Is Learning The Harmonic Minor Scale Worth It?

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CUBAN SURF MASTERCLASS
MAY 18TH 4PM ET-REWATCH AVAILABLE

MY TEACHING SITE

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In this lesson I'm sharing Cuban Surf Guitar soloing ideas I picked up from the record Mambo Sinuendo by Manuel Galban and Ry Cooder. We're primarily focusing on how to play, understand and solo with the harmonic minor scale. Manuel Galban's music is a perfect blend of reverb drenched guitars and Cuban Son music.

Gear:
Fender Jazzmaster
Lollar Pickups 58 JM Pickups
Strings: D'Addario 11-48

Signal Chain:
Fender Tweed
Room Verb
Roland Space Echo
Neve Preamp
1176 Compressor

[jasonkesser]

As a guitarist from Miami, literally life long by Cuban guitar, there is almost zero YouTube representation up of this epic subject. Please Jason, take the thread and undo the whole sweater. One can already understand harmonic minor, chromatic flare, and arpeggios…but putting them all together in the brilliant phraseology of Cuban guitar is another level. It can also then help with Gypsy jazz soloing, Marc ribot style blues, surf phrasing, so there are bonuses. Even Cuban chord progressions lessons are under represented, especially ones being discussed as intervals rather than notes (which is the best way to teach.)
You’re filling a big YouTube hole here, pllllease continue, you’re brilliant.

[greenvelvet]

I've seen a thousand videos on rock and blues but I haven't seen a single video on Cuban surf music.
Once again Jason is hip to the good stuff, that is criminally looked over.

[FlatlandMando]

I'd rather listen to this piece rather than 1/2 hour of so called " shredding" on electric guitar. This material is tremendous & looks difficult to play!😂

[RishPanjeetJr]

This kind of stuff + Spaghetti Western, surf, and tropical is makes me want to wear a white linen suit and sip a smoky cocktail in an island nightclub.

[DaveBroTube]

Mambo Sinuendo is one of my all-time faves too. Thanks for the insight into the underlying style!

[darrellpetersen]

I was fortunate to see Cuban legend Ibrahim Ferrer when he had Manuel Galban in his band. Talk about a fantastic guitarist. His work with Los Zafiros is excellent, as well.

[edaten]

Bro, I usually hate the intro pieces and skip them in other vids. That was EPIC! YESSS!

[erik]

I've been waiting for this lesson for ... 21 years! Such a great album, one of the best ever!

[zachjarrett]

This has been my favorite album since I purchased it at Reggae on the River in 2003. What a great soundtrack to cruising the Redwoods.

[jamesbaynton]

This is the lesson I've been waiting for all my life. It's a bit over my head but I've always loved that sound.

[JimmyGallowayGuitar]

Cuban Music, A Jazzmaster, and some nice twists on chords- subbed. Nice work man.

[Blankee-ot]

Amazing playing and a refreshing style!

[jimbobjennings]

This is an inspiring lesson on a particular style of music. It gets to the heart and soul of Cuban surf and clearly sets you on the path with the harmonic minor scale, which is beautiful. I used to have great hair when I had hair.

[markmatich]

Thank You Jason.... these scales add much to my playing. Amazing

[FullMetalDMZ]

What a great video, not a lot of guitarist connect arpeggios to scales in this musical way. Also playing in just 1 position helps to understand the concept better. Subscribed!

[Milideth]

I discovered this channel this week and am simply amazed at the content - original, well explained, very useful

[calebbasile]

Never heard of Cuban surf music! And I’m Cuban! I guess it makes sense. I love those Spanish melodies, just makes you want to dance.

[sumtin]

Can someone recommend some more guitarists like this from the 50s/60s, it reminds me of Psychedelic Cumbia.

[normanfrazier]

Oooh, great lesson! Love knocking around in the harmonic minor scale. It’s a pretty fun way to move up and down the fretboard once you learn the pretty simple patterns.👍🍻

[LionAndALamb]

beautiful playing, I could listen all day.