"You
da man, keep it up. I'm working my way through the catalog. It's great!"
- Lance H. "These lessons are absolutely
sick! You break down the style of the guy I saw so many times in concert
over the years in a manner that anyone can understand. Your blues overview
immediately reminded me of a JGB show I saw at the lunt fontaine in
NYC when I was a young-buck. I normally write my own songs, but have
returned to the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. Thanks
setting me on track to do my boy Jerry's tunes justice when I play them
out for all the KINE folk in North County San Diego. Got some sheddin'
to do!" - Mark O. "Hey Seth, Just bought
Sugaree Jerry's rhythm next is Sugaree lead, then Loser. I'm making
the most progress on playing & learning with your lessons. Great
instruction." - David M. "I just wanted to congratulate you on gratefulguitarlessons 2nd
anniversary. I am the proud owner of 20 of your guitar lessons. I You see I'm on a Christian church worship team (one that is not imposed
of personal expression) and to improvise is a must. You Sir have been
helping me to get there. The hippies of the old Jesus Movement love
to hear those kind Jerry/Bobby riffs. I love to find a different ways
to, as you say, "Skin-the-Old-Cat" or add in a little "Razzle
Dazzle" while playing guitar. I get complements weekly. So from my wife and kids, and myself; we’d like to say thank to
you, bless you (along with Cheryl and Benjamin) and, may you prosper
and have a fruitful life." - Dave S. "Seth - These lessons are great. Especially since you explain
the theory which is what I am more interested in the choices I have
when I improvise and why. Thanks." - John K. Hey Seth, Love your lessons, they are really helping me understand
Bob Weir's style, he is after all one of my favorite guitarists. Keep
up the good work! - Konrad K. "Grabbed Estimated, Eyes and Shakedown while I was on the site.
I appreciate your lessons so much and really enjoyed your envelope filter
rundown. I wanted to just add thank you for these meaty and thoughtful
lessons. I'm really enjoying them and getting alot out of them."
- Shawn D. "Just found you online yesterday when I decided to dig into Jack-a-Roe.
Hands down one of the best guitar lessons I've ever seen anywhere. Super
detailed and logical tab and I love that you are teaching to play the
changes Jerry style and outlining all of the concepts as far as root
-fifth and the thirds. Well worth the money. Consider me a super-satisfied
customer who will be back soon." - Ronald H. " I wanted to say thank you- again- for what you do. I did finally
take the plunge and purchased your Althea lesson (rhythm lesson). In
a word- perfect. So many "lessons" for the dead out there-
paid, free but in the end, no one is as accurate as you and that's just
the bottom line. "You are a very qualified instructor of your craft and this is
what sets you apart; you know the material because you have figured
it all out correctly and you are able to teach it to the rest of us...
clearly you are one of those few that combines the actual skill with
the love of the music and the gift of teaching." - Andrew K. "I want to thank you for these lessons. I've been playing for
years, mostly by ear, and never learned much theory or foundation. I've
been in a rut and ready to give up on guitar. I decided I'd actually
pursue theory and get help from someone who knows what I do not know.
The lessons, along with private study, are a catalyst. All the years of playing and a lifetime of listening and hearing have
finally begun to come together with the lessons. I've found I'm a better
guitarist than I was giving myself credit for. I was totally lacking
in direction and bummed out about the musical space I was in. Repeatedly
hitting my guitar head against the same brick wall. With the lessons (particularly 10 steps to Jerry style blues) I found
several doors in that wall that were invisible before. Walking through
those doors has expanded my knowledge, my confidence, my technique and
maybe most importantly my ENJOYMENT of playing. All the reasons, mystery
and excitement I felt when I first started playing guitar are reawakened
now! It's fucking awesome! It really helps that the lessons are framed around GD tunes and Jerry
styles. Music I've known and loved for forty years. It makes a huge
difference. I was studying with a classical guitarist and the theory
he was teaching felt really abstract and clinical and I couldn't apply
it to anything practical. Also, it was NOT fun and a big turn off. Man, I want to WANT to learn, I want to be excited by learning and
applying that knowledge and gaining more and more experience. So, thank you for providing these fantastic lessons. They truly are
a huge component in changes and growth I'm going through, both musically
and personally (both are intertwined for me)." - Tyler T. Your approach lessons and knowledge of the GD songs is perfect and
what I needed. I’ve been working through a bunch of your lessons over the last
couple of months and they are truly amazing. Combining the lessons and
revisiting them has been a tremendous help and has had a notable improvement
in my playing across the board. Even my wife admitted it! I would consider
myself a solid intermediate and your lessons are the perfect level and
the perfect mix of theory, applicability and GD repertoire. Please keep
up the good work! Sending you a big hug from a fan and follower. -- Jose V. First off, you’re an awesome player and a really cool teacher,
great sense of humor. I bought one rhythm lesson last week, Franklin’s Tower (Bobby
Rythm). Any other teacher could have taken the easy road on this an
taught two patterns (voicings) and called it a day. The fact that you
broke it down across the fretboard (same way Bobby approaches his playing)
was awesome. You added so much value and opened a lot of doors in my
playing in just that one lesson, -thanks man. I got through the lesson
in a day and was playing along with the Jam track, right away (really
nice to have this for practice and working things out). At any rate,
I’m hooked, I’m off to buy some more lessons, I’m gonna
move into the Jerry soloing and grab another song to learn. Just wanted
to say thank you for putting this together and keeping the music alive.
