Your Minor Solos Suck... So Try This!

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TIMESTAMPS ⏱️

0:00 Intro solo
0:51 TAB files, bonus licks and backing track
1:25 Today's chord progression
2:12 Solo using natural minor scale (flat 7th's)
3:15 The 'raised 7th'
4:52 Harmonic vs. Natural minor
6:07 Free lick #1
6:36 Break through the lost intermediate plateau
7:30 Lick #1 breakdown - augmented triads
10:20 Free lick #2
10:30 Try my tone for free! Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII
12:25 Lick #2 breakdown

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Do you suck at improvising in minor keys?

Are you tired of feeling like you only ever run up and down minor scale positions without playing anything that sounds remotely 'musical'?

Do you wish you could find a way of actually making music with scales in minor keys?

When soloing in minor keys, the go-to scales for many players include the natural minor and minor pentatonic scales.

This makes complete sense as the minor pentatonic is essentially a 'skeleton' of the natural minor scale and of course, the natural minor scale is well suited to use over chord progressions in minor keys.

The raised 7th in harmonic minor is just one semitone / one fret higher than the ♭7th in the natural minor and minor pentatonic scales - which means it's just one fret below the root note of the key you are playing in, making it fairly easy to locate across the fretboard.

So, adding in raised 7th's now and then can go a long way to making your minor solos sound more musical. But not only that, when you solo with harmonic minor, you can take advantage of a tool that is found naturally within the scale. Something that instantly makes it easier to develop musical sounding licks with. What I'm referring to is...

The augmented triad

It's essentially a symmetrical, three note chord containing a root, major 3rd and ♯5. In harmonic minor, there are three notes that this triad can be built from - the minor 3rd, perfect 5th and raised 7th.

So, if you've made it this far, I'm guessing that you do still want to get better at soloing in minor keys?

[RossCampbellGuitarist]

🎸 TAB, BACKING TRACK & 3 BONUS LICK LESSONS

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[TheArtofGuitar]

Great, soulful playing as always my guitar brother.

[ElvisSasha]

Very beautiful sound and beautiful playing! 👍👍👍

[Esokyotoo]

You are an invaluable channel mate. I really love the recent change in the lighting and stuff. Beautiful playing, great lesson. Cheers

[RipVDub]

Ross, I always learn something usable. I amazed at how many RC post-it notes I have near my amp.
The 7 into the root is nice. Pair that with a flat five and ears begin to perk up. Always appreciated!

[travellinguitars]

Your playing is so freaking tastefull!! Sure gonna check out your courses. Great teacher.

[DDamian]

Awesome work Ross! I'll be training this resources

[drdre]

This is why I like Ross, it's not "here's 5 ways to unlock the fretboard or become a virtuoso", it's straight to the point, you suck and here's how you can get better. Never once seem him discredit actual practice or discipline.

[colink]

Totally first class channel, so much information very well explained. The natural/harmonic minor really reminds me in Peter Green songs

[bobk]

Ross. Big fan thanks for what you do. Bob from USA.

[OmnipotentO]

Oooh that raised 7 was cool. I liked it

[stephenhanlin]

Wow Ross, your solos don’t suck at all!!! I could see session work in your future. Nashville perhaps?

[waynegram]

ROSS, make more video lesson on how to use Augmented chords and which scales to use to play over augmented chords. The Beatles used Augmented chords but I think only I+ chord not the III+ in harmonic minor but would use often the I+ chord which is considered an Altered chromatic borrowed chord.

[WickBeavers]

First- this is a GREAT Lesson! as usual.Thanks, Ross! Second. Neural DSP seems great but... For Mac owners who have upgraded to Ventura, there's a sick problem with iLok, which is the way Neural DSP rights protects its technology. iLok claims there's "a problem with Apple and we are working on it" and while that may be so, this problem hasn't been fixed (as of Dec 8, 2022) and so you gotta delete/uninstall iLok manager and re-install it every time you want to fire up your Neural PlugIns. I got my money back and will wait til "Apple" sorts this out. Tried Gig Performer? I'm signing up!

[badalicemusic]

Lovely stuff and as ever, an enormously impacting and easy to follow video. Nice one Ross!
Also "Is the Strat the most versatile electric guitar where playing across a variety of genres is concerned?"
Discuss...

[НервыВНорме-ьц]

Браво! Лайк не глядя! Благодарствую за труд !

[KyleSwaters]

I love how dark that fretboard is! Do you oil/condition it or is it just naturally that dark?

[TJJJJJJJJJJJ]

I think I need a fiesta red strat ! Hot dam they look good

[natecol]

Great lesson. What pickups do you use?

[apisdude]

what is the best way to contact you? I am interested in your teaching material but need to find a solution to fit my situation. thanks!