Nick Kellie

Nick Kellie

Nick is a Guitar instructor at JamPlay.com

Nick was awarded the BBC Big Band Jazz awards "John Dankworth trophy for outstanding young soloist" and recorded a special show for BBC radio 2. He was invited to become a member of the Wigan Jazz Orchestra, and has played as part of the Wigan International Jazz Festival. He has played extensive gigs which include accompaniment, reading, soloing as well as styles ranging from Soul, R&B, Blues, Rock and Jazz in locations such as London, Norway, Germany and Greece. Nick, with... (more)

Nick currently offers 92 guitar lessons at JamPlay, with 68 intermediate lessons, 3 song lessons, 6 lessons in our Artist Series and 15 Lick & Riff Library entries.

Theory and Improvisation

Theory and Improvisation with Nick Kellie

Nick Kellie teaches the CAGED system and theory of modes based around this system of learning.

1

CAGED System

Nick Kellie teaches the CAGED system and the 3 point root guidelines to finding your chords.

22:29 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

2

Major Triad Arpeggios

Building on the CAGED system he taught in lesson 1, Nick teaches the major triad arpeggios built off those chords.

7:13 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

3

Dominant 7th Arpeggios

Nick Kellie demonstrates the dominant 7th arpeggios as they relate to the CAGED system.

9:29 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

4

Major Pentatonic Scales in the CAGED System

Nick Kellie demonstrates the major pentatonic scales as they relate to the CAGED system shapes.

7:40 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

5

CAGED System Major Scale

Nick Kellie demonstrates the major scales in relation to the five shapes of the CAGED system.

5:35 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

6

CAGED Minor Shapes

Now that he has already covered the major CAGED shapes, Nick Kellie demonstrates the minor shapes for the CAGED system.

10:58 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

7

Minor Triad Arpeggios

Nick Kellie teaches the minor triad arpeggios for the CAGED system.

5:19 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

8

Minor 7th Arpeggios

Nick Kellie teaches the minor 7th arpeggios as they relate to the CAGED system.

6:39 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

9

Minor Pentatonic Scale

Nick Kellie demonstrates the minor pentatonic scales as it relates to the CAGED system.

3:10 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

10

CAGED Natural Minor Scale

Nick Kellie demonstrates the natural minor scale using the CAGED system.

4:29 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

11

Intervals

Nick Kellie discusses intervals and interval spacing on the guitar.

24:28 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

12

Parent Scales

Nick Kellie discusses the three parent scales that all other diatonic scales are derived from.

10:14 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

13

Harmonizing the Major Scale

Nick Kellie discusses how to harmonize the diatonic major scale.

13:19 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

14

Modes of the Major Scale

Nick Kellie discusses the seven modes derived from the diatonic major scale.

22:07 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

15

Phrygian Mode

Nick Kellie covers the Phrygian mode of the major scale.

6:43 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

16

Lydian Mode

Nick Kellie covers the Lydian mode of the major scale.

7:37 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

17

Mixolydian Mode

Nick Kellie covers the Mixolydian mode in five positions.

8:10 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

18

Aeolian Mode

Nick Kellie demonstrates the Aeolian mode in five positions.

5:09 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

19

Locrian Mode

Nick Kellie covers the Locrian mode in five positions.

6:20 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

20

Changing Keys Using Modes

Nick Kellie explains how to change modes while improvising.

15:26 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

21

Building Modal Chord Progressions

Nick Kellie discusses and demonstrates how to create modal chord progressions within the seven different modes.

28:35 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

22

Chord Development

Nick Kellie discusses chord development. Taking key strategies from pianists, Nick demonstrates how playing with a single bass note can benefit your chord construction.

15:17 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

23

Lick Development

Nick Kellie discusses and demonstrates how to use the licks you learn.

11:14 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

24

Determining the Key

Nick Kellie demonstrates how to find the key of a song.

13:49 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

25

Non-Diatonic Chord Progressions

Nick discusses and demonstrates some uses for non-diatonic chords within a progression.

7:08 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

26

7th Chords

Nick explains how to harmonize the major scale with diatonic 7th chords.

11:27 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

27

Soloing Over Chords

Nick explains how to use scales and modes effectively when soloing over a chord progression.

9:53 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
28

Modal Alterations

Nick discusses how to transpose a lick or riff into a different mode.

8:36 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

29

Modal Pentatonic Scales

Nick Kellie demonstrates pentatonic scales derived from the modes of the major scale.

9:32 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

30

9th Chords

Nick Kellie discusses 9th chords, how they are used, and demonstrates a few voicings to get you started.

8:35 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

31

11th Chords

Nick Kellie discusses 11th chords and their applications.

4:39 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

32

13th Chords

Nick Kellie discusses and demonstrates voicings for 13th chords.

6:08 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

33

Dorian and Super Locrian

Nick Kellie discusses how to use the Dorian and Super Locrian modes effectively within a single chord progression.

10:03 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

34

Jazz Soloing #1

Nick Kellie discusses concepts and ideas for soloing over jazz compositions.

20:50 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

35

Jazz Soloing #2

Nick Kellie demonstrates jazz solo techniques for his song "30 Hour Journey."

10:50 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

36

Building Chords

Nick Kellie demonstrates and discusses building chords and chordal tones from within a scale.

5:58 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

37

Reading Scale Charts

Nick Kellie discusses how to read scale charts pertaining to the CAGED system of playing.

8:36 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

38

Understanding Modal Playing

Nick Kellie returns to his theory and improvisation series with a lesson on understanding modal playing and separating the modes from their parent scales.

35:16 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

39

Separating Modes from Their Parent Scales

In lesson 38, Nick discussed more basics on understanding modes and modal playing. In this lesson, he discusses separating your modes from their parent scales to give a more balanced and modal sound to your playing.

