How to learn scales 5 times faster

[@jfo3000]

One must learn lots of melodies, preferably by ear, from songs, guitar solos, TV themes etc., figure out where they lie within the given scale for reference. After a good deal of time, you'll hear a passage in your head and your hands will play it. It takes time; there are no short cuts. Music is a language with words, phrases, and sentences. Learning scales is analogous to learning ONLY to recite the alphabet. Randomly spitting out notes will not create melodies any more than randomly spitting out words will create sentences. It's a lot of work... a journey that never ends. Learn a couple melodies today..."Oh when the saints, go marching in." Root, third, fourth, fifth; root, third, fourth, fifth. Learn it on all sets of adjacent strings. That's a good one, it contains the major arpeggio with the fourth thrown in. That's the way to internalize music. It takes time.

[@neuroxik]

Haha, often I'd play along learning TV commercials, etc, or whatever I came across. It HUGELY augmented my understanding of relationship between notes (and my notation/tab skills for that matter too)

[@walkerigleheart4763]

Well said. Too few teachers make it clear that ear training is key to being a good soloist. Knowing scales is only half the job. You've got to be able to hear each note of the scale in your head before you play it.

[@MultiCugel]

Damn! That's it! Thanks I can see it now, the way out of confusion .

[@jezjante]

No one ever put it that way... I will do this from now on. Thanks for the tip man!

[@elratatat]

That's why I hit the right notes everytime I mimic songs I didnt know!

[@magprob]

After practicing for 8 months, 18 to 30 hours a day, I have finally done it, I have discovered the H chord.

[@JDLuke]

Is there any chance you can make a video about it?

[@Intheshed123]

You will only be a master when you can play all chords up to Z! LOL :)

[@GearLtd]

I like this one...😁😂🤣..so I'll start using the H pentatonic...

[@CursedDemon1707]

Sounds kinda funny because in germany B is called H.

[@gert-janboot3928]

30 hours a day???!!! wow !!! 30 hours in one day of 24 hours that is quite an achievement!!!

[@bdenix1997]

speed up the video 2x so that you can learn it 10 times faster.

[@carlosafonso7265]

you mean 2 times faster?

[@metalfan7625]

GENIUS!

[@carlossandoval2974]

I might not be the smartest or intelligent...... But that was funny

[@billydarmawan6788]

Lol man 😆

[@ozorna9401]

@@carlosafonso7265 nope, 10

[@apexwindowcleaningservices4457]

Was anyone else a bit freaked out when he stepped away from his guitar and it just stayed there?

[@Mung1983]

+Apex Window Cleaning Services I was I thought it was going to fall. Is it even more weird that he looks like Brad Pitt with a German accent.

[@mang3139]

Or STeve Buscemi

[@fleximick]

duuuuude

[@ajikustik5638]

Creep the hell out of me

[@cloroxbleach3838]

Dude I was like 'wtf did I take? Am I tripping?' XD

[@ContessaBlue]

You have no idea how much better this lesson made me feel. Thinking I had to memorize every single note and where they were was extremely discouraging. If so many famous musicians didn't know all that, and we know a lot of them didn't, how did they do so good and not have it all be totally wrong, or against some rule? This really had me in a dilemma. So thank you for clearing this up for me. I know where scales fit into the importance of things. They are necessary for building up speed and getting to know basic sounds of the neck. But If I don't remember every note, I won't feel like I have to give it up now. Thanks again!!

[@sauce8277]

FOR ALL THOSE WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THIS: He is saying learn the patterns but NOT by practicing them up and down! Unlike playing them up and down, yes you may forget where you are alot quicker by playing in the patterns randomly but if you learn it this way you will have WAY more freedom when you are playing later on! It is about learning the SOUND not the SCALE. This is what we do! Music is made up of sounds not scales.

[@3abueno]

lol....Exactly the point we are making in the above thread. One guy is trying to clarify for everyone and then another guy comes on and points out the ridiculous flaw of basic guitar knowledge. it's obvious these lesson are not worth investing time into

[@pakoroutube]

Great comment JR. I learned the" sound not the scale", Dont do scales.

[@brenttownsend2554]

I had to think about it for a minute, but here's what I got: If we compare playing the notes of any particular scale to speaking whatever language we speak, we realize that when we speak, we do not have to go through a dictionary of words, in alpahbetical order, in order to find the words we want to use to convey what we want to say. We simply use the words that work to our purpose. That's what studying vocabulary did for us in school. It expanded our ability to communicate. So learn and practice the major and minor scales; then mix them up. Right?

