Style of Grateful Dead

Artist Series Guitar Course from David Isaacs

Dave Issacs goes in depth on different techniques and styles of The Grateful Dead. From Jerry Garcia to Bob Weir, you gain insight into the diverse style of The Grateful Dead.

20 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

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Full Course Breakdown

Dave Issacs goes in depth on different techniques and styles of The Grateful Dead. From Jerry Garcia to Bob Weir, you gain insight into the diverse style of The Grateful Dead.

1

Series Introduction

Series Introduction to "The Style of Grateful Dead"

5:22 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Rhythm Concept, Bob Weir Chord Voices

In this lesson we will take our first look into Bob Weir's approach to rhythm and voicings.

14:00 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

3

Melody Concept, Garcia and the Major Pentatonic

In this Lesson we will take a look at Jerry Garcia's use of the pentatonic scale and ways you can pull melodic ideas out of this scale. You will play over A, G, an E chords and gain an understanding on how Garcia fit them into his guitar playing.

10:54 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
4

Melody Concept, Counterpoint

In this lesson we will take our first look into how The Dead would put different melody guitar parts together, to create counterpoints. Dave will guide you through different techniques on how to accomplish this.

10:46 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Melody Concept, Bob Weir Counterpoint

In this lesson we will take a look at a counterpoint part that can go along with the lower register melody we looked at in Lesson 4.

12:46 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

6

Melody Concept, Phrasing Over a Vamp

In this lesson we will take a look on Jerry Garcia's approach to playing over a Vamp, in this lesson we will look at G7 Vamp, or a G Vamp using the mixed Lydian mode

9:19 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

7

Rhythm Concept, Polyryhthm

In this lesson we will take another look at rhythm, specifically polyrhythm and how there are different time signatures happening at once. Dave explains and demonstrates how Garcia and Weir would "talk" to each other with their guitars.

12:17 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

8

Rhythm Concept, Polyrhythm cont.

In this lesson we will continue our look at two interactive Polyrhythmic parts in a Bob Weir style. You will work high up the neck using partial chords, octaves and melodic figures.

12:02 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

9

Melody Concept, Using Arpeggios

In this lesson you will take a look at the way Jerry Garcia might have used Arpeggio's to play over chord changes. You will learn how to incorporate Arpeggio's into the improvisations.

11:36 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

10

Harmony Concept, Chromatic Chord Progressions

In this lesson you will get into more advanced harmony and chromatic chord changes. Dave also illustrates some of Bob Weir's chord voicings.

15:23 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

11

Melody Concept, Playing Over Chromatic Chord Changes

In this lesson you will take a look at how to play over some more challenging chord progressions. You will learn how to move back and forth between E Major and E Minor.

13:21 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

12

Rhythm Concept, Odd Time Signatures

Dave explains how to explore odd time signatures. Specifically looking at 7-4 and putting 2's and 3's together in ways that you wouldn't ordinary think of.

17:53 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

13

Melody Concept, Rhythm Groups

In this Lesson you will learn how to look at rhythm groupings and how to use an envelope filter/ Wah-wah pedal for Garcia's unique picking.

15:09 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

14

Improvising Odd Time Signatures

In this Lesson Dave expands on the 7-4 and demonstrates the fluidity of shifting odd time signatures. You will also learn about techniques for better improvisation and how to keep track of your playing.

10:11 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

15

Melody Concept, Arpeggio Sequences

In this Lesson you will take a look at the use of melodic arpeggios and get a taste of different Pentatonic Flavors.

13:29 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

16

Melody Concept, Counterpoint

In this lesson you will take a look at a counterpoint part to the arpeggiated melody from the last lesson. You will learn how Bob Weir would utilize this in his playing.

11:22 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

17

Rhythm Concept, Floating the One

In this lesson you will learn a technique called "Floating the one". Dave explains and demonstrates a few ways to utilize this in your own playing.

13:10 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

18

Free Improvisation and Interaction

In this Lesson you will learn a tricky concept for "organizing" your improvisational skills. Dave will play a part, record it, and then play over that track to demonstrate how to improvise in a "free jam".

10:54 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

19

Rhythm Concept, Chord Cycles

In this Lesson Dave teaches us how to apply the idea of sequences from Jerry Garcia's lead playing and goes in depth about the chord cycles.

10:39 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

20

Melody Concept, Playing Over Chord Cycles

In this Lesson Dave demonstrates and explains how Jerry Garcia would play over chord cycles. You will learn how to play patterns while the key center shifts.

11:28 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

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Dave Isaacs Group

  • Nashville, Tennessee
  • Playing since 1980
  • 478 lessons at JamPlay
Nashville-based Dave Isaacs has made a name for himself as one of Music City's top guitar instructors, working with both professional and aspiring songwriters and artists at his Music Row teaching studio. He is also an instructor in the music department at Tennessee State University and is the coordinator and artistic director of the annual TSU Guitar Summit.

A seasoned performer as well, Dave has released eight independent CDs and gigs steadily as a solo artist, bandleader, and sideman. He continues to write, record, and perform as well as arranging and producing projects for other artists.

Reviews & Feedback 100/100 with 47 ratings
JerryJohnson

Clear and easy to follow

pel1007

Excellent lesson!

llmccall

Good explanations for what is going on in the melodies, rhythms etc. that create tension and resolution. Learned a lot and I've been playing for years.

alswanson035

This really helps to capture the Bob Weir sound. Very well done.

docramin

Learned so much from Dave. He is an excellent teacher

dfp123

Nice assortment of songs to breakdown. Love the polyrhythm breakdown.

mikemayday

Love jam bands. Please feature more from that genre!

Kalichela

Ooooh, if only he knew how COMPLICATED this is to me. However, a great lesson by a really good teacher. Well done.