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Essentials: Modern R&B

Master the Pocket & Expressive Techniques of Modern R&B Guitar

Marty FriedmanTommy EmmanuelSteve VaiEric GalesEric Johnson

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Essentials: Modern R&B
Callum Bair

Callum Bair

Educator

blues, r&b

Genres

About this course

In Modern R&B guitar, it’s not just what you play, but how you play it. To master the feel and flavor of the genre, you need tight rhythm, tasteful chords, and a confident touch that makes every note sit just right in the pocket.

In “Essentials: Modern R&B,” Callum Bair takes you inside the world of modern R&B guitar through 10 performance studies, blending the timeless textures of classic soul and funk with the modern stylings of neo-soul, hip-hop, and pop-infused R&B. Each study includes a full performance, detailed breakdowns, and practical insight into how to bring these ideas into your own playing.

“The more you work through these grooves and performance studies, the more confident you’ll feel in any musical setting—whether you’re gigging, recording, or just sharpening your skills,” says Callum.

You’ll explore:
  • Modern R&B chord progressions and voicing techniques
  • Funk-inspired rhythm parts and pocket grooves
  • Melodic phrasing, embellishments, and expressive touch
  • Tone-shaping insights including pickup selection and effects
  • Real-world skills for recording, jamming, or performing live
You’ll also get full band backing tracks to immediately apply and innovate on what you learn at every step. Plus, you’ll have access to TrueFire’s learning tools including synced tab, slow-mo, looping, and fretboard animations so you can practice each idea with precision and feel.

So grab your guitar and let’s join Callum Bair in exploring the sounds, styles, and skills that power modern R&B.

What you'll learn

  • Apply diminished chord symmetry to create movement up the neck
  • Use volume pedal swells to create atmospheric pad-like textures
  • Voice complex jazz chords using open string voicings unique to guitar
  • Understand how to maintain harmonic unity while changing key centers
  • Understanding the structure and approach of the Modern R&B course
Release date: 07/16/2025 • 2h 18m runtime
intermediatelate intermediateacoustic guitarguitarelectric guitartechnique
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Sample lessons
Bootsy Bounce
Bootsy Bounce
Overview
Bootsy Bounce
Bootsy Bounce
Performance
Bootsy Bounce
Bootsy Bounce
Breakdown

What's included

32 lessons • 10 charts • 10 Jam Tracks

Essentials: Modern R&B
Hey, it’s Callum Bair here. Whether you're playing with a band, laying down tracks in the studio, or just jamming at home, it's essential for R&B guitarists to master the grooves, techniques, and sounds that define the genre—both in its modern and classic forms.

In this course, we’ll explore 10 performance studies designed to help you connect with the timeless feel of classic R&B, while also tapping into the fresh, contemporary approaches that today’s players use to bring those sounds to life on the guitar. We’ll dive into smooth neo-soul progressions, punchy funk grooves, and melodic embellishments inspired by the pioneers of R&B.

Along the way, we’ll break down the techniques, gear, tips, and tone approaches that give modern players their signature sound.

For each study, I’ll perform with a full-band track, walk you through every part in detail, and show you how to apply these ideas to your own playing. The more you work through these grooves and performance studies, the more confident you'll feel in any musical setting—whether you're gigging, recording, or just sharpening your skills.

