Playing with a Singer by Levi Clay
When it comes to being a complete guitarist, the ability to play with someone — especially a singer — is crucial. “Playing with a Singer” by Levi Clay is a comprehensive guitar course from Licklibrary.com that focuses specifically on this often overlooked but incredibly important aspect of musicianship. Whether you’re backing a solo vocalist on stage or looking to elevate your jamming and gigging skills, this course equips you with the tools, mindset, and technical know-how to be a tasteful, confident, and expressive accompanist.
This course strips away the flashy soloing often associated with guitar lessons and instead focuses on dynamic rhythm work, expressive fills, supportive phrasing, and musical conversation — all of which are vital when working with a vocalist. Through real-world examples and expertly crafted tutorials, Levi Clay demonstrates how to create a strong musical foundation that complements a singer rather than competes with them.
What You’ll Learn
Levi breaks down several stylistically diverse performances with a live singer, showing you exactly how to build tasteful guitar parts that support vocals and serve the song’s integrity. Each lesson provides insights into specific techniques and musical ideas that every guitarist should have in their arsenal. Alongside the amazing song writer, and vocalist, Melisa Kelly, Levi shows you exactly how to adapt your guitar parts, rhythm guitar choices, chord voicings and improvisation, all with the goal of become a more considerate and musical instrumentalist.
This course also invites guitarists to witness the conversation and process which is at the heart of every musical collaboration.
Below are some of the core techniques covered and why mastering them will benefit your playing:
Meeting a Singer & Finding Musicians
If you’re new to the experience of playing with a singer, or indeed other musicians, getting started can be a daunting prospect. Levi and Melisa share advice and guidance about attending Jam Nights, what to look for when approaching other musicians and the support you need to take those first steps towards playing live.
Playing Choices to Avoid
What do singers, song writers and other band members expect from you as a guitar player? How can you avoid simply strumming the same chords as the person for whom you are providing guitar duties? What role should and direction your guitar solos take? Learn how to create parts and improvisations which work in real musical situations.
Register & Texture
Which sounds, guitar effects and tones add colour and texture when playing with a singer songwriter? Levi and Melisa demonstrate the impact various sounds, available to lead guitarists, can have on the overall performance, including where on the neck to place your guitar parts to create accompaniments that will get you the gig every time!
Original Song Analysis
Put everything you’ve learnt into practice with three original songs. Levi and Melisa uncover effective approaches for forming guitar parts to these songs, from the ground up. Learn how to match other instruments, marry up with rhythmic themes and find your place within the song’s arrangement. Levi also shows you how to draw inspiration from other instruments found on a song’s original recording.
Why This Course Matters
Playing with a singer demands a different skill set than shredding solos or jamming with a band. It requires restraint, sensitivity, and the ability to listen while playing. Levi Clay does a masterful job of breaking down these challenges into digestible, practical lessons that not only show you what to play but also teach you why it works musically.
By learning the techniques in this course, guitarists will:
- Improve their rhythm and timing
- Learn how to leave space for other musicians
- Develop taste and musical awareness
- Gain confidence in live performance settings
- Be able to adapt to different musical styles and dynamics
This course is perfect for intermediate players looking to transition from bedroom jamming to real-world performance, or advanced guitarists seeking to refine their ensemble skills. Whether you're preparing for a gig, an acoustic set, or a jam session, “Levi Clay's – Playing with a Singer” will help you become a more rounded and sought-after musician.
Guitar Techniques Used in This Course
- Vibrato
- Alternate Picking
- Hammer-Ons
- Pull-Offs
- Slides
- Chord Progressions
- Finger Picking
- Hybrid Picking
- String Bending
- Bluesy Bends
- Barre Chords
- Arpeggios
- Double Stops
- Syncopated Rhythms
Master your live performance skills with Levi Clay, and learn to elevate your playing to serve the song, support the singer, and shine in the right moments. Dive into “Levi Clay's – Playing with a Singer” today on Licklibrary.com.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Levi Clay
Levi Clay is an English born, Scotland based guitarist who has carved out a career over the last 10 years with a focus on his expertise as a music transcriber, writer, and performer of many styles of music. From his earlier days playing in rock/metal group Hellcat Molly, to his...