-- Alberto G. I recently discovered your grateful guitar lessons and I just wanted
to reach out to personally tell you how much value they have to me!
I have been playing guitar for awhile but only within the last few years
did I get hooked on the dead, and Jerry's playing. And man did I get
obsessed. I have been painstakingly transcribing out solos for awhile
which has benefitted me. I tend to think looking up tabs is sort of
like cheating, and often times the tabs are wrong. Regardless, with
your lessons, I don't feel like I'm cheating or taking a short cut at
all. Your explanations are so on point that it feels like a future version
of myself is teaching me. I just get it. So far I have only downloaded
your Estimated Prophet lesson, which I am working on and find incredible.
Don't worry, I will be back for more real soon. Please keep this page
alive forever! -- Ryan S. Hi Seth, I am writing to tell you how much pleasure I am having learning jerry
and bob parts from your lessons. My son and I are having such fun learning
and playing the parts together. Thanks! - Ray S. Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the lessons. My
buddy and I have been working on learning Bobby and Jerry's individual
parts for a while. He's a way better guitar player than me, but your
Bobby lessons have taken my game way up. We'd been working on Help/Slip
for weeks when I found your site, downloaded the lesson and we've been
rocking it out at every practice since. I know a little theory, but the way you use it to explain why what
you're doing works and why he played what he did have helped me put
things together and are helping to give me a whole new understanding.
Well worth the price. I just bought two more today and will continue
to use your lessons. I've been recommending your site to friends. So thanks again! Keep up the good work. --Quentin T. Just wanted to take a minute to thank you. I found your site on a lark,
and it's been an absolute boon to my playing. I've taken your Scarlet,
Fire, and early 70's-style GDTRFB lessons so far (and, am about to get
started on Shakedown). The lessons are truly awesome. The combination
of the full-speed and slowed-down examples, the walkthrough, and the
tab make learning these leads fun and relatively easy. They're also
inspiring when it comes to learning additional scales and theory. I
have friends that are blown away by my ability to play some of these
things, and with the leaps by which my playing and skill level have
improved over the past two months. I'm looking forward to picking up
a bunch more of the song lessons, as well as the 'Finding the melody'
lesson, which I'm really excited about, actually. In any case, I really just wanted to thank you for all the hard work
you put into these. They're more than worth what you ask in return,
and I think they're the best Grateful Dead lessons anywhere. And, they
really are bringing me an incredible amount of joy, pride, and thrills. Be well -- Dan C. Seth: Just a quick note to thank you for your lessons. It is exactly
what I was looking for – theory, technique, tabs, the whole bit.
Excellent. Can't tell you how hooked I am on the Jerry lessons. And it's really
cool noticing Jerry do a lot of the things I've learned. For example,
on Big River, Jerry hits this countryish lick, that I actually learned
from the Jerry Blues video, which I never would have noticed or been
able to pick out, had I not studied that video. Also -- just noticing
how he recognizes every chord change in Big River (usually by hitting
the major 3rd). This may be simple for some, but for me, noticing these
things is really big and satisfying. Without all this Jerry study, I
would have just played the song in A blues, and it would have sounded
shitty! Now -- it's more a matter of learning it all over the neck and
phrasing in different ways -- and you know -- practicing thousands of
hours to get really good at it . . . . speaking of which -- I'm getting
back to it!