So grab your guitar, and let’s get started.
Bootsy Bounce
In this lesson series, we’ll dig into a track called Bootsy Bounce, where we explore how classic funk grooves—think Isley Brothers or Parliament—have shaped the modern R&B sound we hear today from artists like Kali Uchis and The Internet. We’ll be working in E♭ minor with a laid-back funk feel, layering in minor chords, colorful extensions, and rhythmic fills that bring the groove to life. As we break it down, we’ll learn how to lock into the pocket, simplify where needed, and gradually add that “secret sauce” that gives a track its true R&B flavor. Let’s dive in and bring that bounce to life together.
Bootsy Bounce
In this lesson series, we’ll dig into a track called Bootsy Bounce, where we explore how classic funk grooves—think Isley Brothers or Parliament—have shaped the modern R&B sound we hear today from artists like Kali Uchis and The Internet. We’ll be working in E♭ minor with a laid-back funk feel, layering in minor chords, colorful extensions, and rhythmic fills that bring the groove to life. As we break it down, we’ll learn how to lock into the pocket, simplify where needed, and gradually add that “secret sauce” that gives a track its true R&B flavor. Let’s dive in and bring that bounce to life together.
Bootsy Bounce
In this lesson series, we’ll dig into a track called Bootsy Bounce, where we explore how classic funk grooves—think Isley Brothers or Parliament—have shaped the modern R&B sound we hear today from artists like Kali Uchis and The Internet. We’ll be working in E♭ minor with a laid-back funk feel, layering in minor chords, colorful extensions, and rhythmic fills that bring the groove to life. As we break it down, we’ll learn how to lock into the pocket, simplify where needed, and gradually add that “secret sauce” that gives a track its true R&B flavor. Let’s dive in and bring that bounce to life together.
Head Knocker
In this lesson series, we’re diving into a groove called Head Knocker, inspired by the late ’90s hip-hop sound that sampled old-school funk and evolved into something entirely its own. We’ll explore how that unique drum feel—both rushed and laid-back—shapes the groove, and we’ll lock in on a guitar part that channels the vibe of players like D’Angelo and Robert Glasper. Even though those influences are more rooted in keys, we’re going to translate that feel to the guitar, working through progressions in E♭ major and aiming for a tone and approach similar to what you'd hear on a Fender Rhodes. Let’s get into it and see how we can make our guitar playing sit deep in that pocket.
Head Knocker
In this lesson series, we’re diving into a groove called Head Knocker, inspired by the late ’90s hip-hop sound that sampled old-school funk and evolved into something entirely its own. We’ll explore how that unique drum feel—both rushed and laid-back—shapes the groove, and we’ll lock in on a guitar part that channels the vibe of players like D’Angelo and Robert Glasper. Even though those influences are more rooted in keys, we’re going to translate that feel to the guitar, working through progressions in E♭ major and aiming for a tone and approach similar to what you'd hear on a Fender Rhodes. Let’s get into it and see how we can make our guitar playing sit deep in that pocket.
Head Knocker
In this lesson series, we’re diving into a groove called Head Knocker, inspired by the late ’90s hip-hop sound that sampled old-school funk and evolved into something entirely its own. We’ll explore how that unique drum feel—both rushed and laid-back—shapes the groove, and we’ll lock in on a guitar part that channels the vibe of players like D’Angelo and Robert Glasper. Even though those influences are more rooted in keys, we’re going to translate that feel to the guitar, working through progressions in E♭ major and aiming for a tone and approach similar to what you'd hear on a Fender Rhodes. Let’s get into it and see how we can make our guitar playing sit deep in that pocket.

+ 25 more lessons

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Reviews

5 results

kisschicken

Verified buyer

03/09/26

This course is the first time I've felt cool playing guitar

My favorite course so far. I love that Callum explains the theory behind what he's doing. I've been incorporating these ideas in my own songs and I sound like a pro. Thanks for the course!

alex

12/25/25

So good

Explains everything so clearly and bring enjoyable study pieces for learning rnb. Thanks Callum for you work.

fiPLACE

Verified buyer

09/05/25

Essentials: Modern R&B

so sweet it brings back memories .

Pcon515

Verified buyer

08/26/25

Great use of chords and phrasing. I learned something

neonshaker

Verified buyer

08/09/25

Essentials: Modern R&B

Great course and wonderful to see TrueFire branching out into more modern styles of guitar music. This course is great. Callum introduces foundations of the style and at no point overwhelms so you have a great starting point to continue you're learning after.

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