Monster Pentatonic Licks! With Joel Hoekstra!

Joel Hoekstra of Whitesnake and Transiberian Orchestra teaches you some outrageously blazing, MONSTER pentatonic licks! For full tabs, go to www.guitarworld...

[@joelhoekstra13]

Hey everybody! I really appreciate all of the kind words/support on this lesson and the others that I've been doing for Guitar World. There are so many great players out there, it's humbling and downright scary to try and teach online these days. I read a lot of comments about the tone, so thought I'd answer those here. It's just one of the house amps at Guitar World...a Marshall JVM head and 4-12 cab, with a boss DD-5 delay pedal in the loop...that's it! Thanks again for checking this out!

[@bulzah]

hi joel :)

[@jimhouse9961]

You rock so hard! Thanks for showing us this shit!

[@williamdarnstaedt3118]

joel hoekstra really enjoy your pentitonic lessons

[@joedell71]

Keep making these videos man. Your technique and phrasing are awesome.

[@drummer4hire12]

Awesome personality and talent!!! Thank YOU, kind Sir!!!!

[@henrysollysangma3522]

I am not a guitarist, but I watched it full just because I like this guy for his humility. Great guitarist & a very nice human being.

[@guitarworld]

Joel pretty much knows exactly what to play to sound like a total rock star. The guy is insane!

[@chrisortmann2056]

100% agreed! Absolute amazing tone and feel.

[@muchomusiclibre]

it really helps when your fingers are 10 inches long like Joel's are!

[@ShaggyDawg]

+muchomusiclibre Yep. Not much help to those of us with stubby digits!

[@muchomusiclibre]

+ShaggyDawg exactly man. Have you seen Bucketheads fingers? they're as long on drum sticks!

[@robvp190]

+muchomusiclibre It's all about practice.. look up Andres Segovia, a well known classical guitarist. Small hands but that did not stop him from playing compositions with extreme stretches (which are even harder to do on classical guitar because of the higher action)

[@jonrivera]

O. My. Goodness. That tone, guitar, and totally awesome and courteous rockstar attitude. Bro.

[@metaloutlander]

My wife dragged me to see Cher in Vegas, What a surprise to see Joel come out on guitar. He rocked! Great show man!

[@celsopereiramagalhaesjr3216]

Joel hokestra. Shreds it on. And makes beatiful meaning solos. His knowledge of the scales and notes ans creativity is awesome. A very rounded. Complete. Rock guitar player. He shredded the frick off in rock in rio. Guy is an awesome musician and a great guy.

[@joachimlagerstrom8958]

He's not only an amazing player, he's got an amazing TONE as well.

[@arturoalvarez_music]

I wish I had a professor like him. He's one of the coolest guys on Earth.

[@MusicAnirban]

It's simply an honor to even watch him give a lesson, knowing the fact that such musicians are from times when real music existed and melodies mattered. These are the guitarists/musicians which truly define a band/writing skills/arrangement. Its truly humbling to see how grounded they are. Cheers!

[@mountainssea9642]

Joel Hoekstra: “Ok?” Me:

[@RolandoMora]

what a killer tone!!!!

[@DemonikzLoL]

tu q jot0

[@gibranhernandez4647]

Qué pedo!? Qué haces acá bro!?

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

The brass nut probably helps there.

[@funkrocker8011]

Yup!

[@guitarhilley]

Dude, there must be something wrong with your ears! This tone sounds like a untweaked Line 6 Pod.

[@demetriusmota9613]

Joel Hoekstra deserves to be on top and receive all recognition... what a technique, what a furious grip and not a note without feeling... Master... also one of his first teachers was the extraordinary TJ Helmerich, with whom he learned this to perfection. absurd technique of 8 fingers on the fretboard... Congratulations Joel!!!

[@JawTooth]

Joel threw a pick to me tonight at the Transiberian Orchestra in Cincinnati and I got it! that was Awesome! I held it up to show him I got it while he was playing a solo

[@MezmurHD]

More of this guy please! He is awesome!

[@Noelfuga300]

a free lesson from a master shedder? ...happy new year indeed!

