Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to improvise rhythm while in a minor key by playing through the minor chord progression triads and using notes from the minor pentatonic scale as fill licks.
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dojokat says
I like it…………………keep it coming…………….From where I’m sitting, rhythm is where its at! My two cents……
Daniel O says
Love it Brian. Such consistent quality. i also love your rhythm insights. You’re a legend.
Jimmey M says
Please add a repeat button to all tracks that would be helpful if it stopped when I wanted it too. Thanks
Anton D says
Bit disappointing. Sorry!
Brian says
in what way? can you be more specific?
Dallas P says
How do I get started
Daniel O says
Sometimes it takes a while for the quality of brilliant music to sink in. I remember being disappointed in songs on new albums by artists I like and then after a few more listens I realise it fecking amazing and I was waay offf on my first impression
James D says
Anton, with all due respect, my perspective is 180 degrees opposite. Enjoyed the music and the narrative Brian provided. Learned a lot here. Loved it when he said, “It sounds good, but WHY does it sound good?” Incredibly insightful. I learn so much here. Anton, we are all in different places, but this lesson is helping me grow.
Scott N says
Is it just me, or is your playing getting jazzier with time?
Brian says
ya think? man i sure hope so!
Rob B says
Another great lesson. Helps me forget about a rough week at work. really like that little lick you keep going back to, it’s so simple but adds so much to the piece
Ian M says
Good straightforward lesson that helps put things together. I like how you mention that we have a choice of scales/modes to play. lol you once said that you don’t like modes. Who doesn’t like the Dorian mode. Santana lives there. 🙂
Michael Allen says
More of what I need. thanks Brian!
Anthony L says
amazing how much useful information can be made to sound so musical…. many thanks!
richard p says
I love this. It’s perfect. I love the way you tie everything together. And, with this one I can really concentrate on FEELING the timing… I really struggle with that. Your teaching is great. I feel like you’re reading my mind… anticipating my questions perfectly. And, I’m following everything you’re explaining. Very cool.
Thomas W says
Great lesson — this ties in quite nicely with some of your previous lessons, such as “How to Use Modes” (374 & 375). Also it shows me how to add some nice coloring when playing rhythm guitar.
John B says
Oh I love this lesson. I’ve been waiting for more of this. Thank you Brian!!!!!
RNArizona says
This really hit the spot. A number of light bulbs went off for me tonight. I’m continually amazed at how many different styles you really excel at, and how much you have broadened my musical horizons.
itaylor says
I think this lesson is excellent. So much there I can use. The change using the F and G works great. Please keep the rhythm lessons coming.
San Luis Rey says
Just a wonderful lesson Brian! I love the minor keys and this helps put a rhythm together using chord shapes all over the neck with some sweet fills. This is opening up some doors for me.
THANKS!
Theodore J says
Nice lesson Brian, very helpful. Thank you.
Steven B says
Lessons like this are what keeps me advancing. Really learning and starting to see options, not just learning the weekly lesson by rote. I love that i am improving by using your approach to learning. Please continue!
Lefteris B says
Brian, this is a wonderful lesson and a very useful, too. You’ ve answered a lot of my questions and you made it look easy. But I have one more question. What is the chord prograssion in a minor key? Thanks.
Brian says
minor, diminished, major, minor, minor, major, major – the natural minor scale is the same as Aeolian mode – which is the 6th interval on the major scale… so you can see that the structure is the same as the major scale.. it just starts on the 6th
Glenn W says
Pulls a lot of stuff together. Another great lesson.
David B says
Hi.
Nice lesson again, I’m on it …..
have the advantage that the lick explained in 7:20 is already in my pocket…. iI take it from another lesson 😉
best regards.
David B.
Mirabel S says
Hi Brian,
The lessons just get better, week after week. Thank you so much.
Myra.
Ralph P. says
Nice lesson Brian. I seem to gravitate to minor keys when I’m just messing around because minor keys are easier on the brain. I especially liked the sliding harmonized 4ths “Japanese ” licks. My only complaint about this lesson is that it’s just dying to go to E7th#9! I kept waiting for it, and it never showed up LOL. I’ll have to add it in myself!
Anton D says
“in what way? can you be more specific?”
Sorry to have introduced the only sour note into the comments section., Brian. I withdraw my comment.
Brian says
No, it’s ok to be disappointed – I know not everyone is going to like everything. I’m just trying to understand how it was disappointing so that I can take a look and maybe improve something.