Thanks again. -- Jed G. I have been buying lessons from you for a couple of years now, and
bought three more today. I just wanted to say that you do a really awesome job. Your lessons
are far superior than anyone else online. The care with which you do
the actual lessons, the detail in the pdfs, and of course the awesome
jam tracks. Thanks so much. I have learned so much from you. -- James. J I LOVE your lessons. You have opened up a whole aspect to Bob &
Jerry's playing that mere mortals, such as myself, just can't hear -
never mind play. You really have a feel for the music and thanks to
you I am slowly "getting it". I have really enjoyed every lesson I've watched of yours. Thank you very much Peace -- Les S. Your lessons are INCREDIBLY valuable, and I appreciate all the hard
work you put into putting these out! -- Scott M. Thanks so much for having all of these videos for sale. I play in a
Dead tribute band... I play the role of Weir and your expertise has
been so helpful to learning what he's all about, especially in terms
of intricate voicings, patterns, riffs, etc.....as well my development
as a guitar player, in general. I don't think most people realize how
great of a player Bobby was and continues to be. Again, your video lessons
are so helpful and fun to dig into. - Frank R. Seth, Such great stuff you are putting out there. Worth every penny! Thanks
for your deadication to this great music and for getting the know how
into the hands of guitarists. There nothing else out there that comes
close. Best, Kyle M. thx so much. I've been having great fun and overall improvement in
skills. thanks for your talent and keep more lessons coming -John
M. Just a quick note to say thank you for GratefulGuitarLessons! You’re
a great teacher and the only source I’ve found for learning how
the Boys actually played. Kudos! - Jeremy W. Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks for the lessons. I've learned
a ton from them. I loved the Bobby parts for GDTRFB and Bertha. Working
on Jerry's parts for Brown Eyed Women and 10 Steps Blues (TWLWMYD).
Awesome stuff! - Doug. O I truly enjoyed learning going down the road feelin bad early 70's
style. I really like the way you have structured an other wise very
fluid style in order to explain it. If Jerry had continued on into the
21st century he may have simplified his playing and gone back to the
earlier styles. I feel very good about learning from you. there is a
joy inherent in your approach that reminds me of the man himself! -
Doug S.
"You have
no idea how much these lessons mean to me. I have only purchased Sugaree
1&2 so far (I happen to be in school right now so I do not have much
time to practice) but I will be buying every song you put out there. This
past year, I have tried to work on my theory and tried to figure out some
of the Jerry stuff...some bluegrass stuff etc. You tube is some pretty
coolshit, but no-one...I mean NO-ONE comes close to teaching (and explaining)
this stuff the way you do!! - Brian C.
"Thanks
Seth these lessons are awesome thanks again for taking my playing to another
level! " - Ross J.
"If
I keep buying these things my wife is going to think I need an intervention.
Really like the Weir Sugaree. You've really nailed my absolute favorite
era of Weir's playing...I just love that sound." - John H.
"Hey
Seth, Great stuff! That Peggy-O is going to tear down some walls for sure.
I've hit a wall recently and this is good." - Chris S.
"I
purchased Franklins Tower Jerry lead from you and it was/is worth EVERY
penny. Helped my playing and understanding immensely. Thank you so much.
Can't wait to pick up a few more titles from you! On a side note, my Dad's
a 63 year old retiree that's been playing for 50 years and he just loves
your stuff. I started playing a little over 2 years ago, and we walk through
your videos together (kind of a bonding thing). I can tell when he feels
like somebody does a good job and knows what they are talking about. You
have a couple of big fans out here in Colorado! Seth, thank you so much,
your efforts on these videos are so appreciated." - Jim T
"Thanks
for doing these lessons. Love to learn the style and how the melody articulates
with the progression and the solo structure deriving from the chord shapes.
Even though I hope you continue to add new lessons, the current material
will take me forever to absorb. Grateful for the great lessons."
- Michael L.
"Just
wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much I'm enjoying your Bobby
lessons. They're exactly what I've been looking for! Keep 'em coming...--Paul
C.
"I
learn more from your lessons than I do from 10+ lessons from other teachers
that I have taken lessons from. And you go over so much licks and theory
that it will be great food for practice for months to come. I really appreciate
your lessons and so glad that you are doing this for the community!"
-- Kyle F.
"I
just wanted to give you a shout out for the Grateful Dead guitar lessons.
You really went the extra mile on the Bobby, "Sugaree" and the
Jerry Sugaree's and I really applaud your efforts (I have focused on Sugaree
to start as it is a great song to learn to jam to etc. I will get to the
rest of the lessons soon). I am having soooooo much fun learning to play
in the Dead's style and your lessons are just what the good doctor ordered....
Anyway, like stranger's stopping strangers, just to shake their hand,
I just wanted to thank you for playing in the heart of gold band. Keep
up the inspiration and the good work. You are helping to create more joy
in the world and what is more worthy than that?" -- Chris J.