[@JohnBenoit46290]

Joel is like the first person on guitar world to have good tone

[@kamaboko1]

+John Benoit Yeah, he nailed a great tone.

[@nikkiblak7212]

+kamaboko1 are tou chris benoir familiar?

[@JohnBenoit46290]

ahahahaha I know him, but we aren't related. I get that a lot

[@brockadcock2735]

that was my first thought when he hit that first run. that tone

[@kaldesjarlais375]

+John Benoit gold top with stop tail? best tone begins there

[@Alan1978M]

Hey Joel,i’ve been playing for over 20 years and after having just discovered you through the current Whitesnake album i gotta say you are my favourite player right now.You rock🤘🏻

[@Chris_Bibby]

I'd never heard of this guy, then caught him by chance when I was given a free ticket to watch Whitesnake last month. He's a monster player and has tone for days! Great lesson, thanks GW.

[@taradead]

first saw him on That Metal Show. Mind blowing guitarist not many have ever heard of...one of the best TMS has ever had on.

[@AlbertoJorgeSoares]

Hoekstra is real good. Not just technically but also in a matter of feeling. His playing speaks.

[@Eric2112rush]

Saw Joel for the first time a few years back when he was with Night Ranger at the Laporte County Fair in LaPorte Indiana when they were with Great White. Fantastic show from both bands but I left there totally blown away by Joel's playing. I knew he was an official inductee on my personal favorite players list.

[@Texman4268]

Man Joel is awesome. Miss him so bad playing with Night Ranger

[@groovyhippie1165]

Very cool lesson and I love that tone, nice Les Paul!

[@liljimi2featherz139]

Groovy hippie hiya groovy hippie...I'm a groove chile myself ,grooving down the path of righteousness...

[@myworstenemy680]

A great player plus a great instructor = a huge thumb up Guitar World.

[@romuloreyesjr6909]

So far the most cleanest player in the guitar world... Nice and informative lesson... Thank you Mr. Hoekstra

[@AudiophileTubes]

Recently saw Joel live with Whitesnake! He was mind-blowingly AWESOME! A great musician, and then some!

[@jimbigboystoys4077]

Those pentatonic runs sounded AWESOME! I'll be cracking out the axe to practice them! THANKYOU sir for sharing! Big fan of Whitesnake by the way! Thanks again! 🎸😎🎸

[@NesterRuzi]

Wow. What an outstanding lesson to help the big jump of breaking out of that pentatonic box. And what a humble dude!! That’s always a plus to help the lesson sink in. Thanks for your knowledge!!!!

[@alextepishkin1516]

Wow! I never thought the pentatonic had such possibilities. really opened my mind to a new teritory. Thank you. Time to practice

[@hollyropeagain370]

What a perfect guitar tone! Like, literally perfect, specially with the bridge pickup, very few times you have the chance to listen such a beautiful guitar tone

[@ChrisPuckett]

Saw Joel in Rock of Ages on Broadway and met him after the show. The nicest guy and one of the most incredible guitar performances I’ve ever seen.

[@kbrinson85]

I was in bed ready to watch KZbin until I fell asleep...that is, until I saw this! Had to get up and try it immediately! Awesome material...more from Joel please. Also it should be noted he is employing some hybrid picking in some of these exercises. Cheers!

[@DavidDeavenport]

+kbrinson85 I'm glad somebody else mentioned the hybrid picking. I thought he was doing it but it was very subtle and wasn't sure. Thanks.

[@zebrazebrazebraz]

0:48 figure 1 1:52 figure 2 5:29 figure 3 5:40 7:18 figure 5

[@thomasokun5952]

Joel not only serves up monster minor pentatonic licks but also teaches these licks with unmatched simplicity and clarity. Genius; Papua New guinea

[@jaay222]

Thanks Joel; not only an awesome fretboard traversing lick, but a great warmup exercise!

[@stptributebigbangbaby970]

So easy to figure out but challenging to play. Killer stretches and moving up the neck technique!

[@freemanmt1]

Absolutely love Joel! Killer tone / killer technique.

[@MoneyBooBoo]

This is chapter 1 of his Hard Rock Lead Guitar Master Class DVD. trying to perfect these lessons taking me a while lol

[@angusyoung9594]

Super talented and seems like a really nice guy, too. Great stuff.

