Improvising Guitar Lessons
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4:33
Chord Scale Trick - Chord Qualities
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
In this tutorial I'll show you how I've taking the concept of chords scales literally to visualizing both chord and scale at the same time to help play through changes. Let's begin!
Chord Qualities are important to understand and map out before proc...
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2:18
Chord Scale Trick - Inversions
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
The inversions are fair play. Learn them thoroughly. The quicker you get at identifying them the better.
See the Maj7 Lydian Chart below!
Cmaj7 - C E G B
C7 - C E G Bb
Cmin7 - C Eb G Bb
See if you can apply these intervallic structures to the ch...
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1:08
Chord Scale Trick - Chords Playthrough
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Here are the chords we'll be using with the backing track...
Gmin7 - G - Bb - D - F (1 b3 5 b7) - Dorian G A Bb C D Eb F (G)
Emin7 - E - G - B - D (1b3 5 b7) - Dorian E F# G A B C# D (E)
EbMaj7 - Eb - G - Bb - D (1 3 5 7) - Lydian Eb F G A Bb C D ...
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4:27
Chord Scale Trick - Backing Track Rundown
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Here are the chords we'll be using with the backing track...
Gmin7 - G - Bb - D - F (1 b3 5 b7) - Dorian G A Bb C D Eb F (G)
Emin7 - E - G - B - D (1b3 5 b7) - Dorian E F# G A B C# D (E)
EbMaj7 - Eb - G - Bb - D (1 3 5 7) - Lydian Eb F G A Bb C D ...
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5:13
Chord Scale Trick - Greg Howe Playthrough
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Here are the chords we'll be using with the backing track...
Gmin7 - G - Bb - D - F (1 b3 5 b7) - Dorian G A Bb C D Eb F (G)
Emin7 - E - G - B - D (1b3 5 b7) - Dorian E F# G A B C# D (E)
EbMaj7 - Eb - G - Bb - D (1 3 5 7) - Lydian Eb F G A Bb C D ...
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4:11
Chord Scale Trick - Backing Track
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Enjoy the backing track!
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4:20
Metal Improv Series- Backing Track
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
METAL IMPROV
Discipline. Don't judge yourself. Only play what you feel yet keep it simple. This isn't a show of how good you are but how much you can hold back.
Go back and listen to my exaples and realize that I am playing at my best as far as imp...
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2:27
Metal Improv Series - Intro
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
I am not an improviser. However, I want to improve on it! In this tutorial, I want to give you an inside look on some of my own methods into perfecting this territory of music.
Let's begin...
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3:34
Metal Improv Series - Development
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
In my other tutorials on motifs, they present rhythmic ideas in which you can build any structure on, such as harmony or phrases. When you listen to my improvisation demonstration, you'll see that there's not much going on harmonically or rhyth...
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2:46
Metal Improv Series - Fretboard Knowledge
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
Half of the battle is knowing where to find the given notes on the fretboard. Most of us know box shapes and so on, and sometimes it's hard to escape them. However, they are needed and are often misused and abused.
"Misused" as in they are visualize...
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0:33
Metal Improv Series - Example No. 1
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
For once, I don't want you to transcribe this. Pay attention to the simplicity in the rhythm and or harmony.
A lot of players just shred over the backing track, startling their peers. But think of what sets players like Andy Timmons or Joe Satriani ...
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0:32
Metal Improv Series - Example No. 2
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
For once, I don't want you to transcribe this. Pay attention to the simplicity in the rhythm and or harmony.
A lot of players just shred over the backing track, startling their peers. But think of what sets players like Andy Timmons or Joe Satriani ...
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0:34
Metal Improv Series - Example No. 3
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
For once, I don't want you to transcribe this. Pay attention to the simplicity in the rhythm and or harmony.
A lot of players just shred over the backing track, startling their peers. But think of what sets players like Andy Timmons or Joe Satriani ...
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4:19
Metal Improv Series - Wrap Up
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Metal
So this has been me at my bare minimum, taking the time to create rather than ramble off. I can do that and most of you have seen me do this, but I'm looking to tap into a more lyrical depth within my playing.
Isn't it amazing how the next level to ...
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2:54
Line Integration - Intro
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
In this tutorial we're going to take some basic concepts of time feel and use them to improve both our technique and vocabulary when improvising.
To properly integrate a line you must know it inside and out. You must know your lines rhythmically and...
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4:44
Line Integration - Cycling Explanation
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
CYCLING:
The method here is to take any lick you like and breaking it down in a way in which you can play it non stop to a metronome or drum loop. Keep in mind I don't use metronomes to build speed alone. I make sure I'm playing in time, thus innate...
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0:28
Line Integration - Rock Cycle
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
CYCLING:
The method here is to take any lick you like and breaking it down in a way in which you can play it non stop to a metronome or drum loop. Keep in mind I don't use metronomes to build speed alone. I make sure I'm playing in time, thus innate...
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0:26
Line Integration - Fusion Cycle
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
CYCLING:
The method here is to take any lick you like and breaking it down in a way in which you can play it non stop to a metronome or drum loop. Keep in mind I don't use metronomes to build speed alone. I make sure I'm playing in time, thus innate...
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4:26
Line Integration - Meter Pivoting Explanation
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
METER PIVOTING:
Now here comes the fun part.
Pivoting on the meter is crucial and revealing of your understanding of time using the lick you are playing. Time is the only way to play anything, and any thing can be played in any time as long as you ...
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0:46
Line Integration - Rock Pivoting (Downbeat)
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
METER PIVOTING:
Now here comes the fun part.
Pivoting on the meter is crucial and revealing of your understanding of time using the lick you are playing. Time is the only way to play anything, and any thing can be played in any time as long as you ...
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0:45
Line Integration - Rock Pivoting (Offbeat)
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
METER PIVOTING:
Now here comes the fun part.
Pivoting on the meter is crucial and revealing of your understanding of time using the lick you are playing. Time is the only way to play anything, and any thing can be played in any time as long as you ...
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0:43
Line Integration - Fusion Pivoting (Downbeat)
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
METER PIVOTING:
Now here comes the fun part.
Pivoting on the meter is crucial and revealing of your understanding of time using the lick you are playing. Time is the only way to play anything, and any thing can be played in any time as long as you ...
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0:45
Line Integration - Fusion Pivoting (Offbeat)
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
METER PIVOTING:
Now here comes the fun part.
Pivoting on the meter is crucial and revealing of your understanding of time using the lick you are playing. Time is the only way to play anything, and any thing can be played in any time as long as you ...