JohnStrat says
Anton I have thought I m not keen on the sound of that one from time to time and it’s obviously going to apply to us all intermittently. But as has been said often things can often times grow on you which can be a surprise.
The value in the theory revealed in the lesson is a separate consideration. Here is something of fundament importance for us all and so like it or not I think it will empower your knowledge if you are not fully aware of it currently. If it reveals something new why not have a crack at it and then reflect on the teaching it might just turn on a light bulb that you had not discovered.
If you are already hand on heart fully upsides with the principles maybe you will have to review an earlier lesson or two for this week. Learning many times involves a chore or two.
JohnStrat
nostril says
Well done Brian!Great lesson like the way you tied it back to your previous.
Thanks
peter v says
usefull lesson Brian.
As I understand your teaching: in one aspect you try to make
things simpel,easy to handle without making it boring. So works it for me.
To Anton I must say that it is quite normal not to like everything.What counts is the whole thing, the progress.
Go ahead Brian , for me you are a good teacher ,altough I dont like everything.Then I change that in the way you showed me somewhere else.It brings me a lot.
jimbostrat says
Somebody sure loves their new (old!) Tele!! Jim C.
JohnStrat says
Jim looks like a nice one to me, so why not!
charjo says
Not disappointing at all, Brian. At first blush it seems simple but, aside from the voicings, the syncopation is quite complicated and that’s what makes it so amazing. I would be very happy if you continue the rhythm ideas, especially with a concentration on syncopation, stabs and muting.
John
JohnStrat says
John I am entirely with you there is good depth for us here which can add the shine.
JohnStrat
Jim M says
I’m going to be vamping all over the place. You are shaping my style Brian….
Raymond P says
Great rhythm lesson with some great insights on how to use the minor key shapes.
Thanks
Ray P
brian b says
I now understand why Moondance works! Nice lesson!
obie123 says
Great lesson love it when I can actually learn and understand. One simple thing I still don’t quite understand is….I know the major scale is wwhwwwh and what is major and minor but how does the minor scale work? Is there a lesson on that. Thanks
Brian says
There are – but in some of the older lessons (old format). I’ll make a note to do a new one on the minor scale
obie123 says
Thank you
Ted R says
Now you’ve done it. For a very long time I have played that chord progression using the Am shape on the first fret then slide up to the third fret then to the A shape on the fifth fret. I would play that over and over but I never could figure out where to go from there. This lesson has shown me that I was on the right track. Thanks for getting me unstuck.
Martin A says
Brian, I cannot thank you enough, i have learned more in two weeks from you than i have in the last two years using another well known guitar learning platform. Suddenly pennys are starting to drop and this is consolidating things for me.
Randy H says
For those who may be disappointed, you need to look on the other side of the coin. There’s always something to be LEARNED from all lessons. We all learn at a different pace, but music is music and the more you can understand the theory the easier it gets. I have learned soo much from these lessons and may not LOVE everyone, but I get something from all of them. I love the way Brain has presented this lesson as being in the key of Am and then slides in Oh, by the way this is A Dorian Mode. Little pieces of the puzzle that are starting to come together to make the BIG PICTURE.
Thanks again Brian for all of your information to progress down the road.
Randy
Buzzy G says
Thanks Brian! I finally subscribed about a month ago. So many of your lessons are spot-on with what I want to progress to in my playing; especially moving around the neck combining fills with solid non-boring rhythm. And your style of teaching highlights these gems (skills) in the context of a song or progression, which allows the student to readily apply them to real playing situations. Another Great Lesson!
Barrie E says
FIrst of all, I have nothing but praise for your lessons! Even though I have musical training, I still get a little confused and I may be wrong about this. The chord (triad) progression in Am is
Minor (ACE) , i.e. m-M interval)then, Diminished (BDF i.e. m-m interval ) if you go to a B minor chord, you are actually playing an F# and the F# is not in the natural Am key. I know its just a (minor ha-ha)theory point. I think this is where the Dorian comes in, as you mentioned. Do you agree or have I got this wrong?
Vernon says
I wasn’t too thrilled with the lesson on dissonance—at first. I played it and kept an open mind. Now I love it and even understand how dissonance works. The bonus was my wife and son telling me they liked what I was playing and that they enjoyed it. Now I keep playing it over and over. I love it. I suggest giving a piece a chance. Wait, that sounds like John Lennon……By the way, IMO, this has a Doors sound to it. Interesting.
