How to IMPROVISE on Guitar! - Easy Tips on How to Solo!!

Have you ever wondered how a guitar player can just start soloing out of the blue with no preparation? How do they do it? Today I break down a few techniques to help players start to improvise!
If you found this video helpful, be sure to like and subscribe:)
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[@KevinORourke25]

Do my eyes and ears deceive me? A guitar teacher who doesn't blaze through the scale and make every one who is trying to learn feel like it is impossible. Someone who remembers what it is like when you're just starting to expand on your playing? WOW! This is why Darrell is the most relatable guitar instructor online. Kevin O'Rourke

[@robertthornhill1280]

It's nice because he isn't just trying to show off. He is able to teach at the level of the person watching which is very helpful.

[@crazychimera]

Totally agree! I sat in last 3 weeks in front of my teacher. He's keep sayin I don't have the grab. He's playing backtracks and tell: doi it. Sound terrible. Just scaling, no rythm ,no feeling. Then, he just take guitar and nail the thing. "Wow, nice!". Then, I sat that video on thursday. Today I take the guitar and put it on practice and I feel really nice doing... Nothing lol. But it starts to seem that I going somewhere. I'd have fun for 40 minutes just repeating over and over the back track. In fact, I moved to 4 shapes in Am scale, all bc felt confident. Really the best video on YT for the just beginnera.

[@R.Stridstrom]

It often strikes me how much more skilled Darrell is at teaching these things than most, if not all the rest. MasterCraft. He seems to remember how one might think in all different phases of learning, and can communicate that - but also bring sollutions or tips to get ahead and onwards. Great guy.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Hopefully this lesson will help you guys get your jam on! Enjoy :)

[@birdsaresinners3373]

It did thanks man

[@Tiresmoke7]

Great lesson ! Your tips on phrasing definitely helped. I know the scales but when I played them over a backing track alot of the time they just sounded like random notes and didn't sound musical . Please continue this series and go more in depth. Thanks Darrell !

[@tdtom1376]

this helps immensely. is there an Improv 102 course? maybe where you throw in the "Blue note"

[@jimmyparris9892]

Is that a B&G hanging over the pedal showcase?

[@jackkelly2620]

Thanks for my first lesson. It's exactly what I was interested in now that I've decided to try guitar again at 50yo, after a 35 year hiatus.

[@jordyboy321]

4:15 you can visibly see you struggling to stop yourself from absolutely shredding haha

[@thesportsjunkie4827]

Bro you explained it to me so clearly and slowly without ripping it up and not knowing what the hell you just did like a lot of them do. You gave me a better understanding how to improvise. Thanks so much!

[@mortysmith2192]

Since I just learnt the aminor pentatonic scale this is the first solo video that has actually made a bunch of sense to me

[@Kelovar]

I've watched about 15 videos on improvisation. 13 lost me, and two were excellent. This is one of them. I've been a subscriber for a few weeks now, so I don't know why I wasted so much time before coming here! Thank you very much for the lesson!

[@Danie6309]

This has been one of the most comprehensive and easy to understand intros to solos! Thank you for demystifying this next stage of my musical journey :)

[@billywright13jr]

This video has made me rethink the entire way I’ve been learning guitar for the past 17 years. Never progressing past chords and learning stupid tabs and inevitably putting the guitar down for months on end out of frustration that I couldn’t progress. I now feel like I have some individuality with my instrument and I’m not just mimicking someone else and can play what I want and make it sound how I want. I’m buying some merch and subscribed for all the rest of your content.

[@chrisgeo830]

Great video, I am not a beginner but have struggled with improvised soloing. It just never really clicked for me. Thanks for breaking it down to basics.

[@stevejohnson8499]

What an excellent guitar lesson on improvisation...wish I had this 30 years ago! Great teaching style Darrell, and you covered all the bases here to get a novice improvising in good order..well done!

[@jjthejjetplane]

Who's the person that disliked already? Show yourself coward. This was helpful.

[@kulak166]

A bot

[@cjgrasser759]

Really! Who can find anything wrong with that lesson? Maybe it is someone who doesn't want others to advance in skills. I've been playing for about 5 years and I found this technique to be very insightful. I hope Darrell provides more of these. Thank you for calling the negative person or bot out!

[@Doug5524]

Yes they are children thinking it's funny with nothing better to do usually complete failures at school or college that dislike everything

[@natanhannah]

me

[@Creatic58]

I think they have a reason They didn’t want other bad guitar teacher in their recommended

[@karterdowd5837]

Probably the best improvising lesson

[@localvocals7206]

Man thanks so much. I have been struggling alot to understand what lies behind improvisation till you came and made it this clear. Thank you. Good job.

