I can't believe people are actually dissing you... it's a great lesson for those ready for it...if you can't get over the speed, practice more....very well done... thanks much!!!
After thirty and more years of playing guitar this has to be one of the most informative an well explained ideas I have seen yet! Good job. You are a fantastic teacher!
Fantastic. It is so refreshing to see a guitar lesson video that focuses on what we're learning without spending all of it's time and resources on ultra-slow renditions of everything. For those of us who can figure out what you're playing and why, leaving out the slow-motion stuff helps keep the focus on your point. Five stars!
im such a begginer and i like the talk about not staying stuck in the classical way and being realistic about how its dun. this is the gem of teaching we need . like haveing the big brother show you what works .!!
For my level of playing this video was excellent! For those who find it difficult instead of whining and bellyaching you should watch and practice something that's easier for you. Good job on the tutorial!
What your teaching, as far as brain and muscle memory critical for changing fingers mid phrase, is crucial for dynamics while changing from diatonic to pentatonic. Awesome instructions man, even if some viewers don't get what you're trying to convey.
This is exactly the hump I've been having trouble getting over. Now I can finally include bends naturally in the phrase. It makes perfect sense to use the third finger on the top note after a slide up. Thank you so much for this excellent video!
Matteo Antony Mistretta When I first started out someone stressed the importance of using your pinky and I think that’s good advice in general but I would always notice all the great players playing these pentatonic licks emphasizing the ring finger. I resisted that based on the pinky theory but I have come to believe what he says here is true and I’m starting to break the rules as you say and get comfortable doing it the way everybody else does it because it’s really hard to get the strength you need out of the pinky even with practice. I also always felt restricted by the pentatonic like I needed more notes but really the pentatonic is genius. It has endured forever
Very good and specific tips!! Just what I needed.... It's difficult to find this kind of advice instead of the obvious things or out of space riffs. Thanks man, from Spain!
Thanks Claus for giving me a little bit more insight and a few more ideas to play around , I am right with you on most things, Blues and pentatonic are pretty easy for me at this stage in my career, however there is always room for more. I am still stoked on classical sequences I've learned from you and it has opened up the neck a bit more and just adds to my own technical development. Thanks again! I still have a sponge like attitude after all these years..Would like to see some Mclaughlin like Indian style scale patterns if you have studied in this area. Very difficult, but very interesting sequences.
Claus you are a breath of fresh air for an old "by the ear" player that is struggling to be good at leads. I have good rhythm and target notes and sequences are what I need. Thanks! I'm tired of feeling lost on leads.
You talk a lot, but not too much though. I find your instructions so very clear, it's almost like you are mind reading. Anyways, you must have had marvelous teachers of your own. passionate musicians form such a noble community. Just makes you want to hop in. Not a trace of competition spirit, just the sheer pleasure of sharing. Thank you so very much for your time, knowledge and unpretencious kindness. You're one of the GREAT ones.
I like the way you get right to the point instead of wasting everybody's time with a lot of boring talk in the beginning. I agree that a lot of (not classical,flamenco,etc) guitarists today use the little finger inappropriately. I also believe there is such thing as practicing scales so much that it becomes too much a part of your style. Playing super fast scales is impressive but playing expressively and playing creative, interesting melody are what make a musician great.
Really useful - never thought about mixing classical position with rock style fingering. At first I thought this video was going to be nonsense. I have been a snob on fingering. Now, with your superb explanation and technique it makes total sense. So back to the drawing board for me - lot of basic practise ahead to recondition my old brain. Thank you Claus for that great insight.
Fast, yes, but a good lesson. He slows it down about 05:30 and explains the technique that makes a lot of sense. If you are a beginner, check out Marty at GuitarJamz for someone that simplifies everything.
Good video it took years for me to earn the classical style and use it accordingly always used the blues style grip on the guitar runtime I needed to get faster lol Ty for putting this out for younger guitarists.
why wouldn't anyone want this approach in their guitar arsenal, thanks Claus for making clear something many of us touch on intuitively, but never could quite describe what we are doing. take it or leave it; I'll take it, thanks.
