Looking Back at My First 400 Guitar Lessons

Aug 25, 2022

I recently posted my 400th guitar lesson on YouTube, and wanted to take a quick moment to look back at the long & winding road from there to here!

I started off back in 2013, having just discovered that folks were posting video lessons online. I thought I’d give it a try and quickly posted ~15 videos over a few week period. At the time, this was a fun experiment to me – and nothing more.

A few years later, not having posted anything since that initial batch of uploads – I got the itch again. In 2015 I resumed posting, and a few months later I decided to get serious about posting weekly lessons. I kept at, week after week, and here we are!

I posted my 400th video in November 2021, and as of the time I’m writing this (August 2022) I just posted my 450th lesson. A lot has happened during the last few years: creating PDF downloads for my lessons, building a website, launching membership, etc – and all the while, the train of weekly lessons is cranking along nicely. No plan on stopping.

So, I just wanted to take this moment and look back at the last 400 videos. Reflect on my changing goals, the different eras I went through when it comes to song selection, and other such things. I hope you enjoy the look back!

Here’s a few other “about this channel” videos, in case you’re curious.

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Gain instant access to my library of 287 print-friendly cheat sheets! Also includes my extended video lessons, jam tracks, courses, and more.

Join Song Notes Premium

Have questions? Watch video tour »

Browse Related Lessons

Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!

Donate

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Coming soon is Jambox – which shows all the video jam tracks I've made. It's note quite ready for the spotlight, but check it out if you like!


Subscribe to my YouTube channel

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!


Recent Lessons

  • Sept 10, 2025

    Diagonal Pentatonics, Explained!

    A deep-dive into one of the most helpful techniques when learning to unlock the fretboard for lead guitar fun! Includes a 15-page PDF handbook, along with ten new play-along practice tracks.

  • August 29, 2025

    "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett

    After dozens and dozens of requests over the last few years, the time has come! Learn to play Jimmy Buffett's 1977 classic Margaritaville. Intro riff and melodic strumming fills included!

  • Aug 22, 2025

    First Steps with Double Stops — 16 Page Handbook Included!

    Take your first step with double stops — specifically harmonized 3rds, 6ths, and 10ths. These are useful in fingerstyle, lead guitar, improvsation, and more! Don't miss my Double Stop Handbook, which has over 15 pages of tabs, diagrams, and easy-to-digest theory.

  • Aug 3, 2025

    Fingerstyle Fun feat. Ozzy Osbourne's "Mama I'm Coming Home"

    Learn a bite-sized fingerstyle groove, inspired by the opening intro & verse of Ozzy Osbourne's 1991 hit "Mama I'm Coming Home."

  • July 31, 2025

    [Updated] "Lola" Instrumental Intro, with Melody

    I've updated my practice notes teaching an extended intro to Lola by The Kinks. "Part 2" video teaching the lead guitar fill riff also added.

  • July 25, 2025

    "Sloop John B" by The Beach Boys

    Let's dive into this Bahamian folk-rock classic made most famous by The Beach Boys! It's a somewhat simple to get the hang of, but I'll show various ways you can make it your own.

  • July 22, 2025

    [Updated] Beginner Blues Groove in A minor

    I've added a new video jam track to this beginner blues lesson — which lets you play along with a minor 12-bar blues, showing the chords on screen. Check it out!

  • July 18, 2025

    Minor Key Handbook – Now Available!

    I’m so excited to release the Minor Key Handbook – featuring 8 print-friendly pages with the must-know essentials for playing guitar in minor keys!

  • July 11, 2025

    Melody & Chords, Together! ft. Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"

    Learn to play the Hallelujah melody, with chords, at the same time! This is an incredibly satisfying way to play one of the all-time great songs.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

← back to homepage