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2:08
Line Integration - Backing Track
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Enjoy the backing track!
If you've worked hard at this you'll find your work is far from over. This is a discipline. If you want to become a professional who posesses his/her own sound, then you need to explore these methods everyday. I personally l...
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1:06
Line Integration - Wrap Up
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
If you've worked hard at this you'll find your work is far from over. This is a discipline. If you want to become a professional who posesses his/her own sound, then you need to explore these methods everyday. I personally love exploring time feel. T...
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3:44
Free
Improving Your Phrasing - Intro
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
This tutorial is about improving your phrasing. This is a very difficult topic for the following reasons:
1. Everyone has their own tastes
2. Everyone hears thing differently
3. Laziness
Let's focus on the third point on the list. I don't m...
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3:03
Free
Improving Your Phrasing - Explanation
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Listening is extremely important. Every slur, hammer-on, slide, vibrato you hear when learning a solo, LEARN IT. Most aspiring artists I meet take all their time learning how to shred like crazy but never learn the sound that is needed to draw the li...
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0:32
Free
Improving Your Phrasing - Demo No.1
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Solo #1. Note that I do not include any dynamic phrasing in the tab. If you download the Guitar Pro file, listen carefully to how plain the phrasing is in the tab compared to what I'm actually playing. If you are trying to improve your sound, write d...
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0:35
Free
Improving Your Phrasing - Demo No.2
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Solo #2. Note that I do not include any dynamic phrasing in the tab. If you download the Guitar Pro file, listen carefully to how plain the phrasing is in the tab compared to what I'm actually playing. If you are trying to improve your sound, write d...
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0:35
Free
Improving Your Phrasing - Demo No.3
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Solo #3. Note that I do not include any dynamic phrasing in the tab. If you download the Guitar Pro file, listen carefully to how plain the phrasing is in the tab compared to what I'm actually playing. If you are trying to improve your sound, write d...
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1:33
Free
Improving Your Phrasing - Backing Track
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Here we have the backing track where you can practice the 3 solos and variate your phrasing. Have fun and good luck!
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4:09
The Half Whole Diminished Scale - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Please enjoy this backing track to practice using the half whole diminished scale.
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3:34
Licking Up the Modes: Mixolydian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Country
Now, it's time to apply these licks and ideas to the backing track. Have fun!
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4:01
Licking Up the Modes: Lydian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now it's time to practice the licks to a backing track. Have fun!
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0:48
Soloing in the Style of Mike Stern: Solo
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Hi Guys!
For this tutorial I've done something a little different and gone with a bebop solo transcription.
The backing track you hear is actually a minor 24 bar blues:
i(1) Am - Am - Am - Am
Am - Am - Am - Am
iv(4) &...
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1:49
Soloing in the Style of Mike Stern: Breakdown Part 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
In part 1 of the break down I've focused mainly on three licks that happen within the first 12 bars of the solo.
#1. The first lick is a simple dissention down the A Dorian scale. The important thing to note here is the phrasing (including t...
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2:26
Soloing in the Style of Mike Stern: Breakdown Part 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
For part 2 of the break down we'll be covering two long licks that happen bars 16 - 30 (last 8 bars of the 1st time through the form, into the 1st 6 bars of the 2nd time through the form).
#1. The first lick is over the F7 to E7alt progressi...
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2:18
Soloing in the Style of Mike Stern: Breakdown Part 3
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Part 3 of the breakdown goes over the last 2 big/important riffs.
#1. Here is another lick that is intended to imply a tonicization of the IV(4) chord, Dm.
This time we take a different approach and play the A altered scale (Bb melodic mino...
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3:49
Soloing in the Style of Mike Stern: Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
I've included the chord progression as well as suggested scales.
Am - Am - Am - Am - Am - Am - Am - Am
A Dorian.
Over the last 1 or 2 bars you can use D Harmonic Minor or Bb Melodic Minor to lead to the Dm.
Dm - Dm - Dm - Dm
...
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2:23
Visualizing Modes Pt. II - Intro
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Breakdown
I'm going to use a segment from one of my original tunes called "Desperate Times".
Here are the chords / modes / intervals:
Dm9 / Dorian / 1-9-b3-11-5-13-b7
D7b9 / Mixolydian b9(b13) / 1-b9-3-11-5-b13-b7
Gm7 / Dorian / 1-9-b3...
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1:29
Visualizing Modes Pt. II - Root Connection Study
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
The key here is to be able to isolate the sound of the modes in your mind and then connect them throughout a harmonic progression on the fly.
Hint: Try isolating each chord via reording software or "iRehearse" so you can teach your brain how these d...
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0:57
Visualizing Modes Pt. II - "Desperate Times" Solo
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Like I said before I could not provide tablature for this. However, learning this solo is not the point.
Understanding how I'm stringing my lines together to display the color of the harmony is the thing to learn here.
Enjoy!
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2:47
Visualizing Modes Pt. II - Backing Track
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Here are the chords / modes / intervals:
Dm9 / Dorian / 1-9-b3-11-5-13-b7
D7b9 / Mixolydian b9(b13) / 1-b9-3-11-5-b13-b7
Gm7 / Dorian / 1-9-b3-11-5-13-b7
Ebmaj7 / Lydian / 1-2-3-#11-5-13-7
Gmaj7 / Lydian / 1-2-3-#11-5-13-7
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4:27
Visualizing Modes - Introduction
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Visualizing Modes For The Guitar
Overview
Welcome to this month’s tutorial! I want to talk a bit about a method of fretboard visualization that I’ve developed to get me away from using “box patterns” and other fretboar...
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6:03
Visualizing Modes - The Intervallic Approach
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Visualizing Modes
Intervallic Approach
[PDF Below]
-Arpeggio - 3 Positions
So first we map out the three arpeggio positions in “root position”
Position 1 – First Finger
Position 2 – Second Finger
Positio...
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6:02
Visualizing Modes - The Root Connection
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Root Connection Study
So here’s the graph! Go through it carefully from the ‘lowest’ point of the neck (3rd position) and work your way up, then down the neck.
Remember, this is no way to improvise. This is just to show you how ...
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5:23
Visualizing Modes - Visualizing Licks
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
In this video I discuss how to actually visualize the licks on the fretboard.
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4:48
Visualizing Modes - Learning The Other Modes
Instructor: Al Joseph
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Learning The Other Modes
How The Intervallic Approach is applied to other scales
USE YOUR EARS
The thing about modes is that you can’t assume you know a mode just because you know how to build one.
