Every Note Had a Reason. Every Jam Had a Pulse.
Step into the lab and explore how Jerry, Bob, and Phil shaped the heart of four songs and how you can use those ideas in your own playing.
What exactly are they doing?
I’d been listening to Morning Dew, again, and even after hearing it a hundred times, there was still something elusive about it.
Jerry’s phrasing felt loose and conversational, but it wasn’t random.
Bob’s rhythm work was strange but surgical.
Phil played lead lines on bass, yet anchored the entire thing.
It wasn’t just what they were playing, it was how.
The deeper I listened, the more I needed to understand.
So I started breaking things down:
Track by track.
Part by part.
Like a musical dissection cutting into the songs to study the organs and nerves that made them move.
That’s what this course is.
This isn’t about memorizing licks.
It’s not about mimicking tone or copying parts.
It’s about understanding how the music actually works.
So you can play with more depth, more awareness, and more freedom.
Whether you’re a guitarist, a bassist, or just someone who wants to understand this music on a deeper level…
This is where you dig in.
Not by guessing.
Not by copying.
But by dissecting.
Video Lessons
Break down each part step by step: what they played, why it works, and how to use it yourself.
Backing Tracks
Jam with isolated parts to lock in your timing, phrasing, and feel like you’re in the band.
Easy-to-Use App
Access the full course anytime, anywhere: on your phone, tablet, or desktop.
"Jeff always does an amazing job of balancing practical technique with musical context. I love how he shows us the layering and interplay all on top of an understandable foundation."
Boomer Dell
What You Get
Dissecting the Dead is an in-depth study of four iconic Grateful Dead songs:
- Morning Dew
- Fire on the Mountain
- Althea
- Franklin’s Tower
We examine each one through the lens of Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh. Their roles, their ideas and their interplay.
You’ll learn:
-
How their parts were constructed
-
The logic behind their phrasing and improvisation
-
What they were reacting to in the moment
-
How to apply these ideas to your own playing
Meet Your Lab Instructor
I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years, teaching for almost as long, and geeking out over the Grateful Dead for most of that time. I’ve got a degree in Jazz Studies, but honestly, most of what I’ve learned came from listening obsessively, asking too many questions, and trying to figure out what the hell Jerry, Bob, and Phil were actually doing.
I created Dissecting the Dead because I wanted to go deeper. Not just to sound like them, but to understand how the music worked.
Why does that solo feel so loose but land so perfectly?
What’s Bob really doing with that rhythm part?
How is Phil both unpredictable and holding it all together?
This course is my way of sharing what I’ve learned by slowing things down, isolating the parts, and connecting the dots.
It’s not about copying, it’s about uncovering the musical logic so you can bring it into your own playing.
If that sounds like your kind of thing, welcome to the lab. Let’s dig in.
Who This Course Is For
✅ Grateful Dead Fans Who Want to Go Deeper
Not just listeners,you want to understand how the music works.
✅ Improvisers Looking for Practical Tools
Learn how Jerry, Bob, and Phil made creative choices and how to use those ideas in your own playing.
✅ Self-Taught Players Ready for Structure
You’ve come a long way on your own and now it’s time to connect the dots with clarity.
✅ Musicians Developing Their Own Style
This isn’t about copying. It’s about learning what works and using it to shape your sound.
Who This Course Is Not For
❌ Absolute Beginners
This course assumes you already know basic chords, barre shapes, and how to navigate the fretboard. If you’re just starting out, it may feel overwhelming.
❌ Non-Dead Fans
If the Grateful Dead’s music doesn’t resonate with you, this probably won’t either. It’s a deep dive made specifically for fans.
❌ Genre-Only Players
If you only want to play one style and aren’t interested in improvisation, song interpretation, or musical exploration, this course might not be the right fit.
❌ Quick-Fix Seekers
This isn’t a shortcut. It’s a detailed, practice-driven course meant for players who enjoy digging in and growing through the process.
"This course breaks down everyone's part, not just Jerry's which has been not only helpful, but fun!
I like that Jeff teaches the basic structure of each song and then add multiple ways to learn it (various chord structures, PDF's, jam tracks, WAV files, etc)."
Jake Paul
“Dissecting the Dead has changed my playing in profound ways. Not by asking me to copy Jerry or Bobby, but by bringing me closer to sounding like myself.
The charts, tracks, and lessons are top quality. These courses are a must for any true Dead fan.”
Clark M
Included in the Course
-
🎥 Video lessons for Jerry, Bob & Phil on Morning Dew, Fire on the Mountain, Althea, and Franklin’s Tower
🎸 Improvisation breakdowns for each player
🎧 Backing tracks to practice each part
📄 Tabs, charts & scale diagrams
🎛️ Multitrack WAVs to record yourself
📱 Access anytime via app or desktop
Here’s what happens after you order...
You’ll be taken to a secure checkout page where you can get started in under a minute.
Once you’re in, you’ll get immediate access to the full Dissecting the Dead bundle. Four deep-dive volumes on Morning Dew, Fire on the Mountain, Althea, and Franklin’s Tower.
You’ll finally see what Jerry, Bob, and Phil were actually doing, how their parts fit together, how they improvised, and how you can bring those ideas into your own playing.
No more guessing. No more spinning your wheels.
Just a clear path to better understanding, better jamming, and a deeper connection to the music.
And to make this a no-brainer…
I’m offering a 30 day money back guarantee.
If this course doesn’t give you new clarity, new ideas, and real progress in your playing, I’ll refund your money.
Try it out. Dissect the music.
And if it’s not everything you hoped it would be, you’re fully protected.
You’ve got nothing to lose, just years of insight and inspiration to gain.
