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Using the Major Scale to Improvise – Improvise Using Happy Birthday Melody – Guitar Lesson EP390

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play the major scale in all 5 positions up the neck by connecting it to the 5 chord shapes used in the CAGED System. You’ll also learn how to take a basic melody (Happy Birthday) and learn how to first play the melody straight, and then learn how to improvise by adding fill licks to that melody.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Slow Walkthrough - Happy Birthday - Improv

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Slow Walkthrough - Happy Birthday - Straight

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Slow Walkthrough - G Major Scale Practice

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  1. Michael Allen says

    December 4, 2020 at 9:35 pm

    I need a lot of work in this area, so I appreciate this one. Thanks Brian

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    • dojokat says

      December 5, 2020 at 7:18 am

      Ditto!

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    • Simon B says

      December 6, 2020 at 11:47 am

      A deep dive that describes where am I at each stop in term of major and minors and two key modes would be a great idea.

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      • Pierre D says

        December 8, 2020 at 9:36 pm

        Indeed!

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      • Andrew M says

        December 9, 2020 at 4:55 am

        Great idea, would be very helpful – definitely gets my vote…

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      • Keith B says

        December 9, 2020 at 5:52 am

        Yes I’d like to see a deep dive.

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      • Bill P says

        December 11, 2020 at 5:02 pm

        Agreed. I’d love to break it down and master each neighborhood.

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      • Adam F says

        December 16, 2020 at 12:24 pm

        I second this!

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      • Ricky H says

        December 17, 2020 at 3:45 pm

        I am up for a deep dive also!!

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    • Robert G says

      December 8, 2020 at 9:39 pm

      Me too! So many leads so little time?

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  2. jimbostrat says

    December 4, 2020 at 9:44 pm

    Actually reminds me quite a bit of the great Scotty Moore!! Very cool!! Hopefully you play this classic for your boy’s birthdays!! Jim C.

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  3. Mwendabai K says

    December 4, 2020 at 10:40 pm

    Hi Brian, a deep dive into “intimate relationships – within neighborhoods” would be highly appreciated. I know Pentatonic shapes (all 5 shaped), struggle to determine which Pent to apply to which “Stop”.

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  4. Chris R says

    December 5, 2020 at 12:47 am

    I like the idea of the deep dive in each position, Brian.

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    • S Q says

      December 9, 2020 at 1:09 am

      Me too! Thanks for this lesson so much!

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  5. Pine P says

    December 5, 2020 at 2:16 am

    I was just noodling around with this tune last week, since my wife had an upcoming birthday, and here you post a lesson on it! Thanks Brian!

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    • Olivier G says

      December 5, 2020 at 4:24 am

      It would be a pleasure to deep dive in thé neighborhoods ! By the way, thank you for your always inspiring work !

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  6. JohnStrat says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:40 am

    Brian ,

    I am currently trying to learn to improvise using the major scale and have been making good progress so this lesson will be a bumper harvest of help.
    Perhaps we shall be able to create a jazzy Happy Christmas.
    Thanks for another a great and useful lesson.

    JohnStrat

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  7. Francisco Marto says

    December 5, 2020 at 4:35 am

    This is a great lesson! Perfect!

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  8. Mark W says

    December 5, 2020 at 4:39 am

    I really like the idea of the 5 “stops” lessons and using a melody as a starter. This puts practical use around just memorizing the 5 boxes, scales, arpeggios, etc. While I have memorized the boxes, I still struggle in application and improvisation to actually sound like music. Certainly would be 5 “lightbulb” moments for me. Thanks as always.

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  9. charjo says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:41 am

    Brian,
    I was just about to work out the neighbourhood concept on my own, so that’s very timely. I think Box 1 is relatively familiar to many of us but it would be great to work through the other 4. I can see how the roots of the major and minor chord and scales would be the same in each neighbourhood, and seeing those roots all over the neck would be so advantageous. The pieces are definitely falling into place, thanks for shining a light.
    John

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  10. brian b says

    December 5, 2020 at 6:32 am

    What they said! What a great lesson! I look forward to the deep dive! Thank you!

