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Basic Guitar with Jim

Beginner Guitar Course from Jim Deeming

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Fingerstyle master Jim Deeming teaches you the basics of guitar playing. With over 30 years of experience teaching and playing, Jim will definitely start you in the right direction. This is a great series for beginners and guitarists looking to refresh their knowledge.

25 Lessons

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

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

91% Appoval

1664 of 1738 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

Access this course, along with all other courses with Membership.

Full Course Breakdown

You will be taught guitar techniques necessary in all genres. Jim will move you from beginning subjects such as buying a guitar all the way up to playing chords, basic finger picking, ear training and more. This lesson set will adequately prepare you for Jim's Phase 2 Fingerstyle series.

Begin the Course
1

Introduction Lesson

In this short lesson, Jim Deeming will introduce himself and talk about his upcoming lessons.

6:12 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

2

Choosing a Guitar

Jim gives his thoughts on purchasing your first guitar.

7:09 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

3

Goal Setting

Jim discusses the importance of setting goals. He provides some tips that will help steer your practicing in the right direction.

11:00 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
4

Changing the Strings

Jim Deeming walks you through the process of changing your strings. He gives some excellent tips on this important process.

41:09 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

5

Meet Your New Guitar

Jim introduces proper playing technique. Then, he explains how to play your first chord.

52:24 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

6

Learning More Chords

Jim teaches you the 3 primary chords in G major. He also explains how chords relate to specific keys. A great lesson!

39:15 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

7

Right Hand Revisited

Jim discusses a plethora of right hand techniques that are essential to guitar playing.

35:19 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

8

New Chords and Keys

This lesson provides additional information about chords and keys.

19:08 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

9

Let's Play

This lesson is all about playing. Jim will start you off playing a song. You will have the opportunity to play along with him.

20:10 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

10

Alternating Bass and Chords

Jim teaches you a few more commonly used chords. Then, he discusses a technique known as the alternating bass line.

40:54 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

11

A Shape Chords

Jim covers all possible fingering options pertaining to the basic open A chord shape.

17:42 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

12

Basic Guitar Checkup

Jim talks about the future of his Phase 1 guitar series and where to go from here.

4:18 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

13

Notes, Scales and Theory

Jim delves into basic music theory. He starts from square one in this lesson.

29:00 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

14

Chord Fiesta

Jim Deeming invites you to a veritable chord fiesta. He demonstrates common dominant and minor chord shapes.

43:00 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

15

Movable Chords

This lesson is all about movable chords. Learn the importance of barre chords and other movable shapes.

40:00 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

16

Proper Practicing

Jim Deeming explains how to create a productive practice routine. Make sure you aren't wasting needless time!

30:00 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

17

The Pinky Anchor

Many guitarists use their pinky as an anchor. Jim explains the pros and cons of this technique.

9:00 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

18

Palm Muting

Jim discusses an important technique--palm muting. He explains how palm muting is used by flatpickers and fingerstyle players.

7:00 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

19

Reading Tablature

Jim Deeming covers the basics of reading guitar tablature. Knowledge of tablature will help with JamPlay lessons as well as learning your favorite songs.

21:12 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

20

Tuning Extravaganza

Jim explains various tuning methods. He provides useful tips and tricks that will ensure that your guitar is sounding its best.

31:45 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

21

Let's Play: "Red River Valley"

Jim is back with another "let's play" style lesson. He teaches the classic song "Red River Valley" and encourages you to play along.

52:38 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

22

Drop D Tuning

Jim Deeming introduces drop D tuning. Drop D is a popular alternate tuning used in many styles of music including rock, fingerstyle and blues.

25:25 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

23

Let's Play: "Wayfaring Stranger"

Jim Deeming breaks down the song sections to the classic tune "Wayfaring Stranger".

29:20 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

24

More On Drop D

Jim Deeming takes another, more focused look at drop D tuning.

6:27 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

25

Your Friend, the Metronome

Jim Deeming discusses how to use a metronome for practice, skill building, and speed building.

24:02 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

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Jim Deeming

1,664
  • Berthoud, CO
  • Playing since 1969
  • 114 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course
Jim Deeming got his first guitar when he was only six years old. His Dad was taking fingerpicking lessons, and Jim wanted to be just like him. The Mel Bay books didn't last very long before he strapped on a thumb pick and added the Chet part to Red River Valley so it sounded better.