Thanks for clearing this up for me. ive just started to learn lead and got confused about where and when to use the pinky as everyone i see plays fast with the first and third. It may have been obvious to some but as a beginner i appreciate the lesson. Ive subscribed. Thanks again.
Thank you so much! Have you done a video on how to "tastefully" improvise using these pentatonics? Whatever I do, it simply sounds bad. I run out of ideas quickly, and it then ends up being the scale played up and down...
Try studying classic rock licks and solos, everything from GnR, to Eagles, to CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Clapton, Doobie Brothers, Led Zepplin etc etc. Its almost all based on the pentatonic scale. Listen to some of the sequences and combinations they use, and practice them. Also the principal Claus has discussed in a few videos about hitting chord notes still applies, and in reality i think pentatonics make doing that easier. Lots of bends, vibrato and slides! Listen to blues as well, that will give you a good idea...
start with your rhythm and try to vary it! One thing I do is put on the metronome to like 40-60 bpm and I zone out and I begin to play with the rhythm a bit. The part that gets me creative is letting a note wring out for extra long and coming back on the off beat for example. Or put something behind the notes you are playing: an emotion or a story. Play around. Sometimes you'll ONLY WANT to play ONE note. Over and over. Before you play a different one. Because THATS what youre feeling at the time. If you think that not 'good' enough and you're worried that you should be playing more notes more complexly try thinking or feeling things that you don't usually think about-- maybe because you're scared or threatened to because they are different or they are things you have run away from. That edge and tension might just add something spicy and new to your playing! I've found that the very best music I've played has come from being on the edge of tears thinking about something that means a LOT to me and music is the only way to express and get it out.
Amber57499 HEY guys, check out steve stine. more musical Pentatonic by adding the 6th, and other scale times! I have the same 'scale' probs.. Claus rocks! Alohz
id like to switch to 3rd finger but i bend and use roll overs with all my fingers for way long time - works as well. the most benefit of it is to stay in clean fretting positions most of the time which helps me a lot to avoid mistakes
The hand placement on the neck is really only applicable for playing when you're standing up. You don't have a choice to grasp the neck like that for full efficiency and ease of playing. But when sitting down, it doesn't seem as applicable, if at all necessary.
that was very helpful in showing the little what I call tricks that players do? I really wish more guitarist didn't mind showing there tricks or how they practiced locks etc? YHVH Bless you brother.
Thanks for this. I was vaguely aware of needing to get the thumb behind the neck for faster, 'busier' finger work, which is a playing style I struggle with, but perhaps not enough. So it's interesting to see different thumb / hand positions called out as appropriate for different styles. I had sort of been thinking there was one optimum position which would work for everything. I'm hoping focusing more on this will open the speed / dexterity door a bit more for me. I guess I'm approaching your lesson in reverse, being fairly comfortable / fluent with pentatonic playing but less so in the speed / 3 note per string worlds . Cheers.
IMHO I think the pentatonic scale is what sets you free. Your able to breath and put feeling into your playing. What I want to know , is how are you getting your TONE? Guitar, equipment, pedals. Awesome tone. Thanks
Thank you very much. This is the technics that I have been looking for for a very long time. That technics at 07:50 on ward is excellent. I was astonished when looking at guitar player could make that quick sound (not shredding). And you explained it very clearly. Cheers from Indonesia.
You know Claus, I cant say I agree with all of your methods and your outgoing personality but one thing I can not deny is that...you are an amazing guitar player. really good. impressive.
Excellent clean tone and great easy to follow instructions - boy are you fast - John McLaghlin like. Is that guitar an Ibanez AS93 by chance? Sounds as good as a 335 any day!
mind blown. Thank you. been watching joe walsh vid's trying to figure this is exact thing out. Thank you again. and I like how you use only your Will to levitate the guitar : ) ill be that good one day.