Steven B says
Its Dorian, not Doorian. That is my attempt at a joke.
E Minor 7th says
Another very useful lesson.
Suggestion: You often reference previous lessons that support or explain things that are relevant. Why not put links to them in the lesson description or in a reference links section?
Buster89 says
Am not sure if I got that right but I sort of figured that C and D could also be interpreted as Am7 and Bm7 ? Great lesson. Am trying to play them now without listening to the explanation first , just to see how far I can go in figuring out the whole piece. This was a good lesson for that. Will try to go through future lessons using that approach a bit more.
Laurel C says
Every week is a learning adventure with a lesson objective and an insightful musical arrangement. Some more chord shapes in different positions to think about from the minor key scale and to add to the toolbox. Easy to follow building blocks and the ambience of the arrangement sounds great. Trying to replicate the rhythm practically is challenging but then this is why it makes these chordal progressions so sophisticated. To be able to improvise rhythm like this is inspiring. Will take the oriental demo as a takeaway also.
Barrie E says
Brian,
Further to my last comment, I have been thinking more about theory. There is both the harmonic minor and the melodic minor scales. The A harmonic minor contains all the notes of the relative major (C) without sharps, whereas in the melodic minor, the F and G are sharpened. Interestingly, whereas the melodic minor scale creates a true B minor triad, the next triad in the progression (CEG#) is actually an augmented triad (M-M). Perhaps I am thinking too much and I should just listen to your excellent compositions with chord sequences that work!
William C says
Brian, is it just me or do I really hear Allman Bros. in this rhyhtm progression? Really love it and this really helps with how to fill out the rhythm sound.
kdcmarsh says
Brian- You have really expanded my fretboard horizons by looking and understanding chords as being parts of the larger chord shape. But on your discussion of the F (using C shape on 5
JohnStrat says
I took a moment on that one because I think Brian says bar the first 4 strings and so one is thinking root 5 minor shape but listen a little more and it’s play the 4,3,2. Not the high A note and there is the difference
kdcmarsh says
Oops …can’t find the edit on comment…anyway. On your discussion of F chord using C shape on 5th. I tend to look at that as a partial Dm7. I am sure it is my lack of understanding of music theory but how should someone not get it confused?
eames28 says
love this lesson …I am a novice and this lesson really helped me learn how to use chords up and down the neck. Just wish the tabs had more labels on the chords.
like in the beginning you teach how to go from the am to the bm and back but only the A is in the tabs. Thanks
Jean Jacques P says
Thanks Brian,
always brillant, inventive, well sounding with a lot of pedagogy
I’never leave a reply since I subscribe
but all the stuff you give along the weeks to us makes me progress slowly but surely with enthusiasm !
take care, jjp
Glenn says
The last several lessons have been a great help, Brian, and thanks for the reminder about EP275. I went back to it and got a lot more out of it this time. Say, I wanted to comment about your “guitar Hero” question, but couldn’t get in for some treason. I lived briefly in San Francisco and Oakland in the later sixties. I think of that time as the decade of rebellion, and I think of today as the age of compliance. Rock and Roll was a rebellious voice, hence the emergence of the musician hero. Who is the musical heroic voice today? Certainly not John Mayer, who you mentioned. There is no place for them today. You have to go up against something to be a hero. Will the guitar be eclipsed? I can’t imagine how, because I think it is a superior instrument. More expressive, more versatile, more dynamic than almost anything else you can mention besides the violin and its cousins. It is ideally portable, too! The only drawback that I can think of is its inexactness and noisiness, if you get me. But then I like dissonance in music (deadhead). If you are wondering if your customer base will die off, that may have more to do with your roots based approach. Well, we can’t change who we are, can we? Thanks again for the lessons.
Michael W says
This would be a great number when someone puts you on the spot and says “play something” Very cool and fairly simple, sounds great unaccompanied
Randy H says
Brian:
Just stumbled on Your “OUTTAKES” on Youtube. Very Impressive. Your presentations are not easy and you put a lot of work into making them. It’s interesting to see that you also have to deal with Murphy’s Law and recover nicely. We all have dropped a pick and some of us have also dropped a guitar once in awhile. Even the ones that make it look so easy can have a bad day once in awhile. Keep’m coming I like the simple approach .
Randy
Klaus G says
Thanks very much Brian. I am am member since 2016. Please excuse my “germanlike” English. I like your lessons about modes, scales, CAGED, Triads, harmonic 3th and 6th best.
