In this video
This live stream focused on blues rock improvisation, mixing rhythm and lead guitar using loop pedals and jam tracks. The session covered Joe Bonamassa and Gary Moore material that wasn't addressed in the previous Monday session.
The stream started with solving a common problem - stopping unwanted strings from ringing out when playing blues lead. The solution is keeping your index finger hooked over the fretboard with your thumb over the top, which naturally mutes the B and E strings. This was shown using the "Purple Haze" riff.
The main focus was Joe Bonamassa's "Ballad of John Henry" in drop D tuning. The riff was demonstrated in its original form and then moved to E, showing how to play songs in different keys. Loop pedal work was emphasized throughout, creating loops and jamming over them using D minor and E minor pentatonic scales.
Key ideas covered included double stops (playing two strings together), call and response patterns, using octaves when jamming over riffs, the blues note within pentatonic shapes, and breathing naturally while playing melodic lines.
Gary Moore's "Parisienne Walkways" showed a more melodic, singing approach to lead playing. A teaching story emphasized the importance of breathing naturally while playing lead guitar, similar to singing or playing wind instruments.
The session also looked at practice challenges, especially staying motivated and making time for free jamming rather than only working on difficult songs. The stream wrapped up with discussion about what defines blues music and the difference between traditional blues and blues-influenced rock.