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  11. richard p says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:09 am

    Brian, I’d love a deep dive!!!! If I could pay someone for ONE lesson, here’s what it would be:

    – I don’t think I care about knowing what positions 1,2,3,4,5 are, because those number names don’t equate directly to the GAGED chords… they’re just numbers (I have to do the translation from pattern number to chord name)
    – I’d rather like to see the major pattern for each CAGED chord
    – AND, the major pentatonic pattern for each CAGED chord
    – AND, the minor pentatonic pattern for each major CAGED chord
    – AND, where are the 1,3,5 notes in each of the CAGED chords (although this is easy to find myself after I have the major & pentatonic patterns… and, I think there’s only two 1,3,5 note patterns for the CAGED chords: C&G have one pattern; E,A,D have the other pattern)

    I’m sure that there are some easy relationships between these minor and major scale patterns when we see them all laid out, but I can’t seem to find a lesson that goes through this. Seeing it just on paper doesn’t provide enough context.

    I think this would be a tough lesson to pull off… but, your ability to make beautiful sense of this material constantly amazes me. GO FOR IT.

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    • richard p says

      December 6, 2020 at 12:56 pm

      BTW Brian, like ALL of your lessons, I love this one too. It seems like you put tremendous time and effort into making these lessons clear and yet really rich at the same time. The perfect amount of material with the perfect style of explanation. I can’t get enough. That’s why I’d love for you to take on the CAGED positions in more detail… if anyone can explain this clearly and fully, it’s you.

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  12. Bradley B says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:12 am

    Love it Brian! I would like that five part series lesson, that would help out a lot! I have the general idea, however I could use a bit more. I can play up and down the neck of all positions of minor and major pentatonic scale pretty well. Yes I do get stuck and think I need to go all over the neck. I’m a big country music fan especially Merle haggard., love that style playing.

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  13. Gary Wilshaw says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:32 am

    This is tremendously helpful Brian, thank you. I have just spent about two hours playing over the slow version of the major scale jam track, exploring the major scale all over the neck, and noticing how I can connect in different ways, use 3 notes per string etc to move from one ‘station ‘ to the next etc. It’s also a great exercise to further notice how the pentatonics fit into the picture to – as you say.

    I confess don’t practice scales often enough – but this method will change that as it made great it fun & I was enjoyed the little melodies that emerged here & there.

    Fantastic. Thank you.

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  14. Jim M says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:39 am

    Wonderful explanation on how to set-up and use improvisation.

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  15. Daryl F says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:54 am

    One of my favorite lessons…..I agree that a deep dive into a few or all 5 patterns would be helpful in learning how to switch to minor pattern licks when the feeling strikes, I don’t have that vocabulary in the toolbox yet. Would be awesome if you could do this next week as a great followup to this one.

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  16. peter v says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:57 am

    I love it,too.And I agree with Mark and Richard.I know that you use your “basic ideas” and their relationship in most of your lessons.But using them on a wellknown melodie it makes lightbulbs , at least for me.So I can translate it, on other motivs.
    English is not my mothertongue, So I appriciate the text in your video. I can press the stopp-button and read what you just said so often until I understand.That is more comfortable as to go back many times in the video.What a splendid idea. I even have time to fetch the dictionary if it is needed.Thank you for those textlines.
    A question: Do you create tournarounds and intros also by using your basic ideas?

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  17. Don D. says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:19 am

    Thanks Brian! The train line is a really apt comparison. You can get off, walk around a little while, get back on the next train. Take your time, but keep moving!

    People might want to listen to John Coltrane’s “Welcome” for an ethereal song that uses the last phrase of “Happy Birthday.” It’s in B.

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  18. Lawrence H says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:23 am

    Brian please do a dive dive into each position .
    Thank you.

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  19. Don D. says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:24 am

    Thanks Brian! The train comparison is apt. Get off at one station, wander around, get back on the next time it comes around. Take your time but keep moving.

    People might want to hear John Coltrane’s “Welcome” in B. It isn’t far out at all, it’s a solid little ballad that uses the melancholy last phrase of “Happy Birthday.”

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    • Don D. says

      December 5, 2020 at 9:27 am

      Your version struck me as Les Paul-ish, but that’s just my quick first impression.