Quick example: You can’t becom...
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3:46
Free
Licks in the Style of Guthrie Govan: Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Have fun with the backing track guys. Practice hard!
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4:38
Tapping 7th Chord Arpeggios like Guthrie Govan: Backing
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Like I said this track may sound familiar since it has been used in several other of my tutorials but it fits since we're in C Major.
Enjoy! :)
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0:40
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Outro / Demonstration
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Alright guys! Have fun with these licks!
Remember to start slow and work your way up to speed. There's no rush!
Phrasing is key! :)
Until next time, farewell!
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4:37
Licking Up the Modes: Phrygian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This backing track is a C Phrygian vamp.
Chords are Cm7 - Dbmaj7#11 in a loop.
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1:34
Mystifying Your Rhythm - Part I
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Mystify Your Rhythm
PART I:
Hey fellow IGers! This month's lesson is kind of a throw back to an earlier tutorial of mine entitled "Creating Your Own Pulse". I wanted to approach something that tends to evade many people when approaching thr...
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2:31
Mystifying Your Rhythm - Part II
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
PART II:
Ex. 2 - "9 Within 3" - 1: So let's put this new feel to use. This lick is intended to be played over a 4/4 groove. If you'll notice, however, it's written in 3/4 first, and 4/4 second. The purpose for this is so that we can understa...
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1:22
Mystifying Your Rhythm - Part III
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
PART III:
So, in keeping with the "staying away from the index finger establishing the down beat" format, let's try "Ex. 4 - Back To The Basics"; a more stuccato, straight sixteenth approach. Here is a lick with a very defined beginning and ...
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4:38
Frank Gambale Sweep Idea: Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Like I said earlier, this backing track is the same one for "Licking Up the Modes: Ionian".
It works perfect for our Frank Gambale lick, seeing that all the arpeggios are diatonic to the key of C Major.
Have fun!
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0:45
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Lick Demonstration
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here is a demonstration of each lick with a little buit of improv involved. Adding simple bluesy endings to your licks can help to connect your ideas.
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4:15
Licking Up the Modes: Dorian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This backing track is a basic C dorian vamp. Practice each lick over this track and work on cennecting your ideas. A good way to do this is to have multiple ways of ending licks. Sometimes a few simple bluesy endings work well.
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4:38
Licking Up the Modes: Ionian - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here is the backing track. Enjoy and practice hard!
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2:36
Jazz Blues Etude - Solo Example
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
On to the soloing! This solo consists of several phrases. Some blues-y, some jazz-y. Note how the more jazz-influenced lines are mainly played around the II-Vs and the turnaround bars at the end of the form, while especially the first bit is more bas...
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1:49
Jazz Blues Etude - Backing
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Here's the F Blues Backing. Have fun!
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1:06
Country Mechanics - Jam Track
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Country
Now it's time to try out some of those licks! Have fun with the jam track!
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1:02
Robben Ford Style Blues - Solo Example
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
So let’s get started with the lead playing! I’ve come up with a blues chorus that features some typical licks for this type of playing. Most of these lines are based on both the major and minor blues scales. I switch back and forth even w...
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0:34
Free with Basic Membership
Blues Rock Etude - Introduction
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Hey IG!
This is the first installment of a three-part series on the good ol’ Blues. We’re going to take three steps, so each of the three tutorials will deal with a different type of blues, increasing in difficulty. This very tutorial is...
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1:09
Free with Basic Membership
Blues Rock Etude - Solo Example
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Now on to the lead playing! The lines in this solo etude are based around both the E major (nicer sound) and minor (dirtier, bluesier sound) blues scales. They lead you through several positions over the neck, use different type of rhythms as well as...
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1:21
Free with Basic Membership
Blues Rock Etude - Backing Track
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
This is the backing that fits both the rhythm part and the solo example.
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0:41
Nuno's Trick Bag - Performance
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Welcome to this "Lick-tutorial". Now, even though this was meant to be a lick-tutorial, you know me, I always press the need for real world applications and conceptual understanding of every little thing you learn! So, I felt I had to record these li...
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2:20
Nuno's Trick Bag - Lick Breakdowns
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Ok, time to break things down a bit. In the intro, I just groove along with the backing track organ line to get things grooving along.
Then comes the first lick, labelled (duh) Lick 1 in the tab. This lick is very much in the style of Bettencourt, a...
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0:40
Nuno's Trick Bag - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
And here's the backing, in all it's Garageband-ish glory =) Keep it groovy fellows, whatever the backing might be! I would like to say it is MANDATORY for all of you to go download all the tons of backing tracks attached to lessons throughout this si...
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0:27
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Concept
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hello IG,
In this tutorial we’ll be dealing with a substitution idea that should breathe new life into your playing over a certain chord vamp. I ran across this device upon transcribing Tim Miller’s solo on Janek Gwizdala’s song &l...
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0:20
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 1
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, time to get playing! This first example is really dry and not overly creative, but it is just the right thing to get the sound of this substitution into your ears. It also shows you a simple but effective way to resolve the F# triad back to the...
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0:45
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 2
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example 2 is a little bit more interestingly sequenced. Look at how the lick steps out of Cm into F#maj in bar 2, and is back “inside” on beat 1 of bar 3.
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0:22
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 3
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here’s a little twist I added myself. My initial idea was to add more notes to the F# triad without compromising too much of its distinct sound (like a scale would do), so I expanded the triad with the notes D#/Eb and G#/Ab giving us a F#maj or...
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0:12
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Example 4
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
And to round things off, here’s a nice little example combining the concepts discussed in this tutorial and my last tutorial, Eric Johnson Style Triads.
As always, be sure to ask anything that’s on your mind regarding this material. See ...
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2:09
Tim Miller Substitution Idea - Cm7 Vamp
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now it's time to practice these licks to the backing track. Have fun!
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1:44
Maroon Funk - Backing
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Funk
Here's a great backing to play over. Try improvising a solo, and if you feel comfortable, post some recordings in the forum. I personally enjoy backings that make me groove to the music. Hopefully you have fun jamming over this!
Key: C# Minor
Tempo...
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0:47
Lounge Solo - Demonstration
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Latin
This lesson is a latin feeling improvisation that utilizes notes from two easy sources: the G Major scale, and the D minor pentatonic scale. You will notice that it is in the key of G Major. The entire tab is included below to allow easy reading once...