[@andreisiulea252]

Nice Video! Apologies for butting in, I would love your opinion. Have you tried - Riddleagan Blossoming Solo Remedy (google it)? It is a great one of a kind product for mastering guitar scales without the normal expense. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my good mate called Gray finally got amazing results with it.

[@bipulbhattarai8216]

Thanks for the video content! Excuse me for the intrusion, I would love your thoughts. Have you thought about - Riddleagan Skillful Playing Remedy (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now)? It is a great one of a kind guide for learning complex guitar chords and become a pro without the headache. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my friend got cool success with it.

[@reflectionsofme]

Can you teach me how to make my guitar float?

[@blvckwizzlemcm]

NØFΛCE☿ you won bruh😂😂😂

[@nuke2625]

😂You kidding. Its already made out of wood. Throw it and watch it swim. Bad joke. It won't.

[@paintboy360olie]

Years of practice in the force young padwan.

[@AlCahomie]

3 years late but... bring it on a space shuttle

[@merapusaja3857]

hahahah

[@brandon2932]

So basically what he's saying is to learn/practice a scale by improvising with it instead of learning the notes sequentially?

[@juanhurtado9011]

“Elon Musk teaching you how to play guitar” should be the title

[@NT13091]

No..Baby Brad Pitt

[@ssbmouse6471]

literally!!

[@rocha333]

Kkkkkk

[@ghazalzekmot5947]

Mm

[@huaweijordan6063]

سيظهر النص الذي تقوم بنسخه هنا تلقائيًا

[@alptugkilic]

I have watched so many videos about guitar until today. This is the best advice on youtube about learning scales. Also you can use this about learning anything! Priceless.

[@xcuqix]

"I just wana *jams nicely*".. this is the first video I watch from you, and you already know how I feel. thank you!

[@MyVoice911]

Very nice! Informative and really helpful insight! Like how you mentioned that to 'feel' what you play is using the scale as a reference point - but then step outside the box! Cool, thank you!

[@Corey_G]

Learning the notes on the guitar is also a fantastic way to move around the fretboard with nearly effortless confidence. Learn just the naturals first, then the accidentals. It has made everything easier on the guitar for me, scales, licks, chords, arpeggios, and all other music theory!!! (You need to know them as if they were labeled, no hunting or counting up etc.. You should instantly know the notes you play or want to play.) I can look at a guitar tab and name all the notes instantly without finding them on my guitar or looking at the standard notation often above it.

[@draegore]

So how do go about learning these?

[@Corey_G]

I will do a video eventually, for a very simple way to do this ..... sorry its not up yet.

[@brandon2932]

+Corey Gilchrist can you explain it please since it doesnt look like your gonna do the video

[@sharpy53]

Claus, a very insightful video, I can really support the view that improvising and no pressure improvisation really helps building an intuitive mental map of the keyboard, and you naturally play better because you become more relaxed (making mistakes mean less, than when you make mistakes playing scales) and think more clearly so its self re-inforcing.

[@kish2]

Like a lot of people commenting here I (almost) missed the VERY important idea you are conveying. We have to practice playing WORDS and PHRASES, because that is how we speak properly. We never speak by saying ABCEDEF or MNOPQRST which is exactly how we learn the alphabet (scales), but is useless when trying to converse with others. Practicing structured phrases is the only way to build interesting muscle memory and become fluent. Thanks A LOT for the insight.

[@vKarl71]

Perfectly expressed! (I haven't even watched the video yet - I think the comments have covered it.) It turns out this is what I've been doing, but in a very disorganized way. I'm going to try to figure out my own exercises to reinforce what I am slowly learning. I think with enough time just playing by ear you can get to know intuitively where you are on the scale you're playing and also understand the intervals thoroughly (i.e. I'm gradually learning where the octave notes are from any other note. I think if you really know these things you can play pretty effectively by ear. HOWEVER, knowing scales very well is essential if you are going to read music, I think, which is essential if you're going to play complex chord changes you don't have in your internal ear.

