This is Why You Suck at Guitar: You Don't Know the Minor Scale!

Downloadable charts, TABs, backing tracks, bonus lessons, and so much are available to everyone who supports my channel over at www.patreon.com/benellerguitars ! This week, you'll even be getting a bonus lesson showing you how to optimize the use of these 5 patterns for maximum melodic impact, plus a sweet backing track to practice along with! Check it out right here: / 38535524
Do you suck at the Major scale? Watch this video to master that thing:
• This is Why You Suck a...
Part 1: Linear 2:00
Part 2: Standard 5:14
Part 3: Pocket Octaves 9:40
Part 4: 3 notes per string 16:57
Part 5: 4 notes per string 21:21
Part 6: Summary and major scale combo maps 23:54
Hey kids! Its your good buddy, Uncle Ben Eller, here with This is Why You Suck at Guitar 21: You Don't Know the Minor Scale!!!
In TIYWSAG 18, i showed you all the 5 positions of the Major scale that you NEED to know; and now, you're going to have 5 minor scale shapes to combine with that lesson for ultimate fretboard mastery! You're going to become a pro in BOTH styles: country AND western!
In this video, i'm going to show you my best and most-used shapes for the aeolian mode: linear, standard, pocket octaves, 3 notes per string, and 4 notes per string. Along the way, i'm going to drop some great tips for fretboard visualization, learning the notes across the neck, phrasing concepts, picking tips, and legato tricks! Its everything you need, and nothing you don't!
At the end of the video, i'm also going to show you how to combine these shapes with the concepts you learning about the major scale in episode 18; heed my words and you'll master the board in NO TIME!
Playing my Suhr Modern Satin into the Fractal AXE FX III. Simple and glorious!
Thanks for watching! Let me know what you suck at in the comments, and we will cover it next time!

[@BenEller]

Thanks a lot for watching This is Why You Suck at Guitar: You Don’t Know the Minor Scale!!!! What do you want to see on the next episode of TIWYSAG?

[@domin8er584]

Ben I come to you today because I need your help. I’ve been playing guitar for 5+ years and feel like I’m not where I should be. I can’t tell if my picking hand or fretting hand is the issue or both. I’ve been doing exercises to increase speed along with trying to piece together all the useful information I’ve found on free KZbin videos. I figured if anyone could help me figure out why I suck at guitar it would be you.

[@latheofheaven1017]

I think the reason why I suck at guitar is you Ben! I'll watch a video and think, 'Yeah. I really need to learn that', and the next day I'll see another video, and that's also a great idea or exercise too, so I'll practice that also. And the next day another video, and the next... You get the idea. There's so much to learn on guitar, that I think I stretch myself too thinly and only get incrementally better at a fifty things. I think I need to focus on a few things, but what to focus on? How to build a focused practice regime that results in me recognising over weeks or at the most a few months, that I'm really making progress.

[@BenEller]

Domin8er have you checked out my “Your hand synchronization sucks” video?

[@latheofheaven1017]

Seriously though Ben. How did you learn? Did you try to do everything at once, or were there a few core foundations that you got down first, and then started building on? I've played fingerstyle acoustic guitar all my life, and only in the last five years picked up the electric guitar (and a plectrum) seriously. Maybe its because I'm probably older than your dad that I find the increase in ability slow. In not too many years, I'm going to find that decrepitude is going to overtake any skills I've built up, so I am trying to maximise my ability before that happens.

[@enricosenno7767]

String skipping arpeggios ! Man i love your Channel and you a cool cat too... cheers from Italy

[@DanKleeman]

"Scale pattern baldness" is the best thing I've ever heard.

[@BenEller]

Trademark Ben Eller, hahaha

[@monsterram6617]

@@BenEller Your play-on-words are always on-point but this one is pure genius. Well done.

[@brettabey9973]

This... all this

[@seankebely]

Yeah that one had me crackin up

[@ozi76]

Knew it was coming at some point but it still made me laugh 🤣

[@feirand]

Hands down, the coolest and best guitar channel on youtube.

[@keithw3577]

Learn here then graduate to Kiko!

[@steves4533]

I tried paying attention, but Richard Simmons in the background kept distracting me.