And so is this lesson one of my favorites. I came across this way of improvising in the lessons of David Wallimann last year. He played in a 12 bar Blues progression in mixolydian A D E the notes of D G A and in each chord he uses the note “e” as a base. In this way he played in the modes dorian, äolian and mixolydian.
But for my improvising is your methode easier. Thank you again.
John H says
Thank you Brian for this wonderful lesson. People are starting to notice my playing and compliment me more. Not because of my lead play but because of my rhythm playing. It’s more captivating. And, I have you to thank because of lessons like these. I’m disappointed that somebody is disappointed! This sounds so refreshing and has a lifetime of lessons and chordal licks in it’s arrangement. We do waste education on the young. When people are expecting lessons in the vein of Van Halen, ACDC and Lynyrd Skynyrd I guess they feel short changed when they get a lesson that is cool and breezy. Oh well, this per usual is nothing short of brilliant. Thanks for another great lesson.
annekaz says
Nice!
Bjen says
Hi Brian great lesson as usual. Are you playing this in Am.
richard c says
Wow, lightbulb lesson extreme! This is why I subscribe to Active Melody. PLEASE more of these practical rhythm lessons using CAGED chords!!
sbennett53 says
Ok, Brian, it’s about time for a haircut!
JoLa says
NO!
sunjamr says
Take a look at Justin Johnson’s haircut.
Steve W says
I’m incredibly grateful for your lessons. I’ve played a bit and searched hard for instruction. You’re the best!
jpgroli says
Super leçon de guitare jazzy. Merci beaucoup Brian. Super super.
Peter R says
Very nice.
Rick L says
Hi Brian…question. Are we in the key of G playing the Dorian mode or are we in the key of Am?
Brian says
Good question. I would describe this as being in the key of A minor – because the tonal center revolved around that A minor – even though they are the same chords are in the key of G. If i was jamming this and someone asked what key this is in – I would totally confuse them if I said “G” – hopefully that makes sense.
Phil H says
Hi Brian/anyone, I’m a bit confused. If you were playing in the key of Am, then wouldn’t you play Dm, not D major? And Bdim not Bm? So are you really playing in the key of G, but over an Am rhythm? Why did you choose G and not the relative major of Am (C)?
Davie d says
Brian, awesome lesson! Just loved every minute of it and as usual learned so much! Once again you make us think and be inovative with our own playing! Love the theory behind what you are doing and it excites me to apply this knowledge to other songs! The way you have set your site up and what is provided has so helped me to improve beyond where I thought I could reach!! Your site is so easy to get around and use! You teaching style is so down to earth and comfortabke to sit down with and learn!!
Dave Delisio
Boise, Idaho
Mike M says
Good lesson because it’s melodic and making you practice Triads up the neck,…. anybody that doesn’t see that ought to start their own free lessons site….
Haralabos S says
Ogni settimana sempre bellissime nuove idee da provare. Finalmente un’insegnante con pezzi interessanti da imparare.
Kathryn L says
I just get excited to learn – there’s so much you, Brian, point out. I had a lots of “light bulb” moments. I’m not even a jazz lover, but I’ll take it all in – to keep learning – and hopefully, even be able to put some neat sounds together – someday!
Cary says
I am finally getting to this lesson and greatly enjoy it. I had been playing around with these concepts previously. Light bulbs went on for me with Lesson 384. Plus is sounds great!
Greg B says
Hi Brian,
Good lesson. Simple, yes, but clear and useful. I wind up taking a lot of lessons or even songs I hear and creating loops to play over. It’s one reason rhythm lessons are so useful from my point of view. Trading back and forth vamping with a friend while the other plays lead is good for hours of playing together, which honestly is a joy. So please keep up the conceptual and CAGED based lessons which encourage us to experiment in different keys with some basis of understanding.
Thank you,
Greg
Ted M says
Ok. Been working on this all week and a finally starting to get it. For such a simple lesson there is so much for me here. Trying to get the timing and vibe down and I get caught up in the cool factor and just fall apart. AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!
Man I love this style. As always THANK YOU. I see progress every week.
Chris T says
Very inspiring, thank you!
naftali k says
Thank you Brian!! If I can master the principles of this lesson it can really enhance the music that I play. You are the master at teaching people how to fish rather than just give a fish!!
Hope all is well.
Rabbi Kalter
John J says
Great lesson Brian. I really like the minor bluesy ones. When are you going to take a look at Walking baselines, and simple jazz comping stuff..I would love to have a bit of that in my repertoire.
