http://www.fretjam.com Guitar lessons that help develop your unique playing style. Learn guitar at your own pace with in depth guitar theory, videos, backing tracks and personalised lessons. en-us guitar lessons Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:28:56 GMT Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:28:56 GMT fretjam.com http://www.fretjam.com/how-to-practice-scales.html Series of lessons on how to practice scales effectively, starting with basic timing and speed building. Make sure your scale practice time is productive. Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:28:56 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/scales-across-the-fretboard.html I want to get good at improvising and play across the fretboard but im stuck, how do I learn say in the key of A the natural minor scale across the fretboard? Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:48:20 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/chord-practice-and-chord-changes.html Hello, This is Landon Koon. I had a quick question on practicing chords and changing them. When ever you practice your chords whether it is basic open Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:47:43 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/blues-guitar-scales.html Learn the most commonly used blues guitar scales and try out your own ideas over the major and minor blues backing tracks. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:21:48 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/scale-phrasing-2.html In depth lesson showing how to use chromaticism and passing tones as part of your guitar scale phrasing. Add colour to your guitar solos by using chromatic phrases between safe scale tones. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:48:01 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/how-do-i-find-a-chord-name-from-its-chord-shape.html For example I have a chord which is similar to an F chord, and I need to find out what it is called so I can write it down on paper. Can you help? Ross... Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:31:21 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/finding-scales-in-c-standard-tuning.html I tune my Guitar to C Standard (all strings down 2 whole notes) from low to high: C F A# D# G C Unfortunately, I did not take the time to learn the standard Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:24:48 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/g-string-wont-tune.html So after replacing my G string, I tried to tune it back to G, but after it tuned to about Middle C, it became harder to turn & I'm scared it will break Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:23:06 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/blues-guitar-instruction.html I am interested in playing the blues. Do you have any instruction for this type of music? Answer The only blues focussed lesson I have on the site is Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:39:56 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/playing-scales-in-different-tunings.html I'm having a hard time figuring out how scales will work in different tunings. Most scale lessons out there are based on standard tuning but how would Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:16:19 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/substitute-chording.html I am new to intermediate in acoustic guitar. Interested in playing a song such as Long As I can See the Light. In the key of A there is an F#m or Major Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:06:25 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/ideas-for-writing-songs.html I've been playing a long time, and in spite of that I still have problems comming up with something worth-while beyond just 2, or 3 chord progressions. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:35:09 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/jazz-guitar-scales.html Learn how jazz guitar scales are formed on the fretboard and their associated chords. Includes major and minor modes, bebop scales, diminished and whole tone scales. Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:59:32 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/soloing-over-extended-chords.html Learn how to choose the right scale for soloing over extended chords such as 9th, 11th and 13th chords. Part of an in depth series on how to solo over chords. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:50:31 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/solo-over-7th-chords.html Part 3 of an in depth course on how to solo over chords. In this lesson we look at choosing a scale to solo over 7th chords. Includes 7th chord backing tracks and clear diagrams. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:46:51 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/guitar-makes-odd-sound.html I just got new strings for my guitar. I put on the 6th string and when i hit the first and second fret it makes a sound like its hitting up against metal. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 22:26:43 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/guitar-practice-time.html Hey, it's Landon. I am starting my guitar lessons this weekend but I am really focused on practicing guitar daily and consistently to build up speed in Sat, 22 Oct 2011 22:18:21 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/what-does-a-compressor-pedal-do.html What exactly does a compressor pedal do? Answer A compressor literally compresses (decreases the volume of) the louder sounds and increases the volume Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:00:49 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/storing-a-guitar-without-a-stand-or-case.html I got a new guitar today, but i currently dont have a guitar stand, so im leaning it against a wall, which i did with my previous guitar which had or developed Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:58:45 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/hand-strengthening-exercises.html Can you recommend any hand strengthening exercises (bear in mind I am female!)? I get very frustrated at how little time I can spend practicing, especially Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:06:42 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/solo-over-chords-2.html Part of an in depth guitar lessons series showing you how to solo over chords. Part 2 looks at identifying the backing chord from the major, minor and suspended chord types and selecting your scales. Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:39:23 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/when-to-play-modes.html This is the greatest and funniest guitar lessons website I benifited from during all my career. What puzzles me is: 1 - how do I know when a song is in Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:19:04 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/practicing-scales.html When I practice I always jam around with chord progressions and scales but I am wondering how I should practice my scales. The way I usually practice Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:10:25 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/solo-over-chords.html Play the solos you always wanted. This series shows you how to solo over chords through a practical, step by step process. Finally, understand how to pick the right scale for your guitar solo and how to make your solos sound musical and effortless. Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:51:36 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/how-do-you-play-a-chord-that-skips-a-string.html I was looking at the tab and found some chords that are played on the A and G string but not the D string. How do I play those chords without strumming Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:10:51 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/high-pitched-screetch.html I have a squier telecaster, When you plug the guitar into the amp with the volume knob turned up and the tone knob turned down it sounds fine but just Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:02:28 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/totally-redoing-a-cheap-guitar.html Okay, so I found a squire for 80$ at a local shop. I want to see if I can do magic to this guitar....Is it possible to put 2 humbuckers (EMG EMG-ZW Zakk Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:03:02 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/what-is-the-biggest-pedal-power-supply-available-on-the-market.html I was looking for a big power supply for my pedalboard( 16 pedals, most of them 9v), but i couldn't find anything appropriate. The closest thing in Serbia( Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:38:55 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/should-i-buy-a-new-guitar-before-or-after-i-learn-how-to-play.html I don't know the first thing about playing the guitar. I would like to start playing acoustic guitar but I don't know how to play. Should I invest in a Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:58:37 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/thrash-metal-songs-to-practice.html Hi my name is gary, i am a metal player. i am in a band, we just got together about a month ago. i have been practicing your thrash metal lessons for about Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:31:12 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/help-on-correct-picking-posture.html I am a slightly in between beginner to intermediate guitar player but I am stumped on one problem. Recently on a youtube video a guy showed that his way Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:53:06 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/how-do-you-create-good-solos.html I have read your sections under lead guitar and am familiar with most of the techniques covered in them. However, I am still somewhat confused about how Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:55:09 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/jamplay-review.html Why is Jamplay so popular? This Jamplay review will show you its defining features with Jamplay discount coupon codes and free samples from their huge library of video lessons. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:00:56 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/recording-guitar-on-computer.html I'm wanting to record my guitar riffs and what not, but im not sure how to go about doing it. There are so many methods out there, and I dont know too Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:55:30 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/diminished-7th-chords-in-blues.html Wondering if I have a tin ear: In a simple blues progression in D (something like Born Under A Bad Sign), it sounds like I can replace both chords in Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:43:00 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/beginner-jazz-guitar.html These multimedia beginner jazz guitar lessons will take your right from the jazz guitar basics through to more advanced playing. Includes jazz chord and soloing technique and theory with HD video and pro instructors. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:41:22 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/tech-death-metal-tone.html Hi, I just came across your page and, I know it's a personal thing, but I just can't seem to get that real crusty metallic gain crunch that is there even Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:56:50 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/alternate-picking-and-sweep-picking.html Hi, I have been practicing alternate picking all these while and have recently started to practice sweep picking. What i want to ask is that is it a Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:53:32 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/guitar-scale-runs.html Learn the basics of guitar scale runs and try out the exercises provided. A great introduction to writing your own scale run patterns. Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:08:07 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/one-to-one-guitar-lessons.html Your own personal guitar tutor. Fully customisable One to one guitar lessons including audio, video and supplementary materials. Personal guitar lessons designed to meet your specific learning needs. Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:33:05 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/fretboard-notes.html The guitar fretboard has 2 E strings on the low E you label go's E F# F G ,but on the A string it Go's A B flat B C Why are some flats and some sharps? Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:35:00 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/how-to-change-key.html Hi Mike I have a problem with key changing. I'm writing a song in E major key run into A major (I don't know how I did it lol whatever, it sounds good Wed, 04 May 2011 13:13:56 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/what-is-the-order-of-steps-in-learning-guitar.html What is the order of learning guitar? Should I first learn notes, then chords and songs. Or should I first learn theory, scales and progressions. I am Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:23:38 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/the-major-scale-formula.html I'm trying to figure out how to construct a major scale by using the formula whole whole half whole whole whole half, up and down the fretboard. I can't Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:14:30 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/combining-scales.html Question: Hi mike good day. I want to ask how do you combine scales or modes during a solo? Is it possible and how can I make them sound melodic? Another Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:32:25 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/how-do-you-play-barre-chords-if-you-are-a-beginner.html Question: I have a book the has barre chords but I don't know how they work. I have tried them but they don't sound very good. Need Help! Answer It can't Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:56:57 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/best-way-to-learn-guitar.html Find the best way to learn guitar for you in this in depth article exploring online and offline learning methods Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:05:27 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/simple-guitar-songs.html A selection of the web's best videos showing you how to play some simple guitar songs. Check out the other free guitar lessons on the site for theory and technique. Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:56:09 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/interval-question.html Question: Hello Mike. The first thing I wanted to say was thank you for creating such a wonderful site. I struggle with understanding most of the concepts Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:15:01 GMT http://www.fretjam.com/3-notes-per-string-vs-caged.html Question: I have been looking a long time for an answer about 3 notes per string vs caged system. Please help me come to a conclusion on the best or most Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:46:45 GMT