Lesson Plan

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Lesson notes

Birthday is a classic example of taking a simple riff, dropping it into a 12-bar blues format, adding some catchy vocals over a short chord progression, throwing in a little drum break and lead guitar fill, and creating great rock and roll in a matter of just a couple of days. Paul came up with the main riff and had most of the song done by the time the rest of the band was back in the studio. This free lesson includes the Campfire Version, the way I like to have beginners learn the basics of the song. We also have a "One-Man Band Version" available in the Target Program where the rhythm guitar and bass parts are combined into something a bit more challenging. In that lesson the lead section includes some techniques more commonly done on an electric guitar; bends, slides, and quick hammer-on pull-off combinations.