This is how i learn how to find the chord of the solo. First time it might take some time to get use to. But after a while you will definitely find it so easy. It not only help develop ear but it also help to memorize all chord on every strings
For those of us from the LP/AM Radio era, we're all nodding and thinking "Ya, that's how I figured it out... only took ___ years! " Your directions will shortcut the process for a lot of new guitarists. Well done!
It's exactly what I still do. Well now I can just hear the note and can tell where song starts . But there are some songs where both minor and major will fit but ine sounds awsome and one just fits
If your teacher hasn't already taught them to you... find a new teacher! If you can memorize the pentatonic scale in every position on the neck (and, by extension, the minor scale) you're going to improve your playing tenfold. The "no theory" label in this video is deceptive; you're learning theory, only fragmented. Figuring the entire scale by ear is possible, and it's what Mark suggests at the end of his video. But you reach the same goal faster by just looking up "how to play pentatonic scale all positions" on TH-cam and grinding it out.
Man this has really helped me, I've been struggling to play lead and write solos for my band. I've been mainly using octaves for simple solos, so I must say thank you for sharing this information. Can't wait to start writing actual solos 🤘
What a great tip for people like myself. I've always wondered why I'm out of tune when I try to solo. Now I know. It's about finding the correct key and staying within the Pentatonic Box of notes.
Maybe it’s because we are of a similar vintage Mark, but I found your soloing explanation engaging and insightful. 👏 👏 👏 I have been playing in bands for 40 years, but I wish that I had followed your example and worked at my ear training a bit more back in the day. It’s harder to ‘unlearn’ theory and be more intuitive I find. These tips are helpful so many thanks.
Thank you David! I know what you mean about "unlearning theory". I went through the opposite phase a bit later when I unlearned pentatonic soloing and hammer-ons and pull-offs and all the Jimmy Page tricks. I'm not sure when it dawned on me that it's all good - that anything musical is worth trying to incorporate into your play. And the biggest part for me was relaxing and trying to just have fun again. Thanks for watching and for the kind comment!
@@MarkZabel -- So interesting the different approaches. I'm a keyboardist primarily and have extensive theory background. Been playing more guitar recently and using some pentatonic scale ideas for riffs. I knew pentatonics backwards and forwards theory-wise, and use them a lot on keys, but on guitar they really open up a lot...and transposing is a snap, unlike on keys. BUT...it's easy to get stuck in "technique ruts" because certain ones are so easy. They're great to get a cool sound quickly, but can be hard to move past!
Thank you so much this really helped me I played rhythm all my life and always wondered and wanted to improvise a little and never quite got it right so I stopped trying this theory you showed definitely is going to help so thank you
Just use a different lick. You don't need to use minor pentatonic if you don't want to. You can use a major scale or minor or whatever you want. I used the pentatonic here because it's easy, many people know it, and it works for both major and minor.
Thanks, that was non-intimidating! You usually hear none of what DIDN'T work. Have just realized the first guitar melody of Shakin' All Over almost follows that box/pattern, which is a way to remember it. Thank you. :)
I just play for fun. I can solo along with any song or piece of music that exists, and I can do it in fifty different ways, and they all sound good. I don´t need to spend time figuring it out either. I just do it. A million chords I can just play, but I don´t know their names. Every scale you ever heard, no problem. So people think I´m great, however, for the life of me, I can´t just play a song. Not a single goddamn song! Why? What's the secret? I would really, really like to know the answer to that. Because when it comes to playing a stand alone song, or something say a singer can follow, I just can't make it happen.
What sort of song are you trying to play? Strumming along while singing with an acoustic or even electric? With other people in a band? As a set piece like Chet Atkins? Also, are you able to sing a song, perhaps with a congregation or band? Do you understand song structures, like intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus? The answer of where to start will depend upon your answers to the above questions.
@@MarkZabel I can accompany Chet Atkins quite well. Les Paul too. But I can´t do what´s required for a singer to accompany myself alone. I understand intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse. Standard stuff. I´m just stuck in this lead guitar rut, which I do great, but that´s not good for singing a song. I can do Heavy Metal easy, but I hate Heavy Metal, so I don´t play it.
@@mwbright Okay, I think I understand. Best way is for you to actually sing. Close the door if you don't want people to hear it. Start out playing ONLY 1 strum per chord change. That way you can focus on the timing of the strum - not your fingers moving or actually anything on guitar. It's the timing with the vocals that's probably the issue. So only one strum per chord change. Best songs to start out are songs you know cold. "Happy Birthday", Itsy Bitsy Spider (I'm not kidding) or something like Amazing Grace if that sort of thing works for you. Super-simple songs without rhythm to screw you up. Maybe even sing it first without guitar so the timing of the chord changes becomes natural for you. The rest is just memorizing ... what are the words and chords for the verse? The chorus? The next verse? Good luck.
@@MarkZabel Thank you for your help and input. I think I´m going to teach myself to sing ¨Ben¨from the rat movie. I watched it with my kid and I was inspired.
Man this is absolutely amazing. Love your videos. I played a few chords in high school but started playing & learning more when I turned 40. Been at it six years & finally playing some lead. This video helped me tremendously. Thank you.
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Something I've been playing with lately is putting my clip on guitar tuner onto the speaker of what I'm listening to and watching what notes appear, it seems to work, just gives you ideas.
oh he'll yeah, I've picked this tip up from my buddies very recently as well. we'll be improvising and I'm like what chords are those? he legit will look down at his tuner pedal and rattle off some notes for me. such a good cheat code
When I was in high school, I learned the fact of life that some people are just more talented. My group of friends were Zep fanatics (I still am). I remember picking up guitar and was so proud when I figured out the riff to How Many More Times. In the meantime, my buddy had spent a week with his SG and a record player in his room and learned all of Zep I, including odd tunings (Black Mountainside). Maybe he was just more advanced than me but I was blown away. To this day I have trouble transposing what I hear to the guitar. Thanks for your help, Mark! I really enjoy your videos - very practical and straightforward!
@@immortalsun -- Don't rely on tabs or sheet music. Train your ear and you'll be able to figure out a *lot*. Tabs/sheet music is helpful for more complex songs, but a huge % of music uses 3-6 chords throughout a song. Simple once you know how they work together.
I'm leery of saying people are "talented" or not, because that puts it out of one's control, like it was "given" (or not given!) to them. I think it's about effort and interest, which go hand in hand and feed back on one another. Example: I've never been a good visual artist, because I never did much of it. At one point I took a drawing course and got significantly better...because I practiced. Afterwards I didn't continue, because I'm not that interested in it. (I absolutely appreciate it, but don't gravitate towards *doing* it.) On the other hand, music has always fascinated me, and I play with it all the time, including getting degrees in it, which took years of concentrated study. I wouldn't call my current level of ability (which I consider pretty solid) to be "talent" as much as years of practice. Am also a Zep fanatic!!
@@seejayjames Thanks for your comments. 1. Talent. Sure, some people pick up on things more quickly. It usually shows a connection to earlier work, as you point out. As a teacher/learner, nothing positive comes out of talking about how talented people are compared to yourself. Earnest, joyful practice wins. 2. Tab. The scourge of my existence. Love/hate as a teacher. Fact 1: 99/100 guitarists don't want to learn to read and will go elsewhere if you force them. Fact 2: Sometimes you need to tell someone what to do in a way they'll remember - give them a recipe. Enter tab. Fact 3: It's easy for late-beginners to get hooked on tab and "need it". Fact 4: Learning from tab isn't "sticky" and produces little skill improvement. I try to use tab sparingly. Love/hate. Again, thanks for your comments!
