Joe Bonamassa's ONLY Advice For Guitarists

What's the ONE piece of advice Joe Bonamassa can give to guitar players when constructing a guitar solo?
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In this insightful interview, blues guitar maestro Joe Bonamassa helps us unlock the fingerboard and get out of those pentatonic ruts we as guitarists can get stuck in. Watch as he and Gibson Gear Guide host, Dinesh Lekhraj show us how to move between scales, taking inspiration from our favorite blues guitar players like Albert King. This foundational knowledge of blues licks and scales, Joe argues, is the key to unlocking a world of musical possibilities, allowing for expressive and innovative playing that can set us free from the patterns we as guitar players tend to gravitate towards, time and time again.
Another key piece of advice Joe offers is that guitarists experiment with playing familiar phrases in various neck positions, thereby discovering new creative avenues that we may not have thought of when building a guitar solo. He introduces the idea of modal playing, particularly the Mixolydian mode, to add a fresh twist to the blues scale.
This blues guitar lesson from Joe Bonamassa will improve your soloing in less than 4 minutes. Enjoy this excellent guitar solo, pentatonic and playing tips from the Grammy award-winning guitarist!
"Learn the entire fingerboard." - Joe Bonamassa
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[@johnroach5332]

I got to meet Joe around 2015. Everyone had his signature guitars for him to sign. I was the last person to get to talk to him and I had a white strat. I’ll never forget when he laughed and said ,”Ah! The lone white strat.” He was such a cool dude. I asked him if he could give only one piece of advice on guitar what would it be. He stood there quietly for probably 10 seconds and said “Make every note as clear as you can. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you play if no one can understand it”. Best advice I ever got for music.

[@OldDawg-mc3dy]

Yep...My High School Jazz Band teacher would always say"Make every note a pearl" .... same idea. And a good way to be

[@themodsify]

Thank you for sharing that!

[@AndSan-n7q]

When I played sultans of swing, lead parts , the guy at the music store said to play it dirty it sounds to clean

[@Theumpsken]

Yeah great advice, even spend as much attention to ghost notes as regular notes.

[@mbelzerr]

Yeah, say it to Jimmy Page 😂

[@matthewdrake9699]

My best advice for guitarists is learn everything there is to know about guitar. All the notes, all the scales, all the chords, all the modes. That’s step one. Easy

[@6stringphilosophy]

Ha!

[@jimkon1479]

Plus learning a lot of chords helps with that creative rut when trying to write songs. And if you play guitar long enough, you will sleepwalk through a pentatonic.

[@Guitar-x3z]

A great blues guy once said "Yea, I knows all dat theory stuff, but I'se don't let it muss up my playin"

[@dmcnevin]

Really Joe? This is step2? Man I’m glad you weren’t my instructor.

[@WoodworkingforAnyone]

Step two is getting really good. Probably as fast as possible if you can. And look really good. I'm on step 1 but it's going aight

[@wolfbrother2474]

Guy asks him for a little trick for getting out of the usual approach.........Joe proceeds to play every note in the scale at lightening speed

[@mauriceb9996]

I bet he seldom plays that scale up/down the same way! The combinations are endless.

[@SansibarRacing]

Yeah, but honestly - that's the ugly truth. Unless you know the fretboard inside out, know (_feel_) the chord changes and anticipate what to play, how to connect etc ... you will always be stuck in boxes or patterns. So the most simple but powerful tip is actually the hardest one, and can take a lifetime to learn (you might never get there... speaking with experience here).

[@earlbrutus1975]

And it did nothing for me….

[@georgedavis3040]

Indeed , he is a one trick pony. Fast cascading runs is all he seems to do. No feel. Would rather listen to Billie Gibbons play two notes with feel

[@Kevin6059]

He actually had a great point, but yeah I cringed when he played that run. He should have stuck to playing that lick in three different positions. That part illustrated his point perfectly.

[@SouthMeckStunna]

The uncomplicated version of what he is saying: learn all 5 positions of the pentatonic, learn all 5 positions of the major scale, learn the modes, practice all of it until it’s engrained in your brain and muscle memory permanently.

[@brianwood7237]

Chord Tones and Common Tones

[@tr3ndkiller]

He only plays min pentatonic there

[@thilobraun3440]

And learn how to conect patterns.