[@rbebut1]

I am sure that uncle Ben has some kind of subliminal messages by using RS. (exercise, work out) or maybe he just likes RS.

[@bobleglob162]

he's really cute.

[@samhand8270]

That’s Keith Richards

[@jamesn5595]

He's sweating to the oldies, minor scale style.

[@NicholasChorba]

Pretend Richard is Gene's brother and wonder in fascination at what that household was like when they wre kids.

[@wilsonyandt9607]

without question, this guy is the best at what he does. he teaches the exact thing i need to learn, every time

[@xterra67]

No he not!! Bernth is, check him out if your an intermediate or advance player, excellent teacher probably the best on the net!! Good luck

[@xterra67]

@Barney Fife you right, give him a little more time and he will be flying

[@ousgoo7076]

@@xterra67 everything ive tried to learn from bernth never works, but with ben al his stuff DOES work and helps a lot actually

[@sole__doubt]

@@ousgoo7076 Same here Bernth is all flash and not much substance. I can see why people like him its so slick with that editing style. As you said I learned more from Uncle Ben in one video than I learn from watching a ton of Bernth. Thats only for the most advanced players.

[@redbloodedamerican2346]

​​@@sole__doubt WHAT! You haven't watched many of his videos or know much about him If that's your thoughts. He had videos that teach theory and all! What editing style? His playing has zero editing in it!

[@monsterram6617]

If not knowing the minor scale is a major problem, is not knowing the major scale a minor problem?

[@MicHiiX01]

You are exactly right actually :D despite that u know one of them, u know both.

[@philfrank5601]

@@MicHiiX01 I remeember when I learned my major scale shapes, I was like, "and now to learn the minor shapes!" ...but it was a nice surprise anyway, getting rhe 2-for-1.

[@CMM5300]

Only when your a rock player!

[@Logan-bd5np]

😆

[@CMM5300]

I augmented to learn that

[@Roodski]

I wish not knowing the minor scale inside and out was the main reason I suck lol

[@checkmybrain3974]

Out of several you tube instructors, this is the one that got through to me on how scales work. Also, Just had the pleasure of meeting Ben as I recognized him in person walking downtown. He was much kinder that the sarcastic persona you see on this website. He recommended places to eat and even saved me from stepping backwards into a pile of dog shit! Thanks Ben!

[@JosephWheeler14]

Come to Scruffy City Hall for a Skang Banger show man! They put on a hell of a show and it's a great venue for them.

[@ofork]

playing a scale linearly on one string... mind blown.. my god this makes so much sense.

[@Crowbar11115]

14:23 That Max Headroom impression is ON POINT!

[@BenEller]

TH TH TH TH THANKS!

[@r3ngokuking]

No, Uncle Ben, I suck because I don't practice enough. Like nowhere close to enough....

[@deadohiosky1701]

Oh yeah? Well I just literally stare at my guitar on its stand.

[@eduardoprieto5267]

Oh yeah, my guitar is a picture in a magazine.

[@CatarineausArmory]

Why practice when I can watch Ben do it? 'Mericaaaaaaah!!!

[@pingli2709]

i actually agree with him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@diealegendtv5410]

i suck at guitar for 20years until I discovered your channel.. thanks uncle Farquad.. kids now are lucky to have youtube.. in the 90's its every guitarist for himself..

[@chewybang]

15:33 I literally LOL'd. Well done Uncle Ben!

[@michaelharacopos6550]

I was almost in tears. Was not expecting that hahahahaha

[@patsquanch]

Ben you're the man. I've played guitar for over a decade and play a whole lot of really cool shit, but never bothered to learn scales nor even knew the notes im playing honestly. 14 years of only knowing guitar via fret numbers. Mostly just riffs... Hardly ever go above the 15th fret. And tonight I found myself playing some leads over a loop with the minor scale up in the 20 somethings, likely for the first time ever. And I actually know what notes I'm playing. 🙏🙏🙏 Thanks for being such an excellent resource! Actually made this extremely interesting and FUN. Joining that patreon as soon as I can!