"Seth,
these are excellent lessons. I find the tablature and the videos to be
well done and informative. The Mp3 track is also VERY helpful. You seem
to be able to duplicate Jerry's style better than anyone I have seen on
the web. Can I just tell you how long I have been trying to learn the
finger picking to Peggy-o? Looking for it on you tube and such. My mouth
dropped to the floor. I am buying that tomorrow. What a great idea to
do this." -- Barry M.
"The
lessons ROCK! And…your playing is awesome.Keep them coming, and I'll
keep buying. I'm playing with a group of guys who play mostly rock covers
with 20% GD. I've been on the bus since '81, and am having a blast learning
everything I can in the Jerry style. The jazz lessons/theory helps, but
the phrasing lessons and breakdowns are priceless." -- Martin
B.
"As
a long time deadhead and hobby guitarist I am very grateful for these
lessons. They are reasonably priced and I like combination of Video /
Tab / Jam track. I especially appreciate your inclusion of music theory.
I don’t know how long you have been selling these downloads but I
wish you continued success." -- Andrew B.
"Thank
you so much for what you do. I'm completely self-taught and don't know
a thing about music theory. Can't read sheet music. I've just picked stuff
up here and there over the years. Your lessons have elevated me to a new
plateau, and I'm starting to grasp some theory as well. As I've always
been "strictly rhythm", the Bobby lessons are a huge help. Plus
the Jerry lessons are making me learn scales! Keep on doing what you do!"
-- Andrew R.
"I
have been playing for a long time but still find your lessons absolutely
awesome. KEEP IT UP! I haven't seen too many people capture Bobby's style
very well. You nail it my friend." - Christopher P.
"Let
the music play the band !! Stayed up waay too late last night, diving
into the Franklins - Jerry lesson after downloading. I am able to get
into 'the zone', but always missing some of the finer, if you will, stuff.
Your explanations of JG's style and approach is most enlightening and
very understandable for someone without much music theory in their pocket."
- Jeff K.
"Thanks
for doing such wonderful job in "decoding" Jerry's complex,
yet tasty style. The lesson's are really thoughtful and tie together a
lot of jazzy knowledge I've partially absorbed over the years and connect
it to something meaningful — the thought process behind Jerry's sophisticated
soloing abilities. Well done!" - Dave B.
"I'm
sure that you get a ton of email, but I wanted to drop you a line to say
thanks for the great lessons. I'm especially grateful for your soon to
be released acoustic jamming lessons. As a strictly acoustic player, I'm
looking forward to your pending releases in this space. Thank you for
providing your lessons. They are a great tool, and they are helping me
achieve something I never thought possible all those years ago watching
the boys play. You do great work. Keep them coming." - Joel
K.
"I
just want to once again say thanks for the great lessons. As a 15 year
veteran of the guitar, I can easily say I've learned more in the last
year from these lessons then in the previous 14 years combined. As the
"Jerry" of my playing circle, I am finally starting to really
grasp the art of the guitar solo." - Tom R.
"I
just wanted to drop you a line and say how much I appreciate what you’re
doing! I have been playing for over 20 years. I am mostly an ear player,
and although I got Jerry’s feel down a long time ago I could never
really crack his licks. I had been wishing for years I could find somebody
that could break it down for me so I could incorporate Jerry’s style
into my own. Well done Seth! I attached a clip of me doing the Scarlet
solo so you could hear one of your pupil’s progress. Thanks a million!"
- John H.
"Thanks
for your hard work. It's very much appreciated! I started off as a deadhead,
stumbled onto Old and In the Way, and finally turned to bluegrass once
Jerry was gone. Bluegrass has forced me to learn musical discipline (read
here timing and melody). I love returning back to the dead now that I've
got some chops and your site and vids are the best I've ever seen. I love
how you reference theory and your musical knowledge is fantastic. Once
again, thanks for your hard work and inspiration (move me brightly)."
- Mark M.
"I've
been listening to and playing this music all of my adult life. With so
much free instructional material on the Web, I hesitated at spending the
$9 for these lessons. But your site definitely proves the old adage: You
get what you pay for. The lessons are clear, the information is invaluable
-- going far beyond merely teaching how to play a particular version of
a tune or solo -- and it is obvious that between the tab, the videos,
and the jam tracks, a lot of care and effort has gone into these lessons.
Thanks and keep up the good work!" - Bob F.
"You
totally rock. Love your work." - David K.
"I
have to tell you - your lessons are really fantastic. There's so much
to learn in them and your tabs, backing tracks, and videos are super helpful.