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

@@tr3ndkillerNo, he didn’t. Invest in Rick Beato’s Ear Course.

[@joefox9765]

Timing is very important. You can play any note out of key and make it sound good as long as you go back to that original shape or stay in that new scale and jump back. Remember it's music not just practicing scales. Smh 😵‍💫

[@gilbertocruz1683]

I watched the whole interview on another channel and I think the best advice he gives is: "the best thing I ever did as a guitar player/artist was learn how to sing"

[@tblx2675]

Or play bass well lol. Everyone will be asking you to be in a band. Honestly though, even learning bass can help a lot with overall musicality.

[@BOBANDVEG]

​​@@tblx2675 if I started over, I could definitely play bass as main. It's bad@$$. Got the rhythm, the funk, somebody on the high end. Party in a box

[@majikmuzik8036]

@@tblx2675 Both the above: learn to sing, and play bass too. Increase your odds getting called A LOT more!

[@userer4579]

@@tblx2675 Ha! I know you were joking but it's true. There is a guitar "player" under every rock but finding a good bassist or drummer is not so easy.

[@TA-co5mv]

Eric Clapton said the same comparing himself to Jeff Beck. It will always be true

[@richardcatalinajr.369]

"If you have to think about where to go next, you are too late - way too late." Truer words never spoken. JB is the king.

[@georgeveburst]

word

[@jaysigma]

The way J.B. approaches a "simple" pentatonic box and spreads her... blew my mind. I now feel the urge to practice.

[@Slammintone]

I feel like taking up the drums!

[@BluesRockAcademy]

It’s just a copy of Eric Johnson’s method

[@georgeveburst]

"spread her box"?!? wtf?

[@nevinbontrager8828]

Was in a band that opened for Mr. Bonamasa about 20 years ago. It ws a lot of fun to watch him play. Good times.

[@robbiedigital79]

Dude: "How can I get OUTSIDE of the pentatonic scale" Joe: "Play the pentatonic scale in different positions"

[@waynekerr67]

Pentatonic is hotel California. Once you check in you don't check out 😂

[@wthaysbackingtrack]

@@waynekerr67 wrong bro, it should be "You can check out anytime you like, BUT u can't never leave" :)) once u stuck in the pentatonic there's no way to get out of it.

[@AlexG-xl1cc]

Modes. Dorian for minor Mixo for Major.

[@Driven2Beats]

​@@wthaysbackingtrackpentatonic is just a fraction if the major scale, so like it is inevitable. It is the barebones of guitar music

[@Driven2Beats]

​​@@AlexG-xl1ccdo A dorian for a G major key, thats why aminor pentatonic works so well right?

[@tomcripps7229]

I learned major and minor pentatonic all over the fretboard just from connecting chords. Then it made "more" sense what people like Robben Ford were doing. I'm now using it on 251s and it's a blast. Learning all of the major chord scales and inversions is also essential.

[@spiderbabybill]

And Hendrix. “Purple Haze” seems like it comes out of nowhere when you’re a novice but it makes a lot more sense when you learn the different chord-based positions for the pentatonic.

[@the1stime]

I came here for a good conversation. The quick witted Peter Frantics comment was gold

[@todddorsa7081]

Literally the same.

[@linnstr8609]

Joe is absolutely right. When it comes to improvising, everything has to be in the moment and you shouldn't be "thinking",but rather "feeling". All these terms like mixolydian, chromatic, etc... are just theory. You have to internalize what these sound like, and when comes time to improvise you will instinctively know to invoke those sounds.

[@MyLifEcademy-sr4hy]

...hence intentional practice!

[@ericgisclon8122]

bullshit! it's false there is a moment when you stumble on the technique on the music and you need the skills to help you.The knowledge will open up another world for you another world on music.And after you come back in a form of letting go.Bonamassa knows the theory like me because your guitar progression is made thanks to the knowledge of the theory

[@linnstr8609]

@@ericgisclon8122 I didn't say theory wasn't important. My message was that you always have to internalize what the theory means in terms of sound, emotion, mood, etc.. For example, here are my associations for some of the modes: 1) Ionian: traditional happy 2) Mixolydian: folk/medieval happy 3) Lydian: Nostalgic happy ... I can even break it down further on which intervals make the modes feel that way to me: Mixolydian ==> major 3rd (happy), dominant 7th (folk/medieval flavor) Lydian ==> major 3rd (happy), augmented 4th (nostalgic/longing flavor) With practice and time, you will be improvising confidently and won't be thinking: "Ok I need to use the Phrygian mode now." It will instinctively come out in a stream-of-consciousness manner depending on where your feeling goes.

