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!
Mark V.—Germany –
Let your soul shine! 😉
Hi John,
Just wanted to tell you that I purchased your new Warren Haynes-Style lesson, and I’m really, really impressed by the quality of your material. I already own several of your lessons, but this time, you really outdid yourself. Warren’s licks are not easy to play, but it’s really fun to practice them with your help!
Let your soul shine! 😉
Kind regards,
Kamil—Malaysia –
What a Lesson
Hi John,
What a lesson. The first chorus of the slow blues is delightful. Simple but soulful stuff. I always like the short blues phrases. Well done!!
Brad—US –
Hi John,
Wow. What an impressive wealth of material!
I could not help but to start this weekend with the Play Like Warren Haynes DVD. The chance to learn how to play a Soulshine style solo pulled me right in.
The DVD quality is outstanding. The lessons on bending have helped me understand the technique and provided good practice suggestions to learn to develop the playing skills to use the technique.
Brando—Italy –
Great Warren licks!
Hi John,
great lesson, the solos are great, I am currently working on the Soulshine one and it really helps me nailing some Warren trademark licks!
Why not 5 stars? Well, I am following your tone advices but you could have detailed a little bit more (not so sure about putting the mids on ten! You can find several pics and videos with his settings, and he usually keeps bass at 7 and mids/treble at 5).
It would have been great to have the solos in a power tab/guitar pro file to practice them at a slower tempo (please send them to me if you decide adding them!). This is the big delusion in an otherwise great lesson!!