How to SOLO on GUITAR | Part 2: Harmony

This is a follow up to How to SOLO on GUITAR Part 1

Links mentioned/used:

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In this video I attempt to cram a lot of music theory and guitar theory into a span of about 20 minutes. The ultimate goal is to think differently about the fingerboard while you're soloing. I'm hoping the visuals help do a lot of the talking haha.

We start by talking about the hidden chords in the Pentatonic Scale and how to overlay them on top of the scale. The shapes are so transposable and usable that once you get the hang of it, your guitar solos will change forever and you'll get to be more specific.

Practice Method #1:
Just arpeggiate the shapes over the chord progression to get used to to the extra info in the pentatonic scale.

Practice Method #2:
End your phrases on notes that are part of the current chord. Keep it simple, maybe come up with a phrase that you know will end on a note thats part of the chord.

Practice Method #3:
If thats feeling easy, try to START and END phrases on notes that are part of the chord. You don't need to be perfect at it, its just about learning to be aware of the chord shapes.

Practice Method #4:
Very loosely just have fun with it. When you're on a note that is part of the chord, you can jump to another note thats part of the chord. This isn't a hard and fast music theory rule, but its a useful method of practice.

[IIBabakII]

I basically never comment youtube videos, but I just wanted to say, that this is legit one of the most beneficial guitar channels on YouTube, for me at least who is a beginner to music theory.
Not only is the lesson really good, but the way you show the fretboard with the blue and orange dots and also fading your hands is actually genius. Keep it up!

[musicmnw]

Literally the best guitar teacher ever.

[MK-vjfq]

This dude is unreal. He has cracked the code. Everyone in YouTube Land should know. Best teacher, hands down

[riccardo]

You’re a genius. You literally just unlocked the pentatonics for me.

For those wondering how to do the conversions, here’s a graphical tip: draw the major pentatonic shape you want to practice on, and starting from the root label each note with a sequential number (the major pentatonic goes 1-2-3-5-6, then it cycles). You’ll start to notice funny stuff: each note (or number, if you will) forms one of the 5 CAGED shapes, and by knowing this you can start to apply conversions, so that you can “shift” your thought to a different form, by still playing in the same shape!!

Example:
C shape - roots on 2nd and 5th strings
A shape - roots on 5th and 3rd strings
G shape - roots on 3rd, 1st, 6th strings
E shape - roots on 1st, 6th, 4th strings
D shape - roots on 4th, 2nd strings

In standard tuning, these are all the possible shapes that can occur on the guitar. Notice how they chain together nicely.
Now, let’s say you want to practice the G shape of the major pentatonic over a I-ii chord progression, like in the video. If you draw the scale diagram with the numbers labeled, you’ll see that:
- the 1s form the G shape (as expected)
- the 2s form the A shape
- the 3s form the C shape
- the 5s form the D shape
- the 6s form the E shape

Notice a pattern here? Now, when the ii chord comes, move your thought from the G shape to the A shape (1->2). This will allow you to quickly identify the root notes of the chord playing in the backing track, and you’ll notice that starting and ending your licks on those notes kicks some serious ass. If you were practicing a I-V progression, for example, you’ll start thinking in the D shape instead, following the conversion above.

Now, as for finding the other two notes of the triad, I recommend experimenting yourself a little. Personally I reason in intervals, finding the third and the fifth based on where my root notes are, but whatever works for you is good. The brain is amazing at adapting to patterns, so just stick in there and eventually you’ll fingers will know where to go without you thinking about it.

You’ll notice that you might need to go outside the pentatonic and borrow notes from the major scale (like SPJ said in the video): the G major pentatonic is missing the C note (4th) for instance, which is part of the A minor chord (A-C-E).

[videogeekin]

“Your personality really comes through as a great teacher”.

[chucktee]

I’m 33 and I have never commented on a YouTube video before. But I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[RyanPrunty]

Dude this channel is so helpful oh my god

[joanneshot]

Scott, You are a million years younger than me so I was hesitant to watch your instructional videos. How wrong I was!! I am self-taught and get stuck in ruts all the time. You are so refreshing and and teach in such a clear way that I improved just in the 10 minutes since I started watching. You are truly an excellent teacher and I will commit myself to watching all your videos. Please keep them coming!! Doebucky

[Albertwildhorseshoer]

This 65 year old grandma loves your guitar teaching style and lessons!

[robertcress]

Been needing this lesson, I think it's called a light bulb moment. Just ran across your channel, glad I did

[eddiekosena]

Hey Scott I’ve bought guitar lesson video and cd’s and basically gave up half way through the lesson, cause they were so confusing and also boring and felt like I wasn’t making any progress. But just by watching your first 2 lessons just made sooo much sense and I’ve picked up the CAGED pattern just like that” and now I’m beginning to understand what my guitar and CD lesson are talking about as well lol, I don’t know how to say but you were like the light at the end of the tunnel, and everything just kinda married together, thank you so much Scott for making me understand the CAGED and PENTATONIC scale more easily. God bless you bro” 🙏🏽

[stephenpowell]

I have been off and on trying to learn guitar for 20 years. I have searched and searched for a good instructional video with no luck until now. Your videos are so easy to follow along, your teaching speed is spot on and you have kept me interested and intrigued with every one of your videos. I have learned more in just one of your videos than I have the whole time I have been playing. These have been what I have been looking for all along. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these and for sharing them with all of us.

[jameshollingsworth]

Nicely done! Most players with your skill can’t/won’t share what you are teaching. You make it easy not understand. Thanks!

[GrippyRocks]

Man I can only say congratulations because I think you have one of the best visual methods of all YouTube guitar stuff. I'm taking lessons on soloing and improvisation and your videos really complete what I need to see. Thank you! Lots of editing effort

[danieldesilets]

You are literally teaching the “Rosetta Stone” of lead guitar. Thank you for explaining this in such a humble and encouraging way. I’m glad I stumbled on your video last night!

[vandeich]

You literally changed my perspective on guitar in 2 vids. Before I knew it was writing down a lot notes from your vids to study. You opened a lot of doors. I really can't thank you enough

[dmhguitars]

Omg bro!! I've watched a million videos on soloing and it never clicked in my head till today with your videos!- please keep making them in order so I can grow more! Thanks a million

[DeclanBerdella]

Dude congrats on your channel. The way you explain concepts, the editing, and how you show diagrams and chord progressions make the videos really didactic. I´ve been studying guitar for a couple years now and to see this kind of videos which are full of great information that is also fun to learn, is very cool. Keep up the good work.

[wheeliegeezer]

This channel is pure gold. You explain the concepts in a way that's really easy to understand and follow. And it's really getting me exited about theory.

[richardhoule]

I’ve been playing guitar for the last 4 years and I wanted to start doing some lead guitar so I looked on you tube for the last month and I saw only complicated teaching and ego after long hour on looking for an intelligent teaching I fall on SPJ a dream come dont says its all easy but I know that with Scott I will get there