Hey great video but i have a question. What you playing at 4:00? That doesn't look like first position A minor pentatonic. You throw in a D# on the G string? Sounds great but could you explain how that works?
Great playing and explanations Claus!! Of course, have to watch a hundred times!! So, let me echo a previous comment of seeming less importance than your subject matter (which is awesome!) What stand are you using?? I play a bass on stage and it would be nice to have the guitar at the ready position (say, through a looper...) Thanks for the fine work!
Switching between fourth and third fingers is as you say "Natural", so it's something I started using from the beginning. Funny how it's hard to explain, or reason why your fingers do what they do when your almost on autopilot, or playing some Jimmy Paige stuff, like Black Dog, and you have to re-train your fingers to do some moves that feel "Unnatural" But, sounds great
This is actually really good advice. It's not Orthodox but is effective changing hand shapes. I have done both modes but never really tried blending them. The classical method is speed metal. The other one is classic blues Rock. He is right that you need to hold the angles in order to get that bend. Eddie van halen or Randy.
Very nice tips - thank you! One suggestion: perhaps use a clean sound instead of super-saturated, as it helps the listener discern technique better than such smearing of the articulation.
The thing about the Pentatonic/blues is...you are prone to develop BAD habits like not utilizing your pinky so I believe for a beginner, it is really wise to start with the Ionian/Major scale then mix it with Pentatonic a bit
I agree about the pinky. It's true you don't have to have it to play well, but I don't see the point in dismissing away 25% of your fingers. Imagine what Django Reinhardt would have done if he had a pinky.
I can't believe people are actually dissing you... it's a great lesson for those ready for it...if you can't get over the speed, practice more....very well done... thanks much!!!
After thirty and more years of playing guitar this has to be one of the most informative an well explained ideas I have seen yet! Good job. You are a fantastic teacher!
Fantastic. It is so refreshing to see a guitar lesson video that focuses on what we're learning without spending all of it's time and resources on ultra-slow renditions of everything. For those of us who can figure out what you're playing and why, leaving out the slow-motion stuff helps keep the focus on your point. Five stars!
im such a begginer
and i like the talk about not staying stuck in the classical way and being realistic about how its dun.
this is the gem of teaching we need .
like haveing the big brother show you what works .!!
For my level of playing this video was excellent! For those who find it difficult instead of whining and bellyaching you should watch and practice something that's easier for you. Good job on the tutorial!
Very insightful! Thanks for sharing your knowledge
What your teaching, as far as brain and muscle memory critical for changing fingers mid phrase, is crucial for dynamics while changing from diatonic to pentatonic. Awesome instructions man, even if some viewers don't get what you're trying to convey.
This is exactly the hump I've been having trouble getting over. Now I can finally include bends naturally in the phrase. It makes perfect sense to use the third finger on the top note after a slide up. Thank you so much for this excellent video!
Bloody nine same as mate
if you purely use classical it lends itself to playing scalar
Bloody nine Well said Logan Ninefingers
Mine was named Nancy.
Scabby Gabby, amigo.
A man has to be realistic
That was eye-opening, I always tried not to "break the rules" but now I see I can't go far without! Thanks a bunch!
Matteo Antony Mistretta When I first started out someone stressed the importance of using your pinky and I think that’s good advice in general but I would always notice all the great players playing these pentatonic licks emphasizing the ring finger. I resisted that based on the pinky theory but I have come to believe what he says here is true and I’m starting to break the rules as you say and get comfortable doing it the way everybody else does it because it’s really hard to get the strength you need out of the pinky even with practice. I also always felt restricted by the pentatonic like I needed more notes but really the pentatonic is genius. It has endured forever
Very good and specific tips!! Just what I needed.... It's difficult to find this kind of advice instead of the obvious things or out of space riffs.
Thanks man, from Spain!
Thanks Claus for giving me a little bit more insight and a few more ideas to play around , I am right with you on most things, Blues and pentatonic are pretty easy for me at this stage in my career, however there is always room for more. I am still stoked on classical sequences I've learned from you and it has opened up the neck a bit more and just adds to my own technical development. Thanks again! I still have a sponge like attitude after all these years..Would like to see some Mclaughlin like Indian style scale patterns if you have studied in this area. Very difficult, but very interesting sequences.