[@jim.mcintosh]

This is perfect for me. I wasn't thinking about practicing different techniques in progression. I kept falling into the same patterns by just jumping in. This helps me consider different ways of constructing phrases. Thank you, Darrell. I'm a big fan.

[@deanof13]

Absolutely fantastic lesson, you got me out of a multi year hole of redundant chord playing and avoiding any kind of lead

[@loosermantv4526]

Sir Darell,thanks a lot for the improvised lessons,it helps me a lot,more lessons to come..😁👌🏻

[@patrickgourdain]

Best lesson on improvisation ever!

[@TheTMschannel]

I feel like just following these 5 steps is an amazing way to learn a new scale / scaleposition! Great help!

[@russpbg]

Great video! Make it a series! Can’t wait for Improvisational Guitar 102!!

[@kushanisiwara4058]

Awesome video.. Have to audition for an orchestra and was afraid what to do in case they ask me to improvise. Had no idea until now 😘 Hopefully now I will be able to practice these techniques in time and become confident before the audition 😘😘

[@dedespedida4515]

Darrell is just THE MAN.

[@derekthedagger5015]

Darrell, you're a G.O.A.T. thank you so much for this amazing lesson.

[@danysujith2165]

Thanks a lot darrell for your support, I need one of these tips and im definitely satisfied.... 👌👍👏

[@teresaoberti7093]

the best video ever about improvise!!! Thank you

[@slooob23]

This lesson just broke open the gates for me, I am having great fun and I've improvised for the first time and it doesn't sound like crap😂 thank you so much for doing this lesson for us!

[@IgorKhrupin]

Thanks Darrell! Your explanation of this is awesome!

[@rootsradical]

Darrell, you're so Canadian! *gives a cool informative breakdown of how to improvise for free* "Sorry it took so long, sorry there's not more!" Keep up the good work dude, thank you.

[@tonepilot]

I first moved around the fretboard to Sweet Home Chicago just by trial and error. It was the moment that cemented my love for guitar.

[@Subhabrata]

1. Repeat notes. 2. Vary the tempo (whole, half, quarter, 16th note etc.) 3. Change directions. 4. Skip strings. 5. Add articulations with slide, bend, hammer on, pull off, staccato, legato etc. Special tip: Spot the root notes of the scale. Create phrases starting and end with root notes.

[@xJM1993]

Oh you bet i'm subscribing and liking the sh*t out of this video!! Thank you so much, i have been trying to learn how to improvise for a while now, but i wasen't able to understand any other videos appart from tjis one! You really went step by step and broke it down to the really basics, i can't thank you enough!!

[@DreamBig48]

Thank you very much for this lesson! Now i know how to practice improvisation. I have been practicing the 5 scale positions but i have no idea how to use it. Now it makes sense. Love it!

[@SaxJockey]

Excellent, I'm just at the point where I needed this guidance. That final part emphasizing the root note really pulls it all together. Then gradually tie that in with the double stop video from Darrell and the skies the limit....or use the blues pentatonic for a little more juice!

[@sinisterfame622]

Well done Darrell

[@otcmetal1591]

Great video! When I started playing, I would just pop in a cassette(yeah, it was THAT long ago), and just try to jam along to it. It took quite awhile of making my parents want to gouge their ears out, but I finally started figuring it all out. Only way you can do it is just dive in, and keep at it. It'll come to you eventually.

[@its.the.sha22]

Awesome tutorial! If you are able to, i would love to see you teach the Phrygiant Dominant scale in the future!

[@timleem3609]

Really helpful information and something that I'll be trying straight away. Thanks so much!

[@camielgeudens1303]

Thats one beautiful guitar. Lesson was great too thanks man

[@cmusicjourney]

It’s always very entertaining and highly educative watching your videos. I can relate to a lot of the moments you talk about in the video. Thank you so much for putting out these videos.

[@noneofurbiznes5550]

Ur probably not gonna see this but u just changed my way of playing Cant thank u enough man

[@kennethmckinney6145]

Totally appreciate you sharing your knowledge... it helps more than you’ll ever know.

[@norm302]

So much great info in this. Thanks so much for making it!

[@lyngleslogic1180]

Wow thanks brother! An extremely useful and simple lesson that I feel will absolutely improve my playing ability! Thank you, thank you thank you!

[@budssuds2861]

Thanks again Darrell awesome as always

[@acr08807]

Wow. 10 minutes and my improvisation just got twice as good. Thanks!

