Soloing | Improv Archives

Songs with Major Pentatonic Scale Solos

The major pentatonic scale is a guitarist’s go-to for creating solos that feel fresh, uplifting and bright. It’s the secret sauce behind some of the most memorable guitar solos in music history. You’ll find these solos in country music a lot of the time, but also in classic rock (The Eagles), folk (Hank Williams), blues (Freddy King, John Mayer) and pop music (The Beatles).

Major Pentatonic Scale vs Minor Pentatonic Scale

The major pentatonic scale (Formula: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6) and minor pentatonic scale ((Formula: 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7)) have their differences. The minor pentatonic scale offers a more bluesy, darker feel and is ideal for minor keys or blues progressions. Although they share the same set of notes in their relative forms, the starting note and tonal center determine their distinct emotional impact.

The major pentatonic scale is derived from the major scale (Formula: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), but with two notes removed: the 4th and 7th degrees. This makes the scale sound “open” and free of dissonance.

Easy Open String Blues Lick in the Key of E

By Klaus Crow 7 Comments

Hi Folks, it’s weekend!! Today I will treat you with a really cool easy open string blues lick in the key of E. You will love this one!

Easy Open String Blues Lick in the Key of E

What is an open string blues lick? An open string blues lick is a blues lick that uses a combination of fretted notes and open strings. Open string blues licks are widely used in blues and by blues guitar players. Stevie Ray Vaughan was a huge fan of open string licks.

See below for the blues licks tablature 🎶📋 and accompanying video guitar lesson 🎥📼

Don’t forget to share your feedback in the comments. I’d love to know who you are and how you’re doing. 💚

Enjoy!

G Major Scale – 5th Position

By Klaus Crow 3 Comments

Hi dear fellow guitar players, it’s time for the 5th position of the Major Scale series. The final CAGED shape position of the 5 positions. Also check out position 1, position 2, position 3, position 4 if you haven’t been able to do that yet. Now is the time to improve your skills and become an accomplished guitar player. 💪😊🎸

5th Position G Major Scale

We are going to learn the Major scale “5th position”, also referred to as the G-shape. Once you’ve practiced all these scale position thoroughly you have a broader understanding of the how the major scale works across the entire fretboard. The more you expand your knowledge of scales and music theory the more you will understand the overall picture of how music works and that will result into better playing, better soloing, better music composition skills, better everything guitar. So don’t waste your time and get to work.

See below for the scale diagram, tablature and guitar video lesson 🎶

Powerful One-Octave Natural Minor Scales – Part IV

By Klaus Crow Leave a Comment

Welcome you diligent guitar student. You have arrived at Part IV of the “One-Octave Natural Minor Scales” Series. The final lesson of these series to practice, play and put it all together. Let’s get your hands dirty!

If you are a first timer in these series start from the beginning and check out:

Powerful One-Octave Natural Minor Scales – Part I

Powerful One-Octave Natural Minor Scales – Part II

Powerful One-Octave Natural Minor Scales – Part III

In Part IV we’re going up the strings again and start with the root note from the G-string (3rd string) all the way up to the high e-string (1st string). We have 3 different scale patterns to learn, all containing the same notes of the natural minor scale.

Why Learn One-Octave Natural Minor Scales?

Learning one-octave natural minor scales will make you see and understand the overal picture of the scale in a clearer way. You can easily recognize the shape, the structure, the notes and the intervals of the scale, also how to practice and put it in action, since it’s only one octave. The scale is as important for beginners as it is for intermediate guitar players. Both will benefit from these scale tremendously.

If you found yourself in this lesson but you’re looking to learn the two-octave natural minor scales, or you want a follow up for the “One-octave Natural Minor Scales Series” check out: Exploring the Natural Minor Scale and The 5 natural minor scale positions you must know. If you stay with this lesson, focus and dominate!