Slurs – no not against anyone in particular – but the act of playing a note without articulating it with your pick. This is a HUGE key to playing faster, smoother licks on the guitar. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most misunderstood and under-utilized techniques on the guitar.
Well that ends here. In this video you’ll get all you need to be a slur-master (which is a technical term I believe, and doesn’t necessarily involve beer.)
If you have trouble with it streaming – here are some downloadable versions for you:
- WMV version of the video (right click to save)
- IPOD (mp4) version of the video (right click to save)
- PDF of the musical examples in TAB (right click to save)
- MP3 of examples 1-4
- MP3 of example 5-8
- MP3 of example 9
- MP3 of example 10
- MP3 of example 11
- MP3 of example 12
- MP3 of example 13
- MP3 of example 14
As always, please leave your thoughts below in the comments. I get a lot out of reading them.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Griffer,
Just last week I purchased a JM4 looper made by Line 6. I mention this because, now as I play along with tracks (while recording my playing) and listen to what I’ve created, slurs, hammers, pull offs, and bends, are things I do more than I had realized. What you have shared in this video, I’m finding to be the stuff that gives us begginners our own voice.
Maybe someday you could put together a small piece (kinda like the 4 note riff) using all the stuff shown in this video. You know, something to prime the pump – get our creative juices flowing. It’s never easier for me to head in a fresh direction with my practice time than after I watch you explain, and than play what you’ve explained – “copy-catting”.
Even if you don’t have time for a new clip on this stuff, what you’ve given us thus far is wonderful stuff – knowledge, insight. Stuff to just turn up the volume, close your eyes, and strum to the song on your mind. I’m finding that it doesn’t always matter what my practice sessions sound like while being creative with stuff you’ve showed us.
Actually, it’s in those radical, let loose sessions, that I bump into a phrase that sound so hot, I stop playing and open my eyes to see where I am on the fret board hoping I can recreate what just rang out.
Thanks, Griffer!
Griffer,
Just last week I purchased a JM4 looper made by Line 6. I mention this because, now as I play along with tracks (while recording my playing) and listen to what I\’ve created, slurs, hammers, pull offs, and bends, are things I do more than I had realized. What you have shared in this video, I\’m finding to be the stuff that gives us begginners our own voice.
Maybe someday you could put together a small piece (kinda like the 4 note riff) using all the stuff shown in this video. You know, something to prime the pump – get our creative juices flowing. It\’s never easier for me to head in a fresh direction with my practice time than after I watch you explain, and than play what you\’ve explained – \"copy-catting\".
Even if you don\’t have time for a new clip on this stuff, what you\’ve given us thus far is wonderful stuff – knowledge, insight. Stuff to just turn up the volume, close your eyes, and strum to the song on your mind. I\’m finding that it doesn\’t always matter what my practice sessions sound like while being creative with stuff you\’ve showed us.
Actually, it\’s in those radical, let loose sessions, that I bump into a phrase that sound so hot, I stop playing and open my eyes to see where I am on the fret board hoping I can recreate what just rang out.
Thanks, Griffer!
359153
Good stuff.
Thanks!
Brilliant ..thanks again for all this help
)
Many thanks for your willingness to share all that you do for free…it says a lot about who you are. Thanks again.
Hi Griff, just wanted say, I am a banjo player too, and find your lessons can be applied to the banjo as well, such as this lesson on slurs etc. Thank You for helping with the lessons that make a difference in what we sound like. The lessons are awesome! Carolyn
griff……..
thanks for all you do!!
i wish you could have won the “crossroads” contest!!! i listened to alot of the songs
that were sent in, and i think your’s were the best……by far…….
your band is awesome, and you’re as good, if not better, a guitar player as anyone i’ve ever seen or heard, and i’ve seen and heard ALOT!!!!
the fact that you are willing to help people like me learn to play the blues says alot
about the kind of person you are.
i keep all your lessons on file and go back to’em every day and practice, practice, and practice…..
again, thanks for the lessons……i’ve learned more in the last few weeks watching your videos, than i have in the last few years trying to learn on my own, and watching other people play.
you’re an outstanding teacher.
i’m from mississippi, so i grew up listening to the blues, and it’s people like you that keep the blues alive!!!
thanks man…..for all you do…….
take care bro’……
joey jordan
griff……..
thanks for all you do!!
i wish you could have won the \"crossroads\" contest!!! i listened to alot of the songs
that were sent in, and i think your\’s were the best……by far…….
your band is awesome, and you\’re as good, if not better, a guitar player as anyone i\’ve ever seen or heard, and i\’ve seen and heard ALOT!!!!
the fact that you are willing to help people like me learn to play the blues says alot
about the kind of person you are.
i keep all your lessons on file and go back to\’em every day and practice, practice, and practice…..
again, thanks for the lessons……i\’ve learned more in the last few weeks watching your videos, than i have in the last few years trying to learn on my own, and watching other people play.
you\’re an outstanding teacher.
i\’m from mississippi, so i grew up listening to the blues, and it\’s people like you that keep the blues alive!!!
thanks man…..for all you do…….
take care bro\’……
joey jordan
griff……..
thanks for all you do!!
i wish you could have won the \\"crossroads\\" contest!!! i listened to alot of the songs
that were sent in, and i think your\\\’s were the best……by far…….
your band is awesome, and you\\\’re as good, if not better, a guitar player as anyone i\\\’ve ever seen or heard, and i\\\’ve seen and heard ALOT!!!!