Okay, you’re my new guitar teacher. Thank you for that great explanation. I’ve actually been playing for quite a few years, but this was one of the most comprehensive explanations for new…and old guitar players. Subscribed!
I still don't know much theory, but I used to play along to the music with my guitar as well. Plus, when I started there were no tabs so I learned by ear. I've always ran my finger up the E string until I found the right key, and just played pentatonic. Thanks to you and other people on TH-cam I've learned a lot more. So thank you so much Mark for your hard work!
Yes, that's *exactly* what I did. I was forced to take guitar lessons when I was young, but knew nothing beyond how to read music and how to play the songs I read. Playing rock was totally different for me. And yes, no tabs. We were lucky about that IMHO, because tabs can easily become a very bad habit if abused! Sounds like we were in the same boat learning!
@@MarkZabel Yeah, a lot of tab books were horribly wrong. I don't know if you watch Mike from Art of Guitar. He's got a bunch of videos of him going through old tab books to show you how wrong they are. He even plays the ridiculous songs that are tabbed out. It's hilarious! Rock on my brother!❤🤘😝🤘
I normally have no idea whatsoever of key or scale or anything. I just listen to the backing track and play a melody that fits. It's like my brain does it on autopilot. Theory is all very strange to me.
It's not really that strange. People can speak without knowing grammar and before knowing how to read. The language of music is the same way. Theory, like reading or grammar, can be helpful. Good to have both, but if I had to pick I'd choose my ears! It seems you've got that! Good on ya'!
@@MarkZabel that's a good analogy. And yes I've many times figured actually knowing what I was doing theory wise would help me in many ways. I guess having a working ear is both a blessing and a curse at the same time. edit: Just to clarify, I mean having a good ear can be detrimental to learning proper musical grammar which might be a bad thing for further musical development. In some way I'm "stuck with my ears" :)
There's a smoother and quicker way to do this, rather than guessing during the playing of the song. You can slide up to the note in a single move until you find the key the song is in. That ons simple move and it sounds like you did it on purpose.
It took me a long time developing an ear when I was first learning but I stuck with it and eventually I could hear when things worked or not. Even though I haven't picked up my guitar for over 6 years now, I still could tell when you found the right key to the backing track. Maybe one day, I'll find the motivation to start playing again even if it's just for myself.
Yes Chris!! I'm well into my 50's and played in the 80's . Life happened and we went our separate ways. Recently had a career ending injury and bought some new equipment and started back into it. I lost my wife shortly after my accident. ( I fell 25ft off utility pole onto a boulder). Almost killed me. More recently I lost my mother, just 2 weeks ago. This instrument has been a saving grace. I'm playing 5 - 6 hrs a day. Sometimes 2am , sometimes during day. Often times just playing it. Anything, is all I have to do. Do yourself a favor. Pick it back up ! PEACE from Philadelphia.
@@johnmcaleese8459 Aye, who knows? My story is similar to yours, first started playing in the late 80's, life happened and people went their seperate ways. Worked in several unfulfilling jobs that I couldn't stick at until I found work I actually enjoyed doing. Never married though. Lost my younger brother 7 years ago and just over a month ago lost my father, so I find myself at 48 on my own. With my father dying, I will have a bit more time on my hands around work as I'd looked after him in his final years. Might pick it up again soon and maybe get a wee band together to play in pubs, just for fun really. Cheers from Northern Ireland.
@@Chris-lz1fs Oh very similar. I'm looking after my father now. He's moving into my sister's house in April and selling this house. I'll have to bury some feelings I have for my sister's husband to go see him. He and I have had a few words as my sister wears the pants and he tried impressing her saying some shit to me. Didn't go over to well even though I held my tongue. It won't be held next time. I also lost my only brother 20 some years ago to drugs. He was a good man and highly educated just couldn't shake that monkey. I still miss him. I'm sure we always will. My grandparents from Dad's side are from Ireland and I'm proud of it !!! You take care and it's nice sharing with you. Peace.
To me, playing a guitar & being pitch perfect is a strange magical science.... i just love the bizzare open chords & odd shapes that Geordie Walker comes up with.
Oh Mark, Mark, Mark ... I love my Les Pauls and I possibly love your Les Pauls except that one with the mini humbuckers you're holding. P90s ? - Yeah! Humbuckers? - Yeah! ... but Mini Buckers is just looks, let's say not attractive on a Gibson Les Paul. Cheerio. Mike.
It's interesting, this is exactly how I figure out what key to solo in, but even after years of playing I can't make something sound decent. Learning the boxes and finding the key feels to me like about 10% of the battle, figuring out something that actually sounds good put together is the other 90%. Obviously many guitar players learn this, but it has eluded me and I've never found a tutorial on it that says anything other than "keep playing and eventually it will come"
Hey Ed. I would say you have it right that learning the boxes is 10% *at most*. Without knowing your history or hearing you play, I would suggest you isolate two things: Timing and tone. (I don't mean using a metronome or buying equipment.) Here's the best way to do it. Get yourself a one-chord vamp backing track and force yourself to practice one-note solos for a while. You're only allowed to play one note, but you can play it as often as you like and in whatever octave you want and with whatever effect you want. The only way to make the one-note solo interesting is to either vary the rhythm (play on first beat, second beat, syncopated, with the drummer, etc.) or vary the effect (play with different dynamics, slide to the note, bend to it, add vibrato, etc.) This stops you from thinking about anything but what you're playing - just musical ideas, no scales, chords, arpeggios, licks, or other theory. Go to a 2 notes or 3 notes once you can do the one-note solo. The other best thing you can do is listen critically to a piece of music. Maybe a B.B. King solo. Listen 15 times in a row until you can sing the solo. Maybe buy the backing track to it. Sing the solo instead of trying to play it. Our ability to sing is often natural and picks up the rhythm nuances that we struggle with on guitar. But the ability to recall ideas is HUGE. Do this often. Many people say, "Oh I listen to music all the time, so it's not a problem", but then they can't hum the piece they say they know. Don't listen while driving or doing the dishes ... well, *do* that, sure, but that's just for fun, not study. Here's another video of mine which is similar in that it shows you something simple so you can forget theory and just try to immerse yourself in the music. It's not magic. But it *does* take trying to come up with ideas and trying to execute them well. th-cam.com/video/t3xpTcL75kM/w-d-xo.html You *will* get better and it should not take years. Best of luck!
@@MarkZabel freaking wow. I think from the video and this reply you have just taught me the 2 most amazingly useful guitar technique skills that I've learned in years! That's a subscribe straight-up!
It is because almost guitar players don't play the scales properly. From there you need to know your modes Aeolian, Dorian (makes the solo sound happy, scary, sad, etc)etc etc then learn the chords that go over that and then the notes to solo over triads etc then your solo becomes finally melodic. You have to read music and know ALL the notes on the guitar fretboard.