[@justinstewart9538]

@kish2 - you make a good point but you are forgetting that every single one of us learned the alphabet first plain and simple the alphabet is the rock-bottom foundation upon which all our written communication is built if music is a language, as has been stressed in this thread, then scales would be the alphabet, something that one would have to learn in order to then build upon, no?

[@bluephurba]

​@@justinstewart9538 We had to learn the alphabet in order to read and write but we learned to speak before that. We can learn to play countless songs without learning scales and probably the majority of people who have played or do play guitar don't learn scales. That said, when we want to go beyond playing chords and licks we've learned, to be able to play with other musicians even when we don't know already know the music and be able to improvise, it makes sense to understand the common language of the music we play: scales, pentatonics, arpeggios, intervals. Then we see/hear what the others are playing and how to join the conversation. It's the difference between reciting a work and creating one on the spot.

[@sumathiwilson9650]

So these Scale sequences and exercises are not needed?

[@Renagade671]

Very straightforward and simple advice...but VERY impactful!!! Thanks for the Lesson

[@MolsonEx1903]

This comes naturally to any player who's been going at it long enough. It's hard for a beginner to start at this point since they can't visualize it or even recognize what is going on.

[@msh21969]

Try learning your 5 pentatonic shapes first then slowly improvise through them up and down neck. This will take a while.

[@cybernautsterranautsandast2151]

+ThatWasPrettyFunny You're right about chords. When I played all acoustic I stuck to playing near the nut. Now I've spent the last two years playing just electric and knowing the chord shapes and where to play them all over the neck makes more sense to me as something to start from and hang on to. I understand all the interval names from learning at JamPlay, Guitar Tricks and True Fire and have all the resources I need to find things when they become relevant. But to try and fill my head like a bucket doesn't work.If there's no sense of imeediate relevance my mind tosses them off. I can play most any popular tune even if encountering it for the first time. But I've tried to play fast leads like on country music and my hands can't keep up with some players. People need to know that not everyone can do what pros do and it's OK to play what you can. Don Henley is very wealthy and he plays drums. If there's no sense of imeediate relevance my mind tosses things like playing scales off.

[@pkmr5284]

MolsonEx1903 ... his video was for people who’ve been playing the guitar for 30-40 years already.

[@xpost92]

I started up the guitar again after 25 years away. My aim this time around is to to exactly this and I have progressed more in 2 weeks than I did in 6 months when I was younger. Learn the basic shapes and character of the scale and the move around.

[@gregwheat2356]

WOW...... common sense! So hard to find! Thank you so much! Your system of thinking is identical to my own. This is what I needed to hear, clearly explained the way you did. Thank you so much for this. By far the most useful piece of information on freedom a new guitar player can hear. Thank you over and over every day for the next 40 years of my guitar future. You probably just saved me a year or more of time wasted.

[@alaaal-habashna4722]

He made a really valid point. I've seen many videos talk about the same thing and try to teach you moving all over the neck instead of memorizing shapes.

[@jezjante]

I've been doing scale runs for a few weeks now and I'm wondering why I can't get a grip on "feeling it" across the whole neck. Thanks for this video Claus! I will do this from now on.

[@sholynphotoworks]

Claus is such a great teacher... he really puts things into perspective.

[@traileater]

I understand everything up to the point of his solution. At 5:25 "spend some time in there", yes ok I see, BUT I cant just hit random notes in those scales, it wont sound like much. I have to have those notes memorized in my head then think of a riff with those? He makes music just flow out..... not happening for me. What did I miss?

[@guitarmastery]

+traileater Try playing the first position A-Minor pentatonic scale over an A-Minor jam track. Almost all of the notes from this scale will sound OK over any chord in the chord progression. So now you have a set of notes that sound like home. Now pull out a piece of paper and draw out the A-Minor scale over that A-Minor pentatonic and start learning both scales in one position on the neck. Then put on the jam track and start building lines that start and end on a note in the pentatonic scale, using the extra notes of the A-Minor scale as passing notes. Then write me an email for further explanation. No more room here :)

[@LostSoulAscension]

+traileater Limit yourself to playing only on 1 string, then 2 strings, then 3 strings, and try to move more up and down the neck rather than vertically. And instead of playing one note at a time, apply all of the guitar tricks like bending, sliding, playing notes more than twice or three times before playing a different note, and soaking all you can get out of the sound rather than the scale. I guess I am lucky cause I try to see these vids to see if I am missing it, I want to learn a more harmony application for scales, and I hope to find that here, but didnt. These things he talks about are so easy to do if you are naturally having fun and exploring the guitar. I guess what does help is learning songs in the styles that you like, and it doesnt even have to be the full song just learn the riff to see how that style utilizes the scale patterns and try to imitate that with your own way, figure out different patterns and sequences and mess around with it.