[@fordsrestorations970]

All of it may be true , but I learned from the Who "Pinball Wizard" lyrics

[@blabblub]

That's not what he's saying, he's not talking about "feeling" at all. He's saying that you should know what you're going to be playing before you play it. That's it. That's why he says learn the entire fretboard and talks about modal dexterity and having a massive musical vocabulary.

[@godsinbox]

Start by learning everything. Gotcha.

[@jaykelley103]

No. Start by learning SOMETHING

[@jeffkirpach4815]

😂

[@monobrow1983]

It's always good to play along to backing tracks, the more you play ,the more you'll stay in key and try new areas on the fretboard eventually!👌😎🎸

[@maximumguitarage]

Great advice

[@teeoh9192]

Better advice than Joe Bonamasturbator gave.

[@javajuls2u]

Love listening to Joe talk music. He has been playing steady for so long, he's like a guitarist guitarist if that makes any sense at all

[@SnakeGodDiamond]

Love Joe's clean, slightly overdriven sound

[@machupikachu1085]

4:00 I believe the takeaway here is that statement. Know what notes you need to play to add tension, and know what ones you need to make it sound sweet. Then practice it. A lot. Cheers!

[@RayMancha]

@2:51 after Joe Bonamassa finished with his Albert King pentatonic example. I wasn't expecting that exotic sounding phrasing he just improvised with. Which I think sounded cool. Plus his dry sense of humor here, with not taking himself too serious. Reminds me of some of the many reasons why I'm such a fan of his.

[@jmac5892]

He channeled Blackmore at that point! 😀

[@dapawaz8310]

He's a monster. Such a cool dude also.

[@AdkRanchLife]

Grew up with Joe when he was a kid. Bouncing in the local bars.. Was great then and still is. And of course a hometown hero!!!😊

[@m.vonhollen6673]

All 12 notes are available over a Dominant 7 chord. First 1-3-5-b7 are the super-safe chord tones. Next are b3 (up into 3), b5-2-4-6 (from the Blues scale and Mixolydian). The last 3 notes, b2-b6-7, can be used in chromatic lines.

[@georgeveburst]

o.k. Albert.... I think I'm following you..... I think?

[@guitarhoarder1972]

That is very solid advice that you dont hear many guitar players talk about. It is all about sitting in the mix, and there is still a mix, no matter if it's live or in the studio. Joe is quite generous with his knowledge, and i always listen to his advice. many thanks for this vid.

[@gibson]

Glad you found it helpful! Joe's advice on the EQ is great, here.

[@danarcotta1283]

I actually rarely think about what I'm playing, I just play what I feel in the moment according to where the song is going. Then....I'll play it completely different on the next take, it's a wonderful feeling of freedom

[@hugokappes4077]

me too

[@BigFiveJack]

4:27 J.B.: "But Why Not - There's NO RULES." In other words - If It Sounds Good - IT IS GOOD !!!!!

[@Musicsports]

Said Eddie Van Halen. He lived it.

[@df6496]

Recent breakthrough for me is to read up on Ross Campbell. Learn triads and focus on the chord changes. Slow it down. Understand the notes you are playing when and why. Use your ear…it will pay big dividends

[@_johnny_99_46]

That exotic sounding lick at 1:43 is a G Phrygian Dominant lick.

[@kinan2934]

yeah. harmonic minor scale. but 1:38-1:40 is mixo

[@guitariste47]

I did'nt thé name of that scale. Does joe know thé name you reckon?

[@kinan2934]

@@guitariste47 He says in the video that it's mixolydian (which is wrong) and then that someone would fact check him in the comments.

[@hugobonin268]

And this where he answer the question

[@JimmyMook]

I learn about 2 positions really well, then also know your audience. Playing with other guitarists is different than playing for a bar or something. As I play more and more I enjoy playing alone the most.