[@veranazarenko8514]

this is beautiful teaching thank you

[@lyonsd.6786]

Thank you for this great lesson.

[@iraklikometiani424]

it was the most helpful video for me, thanks

[@ChristosNikolis]

Legend. :) We love you mate. Thanks a lot!

[@JuanHoya]

Awesome lesson, thanks a bunch!!

[@davidleungaxiom3491]

Thanks to your excellent lesson. It helps me a lot. You mentioned phrasing, meaning for Am pentatonic shape, start with A note and end with A note. Could you tell me what to do when chord changes to G ? Does the same thing apply: ‘start with G note and ends with G note’ ?

[@P_Ezi]

Good lesson. I couldn't help but smile watching you trying *not* to add articulation (vibrato) during your demos of the earlier techniques. Also, I think another important lesson is this: Don't worry about guitar face - it happens, and it is OK to let it happen.

[@gmscurto]

Another excellent video. Thank you. Honestly, still scary, but now approachable. I could hear the voice of Obi Wan Kenobi saying, "You've taken your first step into a larger world." 🖖

[@nanagerri136]

Great lesson appreciate you thanks

[@alexanderkaratzos7358]

Great Video and tips. Cheers mate!

[@lourinho]

This is a fantastic lesson! Thank you once again. It is helping me a lot.

[@GuimGuimTV]

Improvisation is the only way that improved my musical skills , especially when you jam with different musicians different styles... Thanks Darell for this video , I will put some of your techniques live jammin' on my KZbin channel.

[@46ace]

Excellent! Thanks!

[@yjkwon79]

Your videos are the best!! Subscribed!!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks! Welcome to the channel!

[@lucienrandolph-tarrant4547]

Soloing was the first thing I learned on guitar

[@alexandergarcia3459]

thanks darrell ! u da man !

[@TheZotman5]

This isn't a good lesson. This is a great lesson!

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Great instructor...wish you were around about 10 yrs ago

[@whmills2324]

Great job

[@AgnieRF]

Sooo helpful!!

[@MsCatdograt]

Really good!

[@jacelii]

Thanks 😁😁😁

[@Isykul]

A great lesson and again something which I could have done with years ago. I'd love to see some instruction too on timing which is also part of phrasing, I suppose, but when focussing on improvisation, it's easy to lose touch with what the rest of the band is doing. How you you listen, feel and play all at the same time?

[@mariomapute4859]

Even though I know thus stuff it reminds me, how fundamentals is very essential

[@varunpatil1309]

As I have read somewhere, 'You are either on a right note or only a half step away from one'

[@officialtl96]

Best 🖤

[@clipstag6404]

Hey good lesson.. Thanks . need some help on how to use blues scale in solos

[@clarkbabin9799]

I've recognized what your doing. David Gilmore of Pink Floyd uses a lot of this and phrasing to create his awsome lead patterns.

[@sullivankingston7505]

This videos really helpful to me thanks, for making it happen 😊.. This video is straight to the point, encouraging, friendly-manner.. feel motivated to learn more and more from you. Anyways, if the chord progression start G,Am, D, Em, and C but it ends in "G". What major pentatonic /or major scale should I use🤔 ?

[@panthonyy]

What's that guitar brand, I can't seem to reed on the head stock. It's not the firat time I see one on a video, but I always thought that they look terrific and great sounding 👌

[@trampasnewberry2626]

How do are you liking that Bob Weir signature model?

[@buddyhollis3583]

thanks for this lesson. between the two careers I've had in the last 45 years (meat-cutting and wood working) several major injuries have occurred to my left hand. Loving music and learning guitar is by far the best therapy to minimize atrophy from setting in. However , I feel trapped in that limbo zone between beginner and intermediate. Do you have a course of study that would help a student move out of this Bermuda Triangle of music? Not looking for something for nothing. You Tube has some good stuff but wading through the useless to find the beneficial is very time consuming and discouraging. Distance learning is my only option at this time. If you have a prescribed course of study I would gladly enroll. Or do you recommend one? Thanks

[@JorgeRodriguez-pk9qh]

I should have seen these video 10 years earlier...

[@lukemontgomery9683]

I need this for the band im in .

[@katechen9958]

It sounds really blue. Is it the first step to learn improving? How about rock ballad?

[@AnthonySmith-is7rz]

Hey Darrell if I have a ibanez GIO electric guitar, and I have awful wammy damage, I have a perfect neck but my wammy bar takes the stringes like a inch off the fretboard... will it work if i exchange the wammy bar bridge with a normal hardtail bridge?