[@darrenjay3231]

Great player and great teacher! One of the best that ever lived!

[@vic9279]

God damn, Joel. The intro itself was badass. So I stayed for the lesson because I liked the tone you got. Good job and take my "like". Well played, sir.

[@KowankoMusic]

Joel's hybrid picking technique seems to be a crucial part of executing some of these licks smoothly. Great player!

[@Ultimagtr650]

Simple but very melodic - great lesson.

[@rockkstah2550]

Not just a great guitar player, but great teacher, I’ve always hated pentatonics due to it being in a predictable box form, thank you for opening up a door of much clarity for me...

[@DOGMA29]

Joel is a legend,,,,,I love the white snake album.....trouble is your middle name....he is such a great guitarist, love it 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rubendez]

I'll have to wait till my fingers grow...

[@generalyovideos]

just slide them brother

[@BenDover-lq8tv]

Rubendez Guitar Tips also don’t use guitars with jumbo frets it’s makes all the difference

[@DisRespectoids]

And most importantly, your thumb behind the neck and not next to the low E

[@skapegoat99]

He's a nice guy and amazing guitar player!! Saw him on Broadway and he blew me away.

[@rising1984]

I saw him on stage on Hellfest France this year with Whitesnake, his solo duel with Reb Beach was amazing

[@micmica1827]

I like his style, he shreds in a smooth way.

[@seanantley1965]

His lesson in the newest issue titled "String Span" is one of the best!!! So glad he has column!!! Thank you Guitar World!!!

[@justinturner5085]

The tone is in them hands bro!! Very great legato lesson!

[@jemalqueen1286]

Thank you so very much Joel for the lesson I've been searching for a generous kind person like you and i found you. Thank You my friend.

[@fivestring65ify]

Love your work with TSO and Whitesnake. You have a really nice bluesy feel to your playing.

[@DrowningInDejaVu]

just discovered this guy. Great explanations of what he is doing. Really fluid player with a great sound.

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Love Joe's work with transiberian orchestra. It's epic stuff. Great little lesson to boot...

[@JoseBenitez-rj2dl]

A year later, but congrats Joel! Great lesson. Saw you back in 2010 with Night Ranger in Mpls, and you were melting faces. Good to hear you are with TSO and Whitesnake!

[@christopherdavis8248]

finally a reason to start reading guitar world again!!!!shred pentatonics!!!!!!!nothing better

[@KKBosch_Music]

Bro... You nail everything that makes rock guitar playing sound as it should. Thank you! I've now got LOADS of things to practice, and hopefully can inspire some new ideas out of my stagnant playing. Cheers

[@shammaboy]

jeez, never heard of this guy, but damn, he's really good. guitar sounds amazing too, great tone.

[@skok58]

Great licks, Joel!

[@ramon2008]

These licks sound blazing hot! Thanks for the lesson. Very inspirational.

[@ku812fubar4]

You are truly a great rock star that can shred the shit out of his guitar. Also has some of the greatest rock poses while shredding. I love your teaching. ROCK FOREVER 🤟🏼🤘🏼

[@clutchkman]

Excellent lesson, this kind of stuff has always been a weak point for me, but the way Joel presents it makes it seem doable, and understandable. Fantastic tone as well!

[@tonypowell250]

Love that bend at the end of figure 4.

[@psousa333]

Great player with a nice guy humble attitude, Rock on Joel!

[@jimbigboystoys4077]

Very COOL runs!! THANK YOU for sharing!! 🤘🎸🤘

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

What a great lesson, can't wait to start working on it. Thank you Mr. Hoekstra

[@MsDavo123]

This guy is a pur creativity just amazing!

[@rushleviathan5451]

the finger stretching is killing me. He makes it look so easy.

[@gfgranja]

His hands are huge

[@henrymillwood5176]

those licks are badass. And that tone. Thanks Joel.

[@InnerStateMusicMM]

Love the tone of that Les Paul! Great Lesson

[@JoeCostantini74]

such an awesome guitar player.

