R&B and Soul with Nick Kellie

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Nick Kellie

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

6 Lessons

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

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

79% Appoval

60 of 67 of our members have given this their approval.

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Full Course Breakdown

The Motown sound that brought us R&B and Soul is characterized by melodic and rhythmic phrasing that cuts through the fix in a simplistic fashion. In this series, learn the foundation for playing in this style.

Begin the Course
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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Nick Kellie

60
  • Playing since 1992
  • 155 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course
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 his professional approach towards music, brings enthusiasm and musicality to every project he is involved with. As well as being a guitarist Nick is also a fine vocalist and can sing lead vocals as well as backing vocals.

In London Nick has been involved with many projects such as Fresh Claim, which features Nick on guitar, and Jon Plotel on Bass (Billy Ocean, The Real Thing) and Vanessa Haynes band featuring members of Jeff Beck group, Eric Clapton’s Band and Allan Holdsworth’s Band. For a time Nick resided in Nashville TN where he played with many local musicians. In addition he also played in a Jazz Fusion band named "Shammah", with whom he has recorded an album.

Most recently Nick was signed to Digital Nations www.digital-nations.com - part of Steve Vai's record label and has recorded an album entitled "For A Brother" with his band "Nick Kellie Band". Upon hearing the album, Steve contacted Nick with regard to a release on his own label. It has been released in the USA, Europe and Asia. As well as this, Nick is also an endorsee of Elixir guitar strings, which are world-renowned.

Nick Also contributed to around 21 issues of Europe's biggest selling guitar magazine - "Total Guitar" in his series of articles, "Techniques of the rich and famous" and "Steal their style".

Having taught at Europe's top two guitar schools, Nick was also appointed as head of the guitar department at Guitar Getaways.
Reviews & Feedback 79/100 with 67 ratings
darchcruise

I liked the teacher. Easy to understand. It's just what I needed.

themouldyhobo

I would want the one E and a 2 E and a 3 E and a .. on the screen as he is talking about it so we can visualise when he plays a chord and when he ghosts.

ctothel

more of this genre!

serenity6

Not only is this the kind of guitar playing I'm interested in learning but also very good practical and theoretical application. He is mixing well the what to do with this style of music on the guitar (practical playing) with the why one would

daveedgeguitar

This will really help my rhythm playing! Thanks.

rockeel

Very clear explanation