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0:38
Lounge Solo Rhythm Chords
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Latin
The chords contained in the backing are:
G7M, C#sus4, C, C7M
Notice that the G note in the bass is held for most of the progression. Movement is minimal despite the tonal changes. Economy of movement is important in guitar playing. The...
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1:03
Lounge Solo Example 1
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Latin
In this example, be careful of bar 2 where there is a short burst of three notes. They are intentionally fast, passing notes to set up the G note on the first beat of bar 3. Remember also that ties carry note values across the bar lines, extending th...
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0:48
Lounge Solo Example 2
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Latin
If you have a tremolo bar on your guitar, now is the time to put it to work! This example uses it quite sparingly, but you can experiment with greater degrees of bending for a more 'outside' effect. If you aren't able to use a tremolo bar, you can ac...
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1:35
Lounge Solo Example 3
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Latin
Important note: the last 7 bars use the fingers of the right hand in place of the pick. Bar 2 can be a tricky transition, so practice transferring your pick to a comfortable place in your hand while you use your fingers.
In this section, ...
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1:52
Lounge Solo Backing Track
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Latin
This backing is in the key of G Major and is set to 120 BPM.
Have fun improvising!
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1:29
Exploring the Sixth - Backing (fast)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Here is the backing track at normal speed. If you need it slower, head on over to the next page.
Have fun!
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1:49
Exploring the Sixth - Backing (slow)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Here is the backing track slowed down.
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0:39
Rhythm Changes - Introduction
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Hello and welcome to my first IG tutorial! I'm really excited to share some of my knowledge and experience with you guys. So let's dig right in, shall we?
So this tutorial is about Rhythm Changes. No, that has nothing to do with odd meters :). Here&...
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1:08
Rhythm Changes - Solo Etude (Fast)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Alright, now the fun begins. It’s time to solo! Just like in the previous lesson the amount of chord changes might be a bit overwhelming at first. So what we’re going to do is increase our licks vocabulary by playing through this etude I ...
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1:20
Rhythm Changes - Solo Etude (Slow)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Here’s the same thing played slow. Note how different the time feel in this type of soloing is. This tempo will help you understand the fundamentals of swing in jazz soloing.
Now it’s your time to incorporate these licks into your own pl...
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2:25
Rhythm Changes - Backing Track (Fast)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Rhythm Changes backing track at 220bpm.
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3:58
Rhythm Changes - Backing Track (Slow)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Backing Track for Rhythm Changes at 134 bpm.
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1:33
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Intro
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Welcome guys, to a perhaps somewhat "out there" tutorial =)
What we will set out to do here is to open our ears and improvising up to the harmonic context of any chord of choice we might be laying over, be it generic pop or hard core fusion.
we wan...
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7:34
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Ok then. We begin our journey through these 4 chords with a simple Asus4! I've chosen this voicing because it sounds very "in-between", and can be easily tweaked to serve as a platform for both major and minor playing. It's best that you listen to th...
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5:22
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
The same thing applies here, listen to the video examples, and follow suit yourself over the backing. As I mention in the video though, certain chords, such as this one, might have a strong inclination towards a certain scale context, and thus force ...
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7:41
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Nothing differs here, you get the idea by now. This articular chord shares notes with both the A Whole-Half diminished, but also with A Lydian (the #4 and 7 in common apart from the root).
So try the A Lydian out as well!!
Oh, and since I do say "H...
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6:36
Perception vs. Harmonic Context in Fusion - Part 4 & Outro
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This is the last chord of the sequence, and when practicing over the Part 4. Backing, start out by playing the tried and true A Whole-Half diminished. Treat A as the root, or "home-base", but also try to play the same scale, but treating Ab as root. ...
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track for the first chord, the Asus4. Its just a vamp with the same chord for what will probably feel like an infinity :) But get grooving, and I'm sure you'll come up with some great stuff to play over it!
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here is the backing track for chord number 2. As we discussed in the video part, try both whole-half, and half-whole diminished scales over this (as well as perhaps whole-tone or what not).
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Over this third backing track, you might want to try out Lydian as well, since both the #4 and the 7 is present in this voicing.
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Backing #4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Over the fourth chord, the A half-whole diminished will fit like a glove! However, you might also want to try playing it as if Ab was the root, to "alter" your perception of "home base".
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3:12
Perception vs. Harmonic Context - Full Backing
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Ok! Time for the full backing track! I have chosen to keep the drums very, very basic. This because I want you to focus mainly on note choice and harmony here, and not on playing fast, or going with rhythmical variations against some fusion-type drum...
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2:46
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Minor Major 7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi there and welcome to part 2 of 'Playing over Changes'. This time we'll be dealing with melodic minor chords and their associated scale choices and also with motivic development over changes. For the purpose of this tutorial a small piece of inform...
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1:44
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Maj7#5 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Our next chord is very common in fusion and jazz music and has a very attractive but dark sound. It's called a Major7 #5 chord and is the III chord from the melodic minor scale.
The scale required to play over this chord is a Lydian Augmented scale ...
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2:52
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Lydian Dominant Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Our next chord type is dominant 7th chord with a sharpened 11th interval. This gives us a lydian dominant chord also known as the chord symbol 7#11. From the root note G this would give us G7#11 for example.
The scale associated with this chord is t...
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1:54
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Locrian Natural 9 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Our penultimate chord type is based on a min7b5 chord, also known as a locrian chord. The difference here is that the melodic minor version of this chord contains a natural 9 and is the 6th chord of melodic minor.
Since the chord would normally take...
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2:07
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Altered Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, our final chord type is named an altered dominant chords. If you've seen my other melodic minor tutorial you'll know that an altered dominant is a dominant chord that contains any of the following intervals in any combination, b5, #5, b9, #9.&n...
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2:51
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Motifs Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
One of the hardest things to do when playing over changes is phrase well through the chords. In order to do this successfully we need a few things in our playing bag of tricks. The first is an excellent fretboard knowledge. Without this you stand no ...
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2:47
Playing over Changes Pt 2 - Using Motifs
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, here's the video example with the accompanying transcription below. I'm playing over four chords. The sequence goes as follows.
A7sus4, Bb7#11, Dmaj7, C7#11 so two of these are melodic minor chords requiring lydian dominant scales.
Analyse th...
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1:37
Playing Over Changes Pt 2 - Motifs Closing Comments
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now, when using motifs to play through chord changes you must remember that this is only an exercise and were you to play a complete solo this way, with very little rhythmic variation, you'd ultimately end up sounding like an exercise. Therefore, use...
