How to Tune to Drop-D By Ear (Without a Tuner)

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Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

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Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!

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Recent Lessons

• June 21, 2024

  "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits

  A mega-lesson for this classic song! Learn a strummed version, how to incorporate the melody notes, and two ways to play it fingerstyle.

• June 14, 2024

  "Have a Little Faith In Me" by John Hiatt

  Learn how to play Hiatt's 1987 classic! Just like his live performances, I'll teach it using capo 5 and the Key of C chord family.

• June 6, 2023

  "And It's Still Alright" by Nathaniel Rateliff

  Learn Nathaniel Rateliff's amazingly powerful song from 2020! I include a few different strumming & riff options to make sure you're covered.

• June 1, 2024

  Introduction to Reggae Strumming & Rhythm

  Let's dive into playing reggae on the guitar! I'll walk you through the basics, from off-beat accents to muted strums — with a few fun song exercises included.

• May 20, 2024

  What Types of Play-Along Covers are Most Helpful?

  Most of my song lessons feature backing tracks or play-along covers — and I'd love your feedback about which aspect of these is most helpful!

• May 10, 2024

  "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell

  Let's dive into Glen Campbell's all-time classic from 1968, originally written by Jimmy Webb. I teach this with capo 5th fret, using easier-to-manage Key of C chords.

• May 1, 2024

  Tour of My New "KeyMaster" Web Tool

  My new interactive web tool lets you see and hear the notes, chords, and common progressions in all of the most common keys. Super helpful!

• April 24, 2024

  13 Must-Know Riffs with Droning Strings

  A handy roundup of all the songs I've taught that use droning strings... with a quick breakdown of each riff!

• April 18, 2024

  "Moonshadow" by Cat Stevens

  Learn how to play Cat Stevens' 1971 classic! I include campfire-friendly chords and strumming, and a step-by-step breakdown of the intro fingerstyle riff.

• April 12, 2024

  Playing Songs "Correctly" vs. When to Cut Corners

  When learning songs, are we allowed to simplify things? Do we always need to play things exactly as they're recorded? Here's some quick thoughts!

• April 9, 2024

  Chords & Music Theory... 9 New Lessons!

  A roundup of a batch of new chord-related video lessons & PDF cheat sheets I just added to my library! Lots of good stuff here, be sure not to miss 'em.

• March 30, 2024

  Gordon Lightfoot's "Carefree Highway"

  Learn how to play Lightfoot's 1975 classic, with plenty of tips to help simplify some of the quicker chord changes.

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