[@srcastic8764]

Me too! I played in high school and college just learning songs not understanding what I was playing. I could play chords and fingerpick well, but all acoustic and no soloing. I quit playing for a long time and now I’m just picking up an electric and relearning how to play and learning soloing. I’ve learned more from this guy in a few videos than in playing for two decades before.

[@DruNature]

these lessons make such a huge impact when your muscle memory and innate song writing sense have already been activated for years!!

[@leegriffiths312]

Brilliant teacher, you breakdown theory and simplify everything. I will get practicing and remembering those roots

[@mickyferris4308]

Both these videos major and minor were fantastic...........absolutely fantastic. Cheers

[@BenEller]

Thanks man!!!

[@doom-mantia]

Legend! This and the one on the major scale were super helpful. Thank you!

[@jesusaviladev98]

You're truly one of the best guitar teachers in KZbin and maybe the entire world! Thank you so much

[@gruffmusic]

"Accidental Holdsworth".Nice.

[@nateiverson8681]

Ben, this is exactly what I needed to see plus all the premium add-ons. Awesome video! :)

[@raywongchi]

Best guitar teacher on the internet, I've played for 25 years, and corrected all my "sucks" in a couple of months! Thanks Ben!!

[@cowhidemusic8904]

How does this video get any down votes? This guy is a great teacher.

[@AllFather411]

They fat finger it, they meant like.

[@cocvhecv]

It's unbelievable. So much in one video.

[@12breacher82]

This is so useful. Getting a ton of mileage out of this, even after playing on and off for 20 years. Proof that it can always be applied and old dogs can learn new tricks! Please do a similar type of lesson for diminished scales. Us atonal/OSDM folks could use the help.

[@andyholley6127]

I’ve been playing 30 something years. Self taught. Don’t know a lick of theory have struggled trying to learn this stuff like all the different boxes, modes, etc. this late in life and I feel like this is exactly what I need to make it work for me. Thank you so much.

[@DLeeErv]

My new fren ben.. I've been chicken pecking this fretted night mare since my first guitar on my thirteenth birthday.. I'm 59 years old this month in a few days on the 27th and I've never had anyone make this stuff even begin to make since to me.. I can't splain myself enough over this but.. you really are the best expressionist I have never met and I will always give you the due credit for this.. there is none other like you.. don't get me wrong here.. I still don't get it, but I can see that this video contains the answers to everything that has ever kicked my ass and made me put my guitar down right at the moment before killing it to death.. but this video is right here and I've saved it to a special place in my bookmarks bracket and I will watch this thing over and over until I finally discover that ever elusive epiphany because something is going to click this time.. I can feel it coming.. so.. you Mr. Ben are a scale pattern baldness genius and you may be in this world but you are not of this world, and I deeply salute you sir.. never stop.. never stop.. never stop

[@ramzesrama8391]

can't believe you have "only" 320 000 subscribers. people don't know what they're missing

[@garylisbon8933]

I don't get it either and Ben has been around for while. I subscribed the 1st time I watched one of his lessons a few years ago. Not anywhere I want to be on guitar yet tho his vids have helped me get to the point where I almost don't suck anymore lol

[@Louisiana1975]

Maybe it's Richard Simmons? :)

[@premshah73]

This is one of THE best videos I've seen for minor scale. I was always overwhelmed by it until now.

[@ericturner9282]

Ben, this is gold. I absolutely appreciate your lesson. Very thanks for your work, finally I understood what couldn't figure out for many years.

[@BenEller]

Happy to hear that, man! Hope you watched the Major scale one, too.

[@Kostein]

This is great stuff man. I think the way you present and explain things is excellent and very easy to understand. I can't help but think how much easier it is now to pick up a guitar and start learning immediately with people like yourself sharing the knowledge instead of when I started like 20 or so years ago. I'm pretty sure you feel the same lol. Again great stuff, keep it up \m/

[@MrNcharris]

Really excellent stuff Ben, learnt a lot from your videos. Will join your patreon for some more.

[@MetalGuitar06]

one of the best videos I've ever watched. Extremely helpful. I will will be coming back to it. Thank YOU!

[@silverbeetle]

Amazing lesson, after a bit of a break I'm getting back to basics and there's some great things to focus on here. Thanks!

