Eric Johnson Pentatonics in 3 Steps

I've made quite a few different lessons covering Eric Johnson’s pentatonic runs, and I've received lots of positive responses and also some very good questions involving the topic. I decided to make this video covering how to go from Step 1 (where to begin) all the way to Step 3 (full on Eric Johnson Runs.) I hope you enjoy this video! Let me know what you think in comments below!

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[JordanSteele]

Do you like Eric Johnson pentatonic runs?

[Faltermeyer]

great lesson! please do more videos on fast pentatonic runs in the style of Eric Johnson and Joe Bonamassa.

[unabonger]

its amazing that you are able to play this on that banjo

[bluesllamas]

Thanks for the lessons. What I like about your videos is that you also show the right hand and the picking

[Phepsi]

Thanks Jordan, my playing hasn't improved, but I sure enjoyed watching you. 😉👍

[timmthelion]

this vid improved my playing immediately. thank you!

[Postbedrock]

Great player. Great teacher. It's usually one or the other, rarely both. I've learned so much from you.

[deathies]

I am a big fan of Joe Bonamassa and I think this is his style of playing too! These were so fun to learn and I'm very confident it'll teach me creative ways to solo in this style and also improve my playing speed alot! I cannot thank you enough Jordan!

[tpap]

Your explanation of Eric Johnson's style for cascading runs using a sort of blend of economy picking, the downstroke always is the first of two strokes on a string, so it's down up, down up, down shift to another 5 note pattern with a downstroke followed by up stroke on the same string, downstroke followed by up stroke on adjacent lower string, shift position to next descending pentatonic box du, du, d. Brilliant. When I do 5 note sequences cutting back only to the closest note immediately lower than where the last 5 note sequence started using all alternate picking, the pick slanting changes from upward pick slanting to downward pick slanting every other 5 note sequence whether ascending or descending. That obviously makes it much harder to build speed and precision using five note sequences. Not only does your explanation make more sense it gives a better cascading effect. It seems like Eric Johnson has his picking sequences deliberately mapped out yet it seems bonamassa just kind of uses the Steve Morse straight alternate picking method where he adjusts his pick subtly to avoid getting trapped between strings. Also, the sequences don't seem to be as structured and you may have four notes followed by five knots followed by 7 (another words bonamassa seems to mix up the sequence of note groupingsmore frequently. Thanks for the lesson I finally understand Eric Johnson's sequencing much better.

[jeffshirkey]

Great lesson for people new to playing EJ-style runs. Nicely done, kid.

[tpap]

Wonderful technique. Odd note sequences with varying number of notes, with string and position shifts, often 2 notes per string is challenging as hell. When it includes including directional changes using both strict alternate and economy picking with speed, precision, proper muting to avoid string noise (which is essential especially and high volumes while playing with other musicians). You appear to do all of the above with a level of facility exemplary of deeply imbedded neural pathways that allow the body to execute without thinking. That is, in my opinion, the most advanced level of flat picking electric guitar mastery that one can achieve on the instrument. To accomplish this at such. Young age is absolutely remarkable. There are brilliant session guitarists who have played some of the best guitar solos ever recorded who are still struggling with this technique. Your ability obviously may be somewhat related to natural talent but what you are showing in your playing is dedication, focus and total commitment to guitar and musicianship. With so many half assed musicians poluting the airwaves, guys like you Mateus Asato, Mateo Mancusso, Ross Campbell and many others representing a tiny percentage of young musicians is totally inspiring. Kick ass video and brilliant playing. Far too many musicians default to the, "I am a feel player, " which really means I am lazy but want all the external benefits of being recognized as a musician. You obviously never fell for that BS. Keep up the great work

[gammagongetya]

Holy crap dude. Incredible. That first economy pick is the toughest part to get down.

[MrJohnnyDistortion]

00:23 YOIN? 🤣😆 I love brother. Where's that amazing blazing rock tone that I'm use to hearing? You're getting soft in your old age buddy.😆 ROCK & ROLL 🤘🏼🤟🏽🤘🏼🤟🏽🤘🏼🤟🏽🤘🏼🤟🏽

[normanwaller]

I've been playing for a long time but for some reason I find it extremely difficult to do the pentatonic runs like Eric Johnson Eric Gale and Joe Bonamassa. I was thinking it had something to do with the pull off that I wasn't getting right. But this is the first video where I think it's gonna make a big improvement. Thanks so much I appreciate it..

[ricoe]

Yep! My teacher... He's the BEST!

[danielralec]

Thank you so much man I’ve been wanting to learn his runs for a long time now I got em!

[willpipes]

For some reason, that lesson hit home and soaked in better than most I've watched, Thanks, Man, I'll be following you from now on.

[luvguitarCV]

Fantastic lesson Jordan! I’ve seen a lot of videos on the EJ pentatonic method but yours is the easiest to follow…and the best👍🏻 Love the way you utilize the whole neck like EJ does. The way you explain it is great!!
Keep the videos coming man!! 😎🎸

[nickmillington]

Perfect lesson! Clear and concise. You teach it correctly like the Doug Rappoport EJ lesson with the economy picking.

[stephenchaulker]

You're best lesson yet 🏆 Absolute coolest bedrock penta-shred ✨