Definitely a helpful video, but I wouldn't say this is so much about learning to solo as it is identifying the key. It seems like this video was just: How to solo Step 1: find the key Step 2: solo over it
Sort of ... but it's more about training your ears in a non-boring way and being able to create something on the spot. You really don't even need to know the key or even the concept of a what a key is. You can start to play right away - and depending upon your proficiency, you'll start mimicking lines in TV theme songs and such. That's a great skill - to be able to come up with melodies. I'm not suggesting that this is the *only* thing you should ever do. Determining key and which scales work over a chord progression and hitting chord tones are all important. But I can't tell you how many players I've taught who came to me knowing plenty o' scales, but who had no ideas when it came to solos or who couldn't play on the spot. One last thought. Many people in the world do not have learning by trial and error ingrained as a way to learn. It's especially acute today when people look up answers to so many things with Google. This technique gets you started, gets you past the fear or making mistakes, and forces you to see the guitar in your own way.
I've been playing for decades. And STILL don't know how to read music. All by ear. My method to figuring out chords on songs is to follow the bass in the song on my 6th E string. From there, I bar different chords until I get the right sounding chord. And from that, I get my solo guitar pattern. Works for most songs. This is a great way to hone your ears to what keys are playing even on songs you've heard for the first time.
1970s Tribute from 2012. Modeled after the early 1970s Deluxe. Mini-humbuckers, similar to pickups on the Firebird. Brighter than full-sized humbuckers and less midrange than P-90s.
Hi Mark, l just loved your instructions to how to instantly solo to any song, never thought about using the higher strings 1st-that's a great tip!!!! Also l enjoyed reading the comments from others, l believe that hard work and patience is a part of leaning guitar or any instrument, l do believe that some people are born with talent and it's a little easier for them etc-last thing l don't think tabs are necessarily bad, and of course if you can play by hear and write out whay you hear is great! I know a guy that can write out what hears on a cd Exactly as it was recorded and he can read music too. Thanks and again enjoyed the instructions, and reading the comments.
i was born with zero talent- still have zero talent but can play. according to a stranger at a party, for over an hour, she thought my playing was the radio- so I guess that I have progressed. taking lessons with a good teacher made a big difference. learning little things, then building on them is very important. learning all 5 shapes of the mPentatonic scale is essential- very easy to do if someone shows you how to do it. learn some theory- the musical alphabet, scales, chord construction, etc. Videos are fine but they are all over the place so you never really learn one thing well.
Yes, you got it. Amazing how many people would rather remain frozen, waiting for a theoretical answer to "what do I play" than just jumping in. I mean, I get it in a live situation, but in your own living room - just go for it. Thanks for watching!
Hi Mark great trick,my theory is pretty rough and have used this to find the right key works well.They reckon Hendrix didn't no much theory,hard to believe?Cheers mate.
Glad you enjoyed it!! The LP I'm using was/is quite affordable. Not a Deluxe, but a 1970s Tribute I bought maybe 12 years ago. You'll notice it doesn't have the binding. It's a workhorse guitar, so exactly what I wanted.
Really cool idea, I’ll admit I was skeptical at 1st, but great demonstration. I appreciate you explaining how you got to the key of C and utilized one of the Pentatonic patterns. Definitely going into my tool box.
WHAT... literally WHAT!? oppose to using E to just find the root of the first chord? then work out all the chords andthen you can actually play, not just play anout of key pentatonic over it....
Your videos are addicting. I like that they're not overly complicated or too long. Best of all, we're able to apply what you teach instantly. You have reached the masses, so thank you!
Classical guitarist Thu Le wants me to buy a guitar from her website. In U.S. currency, the guitar is slightly over $1000. I am not a concert guitarist. I paid less than $200 for my Lucero classical guitar a few months ago. I don't think paying over a $1000 for guitar that I mostly play in my room makes sense. Thu Le's guitar is an overseas instrument supposedly made in Spain. I know that people are desperate for money during the pandemic. I think a guitar no more than $500 but greater than my Lucero guitar is all I need. I need someone to help me make a right decision. What do you say? I like my guitar but would like to own a better quality instrument. You say?
This is 2022- just google, What KEY is XYZ song in. Also, best to learn all 5 shapes (5 positions) of that pentatonic pattern. It's the same no matter where you start. Link each shape with a slide. Next learn all the note son the fretboard. To REALLY sound good, you have to land on the correct note when the chord changes (same note as the new chord.) You can improve in between, but ideally, land on the right note that matches the chord. Always resolve and rest on the right note. If not, you are just all over the place and sound like 99% of the amateur guitar players out there...that is to say, not very good. Also, the word KEY is arbitrary. Many tunes don't fit a key perfectly therefor the notes in the box patterns won't all be appropriate- even if e.g., it starts out with a Gm chord. In blues it usually works just fine but for more advanced tunes and most jazz you will often wonder why it doesn't sound good. Jazz is often played in a major scale but you can still play it with these patterns- just slide down the fretboard so your pinky is on the root/scale note. Every major chord has a relevant minor and that is how you find it. No getting around it though, you will eventually need to learn thy chords in thy progression grasshoppers...but yeah but for a newbie his tips can help and make you smile.
From someone who has been playing guitar or playing WITH a guitar for yrs yeah you cant go wrong with the Pentatonic box cuz you can move that box where ever you want on the fret board.. Key of G..move the box from G to C to D or Vice Versa and play around with it it gets your fingers moving to different frets for the anchor on the box.. Or just follow the BOX with one string.. I think..hahaha 💋💋
Really nice job man! Coming from a professional musician and professional audio engineer for 30 years in Hollywood and Las Vegas, I really like the way that you talk TO YOUR VIEWERS as opposed to talking AT YOUR VIEWERS! Also, ROCK SOLID ADVICE too brother. I bounced around a few of your posts and I REALLY LOVE YOUR CHANNEL! Great work and continued success my friend! God bless and take care...
This is pretty much how I play. Years of playing with little to no instruction. Can't read music and I don't know theory, but I have recorded tons of songs (mostly for my own enjoyment).
Little thought at the end is as big as the whole lesson. "Found it out" on my own years ago. You're the best Mr. Z. Z may be last... but you're first Mr. Z. Thanks for what you do for others!
I'm not saying you'd have to include every single mode; but I'd certainly mention it. It's pretty simple after all. Wrong box? Meh, just another mode. :)
That's how i've done it for years... but not technically the same way. It's common sense really... Find the key the song is in by ear by moving the low e string notes up.... once you found the key it's in... go for it in that pantatonic box.
Nice video, but it's a shame you can't just link to the backing track for free. It would give someone who is watching this lesson a chance to actually try what you are explaining.
G works, but isn't quite as strong, as you miss the flatted 3rd of Cm - a powerful note. But there aren't any truly sour notes. But hey, if your ears say it's right, use it. Way better to develop your own ears than to look up the "correct" answer. Or do that afterward and ask yourself why it's right.
This seems really over-complicated. Just listen for the root note of the chord, and decide whether it's major or minor. If you can't do that, you ain't never going to be able to play by ear.
When I started soloing after learning the basic scales major and minor my friend played rhythm and sang and a lot of songs I didn’t know so I would follow by ear not knowing what the recorded solo sounded like some I did but not all , well it was good for timing and knowing when to and not to play and develop my own style . Pros and cons . With every approach. I’m still hacking away 44 years later . Plus I played along with mtv many hours I wish I knew your approach then because I hunted and pecked and wasted a lot of time cheers mate !
Or, you can just listen to the bass and that’ll tell you the key it’s being played it, and the spot on the fretboard you need to be soloing at. Much faster. Easier.
