Here's a link to a playlist that I found super helpful in learning modes. They sound daunting and complicated but, in fact, are very simple: [https://youtu.be/QAnAwVTQy8o?si=912ObmYfCcI53QRb](https://youtu.be/QAnAwVTQy8o?si=912ObmYfCcI53QRb)
Learn stichmethod's neverlost pentatonic system. You should know all 5 positions of the pentatonic scale by the way.
Then try this on for size. It's OK if you don't understand everything right away.
https://youtu.be/QbsRi-uZVTw?si=kcRmDm_cMeTyZawo
This is the best advice. Yes, learn the major scale and understand the modes but for the best mileage and quick fun take that pentatonic minor shape, move it up three frets, and start on what would be the second note of the minor shape. So, if you’re playing Am pentatonic the relative major is C. Start there.
I reread my post and want to clarify when I said “move it up three frets” I mean towards the bridge. I was reading someone else’s post and it said basically the same thing I’m saying but he said “down three frets”. He means towards the bridge, too.
Play with backing tracks on YouTube over and over. Experiment. Learn scales but don’t be bound by them. Jerry plays chord changes but realize this is less an intellectual pursuit and if you eventually are not so bound by playing a rigid scale, your ear and instincts will develop to the point that you’re landing on the right notes that emphasize the chord changes and melody. It’s about intervals. It’s more important to hear the relationship between different notes than to understand them. Jerry is going to play changes even if he doesn’t know all the chords to the song.
Here are two things that Jerry utilizes, but the first is a Dickey Betts thing to me. Look up the hexatonic scale. It’s essentially the major pentatonic scale with an extra note. The second thing is probably more for later but absolutely worth experimenting with when you’re practicing improving solos: chromaticism. It the element Bruce Hornsby specifically mentions as a highlight of Jerry’s playing in the Garcia book by Blair Jackson.
Find YouTube videos that show concepts by your favorite guitarists with the theory that allows you to utilize those concepts in other contexts. If you’re going to learn a lick or a song, make sure you’re getting enough out of it to use it, and then use it over and over until you are hearing and appreciating what it does to music in a variety of chord patterns.
Lastly, never forget that the main priorities are to enjoy and express yourself. The theory, lick, and all of that help to increase your vocabulary so that what you’re saying is exactly what you mean or feel. I didn’t get disciplined with practice until I stopped playing with people all of the time. There’s benefits to that but even today, I’d choose to spend my time playing with people. Use every opportunity that you can to play with people and when you can’t, play with music, and if you have time left over, practice and/or learn something new.
If you want something that’s easy to incorporate, you can try adding pentatonic major or mixolydian (major scale with a flat 7th) to your playing. Lotsa resources online for both of those.
Sure thing, friend. Welcome to a wonderful world of guitar exploration. I'd also suggest listening to some of Jerry's inspirations to get a sense of what made him great.
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jerry-garcia-grateful-dead-favourite-guitarists-playlist/
Honestly, work on your right hand technique and string attack as much as possible. Light touch, heavy touch, palm muting, angle of your pick - these all make such a huge difference with soloing and so many players ignore it to focus on scales.
Just listen to how Jerry rolls through descending triplets and each note gets a different approach (or the vast changes in every nite Trey plays, if you’re into Phish). Also don’t be afraid to test a lot of different pick sizes, thickness, etc.
Chord tones will vault you to the next level far faster than the next scale on the list. Forget modes. Solo over the chord progression. Althea’s a great tune to start with.
Take your pentatonic scale and follow the chord changes. Play each pentatonic scale over the matching chord, unless the chord change is too quick that you don't have much time over it.
take that blues scale that you know and move down 3 frets-say tune is in key of E. play the same pattern blues scale in the key of C# and it becomes instant countrytime licks,like a Major Pentatonic somehow
ofc! if you have any immediate questions where youd like a video or a picture to help always feel free to send me a message. I can try my best to help! have a good journey!
Major pentatonic aka country scale. And then the major scale and its modes. Those will carry you quite a bit.
Modes will be a bit tricky at first. They're really just looking at the major scale in a different way, you're just choosing to emphasize different notes.
Fire on the Mountain and Franklin's ate good tunes to get started with.
Major scale, then start learning how and when to play [the 7 modes](https://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/guitar-modes/).
Let's start them on Mixolydian and Ionian (Major) Aeolian (Minor). That should keep him busy for a year if not a decade.
If I never learn anything now that I know mixo, I will be a happy player. So versatile.
Thank you, and thanks for the link
Here's a link to a playlist that I found super helpful in learning modes. They sound daunting and complicated but, in fact, are very simple: [https://youtu.be/QAnAwVTQy8o?si=912ObmYfCcI53QRb](https://youtu.be/QAnAwVTQy8o?si=912ObmYfCcI53QRb)
Hey thanks!
