Sam Bell's Guitar Gym - Guitar Course
Guitar Lessons with Sam Bell
Sam Bell's Guitar Gym
Lessons Included in this Course
Course Content Overview
This course provides a deep dive into the essential techniques that define modern guitar playing. Each lesson is a focused workout designed to build specific skills, all within the dynamic framework of the Mixolydian mode. You will master:
- Alternate Picking: Develop flawless precision and speed with intricate picking patterns.
- Legato: Achieve fluid, seamless phrasing with powerful hammer-on and pull-off combinations.
- Tremolo Picking: Build endurance and control for intense, rapid-fire melodic lines.
- Two-Handed Tapping: Unlock advanced melodic possibilities and create complex, dazzling sequences.
- Slides: Master smooth transitions across the fretboard, connecting scale shapes with ease.
- String Bending: Achieve perfect pitch control and add expressive, vocal-like qualities to your solos.
- Arpeggios: Outline harmonies effectively and add a layer of sophistication to your playing.
- Pinched Harmonics: Inject your solos with attitude and make your licks scream.
- Hybrid Picking: Combine pick and finger techniques for unique phrasing and improved coordination.
- Vibrato: Develop a personal and expressive vibrato that brings your notes to life.
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is ideal for intermediate to advanced guitarists who are looking to break through technical plateaus and expand their creative horizons. If you are a player who wants to develop a more professional and polished sound, master advanced techniques, and understand how to apply music theory in a practical and musical way, then Sam Bell’s Guitar Gym is for you. This course is particularly beneficial for those interested in rock, fusion, and progressive metal, and for anyone seeking to add a new layer of sophistication to their improvisational skills.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
Sam Bell’s Guitar Gym is more than just a collection of exercises; it’s a systematic approach to technical development. The course’s effectiveness lies in its unique play-along format, which allows you to practice and internalize each concept in a real-world musical context. This method bridges the gap between mechanical practice and musical application, ensuring that the skills you develop are immediately usable in your own playing. With Sam Bell’s expert guidance, you will not only learn what to practice, but how to practice effectively for maximum results. This course provides a structured and engaging path to mastering the techniques that will define you as a guitarist.
WE CAN HELP...
1-ON-1 COACHING
Access to thousands of lessons is great, but without a plan you can feel like you’re practicing in circles. Book your FREE 1-on-1 video call with a Licklibrary pro to fix your technique, build a practice plan, get motivated, or overcome any challenge. It's all included in your membership!
Sam Bell's Guitar Gym
Sam Bell's Guitar Gym offers an innovative and engaging series of guitar lessons designed to challenge players of all levels, focusing on developing technical mastery and musical expression. This course is structured around exercises rooted in the Mixolydian mode, providing a comprehensive toolkit for guitarists looking to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of this versatile scale. Delivered by virtuoso guitarist Sam Bell, these lessons ensure that players not only enhance their technique but also gain practical knowledge of how to incorporate these ideas into their playing.
About Sam Bell
Sam Bell is a renowned guitarist celebrated for his mastery of modern progressive and fusion styles. Drawing influence from legendary players like John Petrucci and Guthrie Govan, Sam’s approach blends technical precision with a deep understanding of musicality. His dedication to teaching and sharing his expertise makes this course an invaluable resource for players eager to expand their horizons.
Focus on Mixolydian Exercises
The Mixolydian mode, a staple in rock, blues, and fusion genres, provides a distinctive sound characterised by its dominant seventh tone. The exercises in this course are designed to enhance your ability to navigate this mode, integrate it seamlessly into solos, and create expressive, captivating phrases. Below, we highlight key techniques taught in the course, along with their benefits.
1. Alternate Picking
Alternate picking exercises emphasise precision and speed. Through meticulously crafted patterns in the Mixolydian scale, you'll develop clean articulation and efficient picking mechanics. Mastering this technique improves accuracy and fluency across the fretboard.
2. Legato
The course features legato runs to build fluidity in your phrasing. By focusing on hammer-ons and pull-offs, these exercises create smooth, flowing lines ideal for expressive soloing. Legato playing minimises hand fatigue and enhances speed.
3. Tremolo Picking
Tremolo picking patterns in Mixolydian add a dynamic, rapid-fire quality to your playing. This technique strengthens your picking hand while injecting energy into your solos.
4. Two-Handed Tapping
Integrating two-handed tapping into Mixolydian licks introduces advanced melodic possibilities. Sam demonstrates how to use this technique for dazzling, complex sequences that expand your creative palette.
5. Slides
Slides between Mixolydian positions allow for seamless transitions across the neck. This technique is vital for connecting scale shapes and creating a cohesive flow in solos.
6. String Bending
String bending exercises focus on achieving precise pitch control, especially when targeting Mixolydian’s characteristic tones. This skill enhances your expressiveness and musicality.
7. Arpeggios
Arpeggios derived from Mixolydian chord tones are used to outline harmony effectively. Learning to weave arpeggios into solos adds depth and sophistication to your playing.
8. Pinched Harmonics
Pinched harmonics bring a sharp, screaming quality to certain notes, making Mixolydian solos stand out. Mastering this technique allows you to add flair and drama to your playing.
9. Hybrid Picking
Hybrid picking exercises introduce versatility by combining pick and finger techniques. This approach offers unique phrasing possibilities and improves coordination.