[@bengunns]

+Lawrence Abbott a great tip, thankyou, i was watching the young guitar player, Lucianno Pizzichini, who was playing at 6 or 7, but his father taught him from 2 years old, using the method you mention above. Starting with 1 string then 2 strings and building up. i think alot of famous rock guitarists started like this and playing with instinct. Thanks for your feedback i will try this method.

[@LostSoulAscension]

BenGunns Yeah man no problem, and something I personally do, that I actually havent noticed before so clearly, but I've always done it since I first started playing. Before I play any notes I usually take a big sigh, and sink into whatever emotion I am feeling and then I kind of hope for the best and try to some how get that feeling into the sound of the instrument. And the more you do that, the better you get at being able to express yourself. The feeling is a huge thing when it comes to making music, especially something original.

[@rogertaylor6]

See my note, I think it will help.

[@mattyone78]

Great vid, I find that I am now doing this naturally myself, after being stuck in shapes for years. Granted I don't practice enough but the mindset change has improved my playing fivefold.

[@gwattsrealestate]

Finally Someone Said it "Practice what you want to learn/Master" Thank you.

[@gohjohan]

The problem with that it limits you because you will only be good at what you like. I've been there before.

[@codywilliams3789]

I’m a self taught guitarist and here recently my love for the instrument along with the motivation to want to practice for hours a day everyday came back since I have more time on my hands.. I can’t read music so I’m really wanting to learn the right way this time… I’m not noob and I’m not an expert… I get “stuck in the box a lot” while noodling around and want to learn a solid “Soloing technique” along with chord progression… I get aggravated on here because everyone teaches similar stuff but do it in a million different ways… any good suggestions or legit videos that helped anyone on here please share suggestions… thank you.. I just want to get better at playing up and anywhere on neck and it sound good and know what I’m playing if that makes sense… thanks

[@quinxx12]

If I'm not gonna learn the scales 5 times faster I'm gonna sue you.

[@TerryMasri]

If I could, I would! Judge Judy would throw the book on this guy with a vengeance!

[@tanbirnandra8144]

First off, excellent explanation of scales and how to actually use them! Secondly, do you have any lessons on using chord tones to solo and really play with melody? That is the one thing that I am stuck on. I improvise and all, but sometimes the notes I play don't sound the best. If anyone has tips or if Claus has a lesson on this, please share! Thanks.

[@blooeagle5118]

my way of learning scales is more robust.. I stick myself into the middle of a key that i'm unfamiliar with via backing track, and find the root. then I just start fooling around with different notes Oops that was bad, let's try this one... Yup that's it! doing this (for me at least) makes ME feel like i'm discovering things, and it's effective for me. it ALSO helps you find interesting places on the fretboard to play on, and you can tie things together with little bridges to those locations. fun way to learn how to play well is to just force yourself out of your comfort zone. when you're practicing and finding good/bad notes, you don't need to be afraid of making mistakes. You're not performing at Madison Square Garden, here.

[@atulsonawane1204]

reminds me of Joe sat talking about how fluidic the fretboard is and yet how important it is to return to a particular note to sound "not-out-of-scale" (root note). Good job.

[@KadrianThomas]

I’m not a guitarist but this is so useful. Thanks man. Great video.

[@andrewfilbeck9504]

I’ve been doing exactly what he’s explaining for 25 years. It still doesn’t keep you from landing on wrong notes that stick out like a sore thumb. Particularly when playing with group. Learn the scales while you’re young, I wish had.

[@Waldvogel45]

BRILLIANT insight.Thank you. anyone else who does not get it should read about "Drawing on the Right side of the brain".One side of our brain is sequential. The other side is random and TOTALLY creative. We are slaves to sequential thinking in speech and daily life.Anyone who does not get it should abandon improvisation or check out Scofield on impro.Sco goes thru intervallic work first. Claus gets there quicker and with more enjoyment during the work.

[@tres913]

This is an excellent point and it's an excellent book.

