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This course will teach you a simple fretboard navigation system that includes chords and soloing shapes, and it works in any key.
Overview
If you want to play blues guitar but feel lost on the fretboard, you’ve found the right place. Essential Fretboard is a simple and organized fretboard navigation system for blues and rock.
I don’t use 300 chords or know 50 scales, so I won’t teach you that. Instead, I’ll show you what matters the most for blues and blues rock guitar. You’ll learn the essential chords and soloing shapes I use daily. If you’re looking for a more straightforward, easier way to view the fretboard, you’re ready for Essential Fretboard.
Featured Videos
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Overview
Here’s an overview of the entire course.
Lesson Details
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Lesson 1
Lesson 1: How This Works
Lesson 1 introduces several key teaching tools that will be used throughout the series and explains how they are to be used.
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 2
Lesson 2: Building The Map
Lesson 2 teaches you how to build a 1 octave map on the fretboard highlighting several key landmarks to help you visually position the chords and soloing shapes taught in later lessons.
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 3
Lesson 3: E-Form Chords
- Learn the E-Form shape and where the name comes from.
- Learn several different grips for holding the chord
- Learn how to alter the E-Form shape to create a minor chord.
- Learn how to find and play the I, ii, iii, IV, V and vi chords as E-Form chords.
- Learn a simple progression played entirely with E-Form chords
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 4
Lesson 4: A-Form Chords
- Learn the A-Form shape and where the name originates.
- Learn how to make the A-Form into a minor chord.
- Learn how to find the IV, V and, vi chords as A-Form chords.
- Learn how to substitute A-Form chords into the progression learned in the previous lesson.
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 5
Lesson 5: Partial G-Form Chords
- Learn the Partial-G form and compare it to the full G-Chord form.
- Learn how this chord is a big part of the Jimi Hendrix and SRV sound.
- Learn how to find the I, IV and V chords as Partial-G form chords.
- Learn how to substitute Partial-G form chords into the progression learned in the previous lessons.
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 6
Lesson 6: The 5 Essential Boxes
This lesson presents the 5 Essential Blues Boxes concept.
- Learn how to position the boxes onto the one-octave map.
- Learn the sounds of each box.
- Learn how to alter the sound of each box with different notes.
- See and learn a 24-bar solo using all 5 boxes with tablature.
Included
- Lesson Video
- Tablature
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Lesson 7
Lesson 7: The Sliding Box 1
Learn a simple technique for soloing over the IV and V chord that allows you to capture a different sound than youíd normally get when using the 5 Essential Blues Boxes.
Included
- Lesson Video
- Tablature
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Lesson 8
Lesson 8: The Backdoor Pattern
Learn the repeating pattern of notes that can be used to ascend the fretboard and connect the boxes using the lower strings.
Included
- Lesson Video
- Tablature
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Lesson 9
Lesson 9: The Triangles
Learn how these simple triads can dramatically expand your soloing vocabulary.
- Learn 3 different ways of playing the triads
- Learn how to use the triads over the I, IV and V chord
- Learn a simple 12-bar solo played entirely using these shapes.
Included
- Lesson Video
- Tablature
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Lesson 10
Lesson 10: 7th Chords
- Learn 3 different forms of 7th chords
- Learn how to use 7th chords for the I, IV and V chords
- Learn a 12-bar rhythm played entirely with 7th chords.
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 11
Lesson 11: 9th Chords
- Learn a simple 9th chord shape for the I chord
- Learn a simple 9th chord shape for the IV and V chords
- Learn a simple 12-bar rhythm played entirely with 9th chords
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 12
Lesson 12: The Shuffle Patterns
- Learn what a blues shuffle is
- Learn how to play a shuffle pattern over the I, IV and V chords
- Learn several different shuffle patterns?* Learn a12-bar rhythm played using shuffle patterns
Included
- Lesson Video
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Lesson 13
Lesson 13: Putting It All Together
In this lesson I explain how to apply what was taught in this course and how you should view the different sets of shapes and chords as different tools sometimes used for very similar tasks.
Included
- Lesson Video