Michael Casswell - Pro Concepts Season 4

Welcome to Michael Casswell's "Pro Concepts Season 4," an extensive guitar lesson series available exclusively on LickLibrary.com. In this series, the legendary Michael Casswell guides you through advanced guitar techniques, helping you elevate your playing to new heights. Whether you're an aspiring guitarist looking to deepen your skills or an experienced player aiming to refine your techniques, this series has something for everyone. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the lessons and what you can expect to learn.

Moving Key Centres

One of the critical aspects of advanced guitar playing is the ability to move between key centres seamlessly. In this lesson, Michael Casswell demonstrates how to navigate through different keys effortlessly. By mastering this technique, you'll be able to add more versatility to your solos and compositions, creating more dynamic and interesting musical pieces. This skill is essential for improvisation and can significantly enhance your musical expression.

Different Approaches to a Run

Michael explores various approaches to executing runs on the guitar. This lesson delves into the nuances of speed, accuracy, and melodic construction, teaching you how to create fluid and captivating runs. Learning different approaches allows you to adapt to various musical contexts, ensuring your solos are always fresh and engaging.

More Groove Playing

Groove playing is about creating rhythmically compelling parts that drive the music. Michael's lesson on groove playing focuses on syncopated rhythms and locking in with the groove of the song. This technique is crucial for both rhythm and lead guitarists as it enhances the overall feel of the music, making it more compelling and danceable.

Ultimate Tremolo Control

Achieving ultimate control over your tremolo picking can add a new dimension to your playing. In this lesson, Michael breaks down the mechanics of tremolo picking and provides exercises to help you develop speed and precision. Mastering this technique can enhance your lead playing, allowing you to perform rapid, articulated notes with ease.

Ten Licks

Michael presents ten essential guitar licks that every guitarist should know. Each lick is broken down step-by-step, covering a variety of styles and techniques. Learning these licks will not only expand your vocabulary but also provide you with useful phrases that you can incorporate into your own solos.

Thumb Action

Thumb action is an often-overlooked aspect of guitar playing that can significantly impact your tone and technique. Michael's lesson on thumb action covers how to use your thumb effectively for fretting and muting, enhancing your control over the instrument. This technique is particularly useful for playing barre chords and adding subtle nuances to your playing.

Pentatonic Hybrids

Exploring pentatonic hybrids involves combining traditional pentatonic scales with other scale forms to create unique sounds. Michael teaches you how to blend these scales, providing a fresh approach to soloing and improvisation. This technique is essential for creating new melodic ideas and expanding your tonal palette.

Rhythm with Composition

In this lesson, Michael emphasises the importance of rhythm in composition. He demonstrates how to integrate complex rhythms into your songwriting, enhancing the overall structure and feel of your pieces. Understanding rhythmic composition can lead to more interesting and dynamic songs, making your music stand out.

A 'Pick Free Zone'

Michael introduces a 'pick free zone,' focusing on techniques that don't require a pick, such as finger-picking and hybrid picking. These techniques allow for a different tonal quality and greater expressive possibilities. Mastering these skills can add a new dimension to your playing style.

Popping Lines

Popping lines are about creating sharp, percussive notes that stand out in your playing. Michael's lesson on popping lines teaches you how to incorporate these techniques into your solos and rhythms, adding a unique and attention-grabbing element to your music. This technique is particularly effective in funk and rock genres.

Feel Injection

Finally, Michael covers the concept of feel injection, which involves adding emotion and expression to your playing. By focusing on techniques such as vibrato, string bending, and slides, you'll learn how to convey more feeling through your music, making your performances more impactful and memorable.

Performance Context

Seeing these techniques applied in a performance context is incredibly beneficial. Michael Casswell not only teaches each concept but also demonstrates them in actual musical settings. This approach allows you to understand how these techniques are used in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Watching Michael perform helps you see the nuances and subtleties of each technique, providing a clearer understanding of how to apply them in your own playing.

Guitar Techniques List

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tremolo Picking
• Arpeggios
• Dive Bombs
• Harmonics
• Pull-Offs
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Sweep Picking
• Finger-Picking
• Hybrid Picking
• Pre-Bends
• Hammer-Ons
• Double Stops
• Slides
• String Bending
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Bluesy Bends