Don't Let the Scale Play YOU

[joshualessore]

This is *the* ultimate video to whack someone out of their beginner habits. This is probably your most important video that guitar world should make an article about

[Its.Ruze.]

This is one of the most important lessons in the history of music lessons. Period.

[olafvanrijnsbergen]

I felt really guilty of that first solo....

[akshaykumar_r]

You're probably the only one who teaches guitar with respect to how we feel, and this isn't bound to or enforced by shapes or scales xD Great video sensei!

[nickmurray]

When I learned how to do this by studying the style of John Frusciante it improved my soloing and overall writing a ton. I like to use Dani California as an example, John always goes back to that memorable lick he opens the solo with, and uses blues licks along the way to move it forward, using the opening lick as home base. I like to think of it as writing a story. Every good story has a memorable beginning that is very significant to the overall outcome of the main character's journey, so I use a melodic lick to open, and like any good story there is filler. Use the scale as filler by targeting specific intervals and patterns that drive the story forward, and along the way in any story there are small action events that keep it interesting, so throw in some cool little licks in between the filler and home base. End it off with a badass finale that will leave the listener wanting to come back for more.

[DineshSahu-gojo]

"You play the scale, don't let the scale play you."

Exact words of Guthrie Govan in his tutorial, Professor Shred. Great video, nonetheless. :-)

[hanomag]

I'm exactly at this point in my musical journey. Learning to play small solos. I'm always feeling lost in solos cause I never know where I'm going. As you have mentioned, I think this is gonna help me to keep track where I want to go.

This is by far one of the best free small lesson that I ever had.

You are a very good teacher. Thanks for sharing your knowledge to all of us!!!

[silent-trouble]

Thats very true. The way I think of scales is as a learning tool to know where the "right" notes are. Once you got them down you really should "forget" about these boxes and just go whereever you want your sound to go on the fretboard. Actively thinking more in motives and melodies when you improvise helps that too.

[mrmuscle]

sometimes when I'm improvising, I play as if the guitar is a voice and think of each note as a syllable. this only works for me sometimes if I'm really inspired

[ubuntu]

I've never ever improvised in my life. Every 20 minute lead solo I have ever done was from memory from a book called: the best 20 minute guitars solos you will ever need.

Nope, no improvisation here. No way. Thank you for showing me the light.

;-)

[jessiej]

The first example of the melody you played is what haunts so many guitarist the world over. Then you gave a specific way to start to combat the problem. Such a simple solution. Bravo!

[guimarques]

6:18 – this little bends to the previous and closest note are so easy, yet so beautiful!

[tomburge]

I could listen to you improvise all day 😍😍 damn sounds so good

[sannelepolder]

Thanks! I'd say i'm an intermediate guitar player, though I definitely "let the scale play me" often. it's easy to be unaware of such things and to not know why it is your solo's sound so static and boring. very helpful :)

[TheRealMutttastic]

In classical music, these "home riffs" are called motifs, which are also common in a lot of jazz solos. Studying how the greats use motifs and manipulate and change them as the piece goes on is some of the best musical training there is.

[JacobH]

This is a really great lesson. It always helps to have some sort of motif ("home riff") to work off of in a solo. What's nice is that it not only gives you something to fall back on, it also gives your listeners something to follow and take away from it as well.

[babetteleblanc]

I bought your Guitar Super System Pt 1 course, I've been looking at it but this video forced me to hit the "Buy now" button. And thank you for the awesome 50% discount...I see what other teachers are charging and you're practically giving this away. Thank you Tyler!

[ScorpioDeal]

I love the concept of home riffs. It really makes it easier to use the scales in a more musical way. Thanks for sharing it.

[shellshocktm]

This is definitely one of the most important lessons one needs to learn when trying to improve their soloing. It's easy to get suck in the scale rut and you've already addressed it by actually making a video about it and pointing out that it's a thing which is something beginner guitarists disregard. Great video as always and really helpful as well​. Thanks.

[seantaylor]

Thank you for existing and taking the time to help us, its great what you do