Build real technique.
You can play cool licks, but they don't feel solid under pressure. Your technique isn't where you want it to be yet.
Chopbuilder teaches the core techniques that'll transform your playing. Master picking, vibrato, speed, and control — one skill at a time.
One membership. 25+ courses. $20/month. 30-day free trial.
Master the fundamentals that matter
From struggling
to
confident.
Most guitarists learn licks without solid technique behind them. When you try to play faster or in different situations, things break down.
The good news: technique is learnable. With the right approach, you can build solid picking, vibrato, hand placement, muting, and speed control.
That's what gives you the confidence and freedom to play what you want.
Every guitarist has struggled with this…
Hand fatigue when playing for long periods
Vibrato that needs more control and smoothness
Speed practice that doesn't carry over to the songs you play
Unwanted noise and muting challenges
"How do I make my playing sound more polished?"
What if you learned technique the right way?
What if every lesson showed you not just the lick, but the technique behind it so you could play with confidence?
one
technique.
Chopbuilder teaches technique fundamentals using a building-blocks approach.
You'll learn vibrato, bending, picking, speed, legato, muting, tapping, and more. Each module focuses on one skill at a time, then shows you how to use it in real playing.
No overwhelm. No shortcuts. Just clear technique lessons that build on each other so you can grow at your own pace.
What's Inside
Everything you need to build rock-solid technique fundamentals.
61 Lessons
Complete technique course from vibrato to tapping. 2.5+ hours of video content covering all the fundamentals.
TAB Workbooks
Complete TAB and detailed diagrams for every technique and exercise in the course.
Audio Lessons
High-quality audio recordings for every lesson. Download and practice anywhere.
Technique Workouts
Focused workout videos for each technique. Build muscle memory with proven practice methods.
Drill Videos
Detailed drill videos to perfect each technique. Metronome exercises for speed and precision.
Interactive Soundslice Notation
Play along with interactive notation. Control tempo, loop sections, and practice with precision.
What You'll Learn
The complete toolkit of technique fundamentals from vibrato to tapping.
Module 1: Vibrato Mastery
Learn control, speed, and expression with proper vibrato technique.
- Vibrato fundamentals & hand positioning
- Different vibrato styles & their applications
- Building vibrato control & speed
Module 2: Bending Technique
Master the art of bending with proper intonation and control.
- String bending fundamentals
- Full-step, half-step, and micro-bends
- Bending with vibrato for expression
Modules 3-4: Picking & Hand Technique
Build efficient picking technique and avoid fatigue.
- Proper hand position & posture
- Pick angle & attack
- Picking workouts & speed development
Modules 5-6: Legato, Muting & Advanced Techniques
Master slide, hammer-on, pull-off, muting, tapping, and gallop rhythm.
- Hammer-ons & pull-offs for smooth playing
- Proper muting techniques to eliminate noise
- Tapping & advanced picking patterns
What Students Say
Guitarists building real technique through TGL membership.
"Yeah, this is some good lifting weights on the guitar. Very practical, very pointed exercises aimed at getting you the best results for techniques as legato, alternate picking, palm muting, etc. These are all essential skills to have. Total Guitar Lab addresses all of these and more in Chopbuilder. Before, I was just stuck in chromatic exercises for alternate picking; however, James Shipways method in Total Guitar Lab addresses this more in a musical way, rather than robotic. It's really one of the best out there."
Greg H., USA • TGL Member
Before & After Chopbuilder
- 01 Sloppy picking with hand fatigue
- 02 Vibrato that sounds wobbly or out of control
- 03 Speed practice that doesn't translate to real playing
- 04 Muting issues and unwanted noise
- 01 Clean, efficient picking with no fatigue
- 02 Control & expression with proper vibrato
- 03 Speed that comes from solid technique
- 04 Clean, professional-sounding playing
25+ Courses. One Membership.
Chopbuilder is just the beginning. Your TGL membership unlocks blues, rock, theory, technique, improvisation, and more. New content added monthly.
Choose Your Plan
Monthly & Annual include a 30-day free trial, cancel anytime. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial.
Monthly
/month, cancel anytime
- 25+ courses (and growing)
- Interactive Soundslice notation
- All membership benefits
- Cancel anytime, no penalty
- 30-day free trial
6 Months
One payment · Save ~9% vs monthly
Does not auto-renew
- Master Chopbuilder + 25+ courses
- Interactive Soundslice notation
- All membership benefits
- No free trial — one-time payment
Yearly
/year (save 2 months!)
- 25+ courses (and growing)
- Interactive Soundslice notation
- All membership benefits
- Save $41 vs. monthly
- 30-day free trial
🎸 Monthly & Annual start with a 30-day free trial. A credit card is needed to start, but you won't be charged until day 31, and you can cancel anytime with no questions. The 6-Month plan is a one-time $109 payment with instant full access — no trial, no auto-renewal.
Course Details
Who is this course for?
Chopbuilder is for guitarists who want solid technique fundamentals. From beginners learning the right way to advanced players fixing bad habits, this course teaches the core techniques that separate amateurs from professionals.
Do I need equipment?
No. All you need is your guitar. A metronome is helpful for speed work, but your phone or computer can provide that.
How fast will I improve?
You'll notice improvements in days with daily practice. Real mastery takes weeks and months, but consistent practice with these methods creates tangible results quickly.
Can I learn at my own pace?
Yes. All videos have adjustable playback speed so you can slow down the instruction. You can also use the interactive Soundslice notation player to slow down individual exercises, or load lessons into Guitar Profiles to practice at your own tempo. Learn at your own pace and revisit lessons anytime.
What if I don't like it?
On the Monthly and Annual plans, try the 30-day free trial risk-free. You need a credit card to start the trial, but you won't be charged until day 31. If it's not for you, just cancel and you pay nothing. The 6-Month plan is a one-time $109 payment with instant full access — there's no trial and no auto-renewal, so there's nothing to cancel.
Ready to build
real technique?
Master the fundamentals. Join 25+ courses. Play with confidence.
$20/month. Try free for 30 days.
30-day free trial on Monthly & Annual plans. A credit card is required to start, but you won't be charged until day 31, and you can cancel anytime. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial and no auto-renewal. 25+ courses included either way.
What's TGL Membership?
All-Access Guitar Education
TGL Membership gives you instant access to our complete library of 25+ courses covering blues, rock, theory, fretboard mastery, and technique — all for one price.
What You Get:
- check_circle 25+ courses — Blues, rock, theory, fretboard, technique and more
- check_circle Study Plans — Clear paths for every level and goal
- check_circle The Guitar Clinic — Focused technique lessons
- check_circle TGL Backstage — Members-only community
- check_circle Direct access to James — He replies to your questions
- check_circle New content monthly — Added free to your membership
How It Works:
Choose any course to start with, then explore all 25+ courses in your membership. You own your learning path.
Choose Your Plan:
Monthly
$20/mo
Cancel anytime
6 Months
$109/6mo
$18.17/mo
No auto-renewal
No free trial
BEST VALUE
Annual
$199/yr
$16.58/mo
Monthly & Annual include a 30-day free trial, cancel anytime. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial and no auto-renewal.