Introduction

Course Layout:

Session I - The Universal Pattern
  • Pentatonic Scale in A-minor 1st Position
  • Pentatonic Scale in A-minor, all Positions 
  • Shifting Between Positions 
  • Pentatonic Scale in C-minor 1st Position

Session II - Playing the Blues
  • Blues Scale in A 
  • Blues Scale all Positions

Session III - Keys
  • Which Key Am I In?

Session IV - 5 Patterns to Play Over Any Chord
  • Chord Tones (5 Arpeggios)
  • ii - V - I Progressions
  • Tracking Chord Progressions

Session V - Changing Keys
  • Songs That Change Key (Pentatonic Approach)
  • Songs That Change Key (Chord Tone Approach) 

Session I - The 1st Pattern

Pentatonic Scale in A-minor 1st Position

Practice Tips: 
  • Practice the Pentatonic Scale with the backing track.
  • ​Try making up your own solo! 

Pentatonic Scale in A-minor, all Positions ​

Click HERE for a PDF 
Practice Tips: 
  • Memorize all the positions of the pentatonic scale
  • For now, focus on the patterns rather than the actual notes

Shifting Between Positions ​

Practice Tips: 
  • Work out all the different ways to shift between positions. 
  • Use slides to shift from one position to another.
  • Play along with the backing track and create your own solos.
  • ​Use the example bellow for ideas.

Pentatonic Scale in C-minor 1st Position

Practice Tips: 
  • Work out all the positions of the C-minor Pentatonic Scale.
  • Use slides to shift from one position to another.
  • Play along with the backing track and create your own solos.

Session II - Playing the Blues 

Blues Scale in A 

Practice Tips: 
  • Practice playing the Blues Scale against the Backing Track. 
  • Listen to how it differs from the Pentatonic Scale. 

Blues Scale all Positions

Click HERE for Tablature
Practice Tips: 
  • Work out all the positions of the Blues Scale.
  • Use slides to shift from one position to another.
  • Play along with the backing track and create your own solos.

Session III - Which Key?

How Do You Know Which Key You Are In?

Session IV - 5 Patterns to Play Over
​ Any Chord

Chord Tones (5 Arpeggios)

Chord Tones (5 Arpeggios Extended) 

Click HERE to download the PDF of all the other arpeggios. 
Practice Tips: 
  • Try playing these Arpeggios by starting on a different Root​

ii - V - I  Progressions

Tracking Chord Progressions

Let's apply this concept to a 12 - Bar Blues!  
Click HERE to Download Tablature

Let's make the chord progression a little bit trickier! 
Click HERE to Download PDF Tablature
Practice Tips: 
  • Learn the solo! 
  • Use the patterns to create your own solos.
  • ​Play along with the backing track.

Session V - Changing Keys

Songs That Change Key (Pentatonic Approach)

Click HERE to Download PDF
Practice Tips: 
  • Keep it simple at first!
  • Try using the Blues Scale too for a bluesy flavor. 
  • ​Jam along to the backing track.​

Slow Version

Fast Version

Songs That Change Key (Chord Tone Approach)

Click HERE to Download PDF
Practice Tips: 
  • Learn the written solo first.
  • Use the concept to create your own solo.
  • In the beginning try to play everything in either quarter notes or eight notes.
  • This will get you really good at targeting chord tones quickly.
  • ​Play along to the backing track until you feel comfortable.

Slow Version

Fast Version

Next Steps