Bright System Jam

The best way to make the Bright Fretboard Mastery System second nature is to keep putting into action.

Below are playlists organized by key. So just hit play on one of the playlists below and start jamming along.

Many of the songs on this playlist are at a slow to moderate tempo to help with the learning process. But you’re also encouraged to slow down these songs whenever you need to (just click the settings wheel on the bottom of the video to adjust the speed).

Also, consider learning this system in 2 phases:

 

    • Phase 1: Learn your way around the neck jamming in the keys of G and C. This way, you’ll be able to play in virtually any key with the use of a capo on frets 1-5 (G through C, C through F).

    • Phase 2: Learn your way around the neck jamming in the other keys without the use of a capo (only re-tuning the 5th, where needed).

Try to make jamming with these tracks a regular part of your practice routine. The more you do it, the more you’ll want to keep doing it!

You’re encouraged to try to pick out the chord progressions by ear. But you will also find the chord progressions for these songs will appear underneath the video when you click on it (also note the chords are presented as their Nashville Numbers to help you get used to thinking this way!). 

Key of G

Playlist

12 Videos
Chords and Lyrics
Chords and Lyrics

“Act Naturally” (Buck Owens)

VERSE
I                           IV
They're gonna put me in the movies
I                                    V
They're gonna make a big star out of me

I                                            IV
We'll make a film about a man that's sad and lonely

     V                           I
And all I gotta do is act naturally
CHORUS

           V                        I
Well, I'll bet you I'm a-gonna be a big star

      V                      I
Might win an Oscar you can't never tell

    V                       I
The movie's gonna make me a big star,

       II                     V
'Cause I can play the part so well

VERSES

Well, I hope you come to see me in the movie
Then I know that you will plainly see
The biggest fool that's ever hit the big time
And all I gotta do is act naturally

We'll make a scene about a man that's sad and lonely
And begging down upon his bended knee
I'll play the part but I won't need rehearsin'
All I'll have to do is act naturally

[CHORUS]
Well, I hope you come to see me in the movie
Then I'll know that you will plainly see
The biggest fool that's ever hit the big time
And all I gotta do is act naturally

Key of A

Playlist

6 Videos
Chords and Lyrics
Chords and Lyrics

“The Weight” (The Band)

Chords You’ll Need: I  iii  IV  

VERSE
I             iii           IV                       I
I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead 
                 iii         IV           I
I just need some place where I can lay my head
                      iii             IV               I
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
                    iii             IV             I
He just grinned and shook my hand, "No" was all he said

CHORUS
I      iii      IV 
Take a load off Fanny
I      iii      IV
Take a load for free
I      iii      IV
Take a load off Fanny
                              I iii IV I IV I
And you put the load right on me

Key of C

Playlist

7 Videos
Chords and Lyrics
Chords and Lyrics

“Whiskey In The Jar” 

Chords You’ll Need: I   IV  V  vi

 
   I                      vi
As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
  IV                               I
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
   I                             vi
I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier
         IV                       I
Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
        V                        I
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
                        IV
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
        I       V       I
There's whiskey in the jar

Key of D

Playlist

10 Videos
Chords and Lyrics
Chords and Lyrics

“End of the Line” (The Traveling Wilburys)

Chords You’ll Need: I   IV   V  

 
           I                  V           IV                       
Well, it's all right riding around in the breeze
            I                        V        I 
Well, it's all right if you live the life you please
                               V        IV 
Well, it's all right doing the best you can
           I                        V      I      IV
Well, it's all right as long as you lend a hand

                                    I                                      IV
You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (at the end of the line)
                                I                                               IV
Waiting for someone to tell you everything (at the end of the line, of the line)
                              I
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (at the end of the line)
         V
Maybe a diamond ring


Well, it's all right even if they say you're wrong
Well, it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well, it's all right as long as you got somewhere to lay
Well, it's all right, every day is Judgment Day


Maybe somewhere down the road aways (at the end of the line)
You'll think of me and wonder where I am these days (at the end of the line, of the line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (at the end of the line)
Purple haze


Well, it's all right even when push comes to shove
Well, it's all right if you got someone to love
Well, it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well, it's all right, we're going to the end of the line


Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive (at the end of the line)
I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive (at the end of the line, of the line)
It don't matter if you're by my side (at the end of the line)
I'm satisfied


Well, it's all right even if you're old and gray
Well, it's all right, you still got something to say
Well, it's all right, remember to live and let live
Well, it's all right, the best you can do is forgive
Well, it's all right (all right), riding around on the breeze
Well, it's all right (all right), if you live the life you please
Well, it's all right, even if the sun don't shine
Well, it's all right (all right), we're going to the end of the line

Key of E

Playlist

2 Videos
Chords and Lyrics
Chords and Lyrics

“Please Don’t Bury Me” (John Prine)

Chords You’ll Need: I   II   IV   V  

First Verse (no II chord):
I                                               
Woke up this morning
IV
Put on my slippers
I                          V
Walked in the kitchen and died
    I
And oh what a feeling!
         IV
When my soul went through the ceiling
    V
And on up into heaven I did ride
       IV
When I got there they did say
         IJohn, it happened this way
You slipped upon the floor
             VAnd hit your head
     IAnd all the angels say
        IV              IJust before you passed away
                    VThese were the very last words
         IThat you said

IV
Please don't bury me
     IDown in the cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have 'em cut me up
                  VAnd pass me all around
IThrow my brain in a hurricane
        IV                IAnd the blind can have my eyes
         IV                IAnd the deaf can take both of my ears
   V                    I   IV I V IIf they don't mind the size

Other Verses:
I
Give my stomach to Milwaukee
   IV              IIf they run out of beer
Put my socks in a cedar box
     II             VJust get 'em out of here
IVenus de Milo can have my arms
     IV                 ILook out! I've got your nose
IV                    ISell my heart to the Junkman
    V               IAnd give my love to Rose

But please don't bury meDown in that cold, cold groundNo, I'd druther have 'em cut me upAnd pass me all aroundThrow my brain in a hurricaneAnd the blind can have my eyesAnd the deaf can take both of my earsIf they don't mind the size

Give my feet to the footlooseCareless, fancy freeGive my knees to the needyDon't pull that stuff on meHand me down my walking caneIt's a sin to tell a lieSend my mouth way down southAnd kiss my ass goodbye

But please don't bury meDown in that cold cold groundNo, I'd druther have 'em cut me upAnd pass me all aroundThrow my brain in a hurricaneAnd the blind can have my eyesAnd the deaf can take both of my earsIf they don't mind the size

 

Key of E

YouTube player

Key of C#

YouTube player