[@scalzittiluthieria6452]

dude, this is a heck of a good video!! tks!

[@anybody2501]

What an absolute beast of a guitar lesson. Holy smokes 🤯

[@FranklinWoodWorks2016]

One of the best instructional videos I've seen on the subject. Thanks for posting it.

[@stephengreen9663]

Greatly appreciated ben.you explain everything just right and its excellent that you're able to show us how to use all the stuff shown. Gr8 teacher.

[@HighTech636]

Did you say "meow" ?! 3:23

[@soth897]

Do I look like a cat to you, boy? I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't catch that at all while watching :)

[@thehoser55]

I’m a minute and 45 seconds into this thing and I haven’t listened to a single word you’ve said. I keep getting distracted by staring into the dreamy eyes of Richard Simmons. It’s hypnotic....

[@TheSixStringGuy]

Hah Gaaayy

[@hectichive889]

Richard Tipton not if it’s Richard Simmons...

[@teriakamoto]

LOL. It's distracting, I'll give you that. Ben has comic genius.

[@thehoser55]

Richard Tipton Richard Simmons ain’t gay. That’s just a ploy he used to disarm women. The best kept secret in Hollywood is that Richard Simmons crushes major ass.

[@kenkelly382]

This lesson put it all together for me. It took everything I've been learning and getting a bit confused by and made it crystal clear. The transitions from single string to other more complex patterns was just awesome. Thank you for a truly great lesson.

[@tonetyrant]

Love Bens teachin, just straight to the point ,great sense of humor with killer playin!!

[@shanemendiola5615]

This guy kills me 😂. He taught me so much as well

[@tigertuft]

Accidental Holdsworth, there's a t-shirt right there.

[@revsharp777]

Agreed! I lost it when he said that. Perfect description.

[@marcbrinitzer7575]

totally agree; great comment, maybe missed by many?

[@Tricknologyinc]

@@marcbrinitzer7575 I don't think anybody "missed" the reference. They might not be familiar with the him, but they knew one was dropped!

[@yougoseo1580]

Got this vid on loop for the Summer '23! Thanx Ben!

[@leebraly3904]

Excellent video young man. Thanks for sharing.

[@wizaxed]

I see you are a fan of Richard Simmons too! lol. Sweatin' to the Oldies!!

[@neildrachlen9149]

This is a great tutorial and a AWESOME CHANNEL. Thanks very much.

[@anthonygrantham7226]

Excellent information and professionally delivered!

[@haroldbaker555]

Fantastic lesson. Cleared up a lot of questions I had about the guitar for example moving from the g to b string. Thanks man

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

I met Richard Simmons in an elevator in San Diego back in the mid-90’s. He wasn’t as chipper and upbeat as you see on TV. He was heading to a workout in Del Coronado Hotel gym with a bunch of women. Anyway, thanks for the lesson!

[@erikarnold4737]

Was probably burnt like the Slurm hype guy on Futurama

[@mikek464]

But I don't suck, my mom told me I'm pretty ok.

[@grayaj23]

Don't forget "handsome" too.

[@mikek464]

@@grayaj23 aww shucks... you noticed 🤗

[@scottjbarr]

I was hoping someone would have said, "Your Mom told me you were even better than ok!" , but nobody said it.

[@eduardoprieto5267]

Our moms, she told her friends I liked 4th grade so much that went back for 2 more years.

[@mliittsc63]

but that was your mom

[@lidj16]

Best video for unlocking the fretboard! Thanks so much!

[@kevinarroyo8672]

I've watched, learned and laughed love your style of teaching and videos man! They are great!

[@GMec78]

I hear you speaking but I can’t get Richard yelling, “I’m a pony, I’m a pony” out of my head. Seriously calling the shrink right now.

[@MajorUpgrade]

Yeah, I'll admit that I was a little distracted with Richard Simmons staring into my soul the entire time.

[@radskapp2640]

Grant Mecozzi I had the same problem

[@Tricknologyinc]

@@MajorUpgrade LOL! Richard is one of those people who always seem to have this look on their face like, "I'm ME! You're the one with a problem, and YOU're going to deal with it!"