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1:44
Playing Over Changes Pt 2 - Anticipating the changes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the example of anticipating the changes.
The changes here are:-
Amaj7, Bb7alt, Dmaj7, C7sus4
Try playing over each chord a beat earlier than it actually comes in or even two beats. Very seasoned players can come in on a chord change up to a...
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3:20
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the first backing track using melodic minor chords.
The changes are:-
||: Am6 / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | F#m6 / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / :||
Use A melodic minor for Am6
Use F# melodic minor for F#m6
Try continuous scal...
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2:58
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's backing track number 2.
A mixture of major and melodic minor harmony.
The changes are:-
||: A7sus4 / / / | / / / / | Bb7#11 / / / | / / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | / / / / | C7#11 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A mixolydian for the A7sus4
Use Bb lydian ...
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2:34
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's backing track number 3.
The changes are as follows:-
||: Am7 / / / | / / / / | Bbmaj7#5 / / / | / / / / | D7sus4 / / / | / / / / | C7#11 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A Dorian over the Am7 chord
Use Bb Lydian Augmented over the Bbmaj7#5 chord
U...
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2:18
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 4
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here backing track number 4,
The changes are as follows:-
||: Amaj7 / / / | / / / / | Bb7alt / / / | / / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | / / / / | C7sus4 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A major/lydian over the Amaj7 chord
Use Bb superlocrian/altered over the Bb7alt ...
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3:17
Backing Track - Melodic Minor 5
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the final backing track.
The changes are as follows:-
||: AmMaj9 / / / | / / / / | Bbm7b5nat9 / / / | / / / / | Dmaj7#5 / / / | / / / / | Cmaj9 / / / | / / / / :||
Use A melodic minor over the AmMaj9 chord
Use Bb Locrian natural 9 over the...
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2:15
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi there guys! Welcome to this tutorial on 'Playing Over Changes'. This is the idea of playing or improvising over a series of chords that change key every bar or other bar. We aren't going to be dealing with diatonic or functional harmony progressio...
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1:53
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Modal Changes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
So throughout this tutorial I already mentioned that we'll be dealing with Modal Progressions which are non-functional. In other words, they don't outline one key centre as with functional progressions. Each chord is from a different key and requires...
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4:37
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - Major Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
When soloing over Major chords and their derivatives we have two scales to choose from. These are Ionian (our standard major scale) and the Lydian scale.
The Lydian Scale is what we'll call our 'Go To' scale for major chords when improvising in a mo...
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3:55
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - Minor Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
When soloing over minor chords and their derivatives we end up with three scale choices. These are our three minor modes - Dorian, Phrygian and Aeolian. As with major chords we have a 'Go To' scale choice that works best over the majority of modal pr...
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1:52
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - Dom 7th Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Dominant 7th chords and their derivitives use the mixolydian mode exclusively. We are only going to be dealing with un-altered dominant 7th chords in this tutorial. Any dominant 7th chords with altered extensions (b5, #5, b9, #9, #11) will be dealt w...
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1:37
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) Scale Choices - m7b5 Chord
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
It's fairly unusual to come across a minor7b5 chord in a modal context but when we do the scale that fits over it is the Locrian mode. It's more commonly found in a functional harmony context in a minor II-V progression which we'll cover when we look...
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3:10
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Continuous Scale Exercise
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
So, now you have the theoretical knowledge down of which scales to play when you see the relevant chord symbols in a modal context. Your next step is to develop your fretboard knowledge so that you can play these scales seamlessly, slipping into the ...
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3:37
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Expanding the Exercise
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
We're nearly there!
This is the easiest exercise to expand upon. Try some of the following:-
More chords of the same type (try the backing tracks with 4 chords)
More chords of different types (try the backing track with different chord types)
Try...
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3:09
Playing Over Changes (Part 1) - Final Comments
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
One final thing. Make sure that you try singing all these scale lines as you play them. It's so important to make the link between what your fingers are doing and what you hear. When playing over changes your most important tools are your ears as the...
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2:05
Backing Track 1 - Two minor7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Well here's the first backing track.
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the two chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gm7 / / / | Bbm7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 2 - Two 7sus4 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the two chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: G7sus4 / / / | Bb7sus4 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 3 - Two Major7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the two chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gmaj7 / / / | Bbmaj7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 4 - Four Minor7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gm7 / / / | Bm7 / / / | Dm7 / / / | F#m7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 5 - Four 7sus4 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: G7sus4 / / / | B7sus4 / / / | D7sus4 / / / | F#7sus4 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 6 - Four Major 7 Chords
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gmaj7 / / / | Bmaj7 / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | F#maj7 / / / :||
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2:05
Backing Track 7 - Changing Chord Type
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this final backing track we'll change chord types too.
Each chord lasts for one bar giving us the four chord sequence.
Try playing a continuous scale exercise over this for the whole track.
||: Gm7 / / / | B7sus4 / / / | Dmaj7 / / / | ...
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1:24
Playing Out - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi Guys and Gals!
Welcome to this months tutorial which is all based on 'outside' playing. Now I'm not suggesting that you all find a nice field somewhere and play in the fresh air. Rather the way in which fusion and jazz guitarists (and these days ...
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2:22
Playing Out - Using the 4th Bar
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
This first method is based on an idea I took from Greg Howe's playing and is a very 'open' and simple concept.
It's based on the idea that music is divided into simple phrases which are then combined into longer sentences. What Greg tends to do is t...
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2:30
Playing Out - Using the 4th bar (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
I've transcribed the first section of each improvisation leaving you some left to work out and transcribe yourself if you want to. Each transcription should give you an idea of the kind of phrases I play and their placement with in the bar.
Have a g...
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1:29
Playing Out - Side Stepping
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay, how did you get on with that then? Hopefully it was okay...
Our second method is really simple to understand and I'm going to call is 'side stepping'. This is a method which is tailor-made for guitarists as it's a very visual method of playing...
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1:56
Playing Out - Side Stepping (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the transcription for the first section of my improvised solo. I use Am Pentatonic and A Dorian throughout.
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1:33
Playing Out - Using Shapes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Using shapes refers to the idea that we can use material other than scales to play out. In order for an outside phrase to work, the listener simply needs something to latch on to. In this way we can use 'shapes' on the guitar which we can then sequen...
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1:32
Playing Out - Using Shapes (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
With this method I've written out the shapes I've used and their sequence method without the rest of the solo so that you can stick them into your own improvisations. Hopefully they'll spark your imagination so you can come up with your own shapes.
