Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn a lead over a 2 chord jam using 2 Mixolydian scales – switch between the 2 scales by changing 1 note.
Free Guitar Lesson
Slow Walkthrough
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Video Tablature Breakdown
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
You need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets.
Learn More
Add to "My Favorites"
You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.
San Luis Rey says
Jamming in Mixolydian! Should be a fun week. Thanks Brian!
John W says
I really enjoyed this lesson. I’ll be working on it for a bit for sure. Could you tell me what your doing on the first measure. You slide from 7th fret 3rd string to 9th fret first string, but on the video, it looks like your spicing that single note with a bend and maybe another string? Yours just sounded a little fuller from the tab. thanks Brian. Love your Mixolydian Studies!
John W says
Figured it out. Thanks. I was just being lazy.
Robert Burlin says
oh boy
Garcia vibes
love this
Melody M says
Been waiting all day for this and I wasn’t disappointed!! Thank you Brian.
Michael Allen says
I love this! Thanks Brian
kennard r says
Good lesson, I like it.
Mark H says
Yay, it’s Mixolydian Friday!
Rollover33 says
Hello Brian, you seem to be using your little finger less and less. Maybe I’m wrong, but just in case…
I had osteoarthritis, third joint. Sharp pain in the little finger, but, unfortunately, in the whole hand as soon as we play !!
I had surgery (arthrodesis) 4 years ago, after a few weeks (6 or 8 weeks), it was a total success.
No more problems since.
Sorry for this atypical “guitarist” message, but I had a lot of trouble finding information, it had taken my head and my hand for two years… My surgeon had told me that it was a very classic thing , easy to adjust: it was true !!!
Biker13 says
Hi Rollover33
How did this help you? With arthrodesis they fuse the bones together so that the joint is immobilized. How could you ever use your pinky to play guitar if the joint is immobilized and your finger no longer bends? I have arthritis in my pinky and it hurts a bit when I play but I can’t understand how arthrodesis would help me unless I’m misunderstanding the procedure. Thanks.
Rollover33 says
Hello, yes that’s the principle, the last two phalanges are “welded”. But you choose the angle, so I chose a correct curve. The one I had playing (badly) Klnolfer’s triplets in Sultans of Swing !!
The pinky finger rests on the string naturally and as the middle phalanx is free, you keep a completely satisfactory autonomy of the finger.
It doesn’t bother me for any movement, guitar, piano, transverse flute… (on the piano, this pinky finger on the left hand is super important!!!)
In Bordeaux, specialized hand surgeons provide information for musicians on this arthrodesis… I had surgery in a clinic, medium-sized town, without general anesthesia, young surgeon, nothing exceptional…
The first few days hurt ! But I remain amazed at the result 4 years later…
CHRISTOPHER G says
Bonjour
I am really interested as I have a fair bit of pain in my little finger. Can you recommend a surgeon – it may be cheaper for me to come to Bordeaux rather than have this done in London!
Merci
Christophe
Rollover33 says
https://cliniquesaintjoseph.vivalto-sante.com/notre-equipe-medicale/poles-d-excellence/
Hello Christophe, I had surgery here, Angoulême is one hour from Bordeaux.
But I think that there are in France, particularly in Paris or other towns, institutes for hand surgery.
Look on the internet, “Hand surgery”, you will find it without difficulty.
Insofar as it is a very banal operation compared to the complexity of interventions on the hand, the surgeons are all top notch. I had a young female surgeon, of no particular notoriety.
Bien cordialement Guy
Ian M says
So D Mixolydian = A Dorian. You’re going A Mixolydian over the A7 (which means you’re playing in the key of D) and D Mixolydian over the D9 (which means you’re playing in the key of G). So you can play any scale or mode over the chord where all notes in the chord are in that scale or mode. That allows you to play the Am Pentatonic over the A7 as well. Got it. lol Love the lesson Brian. Definitely a Jerry Garcia thing.
