Given the definition above, we would be safe to make the assumption that a Pentatonic Scale is one comprising of five notes. We would also be correct. Scales are fundamental to music, both in composition and improvisation. Chords within a song are usually made up of notes taken from the scale, and solos or melodies … Continue reading Pentatonic Scales
Music Tutorials
Intro To The Modes
Before getting into modes it is advised that you have a strong knowledge of music theory in regards to the following topics: Full, 7-note, Major and Natural Minor Scales. Relative Major and Minor Scales - can you work out the relative Major scale of any given Minor? Scale Construction - do you know what kind … Continue reading Intro To The Modes
Basic Barre Chords: Roots on E & A Strings
Barre Chords are the same as Open Chords, in that they contain any amount of three or more different notes. The difference is that Barre Chordsdon’t make use of any open strings. With these chords, your first finger will do the same job as your guitar’s nut, and your other fingers will play … Continue reading Basic Barre Chords: Roots on E & A Strings
Blues-Rock Lick
Another blues-rock lick for your guitar repertoire. Below is the tab for this lick, divided into sections. You’ll notice that Fig 1 is repeated in bar 3. I’m playing this at 100bpm, so I’d recommend playing slower than this at first, (it’s fine to play at any speed to begin with, no matter how slow, … Continue reading Blues-Rock Lick
Pre-Bending
Lesson for the advanced string-bend technique or pre-bending, (having a note bent before you play it). This can help you emulate a whammy bar, or develop a Mid or Far Eastern flavour to your playing. Example 1 Example 2
Over Bending
Tutorial for Over Bending, and advanced string bend technique. Here's Doug Aldrich doing his thing:
Circle Of Fifths Part 2: Uses
2nd video about the Circle Of Fifths, this time focusing on it’s uses within songwriting. For reference, I've included the diagram below again. Part 1 can be found here.
Circle Of Fifths Part 1: Creation
In this lesson I examine how the Circle Of Fifths is created, and offer some ways to commit it to memory. Below is a printable image of the Co5s, I strongly encourage you to print it out and put it somewhere you spend ages looking - above your bed, next to a bathroom mirror, etc. … Continue reading Circle Of Fifths Part 1: Creation
Inspire Yourself: How To Not Suck
Inspire yourself: How to not suck. It can be hard to stay enthused about guitar playing , especially when stuck in a rut or when you feel like you’re just not improving. These are methods I regularly use to make playing enjoyable again.
Intermediate String Bends
This is a staple blues / rock / metal trick that you will have heard at some point as a listener. If you need to, refresh your memory on the Bm scale and the ideas outlined in my first String Bending lesson. For the first bend you’ll want your first finger fretting the target pitch, which … Continue reading Intermediate String Bends
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