"Blues Theory 101" - Major, Minor, and Hybrid Approaches to Soloing Over a 12-Bar Blues Progression

[@zombieguitar]

If you like these lessons, definitely check out www.zombieguitar.com/ It is a one-of-a-kind site dedicated to helping guitarists to understand the fretboard and create their own music. You will love it!!

[@x.4132]

Finally someone who knows what he is talking about and not just shows "20 coolest blues licks" without explaining anything like everybody else

[@gavinsimonds1721]

Your a gift to guitar players everywhere. Thank you sir for your wisdom.

[@zombieguitar]

😀

[@quantumturbo]

Probably the biggest weight off my shoulders is hearing that it doesn't matter if its Major or Minor, what matters is what sounds good. Thanks so much!!!

[@user-vo9xd1cw4l]

I have to tell you . . I ,ve been watching almost blues lessons . There are so many lessons, You are the best of best teacher for me, Thank you for your kind lessons about every basics which make me clear understand it. Rgds,

[@zombieguitar]

Hey glad to hear they are helping 😎

[@SketchingRocks]

I have been playing guitar for over 50 years off and on....AND I have to say this is one of the best explained lead blues videos I have come across after years of searching. THIS IS THE BEST LEAD EXPLANATION EVER 10/10 and I have saved this video into my collection as a KEEPER. Thank you Brian

[@rock90753]

Love that you show the chord and scale diagrams overlaid

[@DejaneroFX]

Brian this was a great lesson and I understand now how to improvise over the blues. Thank you very much! You’re really great at explaining guitar theory

[@fitnesslibrarian9013]

Amazing teacher. You simplified what so many make so difficult on their videos. Thanks a lot

[@frederickthompson8686]

Extremely clear and intuitive. Another winner, Brian. Many thanks.

[@punkmusiclessons]

my favorite teacher on youtube!! so clear and direct and really makes it easy to grasp. Brian rules!

[@robinanderson1115]

THE BEST, THE VERY BEST .

[@SmiTTyy-sh8nc]

Wow, it's amazing how after years of fumbling through I never really understood what I was doing. While watching you explain it ... it was like a switch turned on ! Thank you

[@fredlitvak4410]

Years ago I thought I discovered some "secret sauce" by adding DMaj diatonic and GMaj diatonic notes to my Blues solos in A. Little did I realize I was just adding A Mixolydian and A Dorian modal underpinnings to A Pent. Your videos are filling in gaps that I've had in my understanding of the fret board and the circle of fifths for 30 years. You're a better theory instructor than any I've had.

[@zombieguitar]

Hey that really means a lot! Thanks so much for the comment and checkin out my vids!

[@PeterKertesz2013]

It is important to watch different musicians explain the 12 bar blues, I find every time something new. Brilliant video, thank you!

[@fredigutierrez7385]

You did this two years ago and I just found it in here, I have been practicing the minor and major scales and mixing them together and I can do all five shapes and the sounds that I get are amazing, your explanation was really good.

[@donngoodside6885]

Brian __Caged Scales by Interval ___ C: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, I. A: 1, b3, 4, 5, b7, V. G: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, IV. E: 1, b3, 4, 5, b7, iii. D: 1, b3, 4, 5, b7, ii. 　 Diatonic Modes by Degree ___ Ionian/major 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Dorian 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7 Phrygian 1-b2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 Lydian 1-2-3-#4-5-6-7 Mixolydian 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7 Aeolian/natural minor 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 Locrian 1-b2-b3-4-b5-b6-b7 You’ll notice that all the major modes (the ones that contain a 3rd ) have the degrees 1-2-3-5-6 in common. Similarly, except for 7th Locrian, Mode, which has a ‘Major 1 & 4 All of the minor modes (with a b3) have the degrees, 1-b3-4-5-b7 in common. Donn ___

[@donngoodside6885]

ETC... Brian: The problem with my 'theoretical idea's is, I still cannot 'make Music'.So: worrying about concepts does not Help. I suggest you ignore my musings, and just play music ! (lol)

[@Mazdak1986]

great lesson! excellent way of breaking it down and stripping off all the mystification down to basic easily understandable concepts! best approach I've seen in years.

[@recone829]

I just came back to this after all these years, I highly recommend your 176 page E book that explains all these theories . Thanks for all your efforts Brian.🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks so much! I appreciate that. Glad you liked the book 😀

[@alexmartin770]

I learned a lot from this and just had my self an hour long looper jam using an Am Dm blues thing with a Cmaj and EMaj turnaround.. Got to use all these modes too. Thanks heaps man.