Claus you are a breath of fresh air for an old "by the ear" player that is struggling to be good at leads. I have good rhythm and target notes and sequences are what I need. Thanks! I'm tired of feeling lost on leads.
great lesson
something I am actively working on is 5 positions of pentatonic thanks so much
Yesss....he is not only fast ,he is also very precise!! thats a good quality .....for me.That come from as he say from classical guitar playing style.
The inlays on that guitar are beautiful
Beautiful Guitar! Excellent Lesson! Sounds great! Thank you Claus!
That's just bloody brilliant. Well done. One of the most effective videos I've seen in years.
Love it! Thank you for showing us all those spontaneous licks up close.
You talk a lot, but not too much though. I find your instructions so very clear, it's almost like you are mind reading. Anyways, you must have had marvelous teachers of your own. passionate musicians form such a noble community. Just makes you want to hop in. Not a trace of competition spirit, just the sheer pleasure of sharing. Thank you so very much for your time, knowledge and unpretencious kindness. You're one of the GREAT ones.
true...
One of the best guitar lessons I've ever had!- thank you.
Your tone is absolutely beautiful man
I like the guitar holder.
I like the way you get right to the point instead of wasting everybody's time with a lot of boring talk in the beginning. I agree that a lot of (not classical,flamenco,etc) guitarists today use the little finger inappropriately. I also believe there is such thing as practicing scales so much that it becomes too much a part of your style. Playing super fast scales is impressive but playing expressively and playing creative, interesting melody are what make a musician great.
Excellent intstructions. Having come from a classical background myself, this lesson was kudo's appropriate!
Always nice to listen to, and watch, musicians that truly enjoy teaching!
Finally, sum1 I can see and understand! Thanks so much from Canada! !
Really useful - never thought about mixing classical position with rock style fingering. At first I thought this video was going to be nonsense. I have been a snob on fingering. Now, with your superb explanation and technique it makes total sense. So back to the drawing board for me - lot of basic practise ahead to recondition my old brain. Thank you Claus for that great insight.
You sir,just answered a question that noone could for almost 3 years bow. Thank so much.
Thanks for taking your time to put out your videos really get a lot of good information out of them
You are so correct. Took me a while to finally give in to that.
Fast, yes, but a good lesson. He slows it down about 05:30 and explains the technique that makes a lot of sense. If you are a beginner, check out Marty at GuitarJamz for someone that simplifies everything.
Blackmore-like licks and guitar sound. Amazing, thanks a lot. Cheers!
Good video it took years for me to earn the classical style and use it accordingly always used the blues style grip on the guitar runtime I needed to get faster lol Ty for putting this out for younger guitarists.
why wouldn't anyone want this approach in their guitar arsenal, thanks Claus for making clear something many of us touch on intuitively, but never could quite describe what we are doing. take it or leave it; I'll take it, thanks.
Wonderfully insightful. Thanks Claus!
I appreciate you showing this! It's helped tremendously!
Thanks for clearing this up for me. ive just started to learn lead and got confused about where and when to use the pinky as everyone i see plays fast with the first and third. It may have been obvious to some but as a beginner i appreciate the lesson. Ive subscribed. Thanks again.
Awesome tips,and thank you for sharing your skills. 💙
Holy shit your videos are just packed with crucial insights. Stay gold ponyboy
I really appreciate these videos. Thanks.
Excellent insights shared here. Thank you.
Great lesson, Claus! Thanks!
Thank you so much! Have you done a video on how to "tastefully" improvise using these pentatonics? Whatever I do, it simply sounds bad. I run out of ideas quickly, and it then ends up being the scale played up and down...
Try studying classic rock licks and solos, everything from GnR, to Eagles, to CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Clapton, Doobie Brothers, Led Zepplin etc etc. Its almost all based on the pentatonic scale. Listen to some of the sequences and combinations they use, and practice them.
