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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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Steve Ruemmele

Steve R.

Learning with Matt Franceschini

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1 day ago

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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2 weeks ago

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

Alex

Alex

Learning with Tash Wolf

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2 weeks ago

Tash is extremely patient and has excellent attention to detail, a substantial depth of knowledge, and a clear interest in what the student's priorities are. Valuable insight every lesson.

Don Wysocky

Don W.

CAGED Connections

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2 weeks ago

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

Tim Vitullo

Tim V.

Intro to Jazz

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January 2025

Dr. Molly's "Intro to Jazz" was a fab course. She presented a methodical system to learning standards that greatly helped me to get past the intimidation of difficult chord changes. Each class built on the concepts of the previous week, so it was easy to practice all of the material and keep up with assignments. Molly was very patient and friendly during lessons. She took the time to thoroughly answer everyone's questions either in the lesson on in the class chat. I appreciated that she provided constructive feedback on the posted assignments every week too. I highly recommend this course to intermediate players looking to expand beyond pop/rock idioms.

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

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!

Kia

Kia

Learning with Tash Wolf

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October 2024

Tash was friendly and gave super clear instructions. Happy to have a simple and structured routine laid out to progress my guitar playing.

Sophie Lagan

Sophie L.

Learning with José Rios

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September 2024

José is a knowledgable professional who’s dedicated to sharing his wisdom and learning from years of playing! Enjoyable and informative experience!

Lauren

Lauren

String Theory Part 1 - Triads

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May 2024

Molly is a great teacher! She’s fun, extremely knowledgeable and flexible to the needs of her students.

Joel

Joel

Blues Guitar Improvisation

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April 2024

Very complete course approach using scales, arpeggios and sequences together with the usual Blues tools: bends, vibrato, legato, finishing with case studies, offering in the end the basis to developp our own improvisation capabilities. Great course

John

John

Workshop for the Developing Guitarist

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April 2024

I love how Eugene and Dylan start by introducing and drilling the skills necessary to play a song, then show how to play a song using those skills.

Sonya

Sonya

Zero To Hero

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March 2024

OMG Where do I even begin with this! I always knew there was SYSTEM to the guitar! No matter how many clips, videos, tutorials I viewed online it just never made sense! NEVER! Every single one said something different about the same thing. Then God sent me Caitlin!!!! Holy Moly! She made it so PERFECTLY clear in the first session! It literally blew me away! Every class just built on the previous revelations and the next and the next. It was such a systematic well thought out way of teaching the info that connected the "dots" (for me) every class! I can't tell enough people about it and several of my band mates have said they are going to join her next session. I found the Zero to Hero class after doing a trial of "Secret Weapons", which was a bit too advanced for me. I remember her mentioning her "Zero to Hero" class during this session and it sounded like it was exactly the class I needed. So two things here... 1. Thank you Til for allowing trial runs of classes as it allowed me to find out about this class and 2. I am now ready for "Secret Weapons" as I feel like Caitlin has given me the tools I need to be able to understand many of the topics she covers in that class! Caitlin's nothing short of amazing and if your really want to "Understand the Language of Music" and not just learn the chords to a song, know how to move around the fret board with ease, and take your guitar knowledge to the next level THIS is the class for you! This is the teacher for you! This is what you're looking for! :-) Sonya Bianco #zero2herobaby!!!

Ryan Gresh

Ryan G.

Chord Creation

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October 2023

Arianna‘s class is amazing and highly recommended if you want to further guitar playing exploration. Every class was extremely well thought out, always engaging, and had great cohesion of concepts throughout every class. It’s more reminiscent of a Music Conservatory Masterclass than your typical basic online class!

Andrew Kaczynski

Andrew K.

Level Up: Jazz & Contemporary Guitar

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September 2023

Tash is a great teacher and a very talented musician. She works very hard to make each class a great learning experience. I will be taking more classes with her in the future.

Brett Callaway

Brett C.

Chord Melody 2

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July 2023

I've taken a bunch of classes with Molly on TIL at this point and this was another one of my favorites. Dense but well paced. Lots to learn and dig into even after the class is over.

Dan MacLean

Dan M.

Creating Your Own Practice Routine

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May 2023

Lindy is a great teacher and I especially enjoyed the early pedagogic approach with reflection on learning and building structure for yourself. Lindy's warmup sheets are really useful in and of themselves but also as examplars for constructing your own.

Dan MacLean

Dan M.

Jimi Hendrix: Axis Bold As Love

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May 2023

This was a really great class. I really enjoyed Joey's approach, breaking down the songs into their elements and enabling to play at your level - crucially never giving you an end point and allowing you to develop as a guitarist with the song each time you play it. Joey is an engaging, knowledgable and responsive teacher and the classes are always fun.

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