Carlo B says
Bain your like a good bottle of red wine, your lessons just keep getting better with age and experience. Love your work mate.
Riff Raff 60 says
Thanks Brian. I’m getting so much out of your lessons. Been her for about 10 months now and try do something from your site every week to get better. If a particular week’s lesson doesn’t work for me, I’ll go back and find something from your past lessons. Some weeks I grind for several days but stay with it until I get it. This week came after only a few pass throughs and I’m starting to be able to pull from shapes and concepts I learned previously. Old dog, new tricks…never say never.
Daniel says
Great lesson Brian. Please do some more of these with different rhythms. The added fills and licks are terrific to learn in context.
Andy N says
Been a very enjoyable week working through this one. Lots of ideas to take away and explore and that rhythm is so infectious (if we’re still allowed that word these days!). The more I get into the rhythm side of playing the more it feels like the main game in town and the more I realise there is to learn.
Barry L says
Hi Brian,
A brilliant brilliant lesson !.. The AM community that havent played this soooo smooth jazz progression, will get such a wonderful experience learning this one. Your playing is very very cool. I’ve used this Am progression, or something very close to it, when I learned Tony Rice’s version of Wayfaring Stranger in Tony’s Spacegrass element. I’ve played it for years when I want to escape into the soft acoustic jazz genre. Thanks man for teaching it.
richard c says
Favorite lesson so far. So many lightbulb moments I had to go take a nap after watching, haha! My subscription is the best money I spend every month…Thanks Brian!
Ivan J says
Great lesson Brian !!!
Roger S says
Fab. As usual Brian, you come up with something that looks and sounds so simple, until I try to play it! weirdly, it reminds me of water colour (color) painting, deceptively simple 😉
My brain has finally cought up with the CAGED system thanks to you. Unfortunately, my muscle memory is still lagging behind. I agree with an earlier comment… it would be great to have some more insights into the dynamics of rhythm, including string muting, or more specifically, how to stop horrible unwanted noises from ‘unplayed’ strings etc. Also, timing and strumming / picking – in other words, more left hand stuff? I Renewed a couple of months ago after my first year as a subscriber and am finding your site the best value for money on the web – no question! Please keep up the great job you are doing.
Stefan M says
Hi Brian I need some help with bar 11 and 12. How do you count this part? Thanks Stefan
Grant D says
Hi Brian .
Have to say you are the best guitar teacher I have found , not only online , but regular guitar teaching classes also .
I went a way for a while from this site and found myself stagnating . Was searching all over for things such as learning modes and how they relate to chords etc . And just could not find Anything that was consistent or that made any sense .
I logged back in tonight and the first thing I found was this teaching just what I was looking for . For me it was a God thing .
I have a question .. i don’t play In a band anymore , and I ,miss it a lot . Would you recommend a looper pedal , Iv been thinking about a basic one like the boss RC5 ? Thoughts comments ?
Kind regards
Grant
Pete L says
Great lesson Brian! I found this lesson to be the perfect for my ability & skill level. Thank you & keep them coming!
Francesco P says
I love this lesson. I bit too much for my present level, but I am available to work on it, and improve. This rythm is an instant gratification and a great motivation.
Ron O says
Brian…Your lessons are the best on the internet! The superb level of audio/video production facilitates learning. I especially love the rhythm lessons.
Capt Dan says
Brian,
This is simple and brilliant at the same time. I conceder myself on the advanced side of the wide, wide world of intermediate guitar players. I have been on a journey (deep dive) on triads, 3rds & 6ths and really investigating, seeing, hearing and just plain feeling the intervals all over the fretboard for improvisation. I just revisited this lesson (and a couple others) and found the “gems” of knowledge you presented during this lesson. I have been a premium member for over 3yrs and the best investment I have made in my musical guitar journey. I live just north of Nashville since (4/2020) and would love to meet and have coffee sometime. Maybe Ill see you at Kimbro’s someday…
Greg W says
Capt Dan – thanks for the msg on this lesson. I completely agree. Learned this one a while back and have it memorized. Now – went back to the lesson and really has me digging into 3rds and 6ths up and down the neck in relation to A, D and E shapes. Man, I’m really enjoying this and gives me fresh approaches for my rhythm playing.
Charles M says
Niiiiiice!
michael f says
Interesting to me in that your theory underpinning this arrangement in G major did NOT have even play a G chord in its entirety.