[@fejugaism]

Absolutely great advise! Will definitely incorporate it in to my practice. I have spent waay too much time doing bloody scales. It is good for speeding up my fingers, but useless learning how to PLAY.

[@Rectitude4U]

This is great insight. Learn the scales, not just horizontally but vertically. Learn the major scale on each string so you can "tune" your ear to what sounds right... BUT, start playing with jam tracks as soon as possible! You need to practice what you want to be good at. If you only play scales, you will only be good at scales. Put on a slow blues in A minor (since everyone learns the minor pentatonic first) and "feel" the notes to resolve on with the chord changes. Then switch to a different key. It's all movable. Recognize patterns. Don't give up, and remember, if it was easy, everyone could do it.

[@startupinacar2794]

The whole up and down sequential thing was why I wondered what the point of learning scales was. Awesome video. Thank you.

[@aspirativemusicproduction2135]

The best way I found is to practice intervals rather than just scales. You have to know where the interval is in a scale to be able to skip strings or change positions. Eventually it becomes intuitive when you play to see what you are playing and where in the scale you are without even thinking of the scale. You learn the intervals and than you basically can build any scale anywhere. And when you learn exotic scales you can see how they overlap what you already know. Example: you learn what A minor natural looks like and than you make exercise where you think in your head what interval of this scale you are playing. One four five one four eight one four three one two three. You should be able to find any interval at any time and then you become GOD of the guitar.

[@markeytube8581]

then

[@Stringz]

nice... this is what ive learned to do just by naturally playing and improvising and then the further you get into that flow state and have that focus the more capable your brain is of doing whatever you want really.. as long as your technical skills are up to where your melodies are going in your head. it all goes hand in hand. it really can be quite amazing. ive been periscoping and using that as motivation to jam but i find that deeply messes with my ability to get into the flow state and can distract me quite a bit.. though that can change depending on my mood as well. but it really is like the more comfortable you are with .. everything.. the better your mind is suited and able to get into the state necessary to improvise anything you want. and this works with pretty much anything you want to be really good at and be really creative with. it seems like there is creativity in everything, it just varies, and sometimes you just have to find it. anyway.. just some random thoughts while I'm using this computer again.. ... ... it is like magic though.. its a beautiful thing.

[@TheShredfester]

The Man, The Myth, The Legend!!! He is by far the best teacher on the scene today, its insane.. Thanks for everything Claus, my knowledge and improv skills are 20X what they were.. The real kicker is, I'm still growing and learning!!!

[@legendofthestrings1]

It would be interesting to see a lesson that uses this approach but would teach you the notes and degrees while you are free styling it for the lack of a better word. Feel is great and an important part of my practice. Usually at the end as a synopsis. But the only reason while I'm playing I know what note I'm on or degree is because of the boring metronome driven logarithmic practice while resighting out loud the note name or degree. I also pick up on the patterns this way visually. Than at the end I'll loop some chord patterns and jam over top of that for as long as it feels right. Any suggestions?

[@wiscgaloot]

All I got from this was "learn licks that you have heard and forget about scales". Shrug.

[@Stringz]

i should add, i never actually learned to read music and ive learned by ear and playing and just learning how the guitar works and sounds and feels.. i strive to connect to the feel of the music and that entire musical ether where youre basically just translating the music thats coming in. even though i dont know the scales i know them instinctively and if i i am in the right mind state i can do anything but its rare for me to get that deep .. my focus is not what it used to be and have had a lot of pain and damage in my life that consumes a lot of my thoughts.. so thats a big part of the problem there. i feel it probably could be beneficial when I'm not able to be in such mental states and need some help to complete what I'm thinking to know some scales maybe and probably would be simple but just never took the time and have little patience these days.. anyway.. what am i trying to say now.. i dont know.. happy new year.

[@Dartheomus]

People... You need to STOP learning how to play the guitar and just PLAY it... that's the message I got from this.

[@ThanosMatsoukasOfficial]

God bless you... That's what the "top comments" haven't realised yet...

