How do I START a guitar solo?

[@humphet]

I'm outside on my porch with my fender. I'm watching this in the sun on my tablet and jamming along. Couldn't ask for a better time. You are just the total best instructor. I just love watching, and sharing with friends too

[@patrickestwick5675]

THANK YOU BRIAN!! The Fretboard is opening up nicely due to this lesson.

[@andyjales]

Ok Brian, I don t know if You realise the treasure of this lesson. This lesson is pure gold For us, who are trying to learn something being more than 40 years old. Thanks a Lot !!!! ❤❤❤

[@meeno_the_man]

Lovely lesson proving once again that there’s so much richness to be mined from the basics.

[@maheshregon5441]

Love you. I'm 64 yrs but still learning and enjoying blues solo

[@robnic52]

A surprisingly helpful lesson, great idea and Brian introduces the note numbers in the little arpeggio then in the minor pentatonic. I had been struggling to make musical phrases in the pentatonic shapes but that simple arpeggio is made from the chord tones, suddenly it's making musical and meaningful phrases almost automatically. The chord tones, the 1, 3, 5 notes from the scale are the money notes. The he adds the 7th and the 6th and you can hear the rich effect these new notes bring. This micro lesson is a real gem to be messed around with and practiced until it's under your fingers and understood.

[@Blalack77]

I was making a lot of progress on guitar several years ago but I met my wife and just focused on her and kind of quit all of my hobbies for whatever reason. But she left me on 6/19/23 (2 days after my birthday and 8 days before our 5th wedding anniversary) and I immediately started feeling a pull back to my old hobbies. Like I guess I was like just content in my life just being with her or complacent or something - like all I needed was her - but since she left, I've got to fill my mind, heart and soul with the other things that make me happy.. Something like that anyway. But this situation made a lyric or song title pop into my head and I'm wanting to expand on it and write a whole song - "Mourning an Illusion". Like the fact she left me so randomly and without a warning, fight or discussion makes me realize, our relationship must not have been what I thought it was and so what am I sad about? I'm mourning something that didn't even exist.

[@Mountainmanfingerpicker]

Exactly... It's like mourning something that never really, fully existed. It should make you a great song.

[@nigelwalker4158]

@Black77 - sorry to hear of the shock departure of your wife! I went through a very acrimonious divorce, but I've found some therapy in picking up the guitar and learning. Brian explains everything so well. I'm sure you'll find comfort in music and maybe even write some soughting melodic songs. Stay strong

[@moeb4348]

I, too, invented a woman and married her. Bad results. I'm glad Brian is for real and teaches so well. Thanks, Brian!

[@bungalowbluesman]

Brilliant. More like this please Brian. 😁👍🏻

[@dawin6710]

This is a dream course given by a dream music improvisation teacher. It doesn't get better than this. Thanks

[@jimroundtree3847]

One of the best lessons ever. An absolute practical approach to the first steps of improvising a solo. The ironic thing is how much is packed into this one lesson. It would also be nice to see you work up a lead using the melody line of a familiar song, similarly relating the melody to the chord changes as you do here.

[@benbush1227]

This information and how presented reveals the core understanding for any level of guitarist where and how to speak the notes, create a melody, I’ve learned a lot about the instruments basics and essentials, This is the area and knowledge I never obtained, Shout out to the one who asked the question 🙋‍♂️ and shout out to ACTIVEMELODY for the answer! Excellent tutorial,Treasure Treasure Treasure!

[@alcoolbc]

Long time customer coming back to your excellent instruction series. I miss your clear demos and positive, energetic, knowledgeable teaching style that intrigues the ear and makes one want to invest more time in making music. Thanks Brian.

[@blandroid2015]

Man, I love light bulb moments. You made triads so simple and digestible

[@TheHayruss]

Great lesson, the only disappointing part of this was that I only have one thumbs up to give, it deserves many more.

[@scm1716]

Wow, what a great lesson! Thanks, Brian! The little improv bit you go into in A near the last of the lesson is the best part. You've really helped me understand the guitar better than I have in 30 years!

[@douglasnelsen1301]

As I am viewing this lesson for the first time....the word.... "Wonderful" comes to mind....

[@blainecyr7261]

Thank you Brian, I appreciate the way you break things down. I have been playing for over 55 years and for so many of those I was stuck in the minor pentatonic scale and as I have tried to expand beyond that to include modes, major and minor scales ext.. I find myself constantly guilty of drinking from the fire hose and getting frustrated. Lessons like this one help me out a lot because it pulls together very simply all the things that I seem sometimes to over think and drowned myself in. Thanks again keep them coming.

[@ambroseharper8316]

Recognise that! Me too 😊

[@knobby8710]

and there it is..........great lesson Brian

[@MrNgcovelli]

first solo lesson that didnt start with minor pentatonic! what a great lesson! So glad to be a member of Active Melody.. Thank you Brian.

[@BanjoLemonade]

You are getting big Brian!!! That is great news, finally time your channel shoots the moon!