...
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2:21
Playing Out - Wholetone/Diminished
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Now, this method should really have a tutorial all of it's own but we'll leave that for the future.
For our outside playing in this example we'll be using two symmetrical scales - the wholetone and diminished scale. The whole tone scale is construct...
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1:34
Playing Out - Wholetone/Diminished (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this example video I use A Dorian for my inside playing and A Wholetone and A diminshed for my outside playing. I've included the scales for your convenience too. I also sneaked in an A# diminished line at the end.
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2:21
Playing Out - Anything Goes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
The final method we'll use for playing out relies on the following idea,
"Anything will work if you play it fast enough!"
This may sound like a bit of a cop out but in fact it's a very effective method for creating tension and release. There are a ...
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2:09
Playing Out - Anything Goes (Example)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Haha! This isn't my best playing ever but presents some interesting ideas about just how out you can go when you're shredding. I think this is an idea you should use sparingly if possible - it gets a bit much as in this video! However, as a tension a...
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3:02
Playing Outside - Aminor7 Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track outlining an Am7 chord throughout. The 4th bar has a drum fill in and this is the one you want to use primarily for your outside playing!
Good luck and remember to concentrate on your phrasing and just go for it!
See you ne...
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4:11
Funky Fusion Song - Chasing a Beat - Performance
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi guys!
It's nearly Easter and winter is pretty much gone, so it's time for some funky sounds to prepare for the warmer weather!
This tutorial is a song of mine from my upcoming album due to be released this year. It's a fusion number with some pr...
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Funky Fusion Song - Solo Section
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay - onto the tricky bit! My solo was totally improvised over the backing track and I'd like you guys to do the same! If there are enough requests I will transcribe the solo, however, two things spring to mind here. You'll learn a lot more by eithe...
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4:21
Funky Fusion Song - Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the full backing track. Good luck improvising over the changes!
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5:41
Funky Fusion Song - Backing Track Slow
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's the backing track slowed down. Good luck improvising over the changes!
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3:20
Funky Fusion Song - Backing Track Solo Section Loop
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Here's a backing track containing an extended solo section to practice improvising over.
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2:40
Melodic Minor Scales - Example Improvisation 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
In this improvisation, I'm soloing over just two chords. Remember, it's very common to combine a major scale with the melodic minor scale built from it's 4th degree.
The first chord is Eb Major and the second is Abm6 which is equivalent to our Abm&#...
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4:43
Melodic Minor Scales - Example Improvisation 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
This improvisation combines chords from a few different scales but is primarily in the key of Cm (the relative minor of Eb major). It features a descending bass line progression with some really nice harmony going on.
We start with a Cm chord which ...
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4:20
Melodic Minor Scales - Example Improvisation 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
This final example is a bit more up tempo to give you a bit more of a soloing challenge!
Again we're in the key of Eb major but we have a new melodic minor source this time.
We start with two bars of Eb major and then get two bars of Cm6 in bars 3 ...
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2:56
Melodic Minor Scales - Backing Track 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Just two chords!
Ebmajor followed by Abm6.
Use Eb major or Eb lydian for the Eb chord and Ab melodic minor for the Ab chord.
Good luck!
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5:21
Melodic Minor Scales - Backing Track 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Good Luck!
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4:29
Melodic Minor Scales - Backing Track 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Good Luck!
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Fusion Song - Sleeper - Improvisation Section
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
So now onto the improvisation section. On the video I improvise a pretty simple solo over this part of the tune. The main things to think about are the time signature and the harmony/chord changes. For the first 8 bars we're improvising in 5/8 and al...
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3:37
Fusion Song - Sleeper - Backing Track (slow)
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Hi guys! I've had some requests for a slower version of this backing track to practice with so here it is! I hope this is useful. See you in the next tutorial! Tom
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2:52
Dividing Rhythm - Major/Minor Soloing Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Grettings Guitar Slingers!!
In this tutorial we will use the final example, 7b, from my Muting Techniques tutorial.
As you recall, this example alternated between major and minor in every bar. The first bar isn't really major or minor, since no thi...
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0:41
Dividing Rhythm - Solo
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Alright then! Here we have the actual solo. If you feel like it, you could of course learn this right of, and then head on to the backing track to practice it. However, I highly recommend you go through the analysis part and the videos, since this w...
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2:04
Dividing Rhythm - Analysis Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
In this first part, we will look into just the first 3 bars. Here I use artificial harmonics to produce my chosen notes. If you look closer at the very first note of this part, you will see that even though I'm fretting a B at the 4th fret on the G-s...
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2:25
Dividing Rhythm - Analysis Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
In the next couple of bars we start out pretty straight forward. I go down the Dorian in bar 9, and end up in Mixolydian pentatonic in bar 10.
After that however, some technically interesting things comes into play. In bar 12, I using a legato run i...
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3:43
Dividing Rhythm - Analysis Part 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Alright then, 3rd part of the analysis!
This part begins with the bend I held in the previous bar, I release this bend landing back on the D# on the first beat of the bar. This bar is over the major part of the riff, and what I’m doing here is...
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0:47
Dividing Rhythm - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
And finally, here is the backing track for you to sink your teeth into! Get to work, and see you in my next tutorial!
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0:46
'Use the Blues' - Solo
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Hey people!
In this lesson I'd like to discuss basic 12 bar blues improvisation. Although this element of music is taught all over the world and has been for quite some time, I feel that a lot of players can overlook the solid foundation that blues ...
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1:55
'Use the Blues' - breakdown
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
OK, lets take a look at the solo!
Actually, before we look at the solo, the first thing you'll want to do is familiarise yourself with the chords marked in the notation below. We have:
G7 - C7 - D7
These chords form the I - IV - V of a major key w...
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3:37
'Use the Blues' - Backing Track
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Have fun with the backing track and try to take what you have learned within this lesson and create your own lines. Be creative!
Best of luck!
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8:34
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Welcome guitar slingers!
The goal of the Timing and Note Value Alteration tutorial is to expand your improvisational and musical abilities drastically. When you apply these concepts, I can guarantee you that you improvisational skills in all styles ...
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2:30
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 1a-b
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Very well then! Let's begin shall we?
The first thing I will tell you is the no.1 commandment of timing practice! ALWAYS STOMP YOUR FOOT TO THE BEAT!
This is extremely important to help in internalizing your feel for various note values. And NO, sa...