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Practice is it Anyone good @ something practice a lot

[@TerryMasri]

Would you go to china and start mumbling words that sound like Chinese and expect to get by?! Music is a LANGUAGE with its' own set of complex rules and structures dictated by the physical laws of vibrations. You don't have to go to Julliard to learn and play music, but you certainly have to understand and master the basic laws that make-up the foundation of the type of music you intend to play. Going at it solely by ear with no comprehension of interval dynamics and how they can be capitalized upon to invoke certain intended emotions in the listener, is tantamount to writing poetry in Chinese with no understanding of the nuances and historical linguistic structure of the language. Chop Suey anyone?! PS: My statement is certainly not meant to contradict what you said, which I fully agree with. It's simply to highlight, in my opinion, the importance of learning music along side playing the heck out of it. NO amount of theory can make-up for lack of practice and jamming with other musicians.

[@raifparker3990]

Terry Masri Lol, my dad never learned any of this shit. He only plays by ear, he can listen to a song a few times, depending on its difficulty he will listen to it more or less times. Then he will play it perfectly. He wouldnt be able to tell you about any scales or shit. YetbI tried doing it that way and i struggled. It all depends on how we each learn. It is independent. That is how some guitar teachers are not even as good as the masters we all know and love, but can teach others to play in their style. The pick up on howba student learns, and branches off from there and teaches them differently. So all the info of learning to "understand the musical language" can be a waste of time to some, but everytjing to others.

[@relish1192]

Most comes naturally but you can still learn some things lol

[@dizphreak5677]

I got stuck doing the scale thing too, and people would tell me to play something different. I was good at improvising, but I sounded the same in what I was doing, so I discourage and stop playing for over 3 years. I plan on playing again, I just don't have the money to buy a new guitar or amp, or anything. I look forward to more videos.

[@angrybird3447]

I see brad pitt!!

[@ThanosMatsoukasOfficial]

Haha I was also about to mention it!!!!

[@alaaal-habashna4722]

Hahaha I wanted to see if I was the only one who noticed that!!

[@daydreamer1246]

I had intended to write that comment then I saw your comment. You are not alone. LOL

[@trampismat]

I see Jean-Claude Van Damme

[@davidfirth]

Brad Pitt mixed with Elon Musk.

[@ronylussari]

This seems so obviously right, why don't we think of this from the beginning of our musical journey? Thanks man!

[@paulmyfinger]

I'm my little opinion, Claus, your teaching method is one of the best on YT, coupled with such enthusiasm makes it hard not to listen. Its like, you are almost stating the obvious but it just wasn't obvious to me, so thanks for freeing up my mind mate. I will. definitely be applying this. I've been stuck learning scales (on and off) for 30 years and they still don't stick ! a new perspective is very welcome....Cheers

[@ozman6602]

I wish I had this guy as a teacher. Up and down and horizontal is how the teacher I had show me which you need to learn but also how you get stuck in a box took me a long time to get out of.

[@extractionpoint31]

Seriously back then I had no idea about scales, I just love covering songs I like then creating some lame solo riffs then my friend said... "that's a minor pentatonic scale" and I was like huh what scale? I just thought that riff sounds good and had no idea I'm already doing a scale, I guess this is what this video is all about.

[@SeaMonster111]

Yeah. I think that's the idea. Its like who wants to put on a jam track and then find that you can do nothing but stand there and pay scales?

[@Crunkboy415]

No. Here is the perfect analogy to what he is saying. Take for example comment that you posted above. How long did it take you to write it? A few minutes? An hour? Did you have to think about what to write, or did some sentences flow out as you were typing it about Chances are, it was a little bit of both. You wrote a sentence or a phrase, stopped, thought a little bit, then wrote another sentence, all the while making a cohesive paragraph. Sometimes you'll correct a misspelled word, change one word for another that conveys a stronger meaning, or rewrite a sentence if it doesn't quite fit right. Through years and years of training you are applying all the rules you learned for English composition with almost mindless ease. These lessons have been so ingrained that you can codify letters, words, syntax, and sentence or paragraph structure in an instant with little thought as to where and when to apply the rules. So it is with improvisation. Scales are literally just like the alphabet. They are laid out in sequential order, and you learn to combine these notes in different ways to "spell" out melodies, and improvising is just "spelling" or creating melodies almost instantaneously the same way you create sentences for these posts.

[@xaviertomas04]

This would've saved me so much time. I've been practicing scales for hours with no improvement at all. Learning chords (intervals) helps too. I would also suggest applying this to songs you like with tabs. Instead of learning to play the songs by reading the fingerings use a chromatic scale chart to figure out the other notes in the tab. That way you see notes being moved around the way your favorite guitarist does

[@ruchirsajwan]

DUDE! you are the best, whenever i watch your video, i learn something new! Thanks a ton!

