons

These R&B and neo-soul guitar lessons are highly rated for guided learning to help you play smooth rhythms, soulful riffs, and expressive bends.

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Tim Wallace

Tim W.

Learning with Mango Guitar

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6 days ago

Very patient teacher with a great attitude and a lot of knowledge to impart. She's helped me develop practice routines, taught me techniques, and given me recommendations on songs to learn to understand songwriting pricinples. I totally recommend her for anyone wanting to expand their guitar skills.

C.R. Marshall

C.R. M.

String Theory Part 1 - Triads

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1 week ago

Exactly what I was looking for. Learning triads and inversions all over the neck, and then working with them in songs and progressions skyrocketed my fret-board knowledge.

Todd MacLeod

Todd M.

Learning with Ry Naylor

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1 week ago

Today's private lesson with Ry was awesome. I've been taking his Master Class group lessons (also awesome), but to have some time to chat and revisit the concepts I'm struggling with was extremely helpful. Ry is VERY easy to get along with and has the ability to distill challenging concepts down to something that I can much more easily understand. Today was great!

Joseph

Joseph

Learning with Felipe Coelho

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May 2025

Felipe has a really refreshing way of teaching! As an intermediate/beginner I’m learning things I’ve never heard of and it feels like a door has been opened while at the same time I’m learning one of my favorite songs. I really like that the app records the videos because he gives so much useful in depth information that i am able to watch later. Highly recommended getting lessons with Felipe 👍🏼👍🏼

Antonio Chamoun

Antonio C.

Learning with Elisa Miconi

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May 2025

My lesson with Elisa was awesome. She is an outstanding guitar teacher. She figured exactly what I needed to improve on my electric guitar technique, gave me great tips and exercises to work on. I highly recommend her for anyone looking to improve on their guitar skills.

Interested in learning with you

Interested i.

Learning with Caitlin Caggiano

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May 2025

Just what I needed! Caitlin explains things very clearly and concisely, and relates them to how to become proficient at the language of music.

Paul Raymond

Paul R.

Learning with Matt Franceschini

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May 2025

Matt is sweet, kind and fun teacher. He immediately put me at ease and never made me feel like I was not "good enough". I highly recommend him!

Katy Dika (she/her)

Katy D.

Learning with Sara Landeau

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April 2025

Sara's just the best. Encouraging, kind and really knows what she's talking about! I look forward to my lessons with her a great deal.

Jetahn

Jetahn

Learning with Ben Mauro

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April 2025

I'm 55 years old and just started taking guitar lessons and I'm having a blast!!! Thanks Ben for helping make dreams come true!

Chris

Chris

Techniques to Improvising Melodically

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April 2025

Had a great time in the improvising melodically course. Bob opened some doors in my mind on scale superimposition and creating strong melodic and rhythmic phrases. We analyzed some great solos and I already feel like I'm playing and hearing things in a new way. Highly recommend!

Mike

Mike

Learning with Tash Wolf

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March 2025

Tash is a great teacher. She is patient, explains thing in a way that is easy to understand. The lessons are fun and I feel like I am making a lotto progress.

Dave

Dave

Learning with Elisa Miconi

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March 2025

Really great teacher. I have taken lessons on and off for like, forever, so I've had a bunch of teachers, and I think she's exceptional. For one thing, she's got great guitar chops. That could be said about a lot of guitar teachers, but she is really able to show how the skills are actually useful, and can be seen at work in songs. But also, her understanding of music theory is super impressive. She understands it at even the most technical levels like its second nature. (Which I suppose isn’t surprising, since she's a Berklee grad.) But more importantly, she’s able to really explain it. (Even when I've had other teachers who knew theory, they often weren't great at explaining it or how it was relevant.) And like she does with skills, she shows how that all of that stuff is practically applicable and can be seen in familiar songs.

Steve Ruemmele

Steve R.

Learning with Matt Franceschini

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March 2025

I enjoy having Matt as a guitar teacher, he is very knowledgeable and personable. The exercises he gives me has certainly helped me improve. He has even helped me get a better sound out of my amp. Highly recommend.

DJ

DJ

Intro to Jazz 2

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March 2025

Loved the class--learned so much and have a TON of things to work on now after taking Molly's course!

Don Wysocky

Don W.

CAGED Connections

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March 2025

This course has completely changed my way of becoming more proficient at playing the guitar. Prior to this course, I knew about the CAGED system. After taking the course, my approach changed 180 degrees in how I approach learning new things on the guitar. Now I use the CAGED system as a foundation to learn and to use new concepts on the guitar, whether playing rhythm or lead guitar. I also discovered that other courses I have taken, either on Til or elsewhere, have allowed me to understand these courses and apply the concepts more effectively because their foundation is based on the CAGED system. And Caitlin herself is not only a great teacher but a fantastic person. Her enthusiasm for teaching the guitar never wanes. She teaches another course called Secret Weapons. But I believe this course, CAGED Connections, is the secret weapon.

Michael Bader

Michael B.

Learning with Jeremy Hilliard

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February 2025

Jeremy is a superb teacher. He is kind, generous and super talented he meets the student where the student is at, never pulls rank and goes out of his way to be helpful I’m lucky to be his student!

Kerry Shea

Kerry S.