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2:51
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 2a-c
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
So, on we go. Now that we have some major note values down, we can start exploring the possibilities of note value alteration. The first concept we will dive headlong into is to take any idea, and alternate the note values with which we play it. That...
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3:09
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 3a-c
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Now it’s time for some real excitement people! Let’s look into the concept of Rhythmic Superimposition shall we? Do you remember me ranting about Scale Superimposition in my Pentatonic Finder tutorial? Well, this is sort of the same, bu...
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2:01
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 3d-e
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Did you make it through? Warmed up yet are we? Sweet, let’s continue. One thing that most people don’t think about is that this concept is every bit as useful when it comes to riffing and rhythm guitar playing! Let’s take a look at ...
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1:58
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Okay then, let's dive head first into example 4. What I've done here is I've taken the rhythmic figure from example 3a, and used it in improvisation. What you see below and in the video is me improvising over a drumbeat, and whatever I play, I hold t...
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2:11
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Part 5 Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Ok, time to break out that tapping finger! Before cutting into this one, look at this video and the next one as I explain my view of, and approach to tapping. This could help you immensely when attempting these things, and especially when later on im...
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3:28
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Part 5 Tapping Intro
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
In this part, I discuss my approach to tapping more in-depth, and exemplify the technique I use. What I tend to do, is to tap upwards instead of downwards for several reasons. I find it more comfortable, and I see tapping as being right hand hammer-o...
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1:16
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 5a-c
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
First off, we have example 5a, where I have taken an E min pentatonic tapping lick (actually not strictly E pentatonic, since I’m starting off with F#, which is the major 2nd). Follow the advice given in the video about how to play it, and then...
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4:25
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 5d
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Then we come on to example 5d. Here I’m using Ninetuplets (nine-what now?). This might look intimidating at first glance, but is actually not much harder to play than triplets, same feel almost, just faster. This is a note value that is not oft...
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2:32
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 5e-h
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Next up is example 5e. This is another pentatonic tapping idea that I personally use a lot. You can see these types of thing in a real musical context in my Super Continental song tutorial.
Same idea here in example 5f, but using straight sixteen ...
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2:06
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 6a
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Here we are, the final section!
What I will do here is similar to what I did in example 4. I will take the rhythm from one idea, and superimpose that over everything I improvise. So to begin with, here is example 6a, where you can see the same idea ...
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3:16
Timing and Note Value Alteration - Example 6b
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
And we're at the finish line!! Time for the outro impro. Here I have improvised with tapping over a drum beat, but kept the rhythm from example 6a, regardless of what I play. Try it on, analyze it and make it your own.
After you have nailed this one...
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1:51
Expand Your Improvisation - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Greetings Guitarslingers!
Welcome to my tutorial on Line Alteration!
As is mentioned in the video, the goal of this tutorial is for you to understand the concept of line alteration, not just to learn the licks and improvisations transcribed herein....
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1:28
Expand Your Improvisation - The 5 Positions
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this first part, we will take a look at the original line we will work with in this tutorial. This idea is in G min pentatonic, with the added b5 (Db), turning this into a G Blues Scale.
We will play this idea with 5 different fingerings, found i...
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0:54
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okey, time for example #1!
In this example, using the fingering from the 1st position, it feels natural for me to expand and vary this idea with a more traditional blues/funk approach. The result is example #1. You can see that this idea only contai...
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1:34
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #2.
In this example I take a different approach, both harmonically and rhythmically. I begin by playing the line close to the original, but then start adding rests, and going into a G min9 arpeggio, broken up into a sequence. After this I go...
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0:49
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #3.
This example has, like the previous, more of a jazz/fusion feel to it. However, this has a more linear approach, and is strictly played using triplets.
You should ultimately be able to play any line in any note value, and never settle d...
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1:00
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #4.
This example uses a more arpeggio based idea, and also utilizes the handy concept of moving an idea up a half-step. This is frequently used by all the best jazz and fusion players out there, and is an excellent way to approach outside pl...
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0:57
Expand Your Improvisation - Example 5
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Example #5.
Finally, we have example #5, which is a simple chromatic idea, moving you from the 5th position down to the 4th. Chromatics is another great way of tying together your outside playing, and making it more interesting. However, as stated e...
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1:57
Expand Your Improvisation - Outro Improvisation
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
In this final stop, I will attempt to tie it all together for you. I have improvised a solo over a funk/fusion backing in G min (with some heavy alteration going on harmonically).
Look through the video, and then start working on the transcription. ...
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0:58
Expand Your Improvisation - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Fusion
Okay Guitar Slingers!
Here is the backing track for you to jam along with. I suggest you start out by going through the transcribed solo, and pick and choose what you liek best there. Then record something of your own over it, and post in the IG for...
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1:00
Rhythm Changes - Solo
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Hello! and welcome to the Rhythm Changes. This tutorial will have two ends to it. Right now we are just going to learn a 32 bar solo. The solo will be broken up into two 16 bar segments for you to work on.
Then I'll introduce you to the chord progr...
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0:49
What Is This Thing Called Love? - Solo
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
What Is This Thing Called Love?
A classic tune by the great composer, Cole Porter.
In this video I will play a 32 bar solo through the chord changes to this song.
Provided below is the tab if you want to get stuck into it right away. Click on the ...
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2:37
What Is This Thing Called Love? - Breakdown
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Hello again.
Hopefully this video will give you a better chance to observe the fingerings I have used throughout the solo.
Early on in the tune I used some chord fragments in the solo. These were Inversions of Fm6 / Dm7b5. These two chords are actu...
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4:09
What Is This Thing Called Love? - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Have fun with the backing track!
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2:07
Funk 101 - Funk Soloing: Bonus Round 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Funk
Bonus Round #1
The most essential things when soloing over funk music is timing and the ability to play with and against the beat/rhythm.
In this first example, I have taken the A minor pentatonic scale and played it straight through, sort of like ...
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1:20
Funk 101 - Funk Soloing: Bonus Round 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Funk
Bonus Round #2
As with regular blues and rock playing, many songs are constructed using dominant 7th chords, which in effect means we should be playing a major scale (Mixolydian to be exact). However, in most blues and funk, it's not exactly the sam...
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1:07
Funk 101 - Funk Soloing: Bonus Round 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Funk
Bonus Round #3
This example takes the exact same approach to playing with and against the beat, but in the form of a more traditional blues “lick”. Try it out, and think of how you can apply this to your own licks.
And above all, feel t...