Also the principal Claus has discussed in a few videos about hitting chord notes still applies, and in reality i think pentatonics make doing that easier.
Lots of bends, vibrato and slides! Listen to blues as well, that will give you a good idea...
start with your rhythm and try to vary it! One thing I do is put on the metronome to like 40-60 bpm and I zone out and I begin to play with the rhythm a bit. The part that gets me creative is letting a note wring out for extra long and coming back on the off beat for example.
Or put something behind the notes you are playing: an emotion or a story. Play around. Sometimes you'll ONLY WANT to play ONE note. Over and over. Before you play a different one. Because THATS what youre feeling at the time.
If you think that not 'good' enough and you're worried that you should be playing more notes more complexly try thinking or feeling things that you don't usually think about-- maybe because you're scared or threatened to because they are different or they are things you have run away from. That edge and tension might just add something spicy and new to your playing! I've found that the very best music I've played has come from being on the edge of tears thinking about something that means a LOT to me and music is the only way to express and get it out.
Amber57499 HEY guys, check out steve stine. more musical Pentatonic by adding the 6th, and other scale times! I have the same 'scale' probs.. Claus rocks!
Alohz
Cody W Chord tones!! also play 1, 3, 7 (major or minor, depending) outlining da chords.. Alohz!
+kilgoretrout321 Dude! That's the best advice and response I've seen on TH-cam! Very good, indeed😆
Great tips, nice licks, Thanks!!
id like to switch to 3rd finger but i bend and use roll overs with all my fingers for way long time - works as well.
the most benefit of it is to stay in clean fretting positions most of the time which helps me a lot to avoid mistakes
Love it man, thanks for sharing. You are a true master of many styles and ideas, Sir, thank you
Personally I think the pace of the video was fine. The important information was easy to grasp. Thanks!
The hand placement on the neck is really only applicable for playing when you're standing up. You don't have a choice to grasp the neck like that for full efficiency and ease of playing. But when sitting down, it doesn't seem as applicable, if at all necessary.
Great tips man! Thank you very much.
Great work ClausLevin!!
Excellent, Claus, thanks!
that was very helpful in showing the little what I call tricks that players do? I really wish more guitarist didn't mind showing there tricks or how they practiced locks etc? YHVH Bless you brother.
Thanks for this. I was vaguely aware of needing to get the thumb behind the neck for faster, 'busier' finger work, which is a playing style I struggle with, but perhaps not enough. So it's interesting to see different thumb / hand positions called out as appropriate for different styles. I had sort of been thinking there was one optimum position which would work for everything. I'm hoping focusing more on this will open the speed / dexterity door a bit more for me. I guess I'm approaching your lesson in reverse, being fairly comfortable / fluent with pentatonic playing but less so in the speed / 3 note per string worlds . Cheers.
Superb. I shared this with the two guitarists in my musical circle that will benefit greatly from the systemization of their technique. MBB
IMHO I think the pentatonic scale is what sets you free. Your able to breath and put feeling into your playing. What I want to know , is how are you getting your TONE? Guitar, equipment, pedals. Awesome tone. Thanks
Very Useful. Eric Clapton is the 1st guitarist I saw play with this 3 finger style.
Can you point us newbies to any beginner lessons you have, if any. PS; much easier to follow, thanks for slowing it down!
Usefull practice technique. Brilliant.
Best lesson ever! You have amazing technique.
awesome love your videos, you have alot to say and your tips are so useful
Thank you very much. This is the technics that I have been looking for for a very long time. That technics at 07:50 on ward is excellent. I was astonished when looking at guitar player could make that quick sound (not shredding). And you explained it very clearly. Cheers from Indonesia.
Excellent lesson. Its a different approach, but I like it. Thanks very much.
Very interesting. I will try the new perspective.
Thanx again. you are an awesome teacher.
Really helpful this, I was coming around to yoru way of changing thumb positions anyway but wasn't sure if it was the best way or not, thanks..