Thanks! It's a 1970s Tribute from 2012. Was quite a bit more affordable than a Deluxe ... which I've always wanted after watching Pete Townshend. But still, I really love the guitar. It's a light 8.1 lbs too!
I've been learning using TH-cam tutorials and whatnot for like 3 months now, and this has to be one of the best and most useful things I've learnt yet! Thank you so much!
This can work for Blues based songs and R&B and some classic rock - but Playing Minor AND major Pentatonics opens up much more possibilities. Also extending these scales linearly on the fret board, Once you are playing a number of other Genres of music though, a more thorough understanding of scales and Modes, as well as what note / intervals are contained in the Harmony will pay off. Good basic begginers tutorial, as you said - to get folks started. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Matthew! The idea here isn't dependent on using a phrase from minor or major pentatonic. It's all about using your ear rather than theory or tab or chord sheets to find things that sound good. One could easily use a major scale lick and (indirectly) learn all about modes too. But I wanted to stay theory-free for this one. Appreciate the comments brother!!
@@MarkZabel I hear you, a very good point. Being systematic , moving up by a fret at a time to "listen" for the notes to work is very useful to train the ear, after such familiarization many players will be amazed at how soon they will be able to recognize exactly what fret or key to go to in time. Ear training is a never ending process - after 40 years I m still amazed by folks who can name extended chords or complex chords just by hearing them. I still remember hours spent "dropping" the needle on a record for a section of a song, to figure it out - I arrived at the same technique -higher ? Lower in pitch? what string? Like amazing little mysteries of sound. Thanks for the reply.
It is a four legged stool: Ear training, Music Theory, scales and being able to read music. Unless you have perfect pitch, you have to do the work. Each skill strengths the other. I found, what helps a great deal is going slow and learning a song completely. After a couple of months and songs, you internalize the structure in the songs and music. Then when you learn music theory, you basically see the DNA. What helps with ear training is learning a few Open tunings, start with Open G, then either Open E or D. The open tunings help you help the pure sound and by adding the partial C in open G you hear the fourth, then you can play around with sus2 & sus4 and hear that. To hear minor vs major and seventh & major seventh, best to do it on piano.
Agreed mostly. Even with perfect pitch, you don't automatically know how the notes/chords in a scale work relatively to each other, so there's plenty of work to still do! IMO good relative pitch is more important than perfect pitch. I think we remember songs in their original keys (how we've heard them, especially ones we've heard a lot)...just "play it" in your head and you'll at least be close to the right key. All that said....the key of a song really doesn't matter. It's all relative. Ideally you can play any song in any key. In practice this can range from easy to difficult, especially across instruments.
Good lesson, I've played a long time and its how I discover what key the song is in. Not a bad idea but I rather play the bottom (thick) E string and slide up till you find it then play your phrase (saves time but beginners may well have to do what our doing). I also would play the chords first. I say this so you don't have a player standing around waiting for his hook to come up to play his riff, learn to transition from the chord to your spot of the lead section. You know its a minor so find your fret and play a minor barre chord (EM shape out of the barre) and the 4 chord also a minor (A minor shape or A minor 7th in this case it sounds) out of the barre chord). I had to laugh as its sort of an arrangement of the chords of The Thrill Is Gone that we'd play in that key lol. God Bless thanks for giving the starter ideas to the new players.
Okay, G should sound quite usable - it misses the 3rd of Cm, but otherwise just fine. (3rds take a while for many people to hear) G# sounds harsh to most people. (Jazz devotees will say it's all okay.) Believe me, if you try this technique with a backing track - best if it's one where you aren't given the key AND record yourself, your ears will begin to lock in quickly. It takes a little time, but not that much. Best of luck whatever you end up doing. If it's music, it's going to be good!
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This is one of the best straight forward tips for beginners I've come across on youtube.
Thank you!!
It really is
@@patientmental875 Love your name !!
This is how i learn how to find the chord of the solo. First time it might take some time to get use to. But after a while you will definitely find it so easy. It not only help develop ear but it also help to memorize all chord on every strings
For those of us from the LP/AM Radio era, we're all nodding and thinking "Ya, that's how I figured it out... only took ___ years! " Your directions will shortcut the process for a lot of new guitarists. Well done!
Thanks!
Fun years though!
lol I did it with a single snare drum, stomping for the kick, and hitting different parts of the rim for cymbal action
I have hearing problems now, so I can't do it anymore.
It's exactly what I still do. Well now I can just hear the note and can tell where song starts . But there are some songs where both minor and major will fit but ine sounds awsome and one just fits
Thank you very much for a very precious advice. Cheers from Indonesia Mark.
Glad it was helpful!
I never understood how to use the Blues scales that my guitar teacher kept telling me about! Well now I know. Thank you Mark!
Happy to help!
If your teacher hasn't already taught them to you... find a new teacher! If you can memorize the pentatonic scale in every position on the neck (and, by extension, the minor scale) you're going to improve your playing tenfold. The "no theory" label in this video is deceptive; you're learning theory, only fragmented.
Figuring the entire scale by ear is possible, and it's what Mark suggests at the end of his video. But you reach the same goal faster by just looking up "how to play pentatonic scale all positions" on TH-cam and grinding it out.
Absolutely Brilliant. Thank you Very much
Glad you enjoyed it
Man this has really helped me, I've been struggling to play lead and write solos for my band. I've been mainly using octaves for simple solos, so I must say thank you for sharing this information. Can't wait to start writing actual solos 🤘
Great!
What a great tip for people like myself. I've always wondered why I'm out of tune when I try to solo. Now I know. It's about finding the correct key and staying within the Pentatonic Box of notes.
Glad it was helpful! You can choose things other than pentatonic. But it's a great way to start.
That’s actually really good!! Thx!
You're welcome. Glad you found it helpful!
Maybe it’s because we are of a similar vintage Mark, but I found your soloing explanation engaging and insightful. 👏 👏 👏
I have been playing in bands for 40 years, but I wish that I had followed your example and worked at my ear training a bit more back in the day. It’s harder to ‘unlearn’ theory and be more intuitive I find. These tips are helpful so many thanks.
Thank you David! I know what you mean about "unlearning theory". I went through the opposite phase a bit later when I unlearned pentatonic soloing and hammer-ons and pull-offs and all the Jimmy Page tricks. I'm not sure when it dawned on me that it's all good - that anything musical is worth trying to incorporate into your play. And the biggest part for me was relaxing and trying to just have fun again.
Thanks for watching and for the kind comment!
@@MarkZabel -- So interesting the different approaches. I'm a keyboardist primarily and have extensive theory background. Been playing more guitar recently and using some pentatonic scale ideas for riffs. I knew pentatonics backwards and forwards theory-wise, and use them a lot on keys, but on guitar they really open up a lot...and transposing is a snap, unlike on keys. BUT...it's easy to get stuck in "technique ruts" because certain ones are so easy. They're great to get a cool sound quickly, but can be hard to move past!
Hell yeah! Bravo 👌😁☮
Thanks brother!
Fantastic.
Thanks!
Thank you so much this really helped me I played rhythm all my life and always wondered and wanted to improvise a little and never quite got it right so I stopped trying this theory you showed definitely is going to help so thank you
You're very welcome!
life changing.
Glad you dug it!
Brilliant..thanks!
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
this was so helpful, thankyou!!