[@shlebmo]

Differing between the major and minor 3rds 4ths 5ths sixths and sevenths is absolute magic for being outside the box. Understand what the intervals are and how the altered note relates to the scale. A flat 2 and a raised 5th is bomb on minor blues. Understanding how the major pentatonic relates to the minor is huge and worth taking your time to understand

[@nonethelessbysignificantvi197]

Honestly, been listening to Joe the past 25 years or so...He hands down the best player in blues/rock !Gales,Kingfish and Ford are awesome but Bonamassa is king for me...

[@saxonsteve]

Like Joe. But there other’s that I personally think their is as good as him or even better.

[@nonethelessbysignificantvi197]

@@saxonsteve ..Possibly

[@BluesRockAcademy]

Bonamassa? Overrated

[@guitarz99]

Play a triad from each degree, eg, from the 5th of A minor pentatonic which is E play an E minor triad , or the 4th D minor triad, try the others also, 2nd, 6th, 7th etc add these into your A minor pentatonic box to get that outside feel along with the blues scale, Dorian mode, chromatics

[@nathanbolen7624]

Yep, that's a great idea, and also phrasing, lots o' phrasing lol

[@nathanbolen7624]

Do this around the fretboard for different keys and you'll already be on your way to knowing the fretboard

[@REM1956]

Peter Frantic. Great line, among great questions. Thanks

[@pearsonm67]

That...was brilliant!

[@gibson]

I laughed at that! -Lee

[@billymcelwainART]

Great advice, I love it: "if you think about where to go next in real time, you're way too late."

[@danaeverhart6487]

Joe is just a down home kid that’s still growing up! Thanks for the sharing Joe and friend!!!

[@tomanderson798]

Could only watch a couple seconds maybe a minute way over my head that’s incredible you guys rock

[@bobdillon1138]

After 40yrs of intentional musical theory illiteracy being self taught by ear i discovered i was mainly using the Dorian mode when it came to blues and most rock.

[@Dr.CeeCee]

That’s because Dorian is essentially the major and minor pentatonic laid on top of each other

[@bobdillon1138]

@@Dr.CeeCee I mainly have Angus Young to thank for teaching me that while most players i have studied use the separate scales in the different positions he was the one who taught me how to use both together in any position.

[@shaft9000]

dorian and mixolydian covers much of it

[@ashypharaoh8407]

Lovely mode, that tritone between the minor 3rd and major 6th is powerful

[@bmann792]

The lick at 1:45 was G Phrygian dominant - 5th mode of C harmonic minor

[@DavidCervin]

A whatas bb king would say ?!

[@WoodyBlueberry]

Bonamassa, one of my fav bluesman ever. Love you Joe, always full of tips and tricks. Most apreciated.

[@Slammintone]

Can’t help but like Joe B! Such a musical communicator and sooo down to earth. And he plays like a demon!

[@markmurphy137]

Mr Joe I really enjoy listening to you and the guidance you give is as deliberate and accurate as your playing thank you for sharing

[@billmccormack3048]

Play what moves you, play your feelings, play your soul.

[@daveschachne]

Love this interaction! Good advice. Joe is a master.

[@wolftracks9010]

Being aware of the Launching spot and knowing where you will wind up on the neck after you finish a run (between scales) is like playing pool in that it's not only necessarily about making the shot but it's also about playing position; setting yourself up for the next shot as well.

[@georgeveburst]

duh

[@markolivares6943]

Joe is such an incredible guitarist. Wish I could play like him.

[@gibson]

Play like you, my friend. You can only be you! I'm sure you're awesome at guitar. -Lee

[@Somewhereintime7]

Good to be familiar with every note on fretboard and intervals as well .

[@stratopatrick]

Joe, I once entered into Blackbird Music in Orlando, FL and noodled around a bit- I was then told that you had been in the same chair like a few hours before. It was really cool. One of my bucket list goals is to be in a jam sesh with you. By the way, your Lydian dominant is really something else.

[@paul_bliven]

What I heard him say (although I’m reading into it) is play what is authentic to you. Learn your instrument well enough to pull off that autheticity to the best you can achieve. Hear your song/ solo in your head first. Then do it.

