241 - British Guitar Music: The 1960s — The British Invasion

Beginner Guitar Academy

This week, Paul kicks off a special month-long series delving into British guitar music, decade by decade. In this episode, the focus is on the iconic 1960s British Invasion — exploring how UK bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Who reshaped the guitar world, and what beginner guitarists can take from their classic styles and songs.

What’s Inside

Series Preview: All of July, Paul is exploring the evolution of British guitar music:

• July 4: 1960s British Invasion (this episode!)
• July 11: 1970s Rock Legends & British Metal
• July 18: 1980s British Punk & New Wave
• July 25: 1990s/2000s Brit Pop & Indie Revival

Spotify Decade Playlists: Check the show notes or visit bgapodcast.com/241 for the accompanying playlist and blog post for this episode.

Academy Updates:

• Live Q&A recording from last weekend is now available for members (video & audio formats).
• This month’s Academy Show covers all new June content, member shout-outs, and what’s coming in July.
• Mark celebrated his three-year “guitarversary”! 🥳

Deep Dive: The 1960s British Invasion

What Was the British Invasion?

• The explosion of UK bands in America, led by The Beatles’ 1964 performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. https://youtu.be/b-VAxGJdJeQ?si=9-hMhjB5MqEogN1J
• The guitar became THE instrument to play for youth worldwide.

Key Artists & Their Contributions:

• The Beatles: Simple open chords, catchy strumming, and timeless progressions.
• The Rolling Stones: Bluesy attitude, groove, and iconic riffs (e.g., “Satisfaction”).
• The Kinks: Pioneered the power chord riff (“You Really Got Me”), laying groundwork for hard rock and punk.
• The Who: Brought power chords to the forefront, with energetic performances and dynamic strumming.

Beginner Lessons from 60s UK Bands:

• Keep it Simple: Use basic open chords and focus on strong rhythm, as heard in “Love Me Do.”
• Master Simple Riffs: Two- or three-note riffs can be powerful practice for timing and picking (“Satisfaction”).
• Explore Power Chords: Learn to move chord shapes for hundreds of rock songs (“You Really Got Me”).
• Add Style: Work on strumming techniques like muting, ghost strums, and dynamic rhythm to give your playing life.

Gear Talk:

• Typical gear: Vox AC30 amps, Rickenbacker/Telecaster/Gretsch guitars (but any gear will get you close).
• Tip: Start with a clean tone, low gain, experiment with pick attack, and add some reverb.

Song Suggestions for Beginners

Paul recommends working these classics into your routine (and they’re all available with tutorials in the Academy):

• Love Me Do (The Beatles): Great for practicing G to C chord changes.
• You Really Got Me (The Kinks): Cement your power chords and shifting shapes.
• (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones): Stretch your fingers and perfect riff playing.

Challenge of the Week

Pick one of the featured 1960s songs and add it to your practice! If you’re a member, share your progress in the community.

Bonus Resources

• Not a Member? Try Beginner Guitar Academy with a 2-week $1 trial at beginnerguitaracademy.com to access all song tutorials and Academy resources.
• Member-Only Podcast: If you’re a member and don’t have the private podcast link, reach out to Paul for access.

Looking Ahead

• Next Episode: The 1970s — Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Queen, Pink Floyd, and the birth of heavy rock and metal.

Don’t forget to subscribe!

Keep practicing, have a fantastic week, and see you in the next episode!