[@curtisculwell6776]

The only guy on the internet who is clear.You wanna go deeper in your understanding of the guitar this is the guy. thanks.

[@maxroy5246]

I return to this channel whenever I feel lost trying to learn guitar from the rest of KZbin 🙏🏽

[@mr.j8356]

OMG thank you so much, this helped A LOT!

[@frederickthompson8686]

Another genius lesson. Brian, you're the king of smart teaching approaches. You've taken me from being a "plodder," to at least being a "creative plodder!" Thanks, dude.

[@zombieguitar]

Haha awesome!

[@haoranzhang3571]

godamn i've watched so many videos and this is the most helpful one so far. Also you're really good but humble as shit. I respect that.

[@erikizik5837]

Humble as pie not shit

[@jeromedespault2599]

I barely ever comment but I'll do this time... Very clear video. I watch alot of blues tutorial on youtube and this pretty much sums months of average tutorial in one great simple one

[@AP05AP]

Your lessons have helped me massively. Thanks so much

[@vasiletraian9364]

Very great job!Thanks a lot for this awsome video!!!

[@Michael-qz4hz]

Thanks Brian a really instructive lesson.

[@redsox4life]

I found this lesson pretty useful. I've been making some sweet blues licks in the Mixolydian mode. I've also used licks in minor pentatonic where I add the major 3rd and the 6th from the major pentatonic scale. I've also used some licks in major pentatonic where I add the minor 3rd and the minor 7th from the minor pentatonic scale. You can come up with many great ideas.

[@frederickthompson8686]

Brilliant! Nicely presented. Extremely clear. Much appreciated. Thanks.

[@TheJabernet]

I like the Dorian off of the second position major pentatonic, that's cool! Thanks man,

[@richardtownsend2150]

Thank you

[@EDGARDOUX1701]

I foud your lesson very useful Brian, thank you for sharing and hope to see more. Regards

[@leemasefield7934]

Great video this will help me out a lot, cheers

[@rudyrod100]

You have a gift for teaching I do enjoy your work I wish you lived down the street.

[@robertcloutman7181]

another good one thanks brian

[@E.H.F]

Great Job Mate cheers

[@PeterMajewski-gr3re]

WOW! I heard a lot! I always found it difficult to solo over 12 bar blues, but this helped me a lot. THANK YOU.

[@JohnnyGuitarRocks]

Awesome lesson, your channel is so helpful!

[@44scoots]

Thanks Brian! Your videos are always deep but you present them in a way that even I can understand! :) Love them.

[@hizirkurtel3197]

thank you great lesson

[@vaner9283]

Another great piece. Just keep at it. I think your "catalogue" of lessons will get more and more views. You are an inspiration

[@glennevangelista]

newbie here. showing how its all connected...light bulb moments! thanks brian!

[@zimuseven4814]

Thanks mate, I think this video is awesome, really learned something as a newbie. Great work!!!!!

[@jamespostlethwaite7799]

Great video man

[@ghfdt368]

Great lesson Brian! I was always confused about how to use both major and minor together and you answered this problem right away for me. It would be cool if you do a blues rythm video too, showing different kinds of progressions and structures and what the minor blues is Vs the typical blues encountered. Thanks a lot dude :)

[@zombieguitar]

Yup, I will be doing more blues videos for sure, and I will definitely be going deep into the study of all this "blues theory" stuff!

[@ghfdt368]

That would be awesome! i actually didn't know until about a month ago that the minor blues was an actual thing, I listened to it before with BB king (thrill is gone) and Gary Moore (still got the blues) but never knew it was actually a style within blues itself :) i'll see you in your next video dude

[@aryashrestha6601]

you're a great explainer. mann. thankyou so much. and loved your playing too.

[@brucewernick6542]

I saw someone mixing the Dorian and the Mixolydian. He called it the Mixo-dorian and at sounded really good.

[@zombieguitar]

The only difference between Mixolydian and Dorian is the 3rd. Dorian has a minor 3rd, whereas Mixolydian has a major 3rd. Check out this lesson here: www.zombieguitar.com/the-ultimate-major-minor-hybrid-scale-the-dorian-mixolydian-combo/

[@brucewernick6542]

Thanks, I'll check it out. I really liked your circle of 5th's exploration. Since then, I have been searching for new ways to use it. I found it particularly interesting to see the modes and various scales plotted on the CO5.

