now playing:
- main
- 1
- 2
- For members3
- For members4
- For members5
- For members6
- For members7
- For members8
- For members9
More
- Open String Pull-Off SoloLEVEL 6A fast modern country solo with hybrid picking.
- Harmonics & FolkLEVEL 4A folk style song using open strings to build chords, scales and harmonic lines
- E Open String ChordsLEVEL 1Let's play chords using only two fingers. Thanks to the open strings, they will sound more complex than they are.
- Mixolydian Open String ScaleLEVEL 3How to modify the G mixolydian scale shape by incorporating open strings to get that characteristic country sound.
- Open String Pull-Off RiffLEVEL 5This lesson covers a modern country style open string pull-off riff with double-stop hammer-ons/pull-offs and behind the nut bends.
- Open String Riffing in E ScaleLEVEL 4Typical 80's rock style riffing in combination with open strings and E blues scale.
- Open String Pull-Off Riff IILEVEL 5Modern country rhythm and lead
- Open String Pull-OffsLEVEL 2An introduction to country style open string pull-offs.
- Open String Pull-Offs Level 2LEVEL 3Additional studies on country style open string pull-offs.
Feedback
Dieterle21st May 2012This sounds good to me too -
i hope i get 100 years old to learn all that great lessons;)
Ben Higgins18th May 2012Awesome Ben - so many cool ideas to steal. Question on use of scales? I haven't checked the chords on backing but are you playing Am and Bm and therefore playing scales to suit?
I'm mainly using the Dorian modes of either A or B, according to when the chords shift. It's great because it's basically like a perfect mix of Minor pentatonic and minor scale but not as 'minor' and dark sounding
The Dorian mode has got a laid back feel to it.
zoom17th May 2012Awesome Ben - so many cool ideas to steal. Question on use of scales? I haven't checked the chords on backing but are you playing Am and Bm and therefore playing scales to suit?
- Ben Higgins15th May 2012Heck yeah ! Whaddabout next collab with this backing ?!
Your wish is my command !!
VilleFIN14th May 2012Heck yeah ! Whaddabout next collab with this backing ?!
mad14th May 2012Great! Now - my fretting hand burns just by learning the first lick
Piotr Kaczor14th May 2012Great ideas, Ben! Sounds fresh and powerful
Cosmin Lupu14th May 2012Nice one Ben! I am a big fan of the grungy feel that open strings usually offer and you managed to incorporate it in this lesson!
Sinisa Cekic13th May 2012Fantastic topic Ben, you're da man
!!!- Ben Higgins13th May 2012
Thank you Guys, really pleased you like it
And Dinaga that's exactly what I try to do ! 
Patrik Berg13th May 2012nice work Benny, gonna have a crack at this one I reckon
Dinaga13th May 2012Sweet! Really useful concept and cool tune, and the backing track is perfect for jamming as well! Ear candy!
I also noticed that many of your latest lessons are really fresh and unique, because you try to incorporate stuff that's not been covered 1000 times already on GMC. Huge respect for that 
GregH13th May 2012Great lesson Ben.
Practicing Peers
- Total views: 0
- Member views: 0
- Guest views: 0
- Lesson
- My notes
Hi and welcome to my latest lesson.
This time the focus is on using open strings to get some cool sounding licks!
Combining hammer ons and pull offs with open strings can make simple ideas sound more impressive and it can also be an easier way to get a pedal note effect without needing to pick all the notes in a neo classical style.
My approach to using open strings is to use an open string that is a note found within the scale or chord that I'm playing in. Some notes may be the same as the root note itself or they may be another interval found in the scale. Some sound more pleasing than others so it's really a matter of personal taste and experimenting.
The lesson itself isn't too technically demanding so it's just a case of learning the lines before you start hammering away!
Joe Satriani is often using open strings in his licks so it's definitely worth your while studying his playing.
There's nothing else to add so I will leave it with you - enjoy!
Tempo: 90bpm
Gear : Marshall JVM 410H, OD1 Red Setting.
Scales : Am Pentatonic, A Dorian Mode, Bm Pentatonic, B Dorian Mode.
Jump to start: Home or `s` , you can also click/tap the lesson part again (the numbers above player)
Go to next part: PageUP or End.
Volume: ArrowUp / ArrowDown keys
Go to any part: Number keys (combinations also possible)
Pause or play: `k` or space key
Fullscreen: `f`, esc to close
Increase / decrease speed : `+` or `-`