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  20. Raymond P says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:41 am

    What a pleasant surprise. When I first saw Happy Birthday as the song this week my first thought was yikes. But after watching this lesson and learning so much on how you can Jazz up and improvise such a simple song like this I was pleasantly surprised to watch this great lesson.

    Regarding your deep dive suggestion, please do, I learn so much from you in depth explanations.

    Thanks again Brian for these wonderful lessons.

    Ray P

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  21. Blaine H says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:49 am

    To echo other comments I think a deep dive lesson regarding developing a blues type melody and structuring a song/solo using major and minor sounds and changing scales to match the chords…. love this approach and trying to get a lot better in this regard…..

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  22. epgreat says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:28 am

    MACON J.
    THE DEEP DIVE WOULD BE A FANTASTIC HELP WITH THE USE OF MAJOR SCALE FOR SOLOING. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE LESSSONS BRIAN. BEST LESSONS ON LINE.

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  23. David M says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:56 am

    Yes, Please do a deep dive into this. I’ve been working on other lessons that point to this. My goal is to be able to do tis with any song. I pick up something with each lesson.
    Thanks.

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  24. Hilsanders says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:57 am

    Brian,
    Thanks for always having a new and exciting lesson for us on Fridays. I have a feeling I will be playing this one a lot ( and hopefully for someone’s birthday)!

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  25. Scott N says

    December 5, 2020 at 11:12 am

    My vote is for a 5 part deep-dive into each neighborhood, then an epic 6th part that combines it all into an all-neck extravaganza. BOOM!

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  26. Ralph P. says

    December 5, 2020 at 11:46 am

    Hey Brian, The Happy Birthday Backing Track is one of your finest! Swinging, Gospel, Jazzy, Churchy sounding toe-tapper. I love the B3 organ part. When I first started learning scales I would mindlessly play the boring vanilla major scale in all of the positions, just because you’re supposed to. As I progressed. everything I learned I related back to the major scale, so it’s definitely lays the groundwork for understanding music. You mentioned the “corny stuff” lick at 20:39. I’ve gotten quite a bit of mileage out of that lick, and quite a few smiles from other musicians. You’re right, it is corny, but it’s cool kind of corny. I’m glad to hear you had to “work on it a little” for the improv. I don’t know how some players come up with this type of improvisation in real time. Definitely what we’re all shooting for.

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  27. James S says

    December 5, 2020 at 12:26 pm

    They may be simple, but these are some of the best (most helpful, useful, etc.) jam tracks you have done – THANKS!!

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  28. James S says

    December 5, 2020 at 12:27 pm

    I of course meant simple in terms of the chord progressions.

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  29. cbuck says

    December 5, 2020 at 12:51 pm

    I was thinking its in the key of g. Why not start on a g note? Not a d note? Love a deep dive. Thanks Brian C B

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  30. Peter L says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    yep do the deep dive!!!!!

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  31. Studio*potter says

    December 5, 2020 at 4:16 pm

    YES! Please do the deep dive for each of the stopping points! I have the E shape down, some of the A shape

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  32. James L says

    December 5, 2020 at 4:35 pm

    Thanks so much. A deep dive would be good on the train track philosophy.

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  33. deece says

    December 5, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Brian,

    YES!!! Please do a deep dive in a five-part series. Would love to get it through my thick skull, once and for all and without having to think about it, how it’s all connected.

    Thanks,

    deece

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  34. Paul S says

    December 6, 2020 at 7:05 am

    This is exactly why I love these lessons. Not only is the melody fun but now I begin to see how and why it works! Thanks Brian. Great lesson.

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  35. Bill9352 says

    December 6, 2020 at 8:08 am

    Dive! Dive! Dive!

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  36. Paul K says

    December 6, 2020 at 10:16 am

    Make the print larger

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  37. Paul K says

    December 6, 2020 at 11:20 am

    Make the tabulature print larger…. Thanks Mr MaGGoo

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    • Sharon C says

      December 10, 2020 at 6:14 am

      You can go to the sound slice and print from there, the font is a little bigger. I struggle seeing the tab also.
      Mrs. Magoo

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  38. Randy H says

    December 6, 2020 at 12:41 pm

    Brian:
    I would very much appreciate a “Deep Dive ” into the neighborhood approach . The more I find that the fretboard is the “Train Line” I’m learning to look at the fretboard differently . A little theory and practical hands on makes the picture look easier to understand. Great lesson……………

    Randy

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  39. Stephen S says

    December 6, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    I too would love to see a 5-part series on what all can be done at each of the “CAGED” system stops!