I always loved his images & concepts, but his work always reproduced better than the originals. His paint was more often muted on canvas.
This is not new to me but I have to say i have never seen so much practical information in such a short space of time.
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Maybe it's just me, but there's something about that G# version that just really hits the spot.
Maybe a touch of the diabolical, eh? G# cuts across the grain, but there's definitely something to it!
Subbed, this great!
Awesome, thank you!
So what is the trick for that with a bass guitar for minor and major
Just use a different lick. You don't need to use minor pentatonic if you don't want to. You can use a major scale or minor or whatever you want. I used the pentatonic here because it's easy, many people know it, and it works for both major and minor.
Thanks, that was non-intimidating! You usually hear none of what DIDN'T work. Have just realized the first guitar melody of Shakin' All Over almost follows that box/pattern, which is a way to remember it. Thank you. :)
My pleasure Alex. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
I just play for fun. I can solo along with any song or piece of music that exists, and I can do it in fifty different ways, and they all sound good. I don´t need to spend time figuring it out either. I just do it. A million chords I can just play, but I don´t know their names. Every scale you ever heard, no problem. So people think I´m great, however, for the life of me, I can´t just play a song. Not a single goddamn song! Why? What's the secret? I would really, really like to know the answer to that. Because when it comes to playing a stand alone song, or something say a singer can follow, I just can't make it happen.
What sort of song are you trying to play? Strumming along while singing with an acoustic or even electric? With other people in a band? As a set piece like Chet Atkins?
Also, are you able to sing a song, perhaps with a congregation or band? Do you understand song structures, like intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus?
The answer of where to start will depend upon your answers to the above questions.
@@MarkZabel I can accompany Chet Atkins quite well. Les Paul too. But I can´t do what´s required for a singer to accompany myself alone. I understand intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse. Standard stuff. I´m just stuck in this lead guitar rut, which I do great, but that´s not good for singing a song. I can do Heavy Metal easy, but I hate Heavy Metal, so I don´t play it.
@@mwbright Okay, I think I understand. Best way is for you to actually sing. Close the door if you don't want people to hear it. Start out playing ONLY 1 strum per chord change. That way you can focus on the timing of the strum - not your fingers moving or actually anything on guitar. It's the timing with the vocals that's probably the issue. So only one strum per chord change.
Best songs to start out are songs you know cold. "Happy Birthday", Itsy Bitsy Spider (I'm not kidding) or something like Amazing Grace if that sort of thing works for you. Super-simple songs without rhythm to screw you up.
Maybe even sing it first without guitar so the timing of the chord changes becomes natural for you.
The rest is just memorizing ... what are the words and chords for the verse? The chorus? The next verse?
Good luck.
@@MarkZabel Thank you for your help and input. I think I´m going to teach myself to sing ¨Ben¨from the rat movie. I watched it with my kid and I was inspired.
@@mwbright Great!
Yup, I certainly don't have perfect pitch so this is basically they way
Trial and error ... and over time (not always that much) you start to guess better and better.
Man this is absolutely amazing. Love your videos. I played a few chords in high school but started playing & learning more when I turned 40. Been at it six years & finally playing some lead. This video helped me tremendously. Thank you.
Glad you like them!
No bullshit Cut to the chase...you are one of the few genuine teachers...keep doing what you're doing...
Thanks!!
*LIVE STREAM Sunday, April 24 at 12:00 pm EST*
Get the Backing Tracks for this Lesson
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Some FREE TABs here: tinyurl.com/ybpzjuwm
👍 nice uncle,
Please reack to guitaris akustik from Indonesian Alif ba ta thank
Something I've been playing with lately is putting my clip on guitar tuner onto the speaker of what I'm listening to and watching what notes appear, it seems to work, just gives you ideas.
Interesting idea!
😮
nice idea... i'll be trying it..
Oh yes this a real thing!
oh he'll yeah, I've picked this tip up from my buddies very recently as well. we'll be improvising and I'm like what chords are those? he legit will look down at his tuner pedal and rattle off some notes for me. such a good cheat code
When I was in high school, I learned the fact of life that some people are just more talented. My group of friends were Zep fanatics (I still am). I remember picking up guitar and was so proud when I figured out the riff to How Many More Times. In the meantime, my buddy had spent a week with his SG and a record player in his room and learned all of Zep I, including odd tunings (Black Mountainside). Maybe he was just more advanced than me but I was blown away. To this day I have trouble transposing what I hear to the guitar. Thanks for your help, Mark! I really enjoy your videos - very practical and straightforward!
Glad to help. Thanks for watching!
Started when there were no TABs? Wow.
@@immortalsun -- Don't rely on tabs or sheet music. Train your ear and you'll be able to figure out a *lot*.
Tabs/sheet music is helpful for more complex songs, but a huge % of music uses 3-6 chords throughout a song. Simple once you know how they work together.
I'm leery of saying people are "talented" or not, because that puts it out of one's control, like it was "given" (or not given!) to them. I think it's about effort and interest, which go hand in hand and feed back on one another.
Example: I've never been a good visual artist, because I never did much of it. At one point I took a drawing course and got significantly better...because I practiced. Afterwards I didn't continue, because I'm not that interested in it. (I absolutely appreciate it, but don't gravitate towards *doing* it.) On the other hand, music has always fascinated me, and I play with it all the time, including getting degrees in it, which took years of concentrated study. I wouldn't call my current level of ability (which I consider pretty solid) to be "talent" as much as years of practice.
Am also a Zep fanatic!!
@@seejayjames Thanks for your comments.
1. Talent. Sure, some people pick up on things more quickly. It usually shows a connection to earlier work, as you point out. As a teacher/learner, nothing positive comes out of talking about how talented people are compared to yourself. Earnest, joyful practice wins.
2. Tab. The scourge of my existence. Love/hate as a teacher. Fact 1: 99/100 guitarists don't want to learn to read and will go elsewhere if you force them. Fact 2: Sometimes you need to tell someone what to do in a way they'll remember - give them a recipe. Enter tab. Fact 3: It's easy for late-beginners to get hooked on tab and "need it". Fact 4: Learning from tab isn't "sticky" and produces little skill improvement.
I try to use tab sparingly. Love/hate.
Again, thanks for your comments!
Okay, you’re my new guitar teacher. Thank you for that great explanation. I’ve actually been playing for quite a few years, but this was one of the most comprehensive explanations for new…and old guitar players. Subscribed!
Thanks! Glad to help if I can!
I still don't know much theory, but I used to play along to the music with my guitar as well. Plus, when I started there were no tabs so I learned by ear. I've always ran my finger up the E string until I found the right key, and just played pentatonic. Thanks to you and other people on TH-cam I've learned a lot more. So thank you so much Mark for your hard work!
Yes, that's *exactly* what I did. I was forced to take guitar lessons when I was young, but knew nothing beyond how to read music and how to play the songs I read. Playing rock was totally different for me. And yes, no tabs. We were lucky about that IMHO, because tabs can easily become a very bad habit if abused!
Sounds like we were in the same boat learning!
@@MarkZabel Yeah, a lot of tab books were horribly wrong. I don't know if you watch Mike from Art of Guitar. He's got a bunch of videos of him going through old tab books to show you how wrong they are. He even plays the ridiculous songs that are tabbed out. It's hilarious! Rock on my brother!❤🤘😝🤘
I’m stuck in this same box and I am not old. Thanks for the tips!
theory isn't hard and it helps.
