This new classroom section, is an idea that @Mike Abalos and I had recently when I started work on this weeks video. Link for that Here: https://www.skool.com/intermediate-guitar/classroom/f6dde16f?md=b9b1fdc5a3c941a195291a16cd1d4c59 It got us thinking about all the different skill levels of players we have with us in here, and how best we can serve you. So we thought about, "how can we bridge the gap and make sure everyone is getting the most out of all the lessons we have to offer"? So we made "Foundations"! This will be a classroom designed for someone just dipping their toes into the guitar waters and bring them up to speed on stuff you should know! There will be stuff for beginners, and even stuff for intermediate guitar players in here! We had this idea when I had already started filming something else, so it will be a bit out of order for a bit, but once we've got more filmed and uploaded, we will organize it so it can be a more step-by-step sort of class. After finishing it, you should be at the level to move into something like "Music Theory 101" or the "CAGED" class. We would like it to be a comprehensive and logical progression to the next level of guitar playing and understanding. Eventually we would like to post a guide on here as well, a sort of a, "if you're here in your guitar playing, go here" idea, to help lead players to the classes they would benefit most from. So keep your eyes peeled as we release more content in there! Classes will be from both Mike and myself so you'll have plenty of eye candy to boot! (lol jk) Hope everyone has a great weekend! -Ben

Hi all, I decided that my challenge for this week will be to improve my endurance and hands position playing standing. Current songs that I'm using to practice are: Symphony of Destruction, Anarchy in the UK and Tornado of Souls by Megadeth and Creeping Death, Master of Puppets, Breakfan and Seek and Destroy by Metallica, and Layla (the live version on the MSG on 1992) from Eric Clapton. Also improving and correcting my hands positioning using the outro solo of Fade to Black and Symphony of Destruction. (I have tabs and useful advices for all the songs I mentioned above if anyone is interested)

So I saw @Mike Abalos's post from yesterday and it gave me an idea about some of our backing tracks posted in here so far. I originally made them a bit more complex than your normal run-of-the-mill backing tracks, because they are more fun to play over. It didn't cross my mind at the time, not everyone will be able to get into them right away (they all have some sort of modal interchange, meaning they change keys inside each bar). So I thought, "hey, what if I made like, a little tutorial and play a little bit over them, so someone could get an idea on how to approach them?" So here we are, and I would love a little feedback! Is this something you guys and gals are into? We are working on more backing tracks right now for the community as well, so you should see more soon-ish. Let me know! -Ben P.S.- You can watch down below, but I also made a page for it, along with scale diagrams, in the classroom section titled "Free Backing Tracks". Classroom Link Here: https://www.skool.com/intermediate-guitar/classroom/acd5dbdf?md=32e2fc153e01450caea6c169d441185e Backing Track Link Here: https://www.skool.com/intermediate-guitar/classroom/acd5dbdf?md=e5aad2e6a7894f939b2253b5bd0e9d45

I'm about to go to bed just now and it hits me! I did the upload and all that jazz, but I didn't send it out! So here I am, in my pajamas, talking to you about a new 5-minute lesson all about spread triads! Lesson link here: https://www.skool.com/intermediate-guitar/classroom/4000ef63?md=83e603e9f93e4067ac092a6fd0a9d648 Give these puppies a try! They sound really cool and are easy to play to boot! Sound like Eric Johnson! Sound like Pat Matheny! Sound like someone who knows how to use spread triads to sound more melodic with almost no extra effort! I'm going to bed now. See you Friday with another one! -Ben

Also "The Capo" what the??? Welcome to another 🎶🎼 head hangs lowly, child is slowly takon... Wait 🫷🏽 no lol... Welcome to another "song tutorial" by yours truly. This one goes out to anyone and everyone, but especially those who wonder about the capo and its importance. I dive into the chords for this song and discuss the logic behind using the capo to make your guitar sound the way you need it for singing along in your voice. We're introducing and using 4 chords. Em, C, G, D. The chords are not an exact match and neither are the lyrics. The important part of this tutorial is how to play this song in a way that sounds right for you and gets you excited to try playing it again, and again. Please let me know that this video landed for you by approaching me in the comments 🙃😜 tag me or whatever you gotta do to get my attention and let me know if this bit rocked for you!