[@scriptosaurusrex]

Five shapes you need: Flying V Warlock Explorer Strat Les Paul

[@BenEller]

Hahahahahaha trade that Warlock for a Tele and we’ve got a deal!

[@chewybang]

@@BenEller I would trade the Warlock for an ES-335

[@scriptosaurusrex]

@@BenEller ;) Although it doesn't work with the revised title (sniff sniff)

[@SpacemanXC]

Strat SG Iceman SE 24 J 45 : )

[@maciek_p]

Flying V SG Les Paul Strat Tele

[@ddee2501]

Dude ! SERIOUSLY the best lesson i have ever watched !!! I learned more from this video alone than all the others i have watched !!! Great job !

[@LTmusic53]

This was very he

[@ninperegrin]

you, sir, are my favorite person in the world right now.

[@Hogprint25]

Dude, you know over half your viewers didn’t get your Capt & Tennille reference!😂🤣

[@MOJOPORRETTO]

Richard Simmons will not quit staring at me I can’t focus.

[@edgarmahn]

Same here, I started sweating to the oldies instead of learning the minor scale😜

[@vridlon]

This and the Major scale lesson has opened my eyes like the first time I learned bar chords. One of the best lessons online IMHO. Thank you!!!!!

[@hendrix923]

Ive only gotten thru 7min of this lesson in 2 weeks, has to be one of the best lessons on KZbin. Realizing the minor scale is in everything. Changed so much for me thank you!

[@grayaj23]

> could go on to infinity At some point it's hard to get enough energy to reach higher frequencies, plus the tensile strength of the string limits how fast it can vibrate. But those are technicalities that gods like Yahweh Mousemeat don't need to worry about.

[@thatellipsisguy8984]

dawangai and only your dog can hear it...

[@xxjj4082]

Having Richard Simmons staring at you while trying to learn to play guitar is VERY CREEPY...

[@technicaldeathmetalhead]

You mean arousing

[@markbaird2657]

Frickin hilarious! This is probably the best guitar lesson I have ever seen! Thank you! SUBSCRIBED!

[@robertoacuna5522]

This has been the most useful guitar lesson i have watched all these years! Thanks Ben😊

[@Giraffinator]

Ah yes, I see you, too, are a cultured guitarist with Richard Simmons as your desktop background

[@BenEller]

I like nice things

[@Giraffinator]

He's as nice as they come

[@floydburney6060]

............The Richard Simmons screen savers...Creeps me out, Ben

[@ghanssperling9890]

This is one of the most useful and incisive guitar lessons I have ever had. Thanks.

[@stevenfogamomi520]

You are my new favortite guitar teacher on KZbin haha. Love the video, editing, humor, and of course the FIRE lesson. thank you!

[@jamesdalian8774]

But, Uncle Ben, I've known the minor scale for over twenty years and I still suck!! Nevertheless, good content.

[@gcfournier3386]

One viewer prefers joyriding his scales like a total pleb

[@masterman6537]

Uncle Ben you are absolutely the best. I have learned so much in the last couple of months with you then I have in the last 30 yrs. thanks bro🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

Excellent, super mega video!!! Thank you so much, uncle ben.

[@jjryan1352]

Nooo not like a circle..... it's like Pac Man. You go off one side of the screen and come back on the other side.

[@scottk247]

I hear accidental Holdsworth is the root cause of metal fatigue

[@BenEller]

HAHAHAHA what didn’t I use that?!

[@SEESEP]

Thank you. It improved my solo technique instantly.

[@MrSparticus666]

Dude thank you for all your videos! You deserve more subs with all this knowledge you drop.

[@RIPmusichead]

Skipped this stuff when I was a kid and now I have to back track now that I'm picking guitar back up. Thanks for the video I needed it. Things are making sense now!

[@billsill4911]

I love your videos. You have taught me more in a few short videos than years of taking guitar lessons. Keep up the great work.