Most of Jim's early learning was by ear. With unlimited access to his Dad's collection of Chet Atkins albums, he spent countless hours decoding his favorite songs. They were never "right" until they sounded just like Chet. Around the age of 12, Jim heard Jerry Reed for the first time and just knew he had to be able to make that "Alabama Wild Man" sound. The styles of Chet & Jerry always have been a big influence on his playing.

More recently he has pursued arrangements by Tommy Emmanuel and Doyle Dykes, in addition to creating some of his own and writing originals.

Jim has performed in front of a variety of audiences, including concerts, competitions, weddings and the like, but playing at church has always been a mainstay. Whether playing in worship bands or guitar solos, gospel music is deep in his roots and is also the driving theme behind his debut CD release, titled "First Fruits".

Jim has been playing for about 38 years. He also has taught private lessons in the past but believes JamPlay.com is an exciting and better venue with many advantages over the traditional method of weekly 30 minute sessions.

Jim lives in Berthoud, Colorado with his wife, Linda, and their four children. Although he still has a "day job", he is actively performing and is already back in the studio working on the next CD. If you wonder how he finds time, look no further than the back seat of his truck where he keeps a "travel guitar" to take advantage of any practice or song-writing opportunities he can get.

The opening song you hear in Jim's introductory JamPlay video is called, "A Pick In My Pocket". It's an original tune, written in memory of Jim's father who told him early on he should always keep a pick in his pocket in case he ever met Chet Atkins and got the chance to play for him. That song is slated to be the title track for his next CD, which will feature several more originals plus some of his favorite covers of Chet and Jerry arrangements.
Reviews & Feedback 91/100 with 1738 ratings
mishmac2000

Yet again, great. Really clear.

wellplayed

Very clear explanation of when to use and when not to use. Thanks.

fraserjohnc

Excellent!

Burbank

accidentally clicked thumb down first.

Gatagirl

Actually I would have chosen all three if I could have. Jim is great.

supermoto30

Actually, all the above. Getting some fruit out of going back to the basics and watching someone cover key factors that I overlooked. Thank, S. Hall U.S.A-RET.

coach2b12

After I finish Dave Issacs full course I will diving into some of your lessons . Doc Watson , John Standerfer, Chet , Emmanuel , and of course Taylor , Denver , Croce are style I already attempt . So many great instructor at Jamplay .

barbara747

All around great job. I love that he is teaching the fingerstyle. I look forward to continuing with this program.

ebeagle

great teacher

dagnys_bracelet

All of the above apply. Highly useful advice!

johnab47

All of the above!

jjod4

all of them.

Mothertc

All of the above. In this first chord lesson, Mr. Deeming cleared up all the controversy and obstacles I have encountered on the internet. He Is very encouraging when he upfront warns of the problems that I may encounter as a beginning guitari

smoothly

all the above great to be back with jam play o.k nuff said flame on dude.ready to learn master. da smokeman.

TCwald01

All three

1stdrdan

And easy to understand. He assumes no musical background but does not teach down. Much appreciated.

Stephen Plunkett

And I like the teacher

obbig

Good advice

jonathanlugo

awesome widsom

Dave40s

Awesome!

ScSmith

Yep - I'm an anchor-er. Go figure.

stevelew

Don’t Stress About It

LeeCorrao

Easy to listen to

Emmalina

Easy to understand, great playing and interesting.

philb52

Really enjoyed watching and listening to to this video. A really good introduction .

Brig07

Excellent advice on how to target specific areas instead of just wasting time. I found the material most motivating also. Thanks!

EBehome

excellent as usual

mdsuarez

Great comprehensive advice for beginners!

bingerboy1

Excellent instruction and perfect pace. Thanks!

Travelchick

Excellent lesson. You're a really good teacher.

MemyselfandI

Excellent teacher - much appreciated!

bjclouse

Learned a lot! Great teacher.

maccaroo

Friendly, confident, talented. Loved watching.

FretfulPlayer

Fundamental material that is important and presented well at a good pace.

lavenderblue

whoa!!! what a lot I learned. Need to practice but like it. Thanks Jim. onto the next one tomorrow..hard stuff make understandable. Thanks

DingATX

Good encouragement.

Aces_N_Eights_65

Really enjoyed what Jim had to say; seems like he is starting where I need to start.

Hoghunter

Instructor has a nice pleasant personality

Mimiyull

Good presentation.

Glaucous Gull

Nice guy. Makes me want to learn more.

ashwinbmistry

Great advice!

Oldsoul

Great advice!!

Artilleo

Great clear messege

Caddisfly

really good basic info that I really found very interesting. great video.