level 3 guitar lessons

Level 3 lessons are for students that have mastered the previous levels, or have a thorough knowledge of all the 'open' chords and 'open' scales. These lessons move on to more complex strum patterns and some classic lead guitar techniques.

Below the lessons are a selection of chords and scales you should be familiar with, before moving onto level 4.

Some of these scales are used in the techniques section. It is always worth working on your technique.

lessons

  1. intermediate strum patterns
    These patterns will spice up your rhythm playing. Try them with chords learnt so far, and check out some songs in the Tabs section.
  2. slurring exercise 1
    This lesson is designed to make your lead and riff playing sound more fluid and smooth. Make sure you are familiar with the scale first (see the Scales section).
  3. slurring riffs
    This lesson puts the slurring techniques into practice with some well known riffs.
  4. slides
    Sliding is another slurring technique to enhance your lead playing, again make sure you are familiar with the scale first.
  5. solo blues
    This piece is a rhythm and lead style blues, get to know the open E blues scale first. Play slowly and try to tap your foot as you play.
  6. string bends
    These bending examples are taken from the A blues scale. It is essential that you learn this scale before attempting the lesson, see the Scales section.
  7. Vibrato1
    This lesson looks at the technique of 'classical' vibrato. This type of vibrato is often used when improvising or playing lead lines over ballads and slow tunes.
  8. Vibrato 2
    This leson looks at the technique of 'vertical' vibrato. This is often confused with string bending. However, they are completely different ttechniques, although the two are often played in the same phrase.
  9. Vibrato 3
    This leson looks at the technique of 'wrist' vibrato. This type of vibrato is used frequently by players such as B B King and Eric Clapton.
  10. 4 blues licks
    Here are four blues licks (or phrases) using the slurring techniques learnt so far. All the licks come from the A minor pentatonic scale. Make sure you are able to play the scale first.
  11. a blues rhythm and lead
    This is a solo blues piece. You need to be able to play the 12-bar blues in A first, and the four blues licks above. Use the rest at the end of each bar of rhythm playing to move to the scale position and the rest after each lick to move back. Be sure to play slowly and tap your foot four times per bar.
  12. Blues Rhythm Variations 1
    This is an idea of how to vary blues rhythm playing, from just playing chords. It uses a useful 'rolling' technique.
  13. Blues Rhythm Variations 2
    Another blues rhythm variation. More difficult than the previous one, as it needs partial barres. Great way of starting barre's before moving to level 4.
  14. Blues Rhythm Variations 3
    This variation is a bit more 'lick like'.
  15. Blues Rhythm Variations 4
    This is a lesson on how to mix up the ideas learnt in the previous lessons. You need to be able to play all the variations to do this lesson.
  16. Power Chords
    Learn how to play power chords in all keys, in two different finger board positions. This will start you on your way to playing barre chords in the next level.

chords

  1. suspended chords
    Known as sus chords, these open sus chords can spice up your rhythm playing.
  2. power chords
    It's time to rock. Checkout the lesson, all you need to know to play ALL power chords in ALL keys.

scales

  1. the minor pentatonic scale
    This scale is the most used by rock guitar players. If you're in to rock/blues guitar, this moveable scale should be the first one you learn. See the video.
  2. the major pentatonic scale
    This is the most used scale in country music. However, it is also common in blues and rock guitar. See the video.
  3. the blues scale
    As the name suggests, a big scale in blues guitar. Also much used in rock, and many famous riffs:- 'Smoke On The Water', 'Sunshine Of Your Love' have been composed using this scale. See the video.
  4. the major scale
    The most common scale in all music and essential to learn. Also known as the Ionian mode. See the video.
  5. the natural minor scale
    Another very important minor scale. Also known as the Aeolian mode. See the video.