[@terrybryk5557]

Thanks Ben, u are really helping me understand pentatonics much better, u humor is great& your teaching is awesome. Thanks again ,I'm.learing ALOT . I'll definitely be watching more of your videos

[@ronwilliams1094]

Dude, you single-handedly opened my eyes to what I've been missing all these years. I've been playing stuff waaaaaaaaaaaaaay harder than I needed to. Something in the way you explain things makes it easy for me to comprehend whereas other tutorials seem too theoretically technical or they assume the viewer already knows the lingo (i.e. pentatonic, dorian, cycles, triads, and so forth). Thanks for what you do.

[@johnfestich5008]

I really enjoyed this lesson and I thank you very much for posting it. The humor and the knowledge is appreciated.

[@cocvhecv]

I cannot believe all the ideas in this one video. I am subscribing to the Patreon just to show appreciation for what's in this video. Thank you for curing my scale pattern baldness.

[@cgyork92]

Fellow Tennessean here man. Easily the best guitar theory tutorial I’ve come across thus far. Especially as someone who’s been playing by ear for years and just now decided to apply a little theory to the guitar. Also, fuckin’ love the horror movie references and humor. Definitely scored yourself a new subscriber here.

[@TRose-hc9pv]

Now that was a DAMN GOOD LESSON!!! I found it very helpful... specially connecting the patterns. THANKS MAN!!! 🤘🤘

[@everettsmith6788]

This has been one of the most useful/helpful lessons I've ever seen. Thanks!!!

[@garylisbon8933]

I always learn something new from your videos. Never really thought of the 4 note per string method. Always practicing 2 and 3. Thanks for giving me more ideas to my practice and I love how this pattern (in Am) lets me drive to a juicy whole step bend at the 22nd fret on my Fender. You rock!!!

[@robertvincent6690]

You are very amusing! And knowledgeable as well as being a great teacher. Bravo!

[@gjy5150]

You are a great teacher! You really help me understand things without getting bogged down trying to process too much information.

[@vikguitar2813]

I started to play the guitar less than 2 years ago. I have seen literally hundreds of YT tutorials in the subject of varying qualities. Then all of a sudden I came across with Uncle Ben, who at first even seemed a bit irritating for his clowning and stupid jokes. His videos are by far not the most professional when it comes to quality, he uses hand written sketches, nothing fancy. Yet, this guy has given me the most precious practical knowledge in the subject with two of his videos: major scale and minor scale. I had been familiar with these scales before, but was not able to practically use them on the fretboard. The patterns he explains is a game changer, it boosted my understanding of the guitar. I could never imagine that one day I would be able to connect these scales all along the fretboard. This knowledge has given me so much that it is a no-brainer if I donate Uncle Ben on Patreon. Hell yes. Subscribed.

[@Craken1500000xx]

Just wow. I had that moment of clarity just now. Thanks a lot for the video :D

[@icecop66]

priceless info for beginners! Great job Ben!

[@jacobwatkins5273]

Brilliantly mastered! Beautifully taught!

[@shreddergirl8607]

Wow! I just stumbled on your channel OMG you have helped me a lot! Especially your vids on synchronization my speed has gotten better and so has clarity of notes!! You are the bomb dude!

[@Will-sh8kl]

I like this dude. He uses nice analogies that help a ton. Subscribed!

[@frankfichera2986]

OUT STANDING! WILL BE CHECKING OUT MORE! I HAVE LIMITED TIME TO PRACTICE YOU HAVE OPEN UP THE BOARD AND HELPED ME MAKE MY TIME MORE PRODUCTIVE. THANK YOU.

[@Sean-yk3yk]

Uncle Ben, I can't put into words how much of your videos help. My perspective to playing guitar has completely changed. I'm finally becoming the guitarist I've always wanted to be. Thank you forever for these videos!!

[@bradleyhohner8775]

Your wealth of guitar knowledge is so beneficial and delivered in an accessible, easily understood manner, but it's your incredibly witty, between gem's banter and attention to comedic details (R. Simmon's) that makes it SO doggone fun to tune in!! Holy cats! Thanks.

[@gregoryhudak802]

Great stuff. You break things down in a very useful, educational way.

[@undefeted007]

Great video dude. That breakdown of nuances that needs explaining 🤙🏻🤙🏽

[@Saltysteele]

brah! excellent vid!! at first i struggled dealing with the cornballiness, but the information and your delivery made it well worth it!