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This Monday stream was all about soul songs for the Open Mic Sunday at the end of January. I had ten recommended soul songs lined up, all focused on Steve Cropper's style since he passed away just before Christmas. His guitar work defines how to play rhythm and lead simultaneously - doing cool fills between chord changes while staying out of the way of the brass and vocals.
I started with "Knock on Wood" and "In the Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett, demonstrating how bar chords give you rest time when you're not playing. The key is restraint - those big chord hits have impact because of the restraint the rest of the time. I used my loop pedal to show how playing on beats two and four creates that soul groove.
"Superstition" by Stevie Wonder came next - that clavinet part going between frets five and seven. I showed how it's similar to "Livin' on a Prayer" and demonstrated that octave technique where you mute loads of strings with your first finger but strum all of them. This is the same approach Dave Grohl uses and how Green Day plays "Holiday."
I covered "Soul Man" by Sam and Dave, showing the CAGED system in action - playing a C shape at the seventh fret to get a G chord. Those country-style sixths and the restraint of just one bend for your big solo moment.
Recommended Lesson - CAGED system for rhythm and lead guitar
Full CAGED course with interactive tab here
"I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown is just D9 chords over a 12-bar blues, and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" uses those E9 and A9 jazz voicings.
Recommended Lesson - 6th and 9th Jazz Chords you should know
Full video with interactive tab here
We finished with "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, which is basically the same as "Superstition" - using E9, E♭9 shapes that remind me of Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean."
All of this soul stuff give you the skills and song to fill dance floors and add embellishments without overpowering the song.