Keep 'em coming! I will continue to buy them for sure." - Scott
C.
"Thanks,
Seth. Truly awesome stuff." - Jonas N.
"Seth,
I can't begin to tell you what a difference you have made in my playing!
Thanks for moving me brightly!!" - Dave W.
"Hey
Seth - Just an old Deadhead/guitar-player who wants to congratulate you
on the quality of your lessons. I like that you give Weir his due. I think
the Dead were always underrated and Bob especially so. Great job."
- Kevin F.
think I started December 2011. I have learned many grate licks from
these lessons and like you say I've learned "why the stuff works".
It’s been an awesome mind opener.
"Hey
Seth-I just wanted to say thanks man! Your instructional videos are the
best. I feel like you are sitting in the room with me. You make Jerry’s
complex playing style achievable." - Keith D.
"I have been trying to learn Jerry for ever but I just can't slow
most of what he does down enough to catch my brain and fingers on the
same level. I've watched hundreds of clowns on youtube try to provide
a lesson but they always seem to be more talk than play and quite groggy....none
have been as beneficial as what you have provided. By far the best and
most effective way to conquer those blazing Jerry licks, one after another,
is sitting thru your lesson with the tabs. Thanks a lot man!!"
- Anthony D.
"My
name is Jeremiah and I am a music teacher. I recently joined a band and
they/we play a lot of grateful dead songs. So I am lucky to have found
your site and lessons. I just want to tell you that you are a really great
guitar player and teacher. I love the way you present and organize the
lessons. I have purchased a few and I'm sure will be getting many more
as I progress...You are doing an amazing job! Keep up the good work and
rock on." - Jeremiah R.
The band I recently started with plays several dead songs of which I
listen to but never played live or learned for that matter. Your lessons
saved me. Big time. Worth every penny. Cannot thank you enough. - Joe
B.
I
purchased some lessons from you a couple of months ago and just purchased
some more today. I just wanted to thank you and let you know they are
really helping me. I am 45 years old and have been playing since I was
15. I started going to see Jerry when I was 17. Probably saw about 50
shows of Grateful Dead and Jerry Band, and pretty much listen to nothing
but.
I love playing guitar and have never had any instruction. I pretty much
pick stuff up on my own and really struggle with getting lost when I start
soloing.
Your lessons really have helped me start to get heading in the right direction.
It's helping me to learn not only how to play the song but a reason why
it's being played that way. That's something I have struggled with for
many years.
So I just wanted to send you a big thank you! I really appreciate what
you're doing with this stuff. -- Kevin W.
Again, Thank You very much,
Hey
Seth,
Hey Seth,
Hey now, Seth!
You do fine work.
I’m about a quarter through your catalog and I’ve never been
disappointed. -- Greg. K
A bit older than you, my first show was 1979 in San Jose and then Oakland.
Saw Donna, then dove in from 1980 to 1984 –
Was in Berkeley CA and saw everything I could within 100 miles.
I’m enjoying the lessons and a chance to peek behind the curtain
of Jerry’s music.-- Ryan L.
Hi Seth
Hi Seth,
Hey good morning
Seth, my name is Matthew and I just recently purchased your lesson for
Dire Wolf. I have to say I was very skeptical about paying the 15$ price
for one song lesson, but it was worth it. I learned a lot of good info
and techniques from this and you are spot on with your playing. I like
how you lay out the tabs on the pdf and include the jam tracks. Anyway
thank you I'll get a few more lessons from you in the future. Peace:)
- Matt B.
Much thanks to
you, had a VERY successful couple of gigs as “Bobby"!
Just wanted to
thank you for what you do. I started working through your lessons a couple
years ago and it has changed my life. Really enjoy working through both
Bob and Jerry's parts. My playing has improved dramatically and I have
recently started a band for the first time in my life at Age 47. -- Neil
S.
Hey Seth:
I'm 10 minutes
into the Jerry Lead Lesson 1. I must say, Seth, you're quite talented.
This solo is quintessential Jerry! I really like how you incorporate music
theory and the phrasing behind the solo. Good stuff, man! Having fun :-)
Thank you! - K. Judd
Hi Seth - You have
really hit the mark with these short and to the point lessons. By focusing
on the fundamental and essential elements of the tune and style, a person
wanting to learn can do it without getting bogged down with TMI. - Scot
W.
Just discovered
your website and lessons and am absolutely loving it. Been looking for
theory and practice about Jerry's style for many, many years and have
finally found your absolutely terrific lessons and website. Thank you,
thank you, thank you. - Glenn A.
Hey Seth,
Seth,