Guitar World Lesson: Rhythm & Syncopation

I found a great lesson explaining how to master rhythm and syncopation. Read the full lesson HERE.

Below is the an example page of the lesson and links to listen to the eamples:


The following links are part of a NEW FEATURE on the blog. You may have noticed on the bottom left-hand side of your browser there is now a small gray box with an arrow on it. This is a media player that will play songs directly on the website rather than take you away from the blog. If you click the link, in this instance the actual words "Figure 2, Fig. 3, etc..." it will take you to the website that hosts the audio content. To stay on BKguitarlessons.com just be sure to click the little gray play buttons next to the links and you'll be all set. Enjoy!

Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5

Classical Music: "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" - Francisco Tarrega

Blues Lesson: A minor Blues

You all have been hearing a lot from me on how important the A minor pentatonic scale is and how well it works with the blues. The short video lesson below highlights one of the most famous rhythm & blues songs, "The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King. As stated in the video the original song was written in the key of C minor but for this example it has been moved (transposed) to A minor. The basic structure of the song you'll hear in the background is almost identical to the play-along I posted called "Blues in A Minor".

The most important thing you can take out of this lesson is the use of chords and sliding during a rhythm guitar part. As you watch, look out for the "A minor 7" chord and "A Minor Triad" the teacher plays just by baring the top four and top three strings respectively. This simple technique will add a new flavor to your performing palette.

Beginning Guitar: Lesson 10

Advanced Lesson: Phrygian Mode

Tab of the Week: "World News" - Local Natives

Click HERE to view the tabs

Local Natives - World News REMIX

Classical Guitar: "Capricho Arabe" - Francisco Tarrega

This week is a re-post of a previous Classical Guitar post. "Capricho Arabe" will be on my senior recital this spring. In order to complete the video series of the entire recital I feel a repost is necessary...plus, this piece is amazing! Enjoy.



...and here is the entire recital program...

Beginning Guitar Lessons: Lesson 9.5

Tab of the Week: "Enter Sandman" - Metallica

Click HERE to view the tabs!

Advanced Lesson: Dorian Mode

Students, Please Note: The pattern above IS NOT the form that I personally teach; however, it is very important for you to understand that there is not just one way to play something on the guitar. I'm sure many of you have seen me rework a small section from a song into 3 or 4 different versions that all sound the EXACT same. The guitar is a tricky and flexible instrument. Always ask yourself how you could play something differently.

New Music: Flamenco Guitar / Progressive Rock

Gear: E-Bow

Classical Guitar: "Waltz No. 3" - Agustin Barrios

Beginning Guitar Lessons: Lesson 9

Advanced Lesson: Modes - Ionian

Students, Please Note: The pattern above IS NOT the form that I personally teach; however, it is very important for you to understand that there is not just one way to play something on the guitar. I'm sure many of you have seen me rework a small section from a song into 3 or 4 different versions that all sound the EXACT same. The guitar is a tricky and flexible instrument. Always ask yourself how you could play something differently.

Please visit www.daveweiner.com to view more from this amazing guitar player!

Tab of the Week: "Airplanes" - Local Natives

Click HERE to view the tabs!

New Music: Sorry no Ferrari - "Setun"

One of the two bands I play in, Sorry no Ferrari, has been recording a full-length record for the past two years. We've been writing the album for almost 5 years and it has been such a learning experience! I've recorded many different times in different genres of music; however, this has been the most fun and educational. The song that's posted below was honestly not my favorite song we had written until all of the studio magic was applied. The band consists of four members; Jonathan Balsamo - Drums, Drew Mobley - Bass, Chad Shivers (KSU Classical Guitar Alum), and myself on guitar. As dense as the song is with just the four of us playing our amazingly talented engineer/producer Bruce Butkovich (Open Sky Studios) was able to add layers to the song that have made me fall in love with it more than when we originally wrote it. "Layering" is an integral part of the recording process. For example; 'Setun' not only has 2 guitars, a bass, and drums recorded but we added classical and acoustic guitars, extra percussion, violin, cello, extra cymbal hits, and synthesizers in the background. What should have only been 12 tracks/microphones became over 40 individual sounds! I hope you enjoy this. The album is set to be released in October this year by Stickfigure records and the Square Root of Music Records.

Gear: MXR Phase 45 Reissue

Spyro Gyra: "Monsoon" @ 61% Speed

Good luck Dock!

Lesson Policy Reminder

Students and Parents:

I will begin posting these policies once a month just as a reminder. These policies are on the signed copy of your lesson contract you have with Ponier Music, are posted on every lesson door, and are available on both Ponier Music's website and this blog. Proper Lesson Policies are:

1. Lessons fees are $90 per month. Four (4) - 30 minute lessons / once per week on a scheduled basis.

2. You are buying the time; you are not buying the lesson. If you choose not to show up for a lesson, you are still required to pay for the teacher’s time.

3. Teachers are only required to make up one excused lesson per month. An excused lesson is one that is called in with at least 24 hours notice. Call or email anytime, day or night! Teachers will also be required to make up any lessons they have to cancel.

4. It is the students/parents responsibility to find a time for a make up lessons. MAKE UP LESSONS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED WITHIN A MONTH OF THE ORIGINAL ABSENCE WILL BE DISCARDED AND VOID.

5. When students decide to stop taking lessons, you must come in the store and fill out a “Stop Lessons” form. You must do this by the 25th of the month in order to stop the next month of payment. There will be no refunds or partial refunds if you choose to stop on or after the 26th of any calendar month.


If you have ever received treatment of make-up lessons or lesson scheduling beyond what is posted here it has been out of the sheer flexibility of my personal schedule at that time. Please note what is considered an EXCUSED and UNEXCUSED absence. Your personal lesson history is kept available to you 24/7 by clicking the link 'VIEW CALENDAR' located at the top-left of this web-page. I am the ONLY teacher at Ponier Music that keeps records as organized, transparent, and detailed as these. I am always happy to make-up most lessons but I want you all to understand that any make-up lessons that is given past the ONE EXCUSED LESSON PER MONTH that you are allowed is taken directly from my personal schedule. I hope this doesn't sound too strongly worded; I am certainly not upset. I simply want everyone to be clear of what the policies are so that there are no hard feelings if I deny a make-up lesson.

Thank You,
Brett S. Kelly

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call or email anytime.