[@activemelody]

Why thank ya 🙏 we’ll have to collab sometime

[@BanjoLemonade]

@@activemelody - That would be super fun, but I don’t really want my channel to get much bigger actually. 😂

[@Bhh-j2s]

This "building block" style of teaching is really effective and you do it very well. Thanks Brian.

[@dieterreindl6466]

It's all so simple - when Brian explains it. Why can't I figure it out for myself most of the time? It is probably because I think too complicated, that I have not completely internalized the fretboard and chord structures and because I am sometimes simply too lazy to concentrate on them. The "Method Brian" is a good key to make decisive progress here.

[@ArtDonna84]

What a great lesson. Thank you for providing this wealth of arpeggio / improv work. I greatly lack this ability but this helped me tremendously Brian. By the way, I'm envious of your vinyl collection I see in the background. Looks very well organzied.

[@jeremylrichardson]

Excellent video bro. Can you do some more stuff like this? Definitely helped a lot.

[@ericcrangle6528]

Spent this evening listening and having a go. Great stuff very helpful. Thank you

[@michaeljohn4598]

Thank you Brian - this has been a ‘light bulb lesson’ for me. Really insightful and I get it, finally. Thank you so much for your brilliant teaching over the years. Your lessons are a highlight of my week. Keep on keepin’ on. 😁😁😁

[@utbronell]

Perhaps the most useful lesson I've ever come across. Thank you so much. Oh and a special thanks for explaining that you can still play in the same scale when the chords change. I've always been so confused and overwhelmed thinking I needed to know the chord progression and then switching scales to suit.

[@Smiffy830]

That lesson has just added a heap of progress to my playing. Wonderful things will now occur, thanks Brian!

[@marchallaert7372]

Excellent lesson! I was struggling to understand note playing as it pertains to chords. Not having the chords playing under the notes 🎶 opened up my mind and ears to how comping over chords should work and sound. Thank you!!!!

[@nyzombiesquad182]

OMG!!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 For some reason this lesson....this lesson right here..got me.... everything came together about 7 mins..great lesson..ive been trying to create music with what i have learned and have been unsuccessfull. I listen to what you say and how you teach and still cannot come up with my own ideas...I FEEL LIKE I HAVE JUST CROSSED THAT BRIDGE!! Ty❤❤

[@upuiaropati6839]

I always enjoy the way you present your guitar lessons bro. Very comprehensive and they attract my attention very easily. You’re always one of my best guitar tutors on ytube. Thanks a lot.

[@j0kar]

Hey Brian, thanks for the awesome lesson! I really appreciate it. One thing I struggle with when it comes to soloing by myself is maintaining the rhythm. Everything tends to blend together and it becomes a big blob of sound that doesn't feel musical anymore. Thanks again!

[@francisg292]

You have a superb way of teaching Brian,im really enjoying trying this out it,it is gradually sinking in.

[@trusarmor4957]

this is about to be your most watched vid. cause im about to watch it couple of dozen times.

[@howlintim]

You're an awesome teacher.

[@rickhalle-podell169]

this is why I pay for active melody. brian knows how to teach better than anyone on youtube and simplify something and make it sound amazing.

[@activemelody]

🙏

[@andreuttenhoff8135]

Brilliant lesson, Brian! Fits exactly to where I am at in my guitar journey… more of that would be appreciated.👍🏼

[@mazzap1234]

Another great lesson. Thanks Brian.

[@amandamoore8516]

Thanks from the UK! All of your videos on working with chord changes and using arpeggios, triads, intervals are very helpful when playing over chords with a larger guitar group meet-up instead of just playing chords. It's really starting to pay off -people asking me to turn up the volume instead of down. Cheers.

[@patrickbrain2464]

Can’t ever get enough!! Thanks

[@amsumalivallaart2805]

Fantastic indeed Can really understand what you mean Keep up the great lessons Keep ‘‘em coming

[@Goateeist1]

Great lesson, thanks.

[@marianodomingo8018]

Thank you once again Brian! You nailed it

[@willischeyltjens2980]

simple, but that's how you learn where the 6 and 7 are, great thanks Brian

[@sabudjed1135]

Very good teaching and many thanks.

[@GuitarJoLa]

Very cool extra Macrolesson, Brian! I always learn something new :) ♪❤

[@RBZ3]

Thanks Brian, nicely done!

[@danjordan4567]

Thanks, you just gave me an idea, I don't have to bar the entire fret when I am not using the cage system

[@bjzapped]

Great lesson, more like this, following on.

[@epiphone278]

Simple but an ah moment lesson! Thanks Brian!

[@hgfdsplkcm9734]

wow... half a million subscribers... Congrats Brian...

[@bruceall2001]

Excellent stuff as usual. Thanks.😊

[@meinhendl]

helps a lot . fantastic explanation . thank you so much !

[@richardthompson8207]

Looks like Arlo may have played that guitar once! Very useful lesson that wraps up a number of concepts, yet not overly complex. Very pragmatic.

[@activemelody]

😂

[@ambroseharper8316]

That's a guitar lesson - right there! 👏

[@billfehr256]

Great lesson!

[@lloydskidmore]

That was a really good video, learned a lot from it , thanks.

[@1974xaviers]

Excellent lesson

[@davidmiller3374]

Winner, Brian!