[@abelreis6654]

Excellent explanation , it was a Crystal Clear information .Thanks

[@butterman2205]

Greetings from Spain! Sub here! Thanks for this, finally a video that does explain a whole idea :D

[@mcquinn01]

If you use A major pentatonic or A mixolydian (=D major) over a IV chord of D7 then the C# in those scales will clash badly with the C natural of the D7 chord. The parent scale for chord IV is D mixolydian so you should use sub-scales of D mixolydian such as D major pentatonic, D suspended pentatonic (=Am pentatonic), D dominant pentatonic, D Zeracrimic scale, D Pyrimic scale (=A blues scale), D Phralian scale etc

[@zombieguitar]

This is an older video that you are commenting on. I'd recommend this newer one: www.zombieguitar.com/4-approaches-to-soloing-over-a-12-bar-blues-progression/

[@CisfSoldierAnkush]

Ur lesson is awesome ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Shuzies]

Very Clear....Thank You for this lesson...you keep making me a better muscian

[@jeremyacton4569]

Sometimes, on the guitar path, a lesson arrives at the perfect time This is the one for me that at last makes blues interesting because I have always been bored by the 12 bar 1 4 5 chord progression itself.

[@joerodriguez340]

Right on, thanks

[@paulmurray8159]

Greatly informative lesson! 👍

[@hannaobrc1947]

Great video. When u learn and practice is good to know Diatonic or at least pentatonic scale.After a while u dont even think about scales personaly i wanna know core tones of a Chord even 1-3- 5-b7 all over the neck.More u practice more u get back.Great lesson like always.TY

[@khalidmusadaq8988]

Amazing! Thank you so much!

[@mastertimb]

This is really yummy stuff. Thank you, Brian! Keep up the great work!

[@zombieguitar]

No prob! Glad you like it!

[@iblizjantan3951]

Thanks sir...the great lesson

[@tonygodwinjr7390]

Best to use those 3rd as passive notes. For the feel you're going for. Want it to sound minor or major BUT, don't collide. It's easier to play minor hammer on to major 3rd over a major progression than it is to do the opposite over a minor progression.

[@afshinahmadyar8678]

Very rich in content, thank you Brian

[@Gauravsinghrf]

thank you

[@martynspooner5822]

Thanks Brian

[@sarathkrishnan6166]

Great lesson man... thanks ♥️

[@guitar6288]

Brian appreciate you too cool.

[@zombieguitar]

Woah...how did you get the username "guitar" (with no numbers or letters after it)...that is awesome!!!

[@ranyel3314]

Thanks... awesome

[@sempercompellis]

the mixolydiaN is lain over the ionian form. If you play your major pentatonic in "aeolian form" (pinky on the root) you would want to use the Phrygian form.

[@zombieguitar]

I think you are misunderstanding modes. There isn't an "Aeolian form" or "phrygian form". Check out my latest series on modes. I just put it on here last week. Here's the website version part 1: www.zombieguitar.com/how-to-solo-across-the-fretboard-using-modes/

[@vivekpradhan9276]

Thanks bro its really great!!

[@Timanator]

Great video!

[@martingaffney7890]

Good lesson dude, keep it up 👍🏻

[@rahulporal]

*Rubs hands* Beautiful

[@jessicacabrales6820]

Thanks man, its helps out a lot thanks.

[@jimbeard2952]

hay man your an amazing guitarist brother

[@georgepaschalidis9840]

thanks a lot man...

[@tonygodwinjr7390]

Far better ways of learning without moving down 3 frets. Most people learning this stuff will have to juggle the root note because in their brain they believe it's gonna be the same as playing it on the 5th fret. Much easier to learn the F# but box 2. That way you can play MAJOR and MINOR at the 5th fret where the actual root note will still be home to finger 1.

[@zombieguitar]

Yup, I have lessons about that approach too.

[@tonygodwinjr7390]

@@zombieguitar this is a good basic concept for beginners though. But when i learned that method as a beginner 15 years ago it confused me. The way you explained the hybrid is far easier to learn. Same fret. Same root finger position.

[@tonygodwinjr7390]

@@zombieguitar actually makes it easier to learn the MAJOR and MINOR seperately that way aswell.

[@zombieguitar]

@@tonygodwinjr7390 Ya, I personally like the "hybrid" approach myself too :)

[@craigtaylor6208]

extemely helpfull man , cheers!

[@Andersabjorn1]

Thanks for this video. You make it sound easy :)

[@hit-and-run760]

Ok B... Now that was very helpful, I see this is good!!!!!

[@reisler7834]

wooww you are the best!thank you

[@mistercero]

Very good video friend.