Jeff H says
Another very informative, interesting and very Entertaining lesson. Thanks Brian
Jim M says
Brian,
Just a wonderful example of going beyond the Mayor, Minor and Pentatonic Scales. Very understandable and a useful guide for expanding improvisational skills using the Mixolydian and Dorian Modes in our playing…Thank you!!!
Capt Dan says
Brian, This reaction explanation to your improvisation is brilliant! I have been an Active Melody member for 4yrs and your teaching methods (or specifically, the way you present/explain the material) are unique to the worldwide online guitar community. You are amazing and have had an enormous impact on my playing and fretboard knowledge. AM membership is the best value ($$$) for online learning. I live in Nashville and hope one day to meet, shake your hand, and thank you personally.
David S says
Brian, Another fantastic lesson. I don’t know how you keep putting out all these great lessons every week but I sure am glad you do.Look forward to Fri.’s every week. Keep up the good work. You are helping out my memory. allls hammers Thanks for all you do.Couldn’t ask for better teacher. Dave
Raymond P says
Great lesson on how the A Dorian and D Mixolydian enter act
Thanks Brian
Ray P
William B says
Great lesson! The D9 and Am correlation is fantastic. Thanks.
Thierry V says
So last week’s very good idea is already in oblivion, too bad it didn’t last long…
Biker13 says
Amazing lesson. Great song. It sounded so fast when I first listened but its actually pretty manageable to play. Very doable after a few passes. Nice work! As always.
peter w says
A lesson on a variety of different practice scale patterns would indeed be a great follow up , I look forward to it,
KIRK E says
This is a good one. Nothing is doable after a few passes for me…more like a few weeks. This is one I’ll learn redardless. Thanks
Benedikt says
For reference look up how Jerry Garcia plays West LA Fadeaway (or Mr. Charlie) (or How Sweet It Is)
Alessandro S says
Hi, I can’t see the second part, the one for premium members.
Greg W says
Wow! When I look at the variety of styles and approaches in the last handful of lessons… truly inspiring and thankful to see the quality and variety that Brian delivers each week. It’s obvious how much time, effort and enjoyment that Brian puts into these lessons each week. Thank you!!
Greg T says
It’s been a great Sunday morning. New to your site and I thank you for the awesome content and your teaching style, I just get it. I love that fact that I can randomly move around touching on different approaches ,styles and lessons. Very inspirational and motivating.
Thank you from Canada,
Greg
John B says
Great lesson. You have a natural gift as a teacher. You’re obviously an excellent musician, but explaining how you learned the lesson subject matter makes the learner realize that they can learn it too. For example, the “light bulb” moments!
Bruce G says
Hey Brian…2 videos? You mention “over the course of two videos…” at the beginning of the lesson.
I am probably confused, but I see one instructional video…(free guitar lesson) plus the slow walkthrough…
Loving this—I’m wrapping my mind around these various modes…fascinating.. I’ll get there. A minor is inside the D9…my mind is blown
Thanks for all of this!
Brian says
I guess the Slow walkthrough / tab is the 2nd video – when i recorded that initially I was going to do a breakdown for part 2 but realize i covered it all in part 1 🙂
Bruce G says
Got it.
Another question–or perhaps I’ve missed this in the video. In this two chord jam–we are using A mixolydian and D mixolydian scales, along with riffs from the A major chord, and some A minor pentatonics and triads. A mixolydian is based off of the D major scale and D mixoylydian is based off the G major scale.
My understanding of modes is that they are used based on the tonal center of the entire piece (did I get that correct?)…. You don’t simply say “hey here’s a few bars in A major, so I think I’ll use an A mixolydian scale”….. there is some element of the piece and tonal center…. or “key” of the music….
We’ve related D mixolydian to A Dorian (they are the same)… so is the key of this exercise A major? Therefore we are using various modes of A over the backdrop of A seven and and D nine?
