Lauren Passarelli

Lauren Passarelli

Lauren is a Guitar instructor at JamPlay.com

Lauren Passarelli is an award winning teacher & distinguished alumni from Berklee College of Music where she has been a guitar Professor since 1984. Originally from Paramus, NJ, Lauren received a fantastic guitar foundation using the Alfred’s, Mel Bay, Harry Shearer & William G. Leavitt guitar books from her first guitar teacher, Lou Sabini. Graduating in 1982 as the first woman to finish the guitar performance program, Lauren also became the first woman to join Berklee... (more)

Lauren currently offers 24 guitar lessons at JamPlay, with 24 intermediate lessons.

Lauren Passarelli's contribution to JamPlay

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Rock

Pop & Classic Rock with Lauren

Using her own songs and recordings as examples, Lauren teaches us that it's not what you know, but instead how you USE what you know. This series covers tons of great chord voicing ideas, arranging tips, and production techniques as well as general music theory applied to real music!

1

Series Introduction

Lauren is back with her highly-anticipated Phase 2 series on the styles of Pop and Classic Rock. Using her own music as examples, Lauren explores the influences of such artists as the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck and many others. Her refreshing approach to teaching features dozens of play-along tracks and a no nonsense way of applying information in a musical context.

6:15 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

My Norwegian Friend, Part 1

Lauren teaches a progression that is sure to have you thinking "Beatles." This lesson focuses on the application of some pretty basic chords, but applies them in such a way so that they sound somewhat unconventional. She includes 2 full play-along tracks for practicing fun!

13:57 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

3

My Norwegian Friend, Part 2

Lauren teaches the catchy lead arpeggio line in the "tip our hats to the Beatles" tune "My Norwegian Friend". She also talks about arranging ideas and adding your own flavors over the provided backing tracks.

6:47 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

4

Bellabye

In this lesson, Lauren examines a fingerpicking technique commonly used by the Beatles in 1968 as well as a very "Beatleish" chord progression. Play along with this beautiful ballad using the provided backing track.

17:26 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

5

Middle of Me

Learn a walking riff, a 60's flavored guitar solo, a cool double stop picking technique, and some more great chords. Pack all this into a rockin' Beatles-inspired track, and we're all good to go! Play each part along with the provided backing tracks.

21:12 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

How's It Gonna End?

Alternate tunings don't have to be so confusing. In this lesson, Lauren shows how changing just one string while using some basic, easy to play chord voicings can dramatically alter the vibe of a tune. It's tools like this that will take your songwriting to another level!

12:57 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

7

The Cmaj7 Chord - Drop 2 & 3 Voicings

In preparation for the lessons to follow, Lauren show us twenty different ways to play a Cmaj7 chord using Drop 2 & 3 voicings. She also explains voice leading and how to arrive at each different chord position.

11:03 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

8

Applied Drop 2 & 3 Chords

Lauren provides a tasteful chord progression that applies many of the Drop 2 & 3 shapes taught in the previous lesson.

9:28 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

9

I Carry On, Part 1

Continuing with the application of Drop 2 & 3 chords, Lauren teaches the chord progression and main riff of her original song "I Carry On". his progression features some quick changes over a driving beat. Make sure you have the chords under your fingers before playing along with her at the end!

13:23 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

10

I Carry On, Part 2

Lauren discusses and demonstrates the lead and texture elements from her original song "I Carry On" as a way of teaching us how to layer simple lines and sounds to make our compositions really shine.

10:25 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

11

Too Sad To Know

Lauren returns to some more basic chord voicings and strumming in this Beatles-inspired tune. Once you've learned the chords, play along to the full backing track!

10:52 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

12

Feel For Me

Lauren looks at combining riffs and chords while exploring how Drop-D tuning affects common chord shapes. She applies and demonstrates these useful tidbits in her original song "Feel For Me". A full backing track is provided so you can explore your own ideas over a unique musical bed. She also provides insight into training and developing your ear as a guitarist.

10:51 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

13

New World of Adventure

Lauren teaches a simple pattern perfect for those just getting started with finger picking. She applies it over just four simple chords and provides a full backing track for your practicing fun!

11:10 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

14

Sweetest Thing

Grab a refreshing drink, stretch out your fingers, and get to work on a soothing progression. This lesson focuses on tasteful voice leading and piano voicings that can be played on the guitar.

16:53 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

15

Applied 7th Chord Inversions

Lauren teaches an upbeat chord progression using 7th chords. This time around, she focuses on inversions of the familiar voicings covered earlier in the series.

12:43 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

16

Applied Major 6th Chords

Lauren explains various uses for the Major 6th chord and teaches a simple progression comprised entirely of these tasty chords.

8:44 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

17

Don't Look Down

Lauren demonstrates how to adapt songs that are in alternate tunings to standard tuning using her original song "Don't Look Down". She also teaches some lines and textures from the song to demonstrate arranging techniques. In addition, she discusses effects and amp models from an unexpected device.

20:18 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

18

Nice Chords, Part 1

Lauren starts a mini series in "Nice Chords" that was inspired by a student of hers. She shares ten chords per lesson, breaks them down, and discusses various uses for each. If you're looking to spice up your songwriting, these lessons are for you!

11:20 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
19

Nice Chords, Part 2

Lauren continues her mini series with ten more "nice chords" and briefly discusses how having many choices in chord forms can keep your creativity flowing.

10:25 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

20

Nice Chords, Part 3

In this third installment of "Nice Chords," Lauren shares another ten voicings that are sure to work their way into your songwriting. She also discusses the unique nature of the diminished chord and shares different ways diminished chord shapes can be applied.

10:04 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

21

Nice Chords, Part 4

Lauren concludes her mini series on "nice chords" and ends with a call to all guitarists to see every aspect of guitar playing as a chance to create!

10:57 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

22

Applying Some "Nice Chords"

Lauren takes a few of the voicings she shared in the previous mini series on "nice chords" and applies them with a nice anticipated rhythm and a tasteful, jazzy melody. Play the rhythm and the melody along to the provided backing track.

12:33 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

23

Style of James Taylor

Lauren discusses and demonstrates a key trait of James Taylor's rhythm style. Learn how to take just a few simple voicings, change a few notes and come up with a very simple, yet interesting progression!

9:35 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

24

Blast of Love

Lauren takes a few more of the nice chords learned in her 4 part mini series and gives your picking hand a little workout with a funky rhythm and lots of movement. Play along to the provided backing track!

10:01 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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