[@TerryMasri]

Maybe you should share what you learned from this video with the rest of us, because it seems like the rest of us are left scratching our heads wondering what the heck this guy just is talking about! Let me clear it up for you here. What he basically said is, after you learn the scale shapes... by playing the scales SEQUENTIALLY, start improvising on the scales that you learned... SEQUENTIALLY! It's like saying, after you brush your teeth... RINSE your mouth! Meaning he did not introduce any revolutionary technique, such as the CAGED system as an example, to help budding musicians see the scales from a different perspective and learn and/or play scales FIVE TIMES FASTER as he falsely claimed in the video title. All he did is describe what every single musician in history does during the normal course of learning the scales, worded in a fancy KZbin fashion to give an impression he said something revolutionary. Repeat after me please: Advertising dollars anyone?!

[@yanibrankov7004]

Hey Claus. Inflicting sudden pain helps tremendously in finding the 15th letter of the alphabet without counting letters. The letter is O[h] and it comes instinctively to mind ;-)

[@GhostToast_Toons]

great advice man, loved the video. Thank you

[@iancox7874]

I appreciate your information. This makes sense. What are your thoughts on "shifting"? Do you have any "Hard and Fast" rules on when to shift and with what finger you shift with when going up or down the neck to make it easier?

[@CNCTEMATIC]

So actually, you've nothing so say...."just work it out"

[@Kuroi733]

This should be top comment

[@michaelcraig9449]

It was FREE!

[@foljs5858]

Actually he said something very specific, woosh: don't practice scales playing up and down, practice scales in the context of improvisation (musically) over a jam track.

[@dijenkolita6036]

@@foljs5858 सक्षगस। क्षगकसद यस्तो डकक्ष य च क्षज

[@alaskaaksala123]

Where’s your groundbreaking video Ahole/???

[@herbyguitar]

Been doing this for years but not to the extent you describe. A light bulb went off in my head. Now I know what I need to do. Thank you very much for giving me my freedom back :)

[@DangerousDickShow]

So, what's your point? Improvise? I didn't understand the simple trick at all.

[@psteeg3551]

Yes, learning the notes and them start improvising with the scale notes to get a better feeling of where each note is and how to use them in different melodies or solos. The key is to play different stuff than the sequential up-and-down running ;) well that is what I learned from this

[@layersofmeta]

partly, yes. jump in the water. your head knows more music than you realize from listening. also once you know the scale shapes in the guitar books then the idea is hit any note in that shape at any point. the whole idea of a scale is that those are the "safe" notes. the other ones are hot lava so to speak. you still have to develop a knack for melody or chordal ideas or whatever and trust yourself to find it.

[@Crunkboy415]

Well here's the most simple trick of all. Improvising is exactly like speaking, or writing. As am I writing this, I have no idea what word I am going to type next, it just comes out. The notes, or sounds, are the words. You use the words to form phrases and or sentences. You've had all your life to learn how to speak and at this point unless you have some sort of stutter or stammer, you can speak in complete coherent phrases and sentences without even thinking about it. So it is with music improvisation. Learn the notes or the sounds, practice them over and over, learn how others put together the notes and in time you'll get it. Here's the key: don't learn exclusively from rock or pop artists, learn from jazz artists, as they are always improvising.

[@TheScheckig]

Do it, he's right.I discovered this for myself a few months ago. I started recording short samples with the intention of layering and ended up improvising leads, fills, and accompanying melodies over my own evolving tracks. You cover ground so quickly and you're forced to do it organically and dynamically. It's true. The fastest way to learn musical freedom is to play music.

[@larrywhitted7333]

SRV said he couldn't play as good if he thought about it.

[@TheBarry33]

after practising scales for decades i still was stuck. I feel so stupid now that your insight has freed me to progress. Thank you.

[@bluegroove536]

A young Mick Jagger with shorter hair :-) Anyway, highly enjoyed your tutorial. Great Stuff!

[@hypersonicmonkeybrains3418]

i used to learn scales by sticking little colored dots on my fretboard, covering many positions of the scale. from that i could get familiar with parts of the scale i liked the sound of and easily pick out tapping patterns for the right hand to make it more interesting. worked well.