Just trying to take a step back and understand how you decided to use these scales against the two chords in the piece. I’m assuming that isn’t a random choice….?
wforrest2 says
Hey Bruce
Correct- D mixolydian (D E F# G A B C ) is same as G major scale or A Dorian
Brian used A mixolydian for the A7 and A dorian for D9. Then he mixed in some A minor pentatonic licks over each chord
You are correct A mixolydian is same as D major scale (4 chord) using A as tonal center. I think of it as A major scale flat the 7
A dorian is same as G major scale starting on A. I think these scales makes sense since C is in both. Blues chords and scales emphasize the 7 and perhaps our ears like the sound since its a whole step rather than a half from the root. Folk music has this also with old timey tunes shifting from A to G or C to Bb. I am thinking Shady Grove
Rich F says
Hi Brian,
Brilliant lesson! I have been learning the modes in your various lessons over the past couple of years, and learning from you how A Dorian is the same as G major, is the same as D myxolydian ….
For this lesson, I am so far jamming by staying in A Dorian/D Myxolydian, using just the one scale: the A Minor pentatonic with the extra Dorian notes added, so I am playing Dorian over the A chord, and myxolydian over the D chord… it seems to work!
Working my way up to changing scales as the chords change, so that I will playing myxolydian throughout!
Here is how I started to learn A Dorian, studying a Justin S lesson a few years ago… he emphasises staying in the Dorian scale for A as the chords go by….
https://old.justinguitar.com/en/BL-028-DorianApproch.php
Mason L says
Thanks for that link. I like Justin. He puts out some good stuff.
Thierry V says
So last week’s very good idea is already in oblivion, too bad it didn’t last long…
Brian says
what does that mean?
Thierry V says
That’s about the first video including the whole practice lesson and the second for theory, I found this new format very interesting cause as I said when you mixing it I get confused sometimes.
Mason L says
I’d love to get a lesson on scale patterns like you mentioned around the 11:23 point of this lesson. I try to invent some of that myself but get held back by lack of imagination and bad timing.
🙂
Thanks. You’ve taught me a lot.
James J says
Such a cool lesson, lovely Jerry vibes. I am just at the right level to tackle these lessons and I’m so Stoked to be playing this !
Marek S says
Really diggin this joint. I’m enjoying your stuff. I used to study my scales religiously and while most of it has escaped me, the way your drop in theory in a digestible way has a lot coming back to me and has me working on theory again.
Robert G says
Good explanation IF you’re a advanced player! But I would like to see you explain it so us beginners could understand what you’re trying to teach us!
James K says
Brian your timing of this lesson is perfect. It will take weeks to put it together but well worth the effort. Thanks
Jim
John R says
Brian, you mention in EP 480 that you might do a lesson deling with modes. I’m nearly positive I speak for the many when I support that idea, and please sooner than later!!
Brian says
Check out EP374 and EP375
hardwired says
Scale patterns, yes please!
John R says
Yes scale patterns – I misspoke “modes” above – but if they are major scale patters of course this will be a good one to concentrate on how the mode work !
Philip B says
A few flubs? Flubs? I guess your definition of a flub and mine are miles apart! LOL If there were flubs in that, I don’t know what you would call my miscues? Mega flub? Not sure there’s and accurate word ….haha. Love the leson !
Jim B says
Brian, Looks like you are using broken thirds when playing the D Myxolydian scale. Any chance we could have a lesson using broken thirds.
Rick R says
Great lesson Brian. Your syncopation comment in the new lesson email has peaked my interest. Can’t wait!
Joe N says
Wonderful lesson and great explanation of the mixolydian scales and the A minor chord living in the D9 chord.
Gary W says
Very tasty licks. I am enjoying this. Great job Brian!
JEAN D says
My type of lesson. Jazzy. Upbeat. Fun to listen to. Please do a few more
Ed R says
Hi Brian – you have some great tones in this lesson . . . JJ Cale comes to mind. Will you please share what amp & settings you are using. Also what pup position and tone on the tele. Thank you!!
donovan s says
I’m new to the site…its very cool, helpful. You mention the ‘5 different positions for playing the major scales’….is there a lesson dedicated to these positions?
George N says
In the 11 measure where you said i have no idea what that is ..I am calling it the A Eaolian .I really like the way you break the parts down and make the connection with scales and also the position.Please keep that going it has changed my life.I am trying very hard to associate what i play with the scale and position.Thank for doing that