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  40. Jaime says

    December 7, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    Great lesson, I need to work on this stuff a lot – having a musical exercise is a great help to avoid getting bored by simple scales.

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  41. Kenneth p says

    December 7, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Still trying to understand Modes, so if I use your Major scale Jam track in G and I want to play in the Mixolydian Mode, ( 5th Mode) I use your formula and work my way back to the C scale, where I will then play the C Major scale using the 5 patterns of the Caged system and put emphasis on the G notes, and using the A Jam track I would use the D Major scale with emphasis on the A notes?

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    • Brian says

      December 7, 2020 at 9:31 pm

      you’ve got it

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      • Kenneth p says

        December 8, 2020 at 9:35 am

        Thanks for the lessons and Merry Christmas Brian.

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    • Chris White says

      December 8, 2020 at 5:03 pm

      Actually if you’re playing the notes of the G major scale but starting on the fifth degree of G ie D you are playing D Myxolydian mode
      And you are correct if you want to play G Myxolydian you would play the notes of the C major scale emphasizing the notes of the G chord (G,B and D)

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  42. John L says

    December 7, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    A deep dive please.

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  43. Doug T says

    December 7, 2020 at 3:08 pm

    Great lesson, please do the deep dive into the 5 neighborhoods! If plan to play this for my 82 yo aunts birthday next week by video since I can’t see her right now.

    Thanks for all you do!

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  44. Les Brown says

    December 8, 2020 at 9:25 am

    The Deep Dive would be a Godsend. But your diagram depiction of the Major Scale here is the most useful I’ve seen anywhere on the web, connecting the CAGE shapes, the scale, the chord tones, and the root (tonal center) all on one page along with your incredibly practical lesson style is unique on the web. I have spent hundreds of dollars on excellent teachers online because I love all the different perspectives on any theory topic, but yours is always the first place I go. It fills in the gaps that others leave out. You accomplish in one lesson so much that is usually split into several, and you repeat the fundamentals in many lessons, which is what great teachers do.

    Finding the major and minor pentatonics in each “stop” is powerful all by itself. That’s where I’m focusing right now. The many grateful comments you get with each lesson are a permanent legacy. Nice job, maestro!

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  45. Chris White says

    December 8, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    Excellent Brian
    I’m counting the intervals and singing the numbers then using your idea of the major scale and playing it in every position
    So starts out 5,5,6,5,7,1 etc.
    love the idea of deep dives
    thanks

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  46. Charles Q says

    December 8, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    Great lessons on how to play around familiar melodies and improvising! They are very helpful. I also like Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell and Vince Gill classic country.

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  47. DENIS J says

    December 8, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    I would really appreciate a deep dive into this topic.

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  48. Claude R says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    Yes to the 5-part deep dive!

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  49. richard c says

    December 8, 2020 at 9:07 pm

    Deep dive, Please!

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  50. Robert G says

    December 8, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    I would like to see more slow lessons like this to learn. 60 bpm! Thanks Brian for this one!

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  51. Earl F says

    December 8, 2020 at 10:15 pm

    Another great lesson and very helpful. A deep dive would be scores of fun.
    Your explanations are spot on and are speaking to me!
    Thanks

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  52. Andy D says

    December 9, 2020 at 3:17 am

    GREAT, illuminating lesson, as always, Brian. Yes – Deep Dives for each station please! Thanks

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  53. Gerardo M says

    December 9, 2020 at 3:53 am

    DEEP DIVE!!! This lesson was en lighting, thanks Brian!

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  54. [email protected] says

    December 9, 2020 at 8:03 am

    Brian, no one does a deep dive more clearly or thoroughly than you do. This alone was worth a premium membership. Lots of light bulbs went off. Thanks. Jay

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    • Robin d says

      December 11, 2020 at 1:20 am

      My thoughst too, well worth the price of the premium membership and …. my lightbulbs always go “on” after an Active Melody lesson. Brian’s email every week is like celebrating Christmas once a week!