the fact that you are willing to help people like me learn to play the blues says alot
about the kind of person you are.
i keep all your lessons on file and go back to\\\’em every day and practice, practice, and practice…..
again, thanks for the lessons……i\\\’ve learned more in the last few weeks watching your videos, than i have in the last few years trying to learn on my own, and watching other people play.
you\\\’re an outstanding teacher.
i\\\’m from mississippi, so i grew up listening to the blues, and it\\\’s people like you that keep the blues alive!!!
thanks man…..for all you do…….
take care bro\\\’……
joey jordan
Hi Griff, thanks for the little lesson. I think the slurs will be very helpful for alot of folks. I gotta tell ya. The world became a much better place once I figured out the tweedlies. I really like getting your blurbs in my email. It’s kinda like a musical quote for the day. A little food for thought as it were. Sorry you missed out on the contest. Keep it up though. You may end up playing with Clapton someday anyway. Music has a magical way of opening doors sometimes. Thanks for keeping it real and most of all keeping it fun/interesting. How about a lesson for some of us old guys once in a while. Thanks GK
Hi Griff went to Jam Last night , Looks like everyone was busy at gigs Amazing how music
comforts the soul in tough times .The Gang play every Easter for Church but can’t get
enough playing I give them feed back they brought in a new singer this week and one
of our lead players is having heart surgery next week . I haven’t gotten my Sunburst out
of the shop Les Paul duplicate, been 8 weeks Shop is covered up i’ll keep practicing on
my backup Del Ray 1965. Great stuff The stroke took my strength and speed out of
my whole left side . Extensor tendons respond barely . Getting better and learning
a lot If they ever get my carotid artery unblocked 100% .My playing will improve
Shocking how many people quit and sell there guitars. Might recruite a drummer
at church tommorow. Public relations is important too. Free Breakfast for me and
my son 11. Thanks again Aron
Griff, another piece of beginner magic. My pull offs looked more like a Pete Townsend windmill than a small finger movement, and I was never ready for the next note.
One note on video production. Not sure if you got yourself a new guitar, it’s beautiful. But it is also a bit shiny and reflects the lighting back far more than your previous guitar did. You might want to go back to something more ‘hammered on’.
In case you don’t know what to do with that new guitar since it doesn’t work as well in the videos, I’ll be sending a prepaid return carton so you don’t have to have it just hanging around.
Thank you Griff for all your help. Your lessons are top notch, and your teaching approach is spot on.
thanks for the lessons,very well done and patient
and
i hope to get to jam a bit when we open Bubba’s BBQ and Roadhouse in El Salvador this year
keep up the good work,
I owe you some fish
As usual Griff you rule!
You never fail to impress me with your patient step by step logic. I’m always left with the impression that as a once upon a time beginner, you get it and you genuinely want to share it. Thanks for putting it out there in the simplest of ways. I love your approach!
I’m not overwhelmed with so much at once.
With your user friendly videos, I can still feel like i’m playing something and practice it over and over in so many different ways. I’ve learned much from you.
I look forward to your videos.
Thanks again Griff, you’re the best out there.
KING_Lorelei
Hi Griff
Thanks so much for the lesson on slurs. It was very helpful. I love the way you explain things . Great job!!
A great lesson , Griff….thanks again
Griff those new servers are working great .I’ll work on that tweedley and some Hank williams
Five foot two. Lost memorys coming home. I’ll do a pain shot tomorrow then check my
e-mails love this stuff . My guitar is repaired and i am motivated. My new song is coming
into shape G scales slurs, adding new sounds to my dead song. My 11 year old son is
here this month and rides to rehab on tuesday and thursday. We are Attending a wedding
at church on Saturday .Guitar students of a friends , haven’t got far in a year, My music
reading is coming back . Sixties lessons from a local teacher. My Jam sessons are getting
better every time .Found a Drummer. Need a Backup Guitar player the 18 They practice
20 songs every two weeks . Gospel and Country. Starting a few Rock. Two area bands
will play in the park in july.Stroke recovery is slow but i finally have the time.
Have a nice week Aron and Jamie
Hi Griff,Thanks a lot you are the best.
hi griff i just got your package the other day it’s great i am not a guitar player to say i can play some not as good as i want to. with your program i know i’ll get a lot better . my speed is moderate. i find that on my barr chords that my forarm will get tired pretty quick . is there a way to get around that or is it the way i hold the neck and thumb possition behind it. can you help me
john
hi griff i just got your package the other day it\’s great i am not a guitar player to say i can play some not as good as i want to. with your program i know i\’ll get a lot better . my speed is moderate. i find that on my barr chords that my forarm will get tired pretty quick . is there a way to get around that or is it the way i hold the neck and thumb possition behind it. can you help me
john
hi griff i just got your package the other day it\\\’s great i am not a guitar player to say i can play some not as good as i want to. with your program i know i\\\’ll get a lot better . my speed is moderate. i find that on my barr chords that my forarm will get tired pretty quick . is there a way to get around that or is it the way i hold the neck and thumb possition behind it. can you help me
john
hi griff i just got your package the other day it\\\\\\\’s great i am not a guitar player to say i can play some not as good as i want to. with your program i know i\\\\\\\’ll get a lot better . my speed is moderate. i find that on my barr chords that my forarm will get tired pretty quick . is there a way to get around that or is it the way i hold the neck and thumb possition behind it. can you help me
john
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