Play Like Stevie Ray Vaughan Ultralearning Project

Prompt: Create a learning plan over 5 days with multiple sessions a day to learn the techniques in the videos from Your Guitar Academy’s How To Play Like Stevie Ray Vaughan series

To create a comprehensive 5-day learning plan based on the techniques presented in the provided video series, we will structure the plan to incorporate multiple sessions each day, focusing on gradual skill acquisition and practice. The learning plan will align with instructional design principles such as retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and scaffolding.

Results from Claude

I’ll create a 5-day learning plan that incorporates Scott Young’s ultralearning principles to help you learn Stevie Ray Vaughan’s playing style. This plan divides each day into three 1-hour sessions (morning, noon, and evening) for a structured approach to mastering SRV’s techniques.

5-Day Ultralearning Plan: How To Play Like Stevie Ray Vaughan

Overview

This plan combines Scott Young’s ultralearning principles with focused study of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s playing techniques. Each day consists of three 1-hour sessions designed to maximize learning efficiency.

Day 1: Foundation Building

Morning: Metalearning

• 15 min: Research SRV’s background, influences, and key techniques

• Excellent exposé on SRV tone secrets

• Further exploration of tone and playing style of SRV
• https://samuraiguitartheory.com/

• 15 min: Set specific learning goals for each day of your plan
  • I will place the videos I watch for each time slot in the schedule below and use this post as my journal
  • I will also use my paper-based Practice Log to record what I did, when I did it, and how it went

• 30 min: Watch the first videos in the series to understand the core elements of SRV’s style

Noon: Focus & Directness

• 10 min: Practice basic blues scale positions SRV commonly used
• 20 min: Work on SRV’s right-hand technique (pick grip, attack, dynamics)
• 30 min: Slow practice of basic SRV licks from the video

Evening: Drill & Retrieval

• 20 min: Practice string bending and vibrato techniques
• 20 min: Work on shuffle rhythm patterns in Texas blues style
• 20 min: Record yourself playing basic licks and critically review

Day 2: Technical Development

Morning: Focus on Fundamentals

• 15 min: Warm-up with SRV-style blues scale runs
• 30 min: Deep dive into SRV’s tone (amp settings, guitar setup)
• 15 min: Watch next video in series, taking detailed notes

Noon: Deliberate Practice

• 30 min: Break down one signature SRV lick and practice at 50% speed
• 15 min: Study SRV’s chord voicings and transitions
• 15 min: Practice integrating chords and single-note lines

Evening: Feedback & Analysis

• 20 min: Record yourself playing the day’s material
• 20 min: Compare your playing to SRV’s, identify gaps
• 20 min: Create specific drills to address technical weaknesses

Day 3: Style Integration

Morning: Active Learning

• 10 min: Review previous days’ material
• 20 min: Watch next video in series with active note-taking
• 30 min: Practice SRV’s double-stop techniques and position shifts

Noon: Directness

• 15 min: Learn one complete SRV intro or solo section at slow speed
• 30 min: Practice SRV’s rhythmic feel and timing
• 15 min: Work on dynamic control (loud/soft playing)

Evening: Retrieval Practice

• 20 min: Play previously learned licks without referring to videos
• 20 min: Improvise using SRV vocabulary in different keys
• 20 min: Record and analyze your improvisation

Day 4: Expanding Vocabulary

Morning: Intuition Building

• 15 min: Transcribe a short SRV phrase by ear
• 30 min: Watch next video in series focusing on phrasing techniques
• 15 min: Practice SRV’s vibrato techniques at different speeds

Noon: Skill Integration

• 20 min: Combine rhythm and lead techniques in a 12-bar blues
• 20 min: Practice SRV’s approach to standard blues turnarounds
• 20 min: Work on seamlessly transitioning between rhythm and lead playing

Evening: Experimentation

• 30 min: Try applying SRV techniques to a song you already know
• 15 min: Record your playing and identify improvement areas
• 15 min: Create a list of specific techniques to refine tomorrow

Day 5: Performance Integration

Morning: Mastery Focus

• 15 min: Review all key SRV techniques covered so far
• 30 min: Watch final videos in the series for advanced concepts
• 15 min: Create a short practice routine for maintaining these skills

Noon: Performance Practice

• 15 min: Work on one complete SRV-style solo at performance tempo
• 30 min: Practice playing along with SRV recordings
• 15 min: Focus on maintaining technique while playing at full speed

Evening: Reflection & Continuation Planning

• 20 min: Record a full performance incorporating the week’s learning
• 20 min: Compare with recordings from Day 1 to see progress
• 20 min: Create a follow-up learning plan for continued development

Ultralearning Principles Application

1. Metalearning: Research and planning approach before diving in
2. Focus: Dedicated distraction-free practice sessions
3. Directness: Playing actual songs and licks rather than just theory
4. Drill: Breaking down difficult techniques for targeted practice
5. Retrieval: Playing from memory, not just following along
6. Feedback: Regular recording and critical listening
7. Retention: Spaced repetition of techniques throughout the plan
8. Intuition: Ear training and improvisation to internalize the style
9. Experimentation: Applying techniques in different musical contexts

Daily Progress Tracking

Keep a practice journal with:

• Techniques mastered
• Areas needing improvement
• Specific licks learned
• Ideas for future practice
• Questions for further research

This plan integrates Scott Young’s ultralearning principles with a focused study of SRV’s playing techniques. Each day builds progressively on the previous one, moving from foundational skills to more advanced applications.

Key features of this plan

1. Structured progression – Moving from basic techniques to full performance
2. Balanced approach – Combining theory, technical practice, and playing
3. Deliberate practice – Breaking complex techniques into manageable components
4. Regular feedback – Recording yourself daily to track progress
5. Active learning – Engaging deeply with the video material rather than passive watching

To maximize results, I recommend

• Using a metronome during practice sessions
• Taking brief notes after each session
• Keeping your guitar accessible for quick practice moments
• Being patient with the physical techniques that make SRV’s style distinctive (especially his string bending and vibrato)

Would you like me to expand on any particular section of this learning plan?