Tabs have been around since the 1400s. How old are you?!
I normally have no idea whatsoever of key or scale or anything. I just listen to the backing track and play a melody that fits. It's like my brain does it on autopilot. Theory is all very strange to me.
It's not really that strange. People can speak without knowing grammar and before knowing how to read. The language of music is the same way. Theory, like reading or grammar, can be helpful. Good to have both, but if I had to pick I'd choose my ears! It seems you've got that! Good on ya'!
@@MarkZabel that's a good analogy. And yes I've many times figured actually knowing what I was doing theory wise would help me in many ways. I guess having a working ear is both a blessing and a curse at the same time.
edit: Just to clarify, I mean having a good ear can be detrimental to learning proper musical grammar which might be a bad thing for further musical development. In some way I'm "stuck with my ears" :)
I have been playing since 1955 and I have learned that is very important not to look at the finger board.Just use your ear's 😊
There's a smoother and quicker way to do this, rather than guessing during the playing of the song. You can slide up to the note in a single move until you find the key the song is in. That ons simple move and it sounds like you did it on purpose.
omfg haHAH.... THATS exactly what it sounds like when im trying to figure out songs
It took me a long time developing an ear when I was first learning but I stuck with it and eventually I could hear when things worked or not. Even though I haven't picked up my guitar for over 6 years now, I still could tell when you found the right key to the backing track. Maybe one day, I'll find the motivation to start playing again even if it's just for myself.
Go for it man!
Hope this helps you pick it up again. All about the joy of music!
Yes Chris!! I'm well into my 50's and played in the 80's . Life happened and we went our separate ways. Recently had a career ending injury and bought some new equipment and started back into it. I lost my wife shortly after my accident. ( I fell 25ft off utility pole onto a boulder). Almost killed me. More recently I lost my mother, just 2 weeks ago. This instrument has been a saving grace. I'm playing 5 - 6 hrs a day. Sometimes 2am , sometimes during day. Often times just playing it. Anything, is all I have to do. Do yourself a favor. Pick it back up ! PEACE from Philadelphia.
@@johnmcaleese8459 Aye, who knows? My story is similar to yours, first started playing in the late 80's, life happened and people went their seperate ways. Worked in several unfulfilling jobs that I couldn't stick at until I found work I actually enjoyed doing. Never married though. Lost my younger brother 7 years ago and just over a month ago lost my father, so I find myself at 48 on my own. With my father dying, I will have a bit more time on my hands around work as I'd looked after him in his final years. Might pick it up again soon and maybe get a wee band together to play in pubs, just for fun really. Cheers from Northern Ireland.
@@Chris-lz1fs Oh very similar. I'm looking after my father now. He's moving into my sister's house in April and selling this house. I'll have to bury some feelings I have for my sister's husband to go see him. He and I have had a few words as my sister wears the pants and he tried impressing her saying some shit to me. Didn't go over to well even though I held my tongue. It won't be held next time.
I also lost my only brother 20 some years ago to drugs. He was a good man and highly educated just couldn't shake that monkey. I still miss him. I'm sure we always will. My grandparents from Dad's side are from Ireland and I'm proud of it !!! You take care and it's nice sharing with you. Peace.
To me, playing a guitar & being pitch perfect is a strange magical science.... i just love the bizzare open chords & odd shapes that Geordie Walker comes up with.
Mark could you do a few lessons on Robin Trower at Winterland 1975 . That would be Cool . 🎸✨✨✨✨✨🏆🇺🇸
Great! I could try one out and see how it does. Do you have anything in particular you're interested in from that performance?
Great teacher , and simple straight forward theory. Really helped this guy with ADD understand.
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for stopping by!!
"No theory" in title, but instant music theory less than 2 minutes in. Maybe change the title to "Instantly Solo to Any Song (Easy Trick)"
The "theory" in here is only to follow along with the example. You don't need it to use the technique.
Oh Mark, Mark, Mark ... I love my Les Pauls and I possibly love your Les Pauls except that one with the mini humbuckers you're holding. P90s ? - Yeah! Humbuckers? - Yeah! ... but Mini Buckers is just looks, let's say not attractive on a Gibson Les Paul. Cheerio. Mike.
LOL! Mini humbuckers are my favorites!!
Wow. I’ve never heard ANYONE provide a soloing technique like this. I can’t wait to try it!
Awesome! Have fun!
This technique also shows you what key the song is in and makes it easier to work out chord progression.
This guy is great. That was enlightening. Keep up the good work sir.
Glad you enjoyed it!
It's interesting, this is exactly how I figure out what key to solo in, but even after years of playing I can't make something sound decent. Learning the boxes and finding the key feels to me like about 10% of the battle, figuring out something that actually sounds good put together is the other 90%. Obviously many guitar players learn this, but it has eluded me and I've never found a tutorial on it that says anything other than "keep playing and eventually it will come"
Hey Ed. I would say you have it right that learning the boxes is 10% *at most*. Without knowing your history or hearing you play, I would suggest you isolate two things: Timing and tone. (I don't mean using a metronome or buying equipment.)
Here's the best way to do it. Get yourself a one-chord vamp backing track and force yourself to practice one-note solos for a while. You're only allowed to play one note, but you can play it as often as you like and in whatever octave you want and with whatever effect you want.
The only way to make the one-note solo interesting is to either vary the rhythm (play on first beat, second beat, syncopated, with the drummer, etc.) or vary the effect (play with different dynamics, slide to the note, bend to it, add vibrato, etc.) This stops you from thinking about anything but what you're playing - just musical ideas, no scales, chords, arpeggios, licks, or other theory. Go to a 2 notes or 3 notes once you can do the one-note solo.
The other best thing you can do is listen critically to a piece of music. Maybe a B.B. King solo. Listen 15 times in a row until you can sing the solo. Maybe buy the backing track to it. Sing the solo instead of trying to play it. Our ability to sing is often natural and picks up the rhythm nuances that we struggle with on guitar. But the ability to recall ideas is HUGE. Do this often. Many people say, "Oh I listen to music all the time, so it's not a problem", but then they can't hum the piece they say they know. Don't listen while driving or doing the dishes ... well, *do* that, sure, but that's just for fun, not study.
Here's another video of mine which is similar in that it shows you something simple so you can forget theory and just try to immerse yourself in the music. It's not magic. But it *does* take trying to come up with ideas and trying to execute them well. th-cam.com/video/t3xpTcL75kM/w-d-xo.html
You *will* get better and it should not take years. Best of luck!
@@MarkZabel freaking wow. I think from the video and this reply you have just taught me the 2 most amazingly useful guitar technique skills that I've learned in years! That's a subscribe straight-up!
@@GaryBeilby Very happy to help. Thanks for the sub!
It is because almost guitar players don't play the scales properly. From there you need to know your modes Aeolian, Dorian (makes the solo sound happy, scary, sad, etc)etc etc then learn the chords that go over that and then the notes to solo over triads etc then your solo becomes finally melodic. You have to read music and know ALL the notes on the guitar fretboard.
Definitely a helpful video, but I wouldn't say this is so much about learning to solo as it is identifying the key. It seems like this video was just:
How to solo
Step 1: find the key
Step 2: solo over it
Sort of ... but it's more about training your ears in a non-boring way and being able to create something on the spot. You really don't even need to know the key or even the concept of a what a key is. You can start to play right away - and depending upon your proficiency, you'll start mimicking lines in TV theme songs and such. That's a great skill - to be able to come up with melodies.
