50 Blues Guitar Licks You Must Know by Jeff McErlain is a new offering from TrueFire.com designed for intermediate to advanced blues guitarists wanting to spice up their vocabulary with some of the tastiest and most traditional phrases in the idiom. The course is available in a variety of formats with prices starting at $19.00.from truefire.com.

Working through the 50 Blues Licks course is a bit like a attending wine-tasting with an expert sommelier. Instructor Jeff McErlain’s hand-picked repertoire of phrases challenges you to break out of that good old minor pentatonic box using techniques such as: tremolo picking, double-stops, sixths, octaves, chromaticism, and diminished lines, and more. It includes not only solo ideas, but grooves, turnarounds, and tasty comping ideas. Although there are some slick licks included, these licks are generally not the flashy technique-oriented phrases but richly expressive musical concepts that will lend a sense of depth and sophistication to your playing.

As Jeff demonstrates each lick he takes time calls attention to the specific nuances that really make the music happen. Details on specifically how to bend, slide, or vibrato are not left to chance. I appreciated this attention to detail, especially as it relates to quarter-step bends. I find that those little in-between bends are often difficult for students to dial in, but usually get glossed over by instructional materials. Here, Jeff does a great job of highlighting exactly when they occur and what they should sound like.

Jeff will often relate a bit of history on how a lick has been used over the years. For example, the very first lick is based on Muddy Waters’ “Rollin’ Stone” blues. It’s a groovy riff to be sure, but Jeff reminds us that this riff has been recycled several times to become the basis for “Catfish Blues” and “Voodoo Chile” by Hendrix, “Still Alive and Well” by Johnny Winter, and even a section of “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath. This really gives a sense of the blues as a living music that continues to evolve. I also think it also gives guitarists permission to start creating their own music using the motif as a springboard.

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National Guitar Workshop has announced early enrollment discounts for summer 2010. Here are the details:

Enroll during August and receive a $250 discount.
Enroll during September and receive a $200 discount.
Enroll during October and receive a $150 discount.
Enroll during November and receive a $100 discount.
Enroll during December and receive a $50 discount.

NGW alumni will receive an additional $50 discount regardless of when they enroll.

Here’s the best part: there’s no need for students to choose location or classes until March 2010 and there’s no risk; if you need to cancel for any reason deposits are 100% refundable before May 1, 2010. Call 1-800-234-6479 or visit www.guitarworkshop.com to enroll, and tell ‘em you heard it here!

Above: NGW students Mike, Russ, and Duncan ham it up for the camera!

Participating in National Guitar Workshop continues to be one of the most renewing and exhausting (only because I never get enough sleep!) experiences I have each year. This year I was lucky enough to wrangle a teaching gig at the McLean, VA campus which is the closest NGW campus to home. I had a really great time teaching, hanging out, and taking in some great music.
Continue reading 'Reflections on National Guitar Workshop VA 2009'

PLEASE NOTE: This offer has now expired.

Friends,

As many of you know, I teach guitar courses each summer for National Guitar Workshop (NGW). Many of the courses that NGW is offering this Summer still have openings available and we’d like to spread the word about NGW and offer some incentive to prospective students in order to fill these classes. NGW is open to students of all ages and students may opt to earn college credit via the Hartford Conservatory.

If you know of anyone who might be interested attending National Guitar Workshop this year please have them contact me for more information and a $100 discount on their tuition.

This is not limited only to my Modern Acoustic course in Chicago but may be used toward any date or location. Along with professional teachers like myself, NGW offers opportunity to learn from some of the finest guitarists in world and this year will feature guest seminars from artists such as: Robben Ford, Paul, Gilbert, Buddy Guy, Herman Li (of Dragon Force!), Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, David Wilcox and many more. The campuses are located in Chicago IL, Purchase NY, McLean VA, Austin TX, and Los Angeles CA.

For more information on National Guitar Workshop visit: www.guitarworkshop.com.

If you have additional questions about NGW, my Modern Acoustic course, or to obtain a discount code for $100 off the price of tuition please contact me via www.johnhorneguitar.com/contact-john/.

Best Regards,
John Horne

Coupon must be used before May 31 2009. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. This offer is not valid for students currently registered.