Irish Guitar Backing

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February 2025

This is a wonderful set of lessons for Irish backing guitarists. In a short amount of time I learned a lot of new ideas and I have so much more to study and practice. Thanks Matt

Cyrus

Cyrus

Learning with Matt Franceschini

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November 2024

Matt is a great teacher who tailors the sessions towards the things you want to learn and what inspires you!! It makes learning fun

Les B

Les B.

Intro to Jazz

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November 2024

As a newcomer to Jazz, this was an easy to follow course that covered some essential pieces while still allowing us to dive right in and start playing. I had been taught some of these "pieces" before, but was able to finally "connect the dots" here -looking forward to "Part II" in the new year.

Steve H

Steve H.

Secret Weapons

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October 2024

If you're ready to move beyond cowboy chords, one or two boxes of the pentatonic scale, and randomly messing around on the fretboard until things sound good, take this class! Caitlin understands music theory and is able to communicate how to put it into practice from basic principles. Her genre breakdowns are methodical and reveal that she's got deep insights only years of experience can bring. Plus, she's willing to tackle any question you have whether beginner or advanced. So if you've been playing for a while and you're ready to take your skills to the next level, sign up with Caitlin!

R&B and Neo-Soul guitar lessons on Til

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Popular skills to learn r&b and neo-soul guitar

  • Rhythm guitar techniques
  • Essential R&B chords
  • Simple funk rhythms
  • Chord extensions
  • Neo-soul licks
  • Muting techniques

Frequently Asked Questions

Your guide to r&b and neo-soul guitar

How to start playing R&B and soul guitar

R&B guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Curtis Mayfield, and Isaiah Sharkey are renowned for their soulful licks, smooth chord progressions, and expressive playing. To start your R&B guitar journey, follow this step-by-step plan:

  • Learn essential 7th chords (major, minor, and dominant) and 9th chords commonly used in R&B.
  • Practice rhythmic strumming patterns and muted strokes to create a groovy, percussive feel.
  • Study the pentatonic and blues scales to craft melodic licks and solos that convey emotion.
  • Develop your bending and vibrato techniques to add soul and expression to your playing.
  • Analyze R&B song structures and arrangements to understand how guitar parts interplay with other instruments.

While online resources can help, consider taking R&B guitar lessons with a skilled teacher for personalized guidance and feedback. A teacher provides structure, helps you refine your technique, and keeps you motivated when facing challenges.


If you want to learn from world-class R&B guitarists, check out the online guitar lessons on Til. Til offers video lessons with expert teachers, so you can learn R&B guitar from the best instructors right in your own home. With the right guidance and dedicated practice, you'll be playing soulful R&B licks in no time!

How long does it take to learn R&B guitar?

Learning the fundamentals of R&B guitar generally takes around 80-120 hours, which equates to 9-14 months if you practice for 2 hours each week or 4-7 months if you practice for 30 minutes daily. While R&B guitar is not necessarily difficult to learn, mastering the unique chord voicings, rhythmic patterns, and soulful phrasing can be challenging. For most people, the hardest part to learn R&B guitar is developing the feel and groove that defines the soulful feel of this style. To practice effectively, finding a great R&B guitar teacher is the smartest choice. An experienced instructor will guide you through the nuances of the style, provide valuable feedback, and help you develop your own musical voice, ensuring you make rapid progress and enjoy the learning process.


Need help finding a great R&B guitar teacher? Discover top-rated R&B guitar lessons on Til.

Best guitars for R&B

Our pick: Gibson ES-335

The Gibson ES-335 is the quintessential R&B/soul guitar, offering a perfect blend of warmth and clarity. Its semi-hollow body provides rich, resonant tones ideal for soulful chord work and expressive soloing. The dual humbucker pickups deliver versatile sounds ranging from smooth cleans to creamy overdriven tones. The comfortable neck and easy upper fret access facilitate complex chord voicings and fluid lead lines. R&B legends like B.B. King and Chuck Berry have made the ES-335 their signature instrument. For R&B/soul guitarists seeking professional-grade tone and playability, this guitar is an excellent investment. Price range: $3,000 - $3,500.


Budget pick: Epiphone Dot

The Epiphone Dot offers R&B/soul guitarists a taste of the ES-335's magic at a fraction of the cost. Its semi-hollow body and Alnico Classic humbuckers produce warm, full-bodied tones perfect for R&B rhythms and soulful leads. The comfortable C-shaped neck and rosewood fretboard allow for smooth chord transitions and expressive bends. While it may lack some premium features of its Gibson counterpart, the Dot delivers impressive tone and playability for its price point. For beginners or gigging musicians on a budget, this guitar is an excellent choice for diving into R&B and soul. Price range: $450 - $500.


Upgrade pick: Fender American Ultra Stratocaster

The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern powerhouse for R&B/soul guitarists seeking versatility and premium features. Its Ultra Noiseless pickups offer classic Strat tones without hum, perfect for clean funk rhythms and singing leads. The compound radius fingerboard and tapered neck heel provide exceptional comfort for complex chord work and high-register soloing. The S-1 switch expands tonal options, allowing for thick humbucker-like sounds. For R&B/soul players who demand the utmost in playability and tonal flexibility, this Stratocaster is a top-tier choice. Price range: $2,000 - $2,200.

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Featured photo by Bernie Almanzar on Unsplash