I'm not suggesting that this is the *only* thing you should ever do. Determining key and which scales work over a chord progression and hitting chord tones are all important. But I can't tell you how many players I've taught who came to me knowing plenty o' scales, but who had no ideas when it came to solos or who couldn't play on the spot.
One last thought. Many people in the world do not have learning by trial and error ingrained as a way to learn. It's especially acute today when people look up answers to so many things with Google. This technique gets you started, gets you past the fear or making mistakes, and forces you to see the guitar in your own way.
I've been playing for decades. And STILL don't know how to read music. All by ear.
My method to figuring out chords on songs is to follow the bass in the song on my 6th E string. From there, I bar different chords until I get the right sounding chord. And from that, I get my solo guitar pattern.
Works for most songs.
This is a great way to hone your ears to what keys are playing even on songs you've heard for the first time.
What happens when the bass is not playing the root?
Wow. What Gibson is this? Never seen those thin line pickups before.
1970s Tribute from 2012. Modeled after the early 1970s Deluxe. Mini-humbuckers, similar to pickups on the Firebird. Brighter than full-sized humbuckers and less midrange than P-90s.
Hi Mark, l just loved your instructions to how to instantly solo to any song, never thought about using the higher strings 1st-that's a great tip!!!! Also l enjoyed reading the comments from others, l believe that hard work and patience is a part of leaning guitar or any instrument, l do believe that some people are born with talent and it's a little easier for them etc-last thing l don't think tabs are necessarily bad, and of course if you can play by hear and write out whay you hear is great! I know a guy that can write out what hears on a cd Exactly as it was recorded and he can read music too. Thanks and again enjoyed the instructions, and reading the comments.
Thank you so much Larry! I really appreciate your thoughtful commentary!
i was born with zero talent- still have zero talent but can play. according to a stranger at a party, for over an hour, she thought my playing was the radio- so I guess that I have progressed. taking lessons with a good teacher made a big difference. learning little things, then building on them is very important. learning all 5 shapes of the mPentatonic scale is essential- very easy to do if someone shows you how to do it. learn some theory- the musical alphabet, scales, chord construction, etc. Videos are fine but they are all over the place so you never really learn one thing well.
What's a good song to use for this? (and don't give away the key so I can't cheat)
Many, many songs will do. Try "He Can't Love You" by The Michael Stanley Band.
Was I the only one who heard Spongebob squarepants LOL?
LOL!
Trial and error! The process of elimination....used to do this when I was kid.
Yes, you got it. Amazing how many people would rather remain frozen, waiting for a theoretical answer to "what do I play" than just jumping in. I mean, I get it in a live situation, but in your own living room - just go for it.
Thanks for watching!
So like i can develop perfect pitch by just doing this everyday?
No promise of that, *but* you'll definitely start to hear certain keys, fretboard positions, scale sequences, chord progressions.
A sharp sounded so bad i burst out laughing when i heard it😅thanks for the tip!
LOL! The pain brings avoidance or quick movement away!
The first bits sounded like my solos
e lesson was a little bit over my head but I did find my pick. 👍
LOL! Glad you found the pick. Get a few more just in case it hides next time.
Mark, back in '79...I figured out the whole "Highway To Hell" album, by AC/DC. Too bad that I got old and forgot most of it, LOL.
Cool!
Maybe I will suck less at guitar now. Thanks Mark!
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
that was the most straight forward teaching video i ever seen, very smooth and fool proof
Thanks!!
Hi Mark great trick,my theory is pretty rough and have used this to find the right key works well.They reckon Hendrix didn't no much theory,hard to believe?Cheers mate.
Thanks Laurie!
Wow, one of the most important Guitar videos I've ever watched!
Much Thanks, Wish I had that Gold Top Deluxe...
Glad you enjoyed it!! The LP I'm using was/is quite affordable. Not a Deluxe, but a 1970s Tribute I bought maybe 12 years ago. You'll notice it doesn't have the binding. It's a workhorse guitar, so exactly what I wanted.
You must not have watched many- though for a beginner I guess this is helpful.
Really cool idea, I’ll admit I was skeptical at 1st, but great demonstration. I appreciate you explaining how you got to the key of C and utilized one of the Pentatonic patterns. Definitely going into my tool box.
Thanks! It's not limited to pentatonic patterns, but that's what most players know ... or come across first.
WHAT... literally WHAT!? oppose to using E to just find the root of the first chord? then work out all the chords andthen you can actually play, not just play anout of key pentatonic over it....
I am literally crying this is the most helpful out of all videos I fucking love you
Thanks! (And hey now ... this is a family channel!! LOL, I'm smiling!)
Tell me, please. Are they P90s, or mini humbuckers, in your LP?
They are mini humbuckers.
@@MarkZabel sound nice and strong 👍
Your videos are addicting. I like that they're not overly complicated or too long. Best of all, we're able to apply what you teach instantly. You have reached the masses, so thank you!
Glad you like them!
C sounded wrong to me as well until you did a little run. lol
LOL!
Thx Mark, that was gold. Just found you and subbed . Hoping to learn more from you. Take care. Dr Paul UK
Thanks Paul! Welcome aboard!
Classical guitarist Thu Le wants me to buy a guitar from her website. In U.S. currency, the guitar is slightly over $1000. I am not a concert guitarist.
I paid less than $200 for my Lucero classical guitar a few months ago. I don't think paying over a $1000 for guitar that I mostly play in my room makes sense. Thu Le's guitar is an overseas instrument supposedly made in Spain.
I know that people are desperate for money during the pandemic. I think a guitar no more than $500 but greater than my Lucero guitar is all I need. I need someone to help me make a right decision.
What do you say? I like my guitar but would like to own a better quality instrument. You say?
This is 2022- just google, What KEY is XYZ song in. Also, best to learn all 5 shapes (5 positions) of that pentatonic pattern. It's the same no matter where you start. Link each shape with a slide. Next learn all the note son the fretboard. To REALLY sound good, you have to land on the correct note when the chord changes (same note as the new chord.) You can improve in between, but ideally, land on the right note that matches the chord. Always resolve and rest on the right note. If not, you are just all over the place and sound like 99% of the amateur guitar players out there...that is to say, not very good.
Also, the word KEY is arbitrary. Many tunes don't fit a key perfectly therefor the notes in the box patterns won't all be appropriate- even if e.g., it starts out with a Gm chord. In blues it usually works just fine but for more advanced tunes and most jazz you will often wonder why it doesn't sound good. Jazz is often played in a major scale but you can still play it with these patterns- just slide down the fretboard so your pinky is on the root/scale note. Every major chord has a relevant minor and that is how you find it. No getting around it though, you will eventually need to learn thy chords in thy progression grasshoppers...but yeah but for a newbie his tips can help and make you smile.
From someone who has been playing guitar or playing WITH a guitar for yrs yeah you cant go wrong with the Pentatonic box cuz you can move that box where ever you want on the fret board..
Key of G..move the box from G to C to D or Vice Versa and play around with it it gets your fingers moving to different frets for the anchor on the box..
Or just follow the BOX with one string..
I think..hahaha 💋💋
Really nice job man! Coming from a professional musician and professional audio engineer for 30 years in Hollywood and Las Vegas, I really like the way that you talk TO YOUR VIEWERS as opposed to talking AT YOUR VIEWERS!
