Justin often recommends practicing with a friend. I have a friend who plays guitar, but because of scheduling and distance, we’ve never had the chance to jam together — until now. An opportunity is finally coming up for us to meet for a day, and we’re excited about it.
We’ve agreed that we should each prepare individually to make the most of our time. So here’s my question: do you have any recommendations for what we could practice ahead of our meetup? We’re not looking for anything too difficult — the goal is to have fun.
For context, I’ve been playing for 2.5 years and am close to finishing grade 3. I’ve also been taking private lessons over the past year, which has given me some instruction outside of Justin Guitar — particularly in fingerpicking, scales, and a bit of theory. We’re both interested in the blues, which I’ve been exploring lately (mostly playing licks in the G-shape pentatonic pattern over backing tracks). My friend is probably at the same level as me (if not better).
I appreciate any ideas, video links, or other resources you can share. Thanks!
Ya could pick a song that ya both like.
Practice it up before getting together and then put your two parts together. Maybe do some inversions chords to mix it up? Or play the same chords, but play said chords using different fingerings from each other? Or maybe do a song that has 2 different guitar parts. Agree with yer friend to do different parts of the song. Then put them together and see what happens.
Send each other a list of songs you can play. If you’re both into blues your lists should have lots of over lap. Practice the song you like from both lists.
If you can play lead or improvise get that down as best you can.
Don’t take it to seriously, make sure you have fun. Don’t be afraid to teach each other things you know.
That sounds like an awesome jam session in the making! Since you’re both into blues and around the same skill level, you could prep a 12-bar blues in a key like A or E and take turns playing rhythm and soloing—great way to practice timing, phrasing, and improvising with someone else. Maybe also learn a couple of simple bluesy tunes or riffs you can play together, like “Before You Accuse Me” or “Sweet Home Chicago.” Justin’s blues rhythm and soloing lessons are perfect for this kind of thing too. Most importantly, keep it fun and relaxed—sometimes the best moments happen when you’re just vibing off each other. Have a blast!
Then the Bass: https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/about-that-bass-be-105
Don’t let the speed in the intro put you off, Justin shows it more slowly later. And the pattern shifts easily around for the three chords (I-IV-V) in a standard blues. I’m not sure if Justin explained it in that video, but probably he did somewhere.
What Rick says
I’d focus on fewer songs more thoroughly, than a have a go at many. (Make sure you’re learning the same version!). You may want to arrange for one to learn the open chords and the other in a different key or higher up the neck.
Don’t forget the singing too. If one sings the main melody the other might be able to harmonize.
And record on your phone if it’s going ok. You can watch later and see what worked and didn’t. And yes, have fun.
Here’s one of my recent expreriences
(Chrisch… that’s not Swiss by any chance?)