[@SS-yn4oc]

Another great lesson, Brian, thanks. I also never thought of just concentrating on shifting between the thirds. Don’t worry about being complicated, as for the viewers you are aiming at your demonstrations are really practical. G scale for the A Dorian and D for the Myxolidian, right?

[@zombieguitar]

Hey thanks for checkin out the lesson, glad you like it! Yes, those are the right parent major scales, but I wouldn't really worry about that. It's much more practical to think of each mode as its own unique scale. So when you're playing the A dorian scale, just think of it as an 'A type of scale'...same thing with the A mixolydian. This will help you to solidify the fact that 'A' is still the tonal center.

[@Withcare111]

if you start on a dominant chord do you have to use all dominant chords for the rest of the progression or can you mix dominant chords with either major or minor chords in the 12 bar progression? for example E7 x4 A major x2 E7 x 2 B7 x 2 E major x 1 B major x 1?

[@zombieguitar]

Yup, you can always mix and match 😉

[@Withcare111]

@@zombieguitar cool thanks for that.but once you are not mixing major and minor chords right?your vids are helping me a lot.thanks

[@austinpillsbury3626]

Super helpful video, but I am still so confused by blues. I am a theory guy and I just don't understand how it "works". On to the next video lol. Thank you for all your great videos Brian! Looking forward to more videos on blues.

[@zombieguitar]

Definitely check this one out. It is much more recent, and the 4 approaches from this newer video are much better 😀 www.zombieguitar.com/4-approaches-to-soloing-over-a-12-bar-blues-progression/

[@samhenry472]

Brian, you are seriously talented, I deeply admire your skill. However, you are geared toward The advanced student. In my humble opinion. Again, thank you for sharing your skill.. Sam Henry, Georgia

[@zombieguitar]

My goal with everything I do is to try and explain somewhat "advanced" theory concepts in a way that everyone can understand...even those who are completely new to theory. I watch other youtube videos, and think "unless you already have a solid theory background, you wouldn't understand this". Well, my goal is to try to get the point across so everyone can understand!

[@georgeclinton3229]

Thank you, very good video. Though you might want to use a noise gate, cause the constant buzz is really killing our ears.

[@zombieguitar]

Old video

[@warrenlblanchette]

that was great using the third's I never thought of it thank you

[@tonygodwinjr7390]

Put it like this.. Making a hybrid is ALMOST being able to hit almost every note. Easier to find the notes you CANT hit than it is to remember the ones you CAN hit.

[@edsonrodriguessilvarodrigu1393]

Lesson show 🎼👍

[@ejshelby5460]

Wish there’s a video on how to hybridize on oiano

[@markgiles8527]

Well done there. What am I to do if I want to learn Acoustic Blues?

[@zombieguitar]

You would just do all the exact same stuff, only on an acoustic guitar. There's no difference!

[@ezcondition]

i get the whole caged thing, but what i am stuck on is what chord shape goes to a certain position or key? say the E chord at position 1 through 5. if i wanted to play the E in these position the shapes are different right, but where do i find a chart that shows me the shapes at these positions? i know they change, but i haven't found a good diagram pointing the shapes out. all i here is they are different, but that doesn't help me.

[@zombieguitar]

Check out my site...you will find the answers you are looking for. www.zombieguitar.com

[@Withcare111]

what if your blues was in the key of E?what part of the fretboard would you use?

[@lawrence1960]

Rules...we don’t need stinkin’ rules.

[@donngoodside6885]

Brian ___ I tried what I think is a, 'Bebop Scale' for the framework of the 'Blues.A C D E F G G# A / 1 3 4 5 6 7 7# 1. Interesting.

[@zombieguitar]

There's so many different scales and cool stuff that you can do. That's one of the reasons that I don't think I'll ever run out of ideas for more content!

[@Kingfish179]

It's strange to me that the four-chord root is available to you in the minor pentatonic scale, but not in the major pentatonic scale -especially considering that it's a chord tone. I guess this is just a weird consequence of the blues not being diatonic harmony? Thanks for videos! They always keep me thinking.

[@zombieguitar]

Yup, blues theory is weird! If you add in the extra Mixolydian notes to the major pentatonic, then you have the root of the IV chord there..but not in the major pentatonic/blues though. That's blues for ya.

[@StarDarkAshes]

What is it about your teaching method? I always learn something the other teachers just don’t highlight. Thanks!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks man! I try to make every video so that there will be at least one "aha moment" in it. Glad to hear it's working 😎

[@Toasty_1992]

This guy is cool, and smart. Kinda sounds like Adam Sandler

[@zombieguitar]

😁

[@jimbeard2952]

hay man where can i find your music