[@ChuloDavidcito]

Joe's a genius. I grew up near his town. One night on local news I saw this VERY young guitarist kid playing blues, and he was already smoking hot. The rest is history, of course. We also visited his father's music store in central NY. 🎸

[@UCS0608]

1:12 Ok, now I get it, it's so easy, I will play that from now on..... 😋

[@bluzzedude2677]

This is so right. There's 5 positions for each key and there's only a one note difference between a major and a minor key position. Every key is a connecting pattern. That's all lead guitar is...a serious of inter-connecting patterns. If you learn this? You'll master it all! This is one of the things I always liked about Joe. Ever since he started to become known...he was always "giving back." He's all OVER KZbin giving tips and instruction. Look at "Guitar Player" magazine and all those other older guitar mags. His name and "licks" fill these mags. A friend of Randy Rhoads once wrote how Eddie Van Halen REFUSED to show them this one lick they heard him play "I can't show you that" and they both kinda "rolled their eyes at each other" he said. When they left Rhoads said "he's nothing but a bag of tricks anyway" LOL

[@lesbois53]

Extremely underrated Joe. A sublime guitar player. ❤

[@michaeltownes7670]

Great to watch as always, but I would have liked him to answer the question more directly. Telling us to learn the entire fretboard in all keys is great advice, but it is a bit 'macro'. This question needed a more 'micro' focus. Having said that, He is, without doubt, the most important blues guitarist around today.

[@SystematicMechanic]

There are 5 box shapes in the Pentatonic scale. Each one starting on one of the notes of the scale. To be able to play that in all keys is simply moving them up or down the fret board. Same with the Modes.

[@willpalmer8894]

there is no direct answer which is why he started with the number one fundamental idea to master the guitar.

[@willpalmer8894]

if it was marty he would have said, know the roots and when to end and start new phrases just practicing over an A blues track

[@perijon00]

Well that’s debatable…

[@charliewesley94]

Joe has a great sense of humor and is a fantastic player.

[@JimmyMook]

Watch “The Southbank session” 1987 buddy guy and Clapton. You’ll learn a lot of dirty moves in pentatonic. Clapton repeats riffs a lot but then gets funky. And then buddy guy is a beast.

[@KirkC-m4x]

Mook, I used to be a tech, worked for Buddy many times, along with all the other Chi-town Miller music stable-mates. Buddy's greatest asset is his stage presence, not his fret work. Yes, he has marvelous phrasing but he certainly does not command the same respect for his dexterity or agility. Also, JB keeps growing and learning, whereas most of the old blues players are satisfied resting on their haunches. I guess I would be the same, giving the audience what they want. However, if you've been blessed enough to see Joe play, he will do amazing things to an already amazing song he wrote...Joe would probably humbly argue that you NEED to see the Blues masters before they are gone because they have set the stage for everyone else...just what a Master would say.

[@caydespliff181]

this speaks truth to what I have more or less discovered in the past year. Intermediate day job guitar player practice- I began making myself learn the pentatonic box in the five positions. I had always avoided it for some reason, and it hasn’t been exactly fun or exciting, *until recently. What has changed is that it’s beginning to be muscle memory. additionally I have habitualized practicing in such a way where I immidiately figure out how to play (what I just played at the time) ANYWHERE on the neck. it get’s a bit more fun, although it is still a slow process. I’m self taught, don’t know much theory but I am a life long pianist, drummer, songwriter, and what has started to happen is that my left hand just f i n d s the notes…it catches me off guard in the best way. take the time and enjoy the journey, joe clearly had a headstart compared to almost all of it but I know he spent the time. No one really enjoys listening to the players who took the short cuts and copy paste the flashy licks. It’s about learning to speak through the instrument, and convey emotion, and for those of us who have something to say, the payoff could not be more worthwhile. no matter how long the road. cheers.

[@michaelrizzo5480]

Something I wish i had explored way sooner ....learn all the modal scales...connects everything on the neck

[@DavidCervin]

So much talent .

[@skipneumann1]

Up and down every string in every key is the best- best way to learn every note too… any style of music and really any instrument

[@jaytea42]

Think of the neck as One Big interconnected position, which you can paint fluidly with whatever colors you feel. Joe is a truly great guitarist for the 21st century, based in & drawing from the icons of the last century.

[@jeffshockey9456]

This guy has been playing his whole life and at 12 was better than anyone watching probably. He gives advice but people expect him to say something spectacular that will have them playing like him in 5 hours lmao 🤣.

[@michaelblankenau6598]

Forget 5 hours . I was thinking an hour and a half… tops

[@teeoh9192]

Play a bunch of pentatonic gibberish? I LOVE the pentatonic/blues scales. I just hate the way HE plays them.