16:34 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

40

Practical Modal Applications

Returning to his theory and improvisation series, Nick discusses how you might already being applying modal playing without even knowing it. He discusses how you can pull modal scale ideas and progressions out of the progressions your playing with or over.

9:34 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

41

Scale Sequencing

Nick Kellie returns to his Theory and Improvisation series with a discussion on scale sequencing. In this lesson he discusses how sequencing in both numeric and intervalic forms can open up the scale for you in your playing.

12:17 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

42

Pentatonic Scale Sequencing

Now that Nick has covered the basic concepts of sequencing scales, he covers how you might sequence within the pentatonic scale. He also discusses linear and non-linear playing.

14:17 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

43

Sequencing Triads

Nick Kellie returns with another look at sequencing. Nick has been talking primarily about playing sequences using diads or intervals. In this lesson, he demonstrates sequences based on diatonic triads and seventh chords.

7:04 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

44

Diatonic Seventh Chord Arpeggios

Now that you've learned how to sequence triads, Nick applies the same concepts horizontally with diatonic seventh chords and their arpeggios.

5:54 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

45

Harmonizing Keys

Nick Kellie discusses how a key is harmonized and how this knowledge can help unlock playing over chords and within different keys.

15:42 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

46

Backing Track Study #1

In his 46th lesson, Nick Kellie takes an applied approach to soloing over a backing track. In this lesson, he discusses ways to solo and connect scales and modes over his track "Melody of Hope".

18:47 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

47

Backing Track Study #2

Nick Kellie takes a look at another backing track and discusses how to implement scale ideas over it.

15:17 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

48

Scales and 3rd Intervals

In this lesson, Nick discusses how applying the third interval across a scale idea can open up melodic ideas in your playing. To get you started, he teaches the third interval pattern for all adjacent string pairs in the key of A.

10:20 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Tips & Tricks

Tips and Tricks with Nick Kellie

Nick Kellie demonstrates useful methods to enhance, and add depth to your playing.

1

Harp Harmonics

Nick Kellie demonstrates how to incorporate harp harmonics into your playing.

7:37 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

2

Economy Picking

Nick Kellie demonstrates how the economy picking technique is performed.

17:24 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
3

More Economy Picking

Nick Kellie demonstrates and talks more about economy picking.

5:57 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

4

Double Stop Bends

Nick Kellie offers up another trick for your bag. In this lesson, he discusses and demonstrates how to incorporate double stop bends into your playing.

17:12 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Adding Embellishments to Chord Progressions

In this short lesson, Nick discusses adding flair to your rhythm playing by embellishing your chord progressions.

10:00 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

String Skipping Exercise

Nick returns to his Tips and Tricks series with an exercise designed to help you with string skipping. Incorporating this picking technique into your playing well help open up your arpeggios and scale work.

11:02 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

7

Basic Ear Training

In this lesson, Nick provides a primer course on ear training. By matching intervals with popular songs, you can help develop an ear for basic intervallic distances.

12:44 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Jazz

Smooth Jazz with Nick Kellie

Nick Kellie covers the smooth jazz concept as it relates to guitar playing.

1

Smooth Jazz Series Introduction

Nick Kellie is starting a new Smooth Jazz series! In this lesson series he will cover key concepts to playing in this style, as well as how it differs from traditional forms of Jazz.

2:53 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

2

Octaves

Nick Kellie demonstrates the octave shapes and how they are utilized in the smooth jazz style of playing.

11:06 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

3

Ornaments

Nick Kellie demonstrates commonly used rhythmic and melodic ornaments in the smooth jazz style.

4:07 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

4

Chromatic Enclosures

Nick Kellie explains how to encircle a target tone with upper and lower chromatic neighbor tones. This melodic technique is used frequently in all jazz styles.

4:45 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

5

Arpeggios

Nick Kellie demonstrates arpeggios as they relate to smooth jazz playing.

8:02 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

6

Improvisation

Nick Kellie demonstrates and discusses how to use the techniques he has taught in the context of an improvised solo.

3:42 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
7

Jazz Blues

In this lesson, Nick discusses how to implement a jazz blues into your playing.

13:30 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

R&B and Soul

R&B and Soul with Nick Kellie

Learn to play in the Motown style of R&B and Soul.

1

Introduction to R&B and Soul

Nick Kellie introduces a lesson series designed to highlight the tendencies, techniques and concepts of R&B and soul playing. Characterized by rhythmic elements and simplicity, this style combines muted left and right hand techniques with melodic scale ideas. In the first lesson, Nick discusses the basics of this style and introduces the core techniques.

31:45 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
2

Popping

Now that Nick has discussed the basics of the R&B and soul style of playing, he demonstrates a common funk / soul technique. Known as "popping," this technique adds a sharp staccato and rhythmic feel to your playing.

12:41 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

3

Interval Usage

In the third lesson of his R&B and Soul series, Nick discusses common ways to use melodic and harmonic intervals.

8:57 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

Single Note Strumming

In this lesson, Nick Kellie demonstrates a common technique he calls "single note strumming". This technique combines the simplistic nature of R&B and soul with a rhythmic strumming element.

7:26 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Hendrixisms

In the fifth lesson of his R&B and Soul lesson series, Nick discusses commonalities made popular by Jimi Hendrix that are often used in this style of play.

10:57 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

6

Seventh Chords, Progressions and Song Structure

To wrap up his look at the stylistic approaches of R&B and soul, Nick provides a lesson that touches on a few topics. He discusses the use of seventh chords and how to easily decipher what chords can be played with what progression. Nick also talks about the approach of arranging song structure in the style.

21:46 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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