Also, ROCK SOLID ADVICE too brother. I bounced around a few of your posts and I REALLY LOVE YOUR CHANNEL! Great work and continued success my friend!
God bless and take care...
Wow, thanks! So glad you've enjoyed the content. I really appreciate the love brother!
This is pretty much how I play. Years of playing with little to no instruction. Can't read music and I don't know theory, but I have recorded tons of songs (mostly for my own enjoyment).
Little thought at the end is as big as the whole lesson. "Found it out" on my own years ago. You're the best Mr. Z. Z may be last... but you're first Mr. Z. Thanks for what you do for others!
Wow, thanks!
I'm not saying you'd have to include every single mode; but I'd certainly mention it.
It's pretty simple after all. Wrong box? Meh, just another mode. :)
Damn! You've given away my secret! That's how I do solos on the mandolin (different fingering pattern, but still using the pentatonic).
That's how i've done it for years... but not technically the same way. It's common sense really... Find the key the song is in by ear by moving the low e string notes up.... once you found the key it's in... go for it in that pantatonic box.
Nice video, but it's a shame you can't just link to the backing track for free. It would give someone who is watching this lesson a chance to actually try what you are explaining.
G also sounded quite decent to my ears 😅
G works, but isn't quite as strong, as you miss the flatted 3rd of Cm - a powerful note. But there aren't any truly sour notes. But hey, if your ears say it's right, use it. Way better to develop your own ears than to look up the "correct" answer. Or do that afterward and ask yourself why it's right.
This seems really over-complicated. Just listen for the root note of the chord, and decide whether it's major or minor. If you can't do that, you ain't never going to be able to play by ear.
Bien expliqué au top moi aussi je fais de la guitare
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
When I started soloing after learning the basic scales major and minor my friend played rhythm and sang and a lot of songs I didn’t know so I would follow by ear not knowing what the recorded solo sounded like some I did but not all , well it was good for timing and knowing when to and not to play and develop my own style . Pros and cons . With every approach. I’m still hacking away 44 years later . Plus I played along with mtv many hours I wish I knew your approach then because I hunted and pecked and wasted a lot of time cheers mate !
Thanks for sharing that and thanks for watching!
Or, you can just listen to the bass and that’ll tell you the key it’s being played it, and the spot on the fretboard you need to be soloing at. Much faster. Easier.
easier way for last step is to slide your way in, and find proper tone, and solo from there, you can do it instantly every time
Nice vid. Waaay OVER simplified. Did Enjoy this though.
awesome mate and I love your guitar , looks like a deluxe ?
Thanks! It's a 1970s Tribute from 2012. Was quite a bit more affordable than a Deluxe ... which I've always wanted after watching Pete Townshend. But still, I really love the guitar. It's a light 8.1 lbs too!
@@MarkZabel awesome, thanks for the reply as well
Mark did you use a pedal or just amp?
I think I just used an amp for this. Maybe I had the reverb on ... just a touch if so.
Love your channel, I always learn a lil something something. Thank You Sir
So nice of you Jess!
I've been learning using TH-cam tutorials and whatnot for like 3 months now, and this has to be one of the best and most useful things I've learnt yet! Thank you so much!
You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful for you!
This can work for Blues based songs and R&B and some classic rock - but Playing Minor AND major Pentatonics opens up much more possibilities. Also extending these scales linearly on the fret board, Once you are playing a number of other Genres of music though, a more thorough understanding of scales and Modes, as well as what note / intervals are contained in the Harmony will pay off. Good basic begginers tutorial, as you said - to get folks started. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Matthew! The idea here isn't dependent on using a phrase from minor or major pentatonic. It's all about using your ear rather than theory or tab or chord sheets to find things that sound good. One could easily use a major scale lick and (indirectly) learn all about modes too. But I wanted to stay theory-free for this one.
Appreciate the comments brother!!
@@MarkZabel I hear you, a very good point. Being systematic , moving up by a fret at a time to "listen" for the notes to work is very useful to train the ear, after such familiarization many players will be amazed at how soon they will be able to recognize exactly what fret or key to go to in time. Ear training is a never ending process - after 40 years I m still amazed by folks who can name extended chords or complex chords just by hearing them. I still remember hours spent "dropping" the needle on a record for a section of a song, to figure it out - I arrived at the same technique -higher ? Lower in pitch? what string? Like amazing little mysteries of sound. Thanks for the reply.
It is a four legged stool: Ear training, Music Theory, scales and being able to read music. Unless you have perfect pitch, you have to do the work. Each skill strengths the other. I found, what helps a great deal is going slow and learning a song completely. After a couple of months and songs, you internalize the structure in the songs and music. Then when you learn music theory, you basically see the DNA. What helps with ear training is learning a few Open tunings, start with Open G, then either Open E or D. The open tunings help you help the pure sound and by adding the partial C in open G you hear the fourth, then you can play around with sus2 & sus4 and hear that. To hear minor vs major and seventh & major seventh, best to do it on piano.
Lots to unpack here. Thanks for watching!
Agreed mostly. Even with perfect pitch, you don't automatically know how the notes/chords in a scale work relatively to each other, so there's plenty of work to still do!
IMO good relative pitch is more important than perfect pitch. I think we remember songs in their original keys (how we've heard them, especially ones we've heard a lot)...just "play it" in your head and you'll at least be close to the right key.
All that said....the key of a song really doesn't matter. It's all relative. Ideally you can play any song in any key. In practice this can range from easy to difficult, especially across instruments.
Great video. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
yehh its called finding the key the song was composed in now go find and add the 7 major cords starting from the root note of C
Showing a complicated chord in the thumbnail aint helping new guitarist i gotta say
Good lesson, I've played a long time and its how I discover what key the song is in. Not a bad idea but I rather play the bottom (thick) E string and slide up till you find it then play your phrase (saves time but beginners may well have to do what our doing). I also would play the chords first. I say this so you don't have a player standing around waiting for his hook to come up to play his riff, learn to transition from the chord to your spot of the lead section. You know its a minor so find your fret and play a minor barre chord (EM shape out of the barre) and the 4 chord also a minor (A minor shape or A minor 7th in this case it sounds) out of the barre chord). I had to laugh as its sort of an arrangement of the chords of The Thrill Is Gone that we'd play in that key lol. God Bless thanks for giving the starter ideas to the new players.
Thanks!
Where were you 25 years ago when I need a teaching hero! God that explains a lot in a little amount of time! Just Awesome! Thank you!
So happy to help! Thanks for stopping by!
The same goes to me as well i was self taught and when i was good I do listen and play the cords.
Great info Mark. Good and practical idea for ear training.
Glad it was helpful!
I think I found my disability, G and G# sounded fine-just as fine or better than C-the rest were bad so my ears only need crutches not a wheelchair.
Okay, G should sound quite usable - it misses the 3rd of Cm, but otherwise just fine. (3rds take a while for many people to hear) G# sounds harsh to most people. (Jazz devotees will say it's all okay.)
Believe me, if you try this technique with a backing track - best if it's one where you aren't given the key AND record yourself, your ears will begin to lock in quickly. It takes a little time, but not that much.
Best of luck whatever you end up doing. If it's music, it's going to be good!
Finally my ears are properly developped.
~ African elephant