[@1XDroidX1]

Apparently I have always played "frantic". 🤣 But it has always worked for me.

[@dewardroy6531]

Oh Joe! The greatest artists are never recognized in their own lifetime. Future generations will regard you even more than your contemporaries, and we freaking adore your work. It’s so very god like to express disbelief at being deified.

[@johnskerlec9663]

Great point Joe makes. If you think about it, you are too late. Yep, know your notes on the fret board, then jam out with feel.

[@toddmoore2324]

"Modal dexterity" is now my favorite musical phrase ever! Thanks, Joe! 😁

[@mytorment]

I'm born to a grunge/nu-metal generation that have never heard of Bossonama, but I love you bro 🫒☮️ so sweet

[@Yesterdayss]

Bossonama lol

[@maximumguitarage]

Go check out Stevie Ray Vaughn - I used to be a metal head and now I can not get enough

[@mytorment]

@@maximumguitarage Never liked him bro but appreciate the reference, Hendrix man myself, or Rory Gallagher, Stevie was just a tad too 'subtle', very classic blues 💙

[@NAntonsson82]

Some very good advice there JB😃👌🏼🎶🎸❤️💫 Regards from Sweden🇸🇪

[@yungmarsh.0188]

Joe gave me the best advice on les paul forum years ago, i dont know if he would remember, taught me how to learn vibrato the correct way! I hope he gets to hear me jam one day i know it would make him so proud, i would not be close to half the guitarist i am if it wasnt for that connection. Shouts to all the people on les paul forum for not banning me at like 12 years old lmfao

[@bretel73]

Joe: if you're thinking about it in real time you're too late. guy: (after a minute processing)...ahhhh! very nice!

[@ericwatler23]

Great advice Joe

[@rlm4471]

How to play outside the pentatonic? For me, the key was to start thinking about each chord in a song as its own separate musical entity. Each chord gives you a different set of scales/patterns that will work, and each chord progression gives you a different way to follow the changes and link them together. This is how you get away from wanking in a single scale over a set of changes.

[@chadjones4236]

When this dude gets to heaven he's jammin with anyone playing swampy blues👍😎

[@Perennialsmusic]

Nice, sweet licks JB🔥

[@mcpappysgolden]

Dinesh, I miss seeing you at Mesa Boogie on Sunset bro! Was always a pleasure interacting with you.

[@Michael-F4ul5kzbuck]

Joe is the deal ////...so glad for Him and what he means to us and what hes doing..not like we needed a savior in guitar but Hes rockin pretty solid...

[@adamb2358]

Not frantic, just singing , mastery is a important thing and as such I believe it’s the ability to “play” where you want to go

[@Funkybassuk]

JB’s noodling is my favourite of all noodling

[@BluesRockAcademy]

Gary Moore ate him for breakfast

[@GregTorresGuitar]

Basically learn the major scale if you're stuck in the pentatonic box, as easy as that, but can be conveyed with so much complexity.

[@markrodgers2976]

So, I just "have to have a musical vocabulary that goes through all the styles". And I was thinking this was gonna be hard !

[@tomrivans9102]

If you want to learn some scales start slow. Very slow. This allows you to learn the patterns before your speed up. More repetition in slow time will help train your brain. Learn in sections so you can possibly join these up later. But most of all learn to express each note especially in blues. A slow lick played with care is as good as a fast furious one.

[@thisisit5150]

Joe's Les Paul is out of this world

[@alexdobson2377]

looking at a fretboard for the first time is intimidating for sure. 22 frets - 6 strings, 22 x 6 = 132 positions But as Joe is saying it is the same 8 notes repeating. a,b,c,d,e,f,g,a. or g,a,b,c,d,e,f,g- or - do, re,mi,fa,so,la,ti,do. in scale patterns. spend a week learning the G scale from all locations on fretboard, if you need take two weeks. then next learn D scale, etc.

[@maurogarces7337]

Im a singer/composer and I can say that since I started studying the modes, scales and how my tracher calls it "polytonality" (sorry i speak spanish) you start to find so many flavours in your compositions. Mind you i dont focus on guitar solos, but the regular chords are honestly a cage. "If thats your thing" means find YOUR thing. Dont judge what comes from you in music, we are humans interpreting it, but it was always there.