[@accoustic9887]

Sir please answer me I know all pentatonic position also can play up and down without thinking but how can I solo with that

[@dannyspitzer1267]

He gives tips on that in this video

[@davidwayne563]

Most of the guitar teachers on here are always saying "you guys". I'm sure there are a lot of ladies that want to learn guitar too. Just saying :) Great lesson thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@killinfilms879]

Your way better than my teacher :(

[@edom4080]

This is awesome man..great easy to process and can do a lot w. it and spend hours developing this, But the key is the sound I think. You are getting a full sound with not a lot of volume...what amp settings should I try to get a sound like that. I know you use a Blue Angel amp...so just some reverb and overdrive? my amp (a Vox VT40x) makes tons of sounds and effects but i cant get it to sound like that playing single notes..any help? bad technique on me?

[@nicon7417]

Hi

[@combatcarl7429]

I have felt discouraged about my progress lately, but this lesson has help me tremendously Darrell. I fell in love with playing the guitar again

[@grinningintheirface2685]

Dont give up man, the lightbulb moments will come!

[@jeffreyeagen4896]

That's probably one of the most useful lessons I've seen on KZbin yet!

[@ryanbright7496]

It sure was a good one.

[@ethanovertonn]

agreed, this was the most useful i’ve seen. cld we see a “next steps” video, talking about how to advance from this, vertical improvising possibly?

[@AshtonEbs]

I have been looking for this video for years and I didn’t know it untill today.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Improvising is one of the most important and fundamental ideas of wanting to be a musician in any genre or style! Great work and lesson here man!

[@akallio9000]

On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd have to rate this one as at least a 12.

[@dontstopdamuzic9355]

akallio9000 but the scale only went to 7th 🤣

[@georgecharleston2597]

Definitely missed out on a spinal tap joke there

[@IsnardLopes]

@@dontstopdamuzic9355 but there are 12 intervals xP

[@Subhabrata]

Agreeing 112%!👍👍👍

[@MichaelTheLibertarian]

2:00 "It only has two strings per note ..." Me: tosses my guitar out the window

[@dioimam15]

"start on a, end on a" quote of the day

[@GetLinux]

Canadian: Start on "eh" end on "eh", .... hoser.

[@dioimam15]

@@GetLinux i dont get the joke

[@rorymax]

@@dioimam15 Canadians are known for saying “eh” which is pronounced like the letter A

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

Darrel, this is a brilliant way to teach solo improvising! I wish someone had taught me this way. Luckily I eventually figured it all out on my own but wow this would’ve helped a lot.

[@jameswerner503]

Many accomplished players who are also guitar teachers seem to forget what it's really like for learners. It's rare when a terrific guitar player like this can also teach well.

[@gdoggcasey]

I am really new to guitar, on day 3 or 4 now. I am at the point where I can do the A minor pentatonic scale fairly clearly at a slow rate. Seeing stuff like this gets me pumped to practice more so I can get to this level and just jam out a bit and make something that sounds nice. Thanks for the video!

[@pdcoates]

Darrell, i am 68 years old and a very 'ordinary' guitar player. Spent too much time flitting around and looking for the magic buttons and tricks, as a result I never disciplined my self. This video is easily the best explanation of improvisation on a scale I have ever seen. You make it look so simple and 'obvious', as it always is when someone who knows what they are doing explains it to you. As crazy as this sounds at 68 I am going back to basics so that i can double with my 16 year old grandson who can play me under the table. Thank you.

[@alexrose8464]

Darrell mate you’ve opened a door I didn’t know I had a key to. tHANK YOU SO MUCH

[@acctonmyotherphone6327]

Slash is so good that he's on a level of his own! "Beginner to definitely Intermediate SLASH Advanced" -Darrell Braun (2019)

[@ezioauditore82]

Shots fired 🔥🔥

[@cjay216]

i thinking he meant slash like intermediate/advanced, not the guitar player lol

[@acctonmyotherphone6327]

@@cjay216 yes that's exactly what he meant hahahaha the thought was just too funny, I had to comment it lol.

[@northtrader]

Great lesson and foremost, an Excellent teaching style. Blows almost every other 'guitar teacher' on youtube out of the water (including the vaunted Paul Davids). You name the pitches by note letter instead of a verbalized TAB. First rate break down of the process including the 'map to the destination' of improvisation. Wish I would have had this type of lesson 20 years ago - I'd be a much more advanced player today.

[@daddio307]

Only a few minutes and already almost 150 views. Way to go, Darrell!