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  55. scattercreek says

    December 9, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    Brian,

    Another vote for the Deep Dive!

    Gene

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  56. Marvin H says

    December 9, 2020 at 9:24 pm

    I definitely would benefit from a “neighborhood” lesson and when to use what in the “neighborhood.” Thanks, these lessons have been great during covid. More guitar practice time is one of the good positives of the pandemic.

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  57. Greg Z says

    December 10, 2020 at 7:36 am

    A lesson or group of lessons on ‘neighborhood” concept would be a great idea!

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  58. Andreas P says

    December 10, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    Really funny, useful and teaching such a lot, genius!!! And helpful to practice and understand the Major Scale, which I find much more difficult to solo, but so good to stick not always to the wellknown Minor Pentatonics

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  59. charles b says

    December 10, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    you are a helluva guitarist !!!

    How about some Charlie Parker BeBop

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  60. charles b says

    December 10, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    How about some Charlie Parker BeBop

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  61. charles b says

    December 10, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    charlie parker ?

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  62. charles b says

    December 10, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    bebop charlie parker ?

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  63. charles m says

    December 10, 2020 at 6:26 pm

    I really liked the train theory. I get it , but I don’t know the major scales or scales in any key. I have a long way too go

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  64. Robin d says

    December 11, 2020 at 12:52 am

    Deep Dive please. As soon as you mentioned major/minor pentatonic/major pentatonic scales my 1st thought was … exactly what you said. A deep dive is a must. i dont care too much about caged systems but call it what you will … i just want the ability to stay put in one area without thinking I gotta take the train way down the track instead of to the next station. Thx again Brian

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  65. Joe S says

    December 11, 2020 at 6:51 am

    Fun lesson, Brian. Do you make any suggestions on guitar tone when you use electric?

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  66. Frank G says

    December 11, 2020 at 7:33 am

    Yes. If you have not heard it enough, I would like to see a deep dive. Thank you.

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  67. Keith C says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    The last phrase of the improv you say is pattern one of the minor pentatonic – surely it is the major pentatonic?

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  68. Tim Moran says

    December 14, 2020 at 12:29 am

    Lots of stuff to noodle through here, but a pretty basic question: How do you know to start Happy Birthday on the note you did? I would have thought to start on the root note, which obviously would have been wrong… Doing it by ear would mean I would have to have a recording of it in that key, or I suppose I could pick any note to start and then figure out later what key I’m in. So I’m obviously confused….

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  69. Anthony G says

    December 14, 2020 at 3:31 pm

    Deep dive into individual positions would be excellent

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  70. CC says

    December 15, 2020 at 6:41 pm

    Thanks for the great lesson, it just happens to coincide with being ask to play something for a friends “big” birthday (on-line)in early January. Perfect!
    Thanks,
    “A Slave to the Blues”
    CC

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  71. Raymond A says

    December 16, 2020 at 1:42 am

    Another great lesson!
    A deep dive into what is available in different positions would be great.
    Thanks

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  72. RUBEN R says

    December 21, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    beautiful arrangement, thanks for this beautiful melody Brian.

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  73. Thomas L says

    December 22, 2020 at 11:30 am

    Brian, I’m a new member and really enjoy the lessons. I’ve been playing a while but would like to get the most from your lessons. Could you recommend where I should start. I’m really weak with the scales so I’m guessing there..

    Thanks

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  74. Peter T says

    December 23, 2020 at 7:41 pm

    I am a brand new member and this is perfect for me. I have been studying the major scale positions relative to the CAGED chords for awhile. But, I haven’t been able to find a good chart to study the minor scale positions relative to the CAGED positions. Does this community have such a thing? I really think this community can improve my playing. And best of all it is fun!

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  75. Ian R says

    December 30, 2020 at 10:24 am

    Another vote for the deep dive,thanks Brian!

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  76. Paul B says

    January 6, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    Hi Brian,
    A deep dive would be appreciated. Great lessons. Looking forward to making “major” improvements this year! Happy New Year to all.

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