Songs Using the CAGED System by Danny Gill & Michael Casswell

Licklibrary.com is proud to present "Songs Using the CAGED System" by the esteemed guitar tutors Danny Gill and Michael Casswell. This course is designed to take your guitar playing to the next level by focusing on iconic songs and utilizing the powerful CAGED system. Below is a detailed breakdown of the lessons and the techniques covered in this comprehensive guide.

Bad Company - 'Shooting Star'

In "Shooting Star," you'll dive deep into the classic rock sound that Bad Company is known for. This lesson focuses on string bending, vibrato, and power chords. These techniques are essential for adding expressiveness and power to your solos and rhythm parts. By mastering these techniques, you'll enhance your ability to convey emotion and intensity through your playing.

Lenny Kravitz - 'It Ain't Over 'til It's Over'

Lenny Kravitz's soulful hit "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" incorporates slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. These techniques are fundamental for achieving smooth, flowing lines and adding a bluesy feel to your playing. Learning these techniques will help you develop a fluid playing style that effortlessly connects notes.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - 'Breaking the Girl'

"Breaking the Girl" by Red Hot Chili Peppers features intricate alternate picking, syncopated rhythms, and open-string riffs. These techniques are crucial for creating dynamic and rhythmically engaging parts. Mastering them will improve your precision and timing, essential skills for any serious guitarist.

The Clash - 'London Calling'

In "London Calling," The Clash uses barre chords, palm muting, and slides. These techniques are vital for achieving a tight, punchy sound characteristic of punk rock. Learning these will enhance your ability to play rhythm guitar with clarity and aggression.

Eric Clapton - 'Old Love'

Eric Clapton's "Old Love" showcases bluesy bends, finger-picking, and vibrato. These techniques are key to capturing the soulful and expressive quality of Clapton's playing. By incorporating these techniques, you'll develop a more nuanced and expressive approach to your solos and fingerstyle playing.

Jimi Hendrix - 'The Wind Cries Mary'

"The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix is a masterclass in string bending, double stops, and slides. Hendrix's innovative use of these techniques creates a rich, textured sound that is both melodic and powerful. Learning these techniques will expand your ability to create intricate and expressive solos.

Van Morrison - 'Brown Eyed Girl'

"Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison features alternate picking, octave melodies, and chord progressions. These techniques are essential for crafting memorable and melodic guitar parts. Mastering these will enhance your ability to play catchy and engaging guitar lines.

The Doobie Brothers - 'Listen to Music'

In "Listen to Music" by The Doobie Brothers, you'll learn hybrid picking, syncopated rhythms, and arpeggios. These techniques are crucial for creating intricate and rhythmically complex parts. By mastering these techniques, you'll improve your versatility and ability to play complex rhythms.

Travis - 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me'

"Why Does It Always Rain On Me" by Travis features travis picking, capo usage, and arpeggiated chord progressions. These techniques are essential for creating a rich, layered sound. Learning these will improve your fingerpicking skills and ability to play intricate chord progressions.

Benefits of Performance Context

Watching Danny Gill and Michael Casswell perform these songs provides invaluable insights into how these techniques are applied in a real musical context. Observing their hand movements, timing, and expression offers a deeper understanding of how to integrate these techniques into your own playing. This performance context helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making it easier to incorporate new skills into your repertoire.

Guitar Techniques Covered