[@Romans219]

Joel you are one smooth, down to earth dude! You are such a beautiful example to All aspiring musicians. I love sharing whatever I have learned with people before I go to my dirt nap

[@spitfirekid1]

Monster lick is right. Thanks for turning something old into something new!

[@absurdplanet]

Outstanding fresh perspective and look at the Pentagon scale.Fantastic player.

[@jaycheek254]

Killer tone! Seriously, that has to be the best hard rock tone around!

[@mdwayne741]

Nice lesson! He really opened up the pentatonic scale....thanks Joel!

[@cypressdobro8759]

Pentatonic scales are really amazing and beautiful. we cant be afraid to play them.major also. we dont need to be doing somthing else when we play them.it feels like some pressure to be doing somthing else or more but slow down and use them as the musical tool they are. dont just run the pattern think musicaly about it.like a musician not a guitarst.

[@angusorvid8840]

Joel's one of the most exceptional rock guitarists of all time. He's awesome.

[@micmica1827]

Thanks Joel, you are doing a good job. Please continue doing it.

[@tonypowell250]

Great player and so humble. Thanks for sharing your tips. Struggling with the legato but will keep trying.

[@samuelhamilton46]

Thanks a lot, it rocks!!!

[@Thelizzwizz]

My goodness that tone people, perfection

[@quellidelnido]

finally somebody who is showing something interesting on pentatonic! Also great sound, touch and ability of clearly explain things . Thanks! Cool guitar too...even if is not a Stratoscaster... :)

[@robertadams8007]

Awesome lick,was never really into whitesnake,but he is a rock star

[@Rodzep]

That just made me want to pick up soloing again, awesome patterns. Love the string skipping, sounds killer. Thanks Joel, keep em coming!

[@LeeEisenstein]

Super video and thanks for posting! The great jazz guitarist/teacher, Duke Miller, used to have his students play scales, three notes per string.

[@adamwuksta3255]

Beautiful smooth licks Joel, thanks for sharing those pentatonic runs, I’m definitely going to try them

[@donnacook3150]

Love that tone!

[@roberthickman2953]

Awesome lesson really useful great tone also. Love to see one of my guitar heroes from "in the day" teach really superior lesson.

[@robertciaschini7625]

I've always loved left hand legato to form patterns. Fantastic method! Thank you.

[@mikesparks3398]

Seven years later..it still rocks!

[@Stratomacaster]

That was particularly bad ass...

[@jonlate4581]

That last lick was really cool. Sounds like you're tapping.👍

[@albertosotelo9969]

That bend took me by surprise... I looked at the video, no guitar on... get home, take a guitar and boy oh boy, is that is gonna keep me busy for a few months or what?

[@Justme77400]

Those fingers!! He's a great teacher!

[@awittypilot8961]

MAN! I lOVE this and I know I have to get it but the span! My fingers will only go so far! Thanks for the GREAT lesson though. I WILL get it. Building the speed isn't going to be any fun. I'm probably lower intermediate and sort of stuck on a plateau but I'm determined!

[@MrMetalclay]

Yeah those are big stretches. I'm probably going to work on two finger speed for now. How's your three year progress?

[@Max-The-Axe]

Or you could play a guitar with smaller frets like a les Paul or dean ml or anything with a shorter scale

[@awittypilot8961]

Good ideas...but I honestly found that if I stretch out (I'm also a black belt...used to stretching) it makes a HELL of a difference. I tighten up after forgetting to stretch of only a few days. In karate or pretty much any physical activity, stretching is really important. Makes sense to stretch for guitar too! DUH!@@Max-The-Axe

[@awittypilot8961]

well....still not shredding (no interest in shredding....Roger Fisher didn't and neither did Neil Davis) but a lot better...I'm now lead guitar in our band and so far hangin in there! The guitar is a very complicated instrument. I'm 68 and still in a rock band though! hehe...thanks for askin! @@MrMetalclay

[@mattsteel1000]

"Rock on guys" you gave us this tutorial with that overflowing joy thanks is little genius

[@sadekulislamnahid7616]

Best so far!! Love from Bangladesh

[@lukeskywalk9773]

What an awesome player!

[@Prenner111]

Now this guy is a good player.

[@soofitnsexy]

80s tone...its back