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2:05
Funk 101 - Funk Soloing: Bonus Round 4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Funk
Bonus Round #4
This final example has the same rhythmic approach as the previous examples, but has a more advanced and “realistic” harmonic approach. In the first bar, I begin by using the Mixo-penta scale from Bonus Round 2. But in the ...
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1:06
Funk 101 - Backing Track: Bonus Rounds 1-3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Funk
Here is the backing track for Bonus Rounds 1 through 3. Now it's time to apply the ideas and concepts that we've learned. Try playing the exact exercises that we learned in the previous lessons, but also try out your own ideas as well. The rhythm gui...
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1:06
Funk 101 - Backing Track: Bonus Round 4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Funk
Here is the backing track for Bonus Round 4. Now it's time to apply the ideas and concepts that we've learned. Try playing the exact exercises that we learned in the previous lessons, but also try out your own ideas as well. The rhythm guitar is incl...
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0:52
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Full Video
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Yo! and welcome to my latest tutorial this time focusing on the style and techniques of the amazing UK guitarist Guthrie Govan.
This lesson was created with inspiration from the following:
Blues Jam Tracks Cornford Records
I first came across G...
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2:20
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Section 1
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
OK let's nail this solo!
One of the most important aspects of this first section is the string bending and control of intonation. You must practice with the aim of getting perfect intonation and complete control over your manipulation over the strin...
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1:27
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Section 2
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Ok let's continue!
Notice how the motifs start developing here. Including motivic development within this solo was a vital part of capturing the style of Guthrie's playing. If you analyse any of his solos, the majority of which I feel are improvised...
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2:52
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Section 3
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Lets continue further into the world of Mr Govan!
Again the use of motivic development occurs here in a sequential chromatic pattern which ascends on the top e string by step. With these legato patterns try to keep as light a touch as possible as th...
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2:10
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Section 4
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
OK, the legato madness continues to greater heights!
This section is where the solo reaches its dynamic peak in the tapped string skipped arpeggio again commonly used by Mr Govan!
At this point I'd like to comment on uhe use of string damping tools...
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1:48
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Section 5
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Hang in there guys we're almost there!
This final section includes a very often used 'Guthrie-ism' in the final string skipped tapping lick.
The actual pattern is based on the pentatonic scale and the beauty of this kind of pattern is that once you...
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0:18
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Lick 1
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Alrighty, let's kick off the proceedings with the first lick.
Guthrie tends to use this kind of idea within his improvisations with great effect. I really like that kind of unexpected burst of notes and to achieve the same effect, it is very importa...
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0:48
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Lick 2
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
OK, time to take a deep breath as this one is a challenge!
I try to see this whole pattern as one entire lick rather than segments pieced together. Of course, it will be necessary to subdivide the parts so that you can put them together when you are...
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0:17
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Lick 3
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Advanced
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
This final Lick is very reminiscent of Guthrie's style of playing and is one that he uses on a regular basis.
It is made easier by the fact that the shapes used on each successive string are exactly the same. The lick will test your ability to shift...
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2:11
'In the style of' Guthrie Govan - Backing Track
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Crazy!
Topic: Improvising
Style: Rock
Here's the backing track for you. Once you feel that you have nailed every lick of the solo, try it at full tempo along with the backing track. Be sure to post any recordings, be it audio or video, for everyone at the forums to check out. Good luck!
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Pentatonic Finder - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Welcome guitar slingers!
The goal of the ”Pentatonic Finder” tutorial is for you to be able to improvise freely across any key changes, anywhere on the neck, and learn how to conceptually visualize scales and keys, and using scale superi...
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Pentatonic Finder - Part 1, A to D
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
So, to start off with, we need a chord progression to play over that changes keys. For arguments sake let’s say the progression is A7, D9, C9, G7. Remember, we want to treat this chord change as 4 separate keys, not all part of the same key of ...
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Pentatonic Finder - Part 2, D to C
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Next, we will look at the next change in the progression, which will be from D9 to C9. We were in the 4th box of the Dmin Blues Scale, so which box must we utilize to keep ourselves within the 4-9 fret area? Right you are, the 5th box in C it is!
...
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Pentatonic Finder - Part 3, C to G
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Well, you know the drill by now. Time for the change between C and G. Here’s the correct box in G, which will be the 2nd.
And here’s C superimposed by G.
Turn the page for the final change!
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Pentatonic Finder - Part 4, G to A
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
And finally, here’s the change between G7 and A7. You already know that the 1st box of A is what goes, so without further ado, here’s G superimposed by A
Now turn that page!
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Pentatonic Finder - Part 5, Then what?
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Any Style
Now that you have that down, it’s time to take it to the next level. You should now start practicing this method, choosing new areas of the neck to cover. Say you choose to cover the area of 10-15th fret. If we are in the same progression, A, D...
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2:33
Improvisation 'The II-V-I' - Introduction
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
In this tutorial, I hope to enlighten you somewhat in the ways of improvisation. Particularly on the subject of outlining chords. We will be having a look at several short musical phrases and analyzing them in context to the use of what are commonly ...
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3:08
Improvisation 'The II-V-I' - Guide Tones
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Before we start learning to play some lines and understanding what makes them tick, it is important we understand the concept of guide tones.
A good improviser will always be able to 'outline' the chord progression he/she is playing through. In our ...
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1:17
Improvisation 'The II-V-I' - Guide Tone Lines pt.1
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Guide Tones. Part 1
This lesson will contain a lot more discussion about chord tones used than the following, so be sure to read carefully. If there is anything you don't understand please join me in the forums. Let's get right into understanding ...
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1:06
Improvisation 'The II-V-I' - Guide Tone Lines pt.2
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Guide Tones part 2
Welcome!
This lesson has two separate phrases but are all played as one long passage. The Chord voicings used are also tabbed for you, not the rhythms though. I will leave that part of it for you to work out by ear if you wish.
...
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1:04
Improvisation 'The II-V-I' - Guide Tone Lines pt.3
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
Guide Lines part 3
Before you do anything with this lesson, I want you to just listen to the first half of the video. It is a 16 bar phrase over our II-V-I progression. The chords progression is simply repeated as such, Am7 D7 Gmaj7 Gmaj7 Am7 D7 Gma...
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1:17
Improvisation 'The II-V-I' - Getting a Better Understanding
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Jazz
It's time to open the fretboard up! This lesson will hopefully help you visualize each of the chord/scale relationships over the fretboard a bit easier.
All of these exercises are built on the II-V-I progression just as we have been working on them ...
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