What does the term “jam band” mean to you? Outdoor festivals, perhaps? Hemp necklaces and dancing bears? Whatever else you associate with it, one thing that has become synonymous with the jam genre has been fluid, fast, and funky guitar playing. This month on www.acousticguitar.com, we explore the stylings of one of the genre’s true standouts—and a killer acoustic musician to boot—Keller Williams. In our exclusive feature lesson, we talk about the art of laying down a danceable groove, the delicate process of onstage looping, and collaborating with Bob Weir (who will soon have his own Acoustic Guitar feature interview).

Other new articles online this month include a Basics lesson on fretting difficult chord shapes, a Woodshed article on the notorious circle of fifths, and a 30-Minute Lesson on time signatures (including video examples that feature yours truly).

Continue to receive Acoustic Guitar Lessons and check out our other e-newsletters by clicking here.

Dan Apczynski, associate editor of Acoustic Guitar, is a professional journalist and music editor. He is a guitarist and keyboardist who performs regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area.

ARPEGGIATED CHORDS IN 3/4 AND 4/4 TIME
This month’s exercise is designed to give you a taste of what one musical idea can sound like in two different time signatures—in this case, 3/4 and 4/4. You can try playing these ideas fingerstyle or with a “hybrid” pick-and-fingers approach (using your pick to hit just the bass notes).


Notice how just this seemingly small change in the time can have a huge impact on the way the music feels! The 4/4 measures have a whole extra beat, which means we can sneak in two more eighth notes.

For more on this idea, check out the 30-Minute Lesson “Time Signatures,” available now online and in the June '08 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine. You may be prompted to log in with your customer number or password from the June ’08 issue of Acoustic Guitar, which can be found on page 8 of that issue.
Hear the audio for this exercise.

LESSONS FEATURE: KELLER WILLIAMS
Learn how the one-man jam band creates his deep-pocket grooves.
With video examples. [More]

30-MINUTE LESSON: TIME SIGNATURES
Explore this guide to time signatures, and soon feeling the beat will be as easy as counting to four. With video examples. [More]

PRIVATE LESSON: WILLIE PORTER
The acoustic folk-pop rocker shows how he mixes picking styles and how he gets the percussive bass sound that drives his live shows. With audio examples and the Lick of the Month. With audio examples. [More]

BASICS: DIFFICULT CHORDS
A simple guide to forming tough chord shapes. With audio examples. [More]

WOODSHED: THE CIRCLE OF FIFTHS
Learn to use the circle of fifths and unlock the mysteries of song construction.
With audio examples. [More]

Search all lessons at www.acousticguitar.com.

Hal Leonard releases Laurence Juber: Popular Songs for Acoustic Guitar

Fingerstyle guitarists looking for some challenging new reading material should think about this new release from Hal Leonard. With 64 pages of music arranged by virtuoso fingerstylist Laurence Juber, the 12-song collection includes Elvis Costello’s “Alison,” the Rolling Stones’ “Angie,” the Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” and of course, Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.”

Hal Leonard publications are available at music and book stores nationwide, by phone at (800) 637-2852, and online at www.musicdispatch.com.

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