[@TracyC-nj2tq]

I LOVE you, Joe! Just like how Quentin Taranto is a cinema geek, you are a music geek. I mean that as a COMPLIMENT!😊

[@MrJazzedBlues]

Try the 6 and bend it half. You kan use it on the 1th chord and the 4th.Sounds great.

[@eaglesonmusicgroupltdeagle8138]

If you want to find notes outta the box ????. Besides the """ pentatonicss. ""Minor and major. """ Then what you should research is Whats referred to as both jazz minors and bebop scales. Theres a very old album which featurings herb ellis. Charlie byrd and a young barnie kessel.sll on the same album. That is where you will find great chromatic lines that blend both major and minor harmony . Utilizing the harmonic content of the dominant harmony family. Very cool and a great example To answer yout question!!

[@michaelstevenanderson4961]

The nicest, coolest guy you could ever meet

[@barrysallows1777]

JOE YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION!

[@markattila9835]

Dinesh that tone is to die for you got going there.

[@Djamieson713]

thanks for the tips mr. bonermassa you have excellent toan!

[@davidt9841]

Joe just knows and plays, and he’s much more than ‘just’ a pentatonic player! Go Joe!

[@alexgramm5170]

Learn something as well . Freddie King . I suggest Sidetracked. Learn the key of it , the structure of it.. the chord changes, the bridge, the bass part. Then play it thru as well as you can in regard to his lead work. Note for note is great but if not achievable then play "in the style of" . Get the main riff down. Listen to the drums, the piano et al. Recognize it's similarity to other blues and jazz progressions. Sometimes you have to get over yourself and just play...let it rip and get to the juice of it!! Bend along with Albert King dig deep... just do it...

[@swikkis]

How can I make some different things happen " just in that first box? Like what's a good way just kind of get outside it?" Joe: Learn the other boxes...look what I can do...that'll be $800. The real answer is you play ideas with a tonality that functions like a V chord. Then resolve to the position 1 box pattern. The V chord takes you out and the blues box in position one brings you back in. Try D melodic minor to "go out" in G minor. Or Eb melodic minor to go out in G minor.

[@vin9976]

A pro guitar buddy of mine said, the first thing is (beyond basic playing and knowing your keys)...learn the 5 modes of the pentatonic then just bump those shapes up or down depending on the key. That's really not that complicated (to memorize). You'll become competent in a shape or three quickly...most easily are the shape up and below the common minor pentatonic shape. Then you already know have the notes. Just KZbin 5 modes of the pentatonic and it's laid out pretty easily.

[@billwilenski]

I remember hearing Joe on an album called bloodline for the first time and he was just a kid unbelievable

[@Plowguitarist]

If you’re a beginner I highly recommend you learn as much theory as possible. All scales, all chords you can, and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE LEARN LEARN LEARN!! In about 5-6 years of countless hours you’ll be surprised. No matter what your genre of choice is.

[@stevejordan9567]

Joe is so awesome.

[@rawrisimo]

Guitar is a map that you memorize by putting together many different structures. That's why you study chords, arpeggios, positions of the scale... In time you'll learn to switch between said structures. If you struggle with, let's say, Fm, try to find the arpeggio. If you can't look for the note F. Or look for the Fm chord, the Fm pentatonic position, Ab (if you're into harmony as well). There isn't just one path to mastering the board. Truth is we all put pieces together until it stars to make sense.

[@zackmak9194]

Very fundamentally important!

[@gibson]

Absolutely!

[@kanjuro8926]

Gotta love those crunchy bends of him

[@redoberon]

My only advice: learn everything. Thank you very much Joe

[@charlescarter2072]

His playing on the new knopfler song was amazing

[@therollband1290]

Play melodies instead of licks. Play music instead of solos.

[@brucerounds3692]

Exactly!

[@johnmontague4245]

Well said ….!

[@jacobmcvay123]

I’m sure there’s a band out there looking for an acoustic player who wears a beanie in the summer time. Don’t stop searching bro.

[@timwhite5562]

It's all melody man (insert non-existent stoned aged-hippy emoji here). It's just starting it from the middle is all. I just haven't figured out what to put before and after it…every time.

[@raysmusic49]

I agree 100%! More fun to play melodies…. Pentatonic scales are just gibberish…but fun also