10. Vibrato
Vibrato is key to personalising your sound. Sam’s exercises focus on controlled, expressive vibrato, helping you bring life and emotion to your Mixolydian solos.
Why Learn Mixolydian Techniques?
The Mixolydian mode is one of the most versatile tools in a guitarist's arsenal. By mastering the exercises in Sam Bell’s Guitar Gym, you’ll gain the ability to:
- Craft dynamic solos that stand out in blues, rock, and fusion contexts.
- Develop technical precision and confidence across a wide range of techniques.
- Enhance your understanding of music theory and its practical applications on the fretboard.
- Build a foundation for improvisation and creative exploration in any musical setting.
Guitar Techniques Covered
Below is a list of the techniques explored in this course, each linked to detailed explanations:
- Alternate Picking
- Legato
- Tremolo Picking
- Two-Handed Tapping
- Slides
- String Bending
- Arpeggios
- Pinched Harmonics
- Hybrid Picking
- Vibrato
Elevate your playing today with Sam Bell’s Guitar Gym, and unlock the potential of the Mixolydian mode!
Related Guitar Courses
Train your guitar in minor keys with Lick Library’s Levi Clay Guitar Fit routine, building speed, control and expression using proven modern guitar techniques.
Build strength, accuracy and musicality with Levi Clay’s Guitar Fit Major course. A structured guitar workout from Lick Library for serious players.
Build confident, expressive solos with Improvise Without Fear by Richard Shaw on Lick Library. Learn guitar improvisation, phrasing, melody and dynamics without relying on scales.
Learn how chords and scales work together with Stuart Bull at Lick Library. Improve fretboard understanding and soloing confidence.
Navigate the fretboard with Jamie Humphries at Lick Library. Learn patterns, positions and connections to improve improvisation and confidence.
Start playing electric guitar with Jamie Humphries at Lick Library. Learn chords, riffs and essential techniques for beginners.
Learn to solo with modes using Danny Gill at Lick Library. Understand modal sounds and applications for creative rock and fusion improvisation.
Master the fretboard with Matthew Von Doran at Lick Library. Learn patterns, connections and harmonic awareness to improve improvisation and confidence.
Take fretboard navigation further with Jamie Humphries at Lick Library. Expand patterns and positions for stronger lead and rhythm playing.
Explore the Wim Roelants guitar experience at Lick Library. Learn modern rock concepts, expressive phrasing and advanced guitar techniques.
Develop metal guitar skills with Andy James at Lick Library. Explore speed, precision and modern shred techniques.
Master the Aeolian mode with Sam Bell’s Guitar Gym Volume 4 on Lick Library. Build speed, control and minor-key fluency with focused, note-for-note guitar training.
Boost pentatonic speed and control with Sam Bell’s Guitar Gym Vol. 2 at Lick Library. This guitar workout builds dexterity, string crossing and fluent lead playing.
Lick Library guitar lesson with Sam Bell’s 30 Minute Practice Routine, a focused daily practice system to build technique, timing and confidence fast for all players.
Build blazing shred speed with Sam Bell’s Guided Practice Routine at Lick Library. This guitar course sharpens alternate picking, arpeggios and control through focused drills daily.
Learn structured guitar development with Rick Graham at Lick Library. Improve technique, phrasing and musical direction.
Master guitar modes with Nick Jennison at Lick Library. Learn how modes work, how they sound and how to apply them musically in real playing.
Learn practical music theory for guitar with Nick Jennison at Lick Library. Master scales, chords, modes and harmony to unlock the fretboard and play with confidence.
Start your rock guitar journey with Week 1 of Lick Library’s Rock Guitar in 6 Weeks. Learn fundamental chords, rhythm techniques, and classic rock riffs perfect for beginners.
Learn rock improvisation with Sam Bell at Lick Library. Develop phrasing, scales and lead guitar confidence.
Build solid pentatonic foundations with Sam Bell at Lick Library. Learn essential shapes, licks and exercises for blues rock and hard rock guitar.
Master rock guitar in 6 weeks with Danny Gill. Learn pentatonics, blues scales, bends, vibrato, and iconic rock licks with structured lessons.
Learn how to use the harmonic minor scale with Danny Gill at Lick Library. Explore neoclassical sounds, phrasing and applications for rock and fusion guitar.
Learn the Ionian mode with Danny Gill at Lick Library. Develop melodic rock phrasing and major key solo ideas inspired by Slash.
Learn the Mixolydian mode with Danny Gill at Lick Library. Explore rock phrasing and melodic ideas inspired by Eddie Van Halen’s style.
Increase picking speed and accuracy with Sam Bell at Lick Library. Learn proven exercises and routines to build fast, clean and controlled guitar playing technique.
Learn the Phrygian mode with Danny Gill at Lick Library. Explore neoclassical phrasing and scale ideas inspired by Yngwie Malmsteen.
Improve alternate picking with Danny Gill at Lick Library. Build speed, accuracy and control with focused guitar practice routines.
Master rock and metal scales with Richard Shaw at Lick Library. This guitar course unlocks modes, pentatonics, powerful soloing and riffs across the fretboard.
Sharpen speed and technique with Sam Bell’s 30 Minute Sequences at Lick Library. A focused guitar routine building picking, legato, arpeggios and phrasing.
