I’ve been playing in bands since 1974 when I was 17. They’ve been more or less successful over time, earning enough scratch to keep me interested. Blues has always been at the top of my list, and I got by on basic rhythm techniques and the occasional lead. “Good enough” to get by, but I was never satisfied.
I’ve tried dozens of instructors, all sorts of how-to books/DVDs/online programs…nothing seemed to click. When you hear a good blues guitar player, the distinction between good enough and great is huge. I’ve found a few online, but too many talk talk talk and play little. When I discovered Learning Guitar Now, I realized it was different on this site. First, John can PLAY. On videos where he turns it loose, you see and hear someone that gets it. But what makes his site different than the rest just regurgitating variations of the same theme is that he wants YOU to get it.
If you want to pick and choose your lessons…fine. If you want to start from scratch and build competency in technique…fine. If you want to talk to him on the forum and have a REAL exchange of ideas or ask for advice…he’s there. The lesson curriculum is huge, his freebies on YouTube vast, and his continued enthusiasm to help you become a better blues guitarist is non-wavering.
You’re not on his site to learn theory or the fretboard, although he does touch on these when necessary. You are there to play guitar. Play what you love in the style of your favorite artists or just improvising. Play, learn the phrases, the timing, the technique and you WILL get better. I’m 64 as I write this. Still playing. The difference now is I’m getting better. Good enough doesn’t cut it for me now.
When I hit a phrase just right, the audience actually pauses on that beat. The beauty of the blues just poured through my fingertips if only for a moment. Right now I’m focused on some of the Allman Brothers material. It takes me home. Sometimes, when I daydream, I see me on that stage with them, holding my own. Thanks JohnT, you’ve kept the blues alive for this old timer!
Leonardoqia—Royal Oak, MI –
I was searching through You Tube…
…. and came upon John’s videos. I quickly looked at them all, but really watched the ones on open tunings and slide guitar. As a solo, acoustic Delta Blues player that only plays in open tunings, I decided to explore playing electric slide to enhance my acoustic playing. This DVD is exactly what I was looking for and I expect that Santa will be bringing me the entire open E slide guitar series Christmas morning!
Neotank—Scottsdale, AZ –
Outstanding course
Its hard to find a great guitar teacher and its hard to find great online guitar lessons or DVDs. Especially for advanced players. No matter how much you do, it never seems to translate into “real” guitar playing. Johns courses are outstanding. In the first lessons you get right into playing real usable riffs. I have been playing for 25 years and am a blues guitar freak. Johns lessons are exactly what I have been looking for. These lessons are great for advanced players. In the slide courses, he really shows you important technical stuff so you don’t fail after a few lessons, which is what I have always done with slide in the past. Now I’m getting great slide sounds. In addition, I can play real slide riffs that don’t sound like I pulled them for a book.
Old Boomer Picker—Southwest Virginia –
Open E Solo Feedback
As a person who came of age with the Allman Brothers music, it is pure joy learning some of the slide licks in “Open E Tuning Slide Guitar Solo”. Keep up the good work John and I will continue to support.
lonny41—Canada –
Something Different
There’s a lot of instructional material out there on slide guitar, and it’s mostly just the same old 1-4-5 and pentatonic stuff, over and over again. John teaches you more in depth and is a gifted instructor as well as player. He teaches you the stuff the other instructors are missing. I’ve been playing slide guitar for years, John has taken my playing to another level. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced slide player, you will definately love and learn from his DVD’s.
jjohnson509ec-rr-com –
The best slide lessons I’ve found, learning to play slide in the style of Duane Allman, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, I hope there are more to come. Keep up the good work.