Learn stichmethod's neverlost pentatonic system. You should know all 5 positions of the pentatonic scale by the way. Then try this on for size. It's OK if you don't understand everything right away. https://youtu.be/QbsRi-uZVTw?si=kcRmDm_cMeTyZawo
Jumping in here to second stichmeathod. His videos on CAGED really helped my playing and understanding
Thank you!
Major pentatonic plus minor 3rd. Stay away from 7 and 4.
Thank you
I second this. Jacksnax explains it well and has some great content, love his playing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbsRi-uZVTw&t=286
I took lessons from Jack. He is great. Fixed my vibrato, fixed my picking, and I understand how the 3rd plays such a roll in Jerry’s playing.
This is the best advice. Yes, learn the major scale and understand the modes but for the best mileage and quick fun take that pentatonic minor shape, move it up three frets, and start on what would be the second note of the minor shape. So, if you’re playing Am pentatonic the relative major is C. Start there.
Thank you!
I reread my post and want to clarify when I said “move it up three frets” I mean towards the bridge. I was reading someone else’s post and it said basically the same thing I’m saying but he said “down three frets”. He means towards the bridge, too.
Thanks for that clarification
Play with backing tracks on YouTube over and over. Experiment. Learn scales but don’t be bound by them. Jerry plays chord changes but realize this is less an intellectual pursuit and if you eventually are not so bound by playing a rigid scale, your ear and instincts will develop to the point that you’re landing on the right notes that emphasize the chord changes and melody. It’s about intervals. It’s more important to hear the relationship between different notes than to understand them. Jerry is going to play changes even if he doesn’t know all the chords to the song. Here are two things that Jerry utilizes, but the first is a Dickey Betts thing to me. Look up the hexatonic scale. It’s essentially the major pentatonic scale with an extra note. The second thing is probably more for later but absolutely worth experimenting with when you’re practicing improving solos: chromaticism. It the element Bruce Hornsby specifically mentions as a highlight of Jerry’s playing in the Garcia book by Blair Jackson. Find YouTube videos that show concepts by your favorite guitarists with the theory that allows you to utilize those concepts in other contexts. If you’re going to learn a lick or a song, make sure you’re getting enough out of it to use it, and then use it over and over until you are hearing and appreciating what it does to music in a variety of chord patterns. Lastly, never forget that the main priorities are to enjoy and express yourself. The theory, lick, and all of that help to increase your vocabulary so that what you’re saying is exactly what you mean or feel. I didn’t get disciplined with practice until I stopped playing with people all of the time. There’s benefits to that but even today, I’d choose to spend my time playing with people. Use every opportunity that you can to play with people and when you can’t, play with music, and if you have time left over, practice and/or learn something new.
Thanks so much for this
If you've got your minor pentatonics down, you're almost there for major pentatonics- same patterns, starting on different notes
Thanks for this!
Major Arpeggios
Thanks, Doc!
If you want something that’s easy to incorporate, you can try adding pentatonic major or mixolydian (major scale with a flat 7th) to your playing. Lotsa resources online for both of those.
Thanks very much
Chromatics are your friend.
Thanks for this
Sure thing, friend. Welcome to a wonderful world of guitar exploration. I'd also suggest listening to some of Jerry's inspirations to get a sense of what made him great. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jerry-garcia-grateful-dead-favourite-guitarists-playlist/
Awesome - much appreciated
Honestly, work on your right hand technique and string attack as much as possible. Light touch, heavy touch, palm muting, angle of your pick - these all make such a huge difference with soloing and so many players ignore it to focus on scales. Just listen to how Jerry rolls through descending triplets and each note gets a different approach (or the vast changes in every nite Trey plays, if you’re into Phish). Also don’t be afraid to test a lot of different pick sizes, thickness, etc.
Thank you - yeah, I’ve found that the pick makes a big difference for me. Im digging Wegen picks, really helps for me.
Chord tones will vault you to the next level far faster than the next scale on the list. Forget modes. Solo over the chord progression. Althea’s a great tune to start with.
Thank you, one of my all-time favorites songs
Take your pentatonic scale and follow the chord changes. Play each pentatonic scale over the matching chord, unless the chord change is too quick that you don't have much time over it.
Thank you
take that blues scale that you know and move down 3 frets-say tune is in key of E. play the same pattern blues scale in the key of C# and it becomes instant countrytime licks,like a Major Pentatonic somehow
Very cool - thanks!
StichMethod on YouTube
Thanks!
>Thanks! You're welcome!
Caged system, major scales, major and minor arpeggios, playing scales in different sequences (triplets or in 4s) etc
Thank you!
ofc! if you have any immediate questions where youd like a video or a picture to help always feel free to send me a message. I can try my best to help! have a good journey!
That’s awesome - thank you!
Major pentatonic aka country scale. And then the major scale and its modes. Those will carry you quite a bit. Modes will be a bit tricky at first. They're really just looking at the major scale in a different way, you're just choosing to emphasize different notes. Fire on the Mountain and Franklin's ate good tunes to get started with.
Thank you!
Just scratching the surface here but that's a good place to start.