Melissa

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

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

---

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

• July 24, 2024

  Must-Know Strumming Patterns in 6/8 Time

  Learn how to strum any song in 6/8 time! Here's a collection of 8 must-know strumming patterns in that time signature, from beginning to advanced.

• July 13, 2024

  "Wondering Why" by Red Clay Strays

  Let's learn how to play this easy-going, Southern-Rock hit! Plenty of strumming & rhythm tips, including a capo'd acoustic version if you want to avoid barre chords.

• July 8, 2024

  Viewing Notes in a Certain Area of the Fretboard

  In my FretMonster web tool, you can now adjust the visible range of frets where notes appear. Great for less distraction while practicing. Check out this video tour!

• 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.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

Browse All My Lessons

By lesson type

• Most Recent
• Song Lessons
• Riffs & Exercises
• Quick Tips

By technique

• Strumming & Rhythm
• Walk-Ups & Walk-Downs
• Learning Barre Chords
• Blues
• Travis Picking
• Fingerstyle
• Learning Chords

By musical genre

• Classic Rock
• Country
• Rock
• Pop
• Traditional
• Holiday

By decade

• 2020s
• 2010s
• 2000s
• 1990s
• 1980s
• 1970s
• 1960s
• 1950s

By musical key

• Key of C
• Key of D
• Key of E
• Key of F
• Key of G
• Key of A

By popular artist

• Johnny Cash
• Tyler Childers
• Tom Petty
• Neil Young
• Nirvana
• Chris Stapleton
• Willie Nelson
• Guy Clark
• John Prine

---

← back to homepage