[@paulseabrook9338]

Outstanding, again! Thanks so much!

[@MaxdeVietri-h7o]

Very nice, Brian. Thank you

[@Ssoraa64]

Thank you! Great lesson and great teacher. I am finally learning the blues. I am so happy...ehh...I am so blue ;-)

[@liviots]

Wow… great lesson 😊

[@iannicholls7476]

Great stuff. Thank-you.

[@mr.mcallister6502]

Gotta love a guy who still has a large LP collection.

[@riffcodger]

Well done. Thanks. Great stuff.

[@rajeshgumber363]

How about including the major 7 note in the major key solo, F# note of G in this case? Just like the flat7 note is included in a minor key solo. Thankyou

[@ginodellaconza3037]

Grazie per le dritte, le metterò subito in atto

[@recordmanmusic]

Thank you great lesson

[@chooch54dd]

Man what a good lesson. Had a beginners light bulb go off

[@allenalsop6032]

Great stuff.

[@GatoBrooks]

Superb!

[@metalfuryskulls]

Lovely lesson, jam packed with really useful ideas. You mentioned the 2 ways of approaching the notes - either from chord shapes and building up to the scale or from the root scale and identifying the shapes. Im interested in the mindset of this and my question is; what do you personally do in your head when approaching the changes?

[@guilhermecoutinho7521]

Awsome lesson. I will be free to improvising in not time

[@talisman964]

Quite brilliant!

[@durwardgoudie1803]

Excellent 2100 Spain 👍😁

[@Code9]

Another great lesson in your typically awesome style but I gotta say I kept being distracted by that gorgeous Gibson!!!! What a beauty! What can you tell us about it???

[@activemelody]

Early 50s L4 👍

[@Code9]

@@activemelody Wow. If it was mine I'd be tempted to keep that baby locked up in a vault somewhere and only bring it out on special occasions. What a treasure. I'm salivating. LOL Thanks for the info.

[@BigWapiti]

Awesome lesson - thanks! You mentioned starting on the and- of-three. Why? How would I know what / where to start a lead? Why did you choose the and-of-three and not simply the one? Do you have any lessons on this type of timing?? I'll keep searching otherwise.

[@d.l.huntministries8131]

Good it has got me going

[@richardcrilley11]

Damn good lesson.

[@vandekerkhovejeanphilippe196]

[@sallymac1510]

I ❤ the vlogs/ MicroLessons (macro). Any instructional on ‘how’ to is helpful. The idea of using selected ingredients and keeping the recipe simple but more informative can turn on more lightbulbs. Example: If I wanted to use this recipe: sus2, sus4, E shape,A shape and one scale position. What can be made with it to make it successful? Thanks in advance Chef.

[@berthatheairstream3639]

Great video! It helps make sense of where to "start" a solo. I still struggle on knowing what scale to use, which reduces my confidence on stage tremendously. How do you know what scale to use (major pentatonic vs. minor pentatonic), or does it just depend on what type of sound you're looking for?

[@Tomas72713]

Hello Brian , thanks for a great lesson, ML 098. I got the idea. I wonder how do I develop my solo further? Do I go up or down the neck and f.i. search other progression with other shapes in the same key? How do the penta scales work in this context?

[@junkcarno]

my answer. BIG BEND!!!

[@QBRX]

Yeah, I liked it!

[@MusicManFernando]

Thanks.

[@cadrat1962]

Hey Brian, (Premium member here) I was just talking about this exact topic this morning with a freind........ After a couple of years with you I've got a whole lot of knowledge and tecnique.... But how to put it togther. The 1,4, 5 sound good. But how to build in a bridge, or make up a chorus......... thats where I get confused.. Cheers

[@bradwillis2274]

Thankyou

[@geoffwatson]

I'm putting you forward for a gong in the next honours list. 👍

[@activemelody]

Wait, is that good or bad? 😬

[@rajeshgumber363]

@@activemelody Brian lol!

[@rafaelnava9701]

Quisiera que fuera traducido al castellano gracias saludos

[@johnsmith-lb4mo]

But i can't play bar chords!

[@activemelody]

This lesson has nothing to do with playing barre chords

[@johnsmith-lb4mo]

oh, i only watched it to 2:25 where you demonstrate a barre chord, i'll carry on watching then till the end.

[@amarildopelegrini1577]

👍👍👍👍👍👍🇧🇷

[@stevelancaster5303]

Another light bulb moment, thanks Brian

[@MetalMcfly]

Normally I put down a certain chord progression and when I begin to solo, depending what chord I'm playing over I will slide into the root note over that chord. Am chord > start with A of the Am pentatonic and work around those notes mixing through scale notes over the other chords as they change. The notes in that scale (C,E,D,G) will work as a starting point as well. Bends, vibrato, Tap sequences all fall within this. It's all based on what you are hearing in your head, feeling etc. You can't really teach that. Learning notes is one thing, making them musical within yourself is a whole other deal.

[@gilbertramirez9125]

Boring

[@activemelody]

@@gilbertramirez9125 thanks Gilbert

[@reneebutouy]

Great lesson. Thank you.