Very Impressive and helpful, thanks
You know Claus, I cant say I agree with all of your methods and your outgoing personality but one thing I can not deny is that...you are an amazing guitar player. really good. impressive.
I think you coulda wrapped this up in like 52 seconds?
Excellent clean tone and great easy to follow instructions - boy are you fast - John McLaghlin like. Is that guitar an Ibanez AS93 by chance? Sounds as good as a 335 any day!
Just what i was looking for, dope vid man
your lessons are great man thanks so much
mind blown. Thank you. been watching joe walsh vid's trying to figure this is exact thing out. Thank you again. and I like how you use only your Will to levitate the guitar : ) ill be that good one day.
sbfarmer 8
XD XD XD
Awesome ! I found this extremely useful.
Hey great video but i have a question. What you playing at 4:00? That doesn't look like first position A minor pentatonic. You throw in a D# on the G string? Sounds great but could you explain how that works?
best youtube tutorial I've seen in a while! Thank you
AWESOME! Thanks for the PERTINENT tips...beautiful!
You've got some sick tone there bro!
Right? that sounded Really nice.
It is perfectly healthy
Great playing and explanations Claus!! Of course, have to watch a hundred times!! So, let me echo a previous comment of seeming less importance than your subject matter (which is awesome!) What stand are you using?? I play a bass on stage and it would be nice to have the guitar at the ready position (say, through a looper...) Thanks for the fine work!
awesome video! thanks for the education! I was watching your never run out of icks vid, and you shoot the six string like mg42. its amazing
I just dug the shit out of this . thank you so much.
Love your videos....Where/what is the stand you have for your guitar as I have a spine issue and wish to play still
Switching between fourth and third fingers is as you say "Natural", so it's something
I started using from the beginning. Funny how it's hard to explain, or reason why your
fingers do what they do when your almost on autopilot, or playing some Jimmy Paige
stuff, like Black Dog, and you have to re-train your fingers to do some moves that feel "Unnatural"
But, sounds great
i like the the way you explain , but it would more easier to follow with the Tab ( PdF ) you play ? would it be possible to have it ?
Very helpful, thank you so very much.
Great lesson and tone. What was your amp/setup---?
Very helpful. Thank you.
that was fun!
thank you for the video...
well then!
Thank you Mike
Have a great new year
What amp ??? nice tone
This is actually really good advice. It's not Orthodox but is effective changing hand shapes. I have done both modes but never really tried blending them. The classical method is speed metal. The other one is classic blues Rock. He is right that you need to hold the angles in order to get that bend. Eddie van halen or Randy.
Very nice tips - thank you! One suggestion: perhaps use a clean sound instead of super-saturated, as it helps the listener discern technique better than such smearing of the articulation.
This is how Petrucci plays. Question though, what is wrong with strengthening the pinky for bends?
Phenomenal lesson man! Thanks so much!
Wish you had a Strat here.. But thanks a million
can you make a video of the licks you play here? pretty dope B)
Excellent idea's.
Glad you like them!
The thing about the Pentatonic/blues is...you are prone to develop BAD habits like not utilizing your pinky so I believe for a beginner, it is really wise to start with the Ionian/Major scale then mix it with Pentatonic a bit
MANY A GUITARIST MADE MILLIONS NEVER USING PINKY JANGO ONLY TWO FINGERS ONLY TRUE BAD HABIT IS LETTING YOU GUITAR SIT UNPLAYED
Jerry Garcia chopped a finger off with an hatchet I believe, when he was a kid.
fred cook Look at guitarists like Buckethead, Ywngie Malmsteen, Petrucci. They get so much more speed in nuance through the pinky.
I agree about the pinky.
It's true you don't have to have it to play well, but I don't see the point in dismissing away 25% of your fingers.
Imagine what Django Reinhardt would have done if he had a pinky.
This is just what I have been looking for!!
how bout a little more slow mo teaching and less showing off??
What stand are you using? That can help my back!
excellent lesson
Great lesson!