August 2023 Challenge – Alan L

[Alan L]

For my lightbulb(s), I am sharing the idea to use triads as reference points/landmarks to navigate the fretboard. This challenge was a little intimidating as at first, it felt like I was trying to teach a guitar lesson. But once I looked at it like we are in a group class, and I was giving a presentation to classmates, it got easier. 🙂 I believe taking time to share concepts with others deepens our own understanding.

The one thing I didn’t mention in my video, was that the lightbulbs really came from the time spent analyzing the fretboard. Looking at a given shape and seeing what notes are being used. Almost more importantly, the scale degrees used. (Root, third, fifth.) The root is especially helpful, not only for reference, but for connecting licks. The scale degrees are helpful for chord progressions; e.g., if I know where the fifth is, I can easily build a triad off of that note for the V chord.

Here is my presentation:

It is worth noting that I am using some different triads than in Brian’s original lesson. I use a few playing strings 123. Brian’s examples are (I think) all on strings 234. They’re all the same chords/positions, just different segments of those larger chord patterns. Diagram to illustrate:
am-diagrams

Here is a video of me playing this lesson about a year ago. (I don’t think I ever shared this here?)

And finally, link to the OG lesson:

Combine the Pentatonic Scales with the CAGED System to play blues – Guitar Lesson EP356

Thanks for reading and listening!

[AndréM]

Great explanations.
Excellent playing.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Michael L]

Hey Alan, this is great! First, nice job learning the lesson and getting the take-aways. Next, thanks for the clear and thorough explanation. You’ve inspired me to look closer at that lesson and secure some of those licks.

[Manfred M]

Short, detailed and super helpful, Alan. You put some basic things in your contribution. Especially your second lightbulb is one i‘m preparing my lights for. Your video really have inspired me to tackle that now. Thanks for that, Alan.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup is expected to take place in November 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[JoeD1]

Very helpful indeed Alan. Thank you very much!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Marie Jarreau]

Alan,
Very good, clear explanations and what beautiful tone from your guitar!
Thoroughly enjoyable!

“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau

[Vincent K]

Hi Alan,

Very good explanation

Extremely helpful
Enjoyed the tone and your playing

Thanks

🎸 Vincent 🎶 🇳🇱

[JoLa]

Fantastic playing, Alan, really smooth and great sounding!
I do like your two lightbulb moments description on the triads, the way you reduced it to just 3 shapes but still understanding all 5 shape positions. And then the 1-4-5 progressions taking advantage of the neighboring chords. Yeah, that’s definitely a gem to know, a great mental fretboard exercise as well. Thanks for the demo, it was a nice reminder of Brian’s triad takeaways 🙂

🎸JoLa

[Mike W]

Nice submission Alan – there are many things that I can take from your explanation – which was very concise. Thank you.

[sunjamr]

Good explanation and demo, Alan. I totally agree with your conclusions. And here’s an interesting thing: Since I’ve been learning to play bass, I have learned that bass players also learn triads, but on the bass strings. So when I’m playing bass, I’m seeing the triads on strings 6, 5, 4 and 5, 4, 3. There’s another whole world out there.

Sunjamr Steve

[Bob Utberg]

Excellent presentation Alan! And, you took a Brian lesson and ran with it! That is what are Master wants and you nailed this concept of triads. Now you see stuff all over the neck you didn’t see before – brilliant! Well done! Bob

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Garry]

Hey Alan, we’re twins this month as I highlighted similar concepts using the same lesson EP356 and then performing the solo. Very well explained, demonstrated and performed. Keep on pickin’ and all the best! 🥸🎸🥸

[Richard G]

So well presented Alan, your demos were clear and concise. It’s always good if you can round it off with a rousing solo and you did just that, many thanks.

Richard

[Laurel C]

This is a popular Triad lesson that gets recommended on the forum for getting to know them. You did a great explanation and taking it a little further with the crossovers C and D and also G and A. Awesome rendition for the finale.

[James B]

I couldn’t agree more, Alan. Nicely presented and demonstrated.

James

[Martin W]

Very well presented, i agree hearing concepts from other members puts another spin on it . Those triads are wonderful little creatures !

Martin

[Paddyboy]

Nice Alan, love the triad lessons. You did a great job on both the explanation and performance. In addition I like to match up the corresponding major pentatonic scales to each of those triad shapes.
Check out MLO69
Rgds,
Paddyboy (Pat)

ALL IT TAKES TO WRITE A SONG IS........3 CHORDS AND THE TRUTH!

[Livio M]

Hi Alan
I believe that sharing one’s experiences and the effort to rationalize them gives awareness to those who do it, and confirms those who acknowledge having made similar observations. I find your confident and well-expressed execution very good.

Livio

[Richard W]

Nice explanation, Alan. A lot of people like to think of those C/D and G/A pairs as single “two-sided” shapes. Makes a lot of sense and actually helps connect things.

[Tom D]

Great lightbulb moments Alan. Thanks for sharing them. You know your subject and deliver your message well. And, as always, your playing is very enjoyable.

Cheers, Tom

[Mark T]

Nice presentation and explanation, Alan – I totally agree about the importance of Triads. I said in response to another submission, that I wished someone would have showed me this when I started learning guitar rather than me struggling with stretching my fingers for full cowboy chords before I played anything! I’m sure many people give up because they’re not having fun actually playing songs, when they could be if only they used Triads! 👍🎶

[David G]

Nice job explaining triads and 1-4-5’s. I couldn’t agree more on the usefulness of these shapes. I think we share some lightbulbs. Nice smooth and natural playing.

[Author]

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