[@joshfaye3300]

*tells you what you're doing wrong* *doesnt tell you how to do it right*

[@martycann1]

So, if I am understanding this correctly, practice MORE with jam tracks than scales?

[@KingBig1984]

It is just great how someone can speak for over 6 minutes and teach you nothing.

[@rebelsoul777]

You've got to get out of the box to understand what's he's saying.

[@KingBig1984]

Haydn Po Right? Lol. Knew I wasn't the only one.

[@1lotuskid]

Yes it was a long winded way to say... improvise! I kept waiting for the secret. Love his passion though

[@psteeg3551]

Could be true for you, but I certainly think this information is helpful for beginners like me. I have not even started practicing the scales yet (the boring up-and-down-scale-running stuff), and I can already see how those scale exercises could become almost useless when it comes to improvising and soloing. Now that I have watched this video and the next one, I know that I should practice the scales but use them in a different way. Like Claus said: practice what you want to learn. I haven't learned scales yet because I did not see much value in the up-and-down-scale-running. Where do you ever hear those pieces of music? Claus and other youtubers explain how to practice instead.

[@KingBig1984]

Pim Vd Steeg Watch Marty Schwartz, he can teach you 100 times better than this guy. Great guitarist and great teacher in one!

[@Mr.Seth1]

Bravo Claus, I played guitar for the last 30 years and only got interest in lead lately and I couldn't understand the point of learning all scales because I arrived at the same conclusion than you. If I want freedom on the neck, I better learn all position of each note, like where are all the "E". I hope to have the freedom you have one day...Cheers

[@geraldherrmann787]

hmmm. this does nothing.

[@Gentamoru]

So basically improvise with the scales lol

[@GeorgeIreton]

Muso

[@karlosed]

Well, you did it again. You just nailed it. Doing a solo is not just rushing scales up and down.

[@BloodTar]

Practice what I want to learn? Pretty sure I learned that when I first picked up a guitar. Thanks anyway.

[@JonByronDevXel]

This is excellent. I think the title is misleading though as you're talking about getting away from scales, something I desperately want to do. So if I asked you all what is the 16th letter of the alphabet, you will all get your fingers out to count on. What about the 8th letter, but from the alphabet backwards? What about Do Re Mi in C# Minor Melodic - what is So? I'm on a mission now to try and crack this, but is there a method?

[@tiwongebindula5452]

i didnt see anything like learning scales 5 times faster here..poor leacturing

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

This is good advice. For me, I know the minor A/E scales and pentatonic scales and most rock, blues and metal uses these in solos and power chords. I don't really try to spend much time on scales per se but in context of songs to make it fun and easier to learn and master.

[@williamweiss3620]

As you practice and practice you will eventually understand that this video is priceless. Thank you very much for this information. Love you all Bill.

[@guitarmastery]

My pleasure!

[@abelincoln95]

Blues boxes... Is what I am working on. Hoping to reach that "freedom" on the neck!!

[@TravisBeckMusic]

I dig this! I’m currently doing what your saying by soloing over my loops. Also trying to be aware of what chords are playing and using those corresponding scales!

[@tripsr4kids]

i see a lot of people wondering how to play and sound musical etc etc... the simple truth is no one can show you how to sound musical. u DISCOVER how to sound musical, how to make real music. a good teacher will provide you the guidance in the form of time, attention and exercises. but u DISCOVER ur voice. u DEVELOP ur relationship to ur instrument and ur materials. u will not find that on youtube. u will find it in the shed (the practice room). sit down and slowly learn how to make sense of all the sounds, scales, fingerings, arpeggios etc you know, over a jam track. you and the instrument. time. bit by bit. ur language will slowly develop. not to take anything away from this guy. he's got some good tips in the thread. read through to find em. but there's no magic key. except time, focus and effort.

[@ronhanish]

i do that, im just looking for more visual scale patterns while jamming/ improvising..for instance i learned G dorian.. just looking for other scale patterns to practice to.

[@edteaches]

The main point is at 4:15, "Practice what you want to learn ". Practice playing lines built FROM the scales, not just the scales. I learned many years ago: the key is to learn music theory, scales, chord progressions, and then, unlearn everything. Play music and let your ear and music memory guide you. Break up the scales in fragments, practice improvising using different melodic ideas. Don't just play up and down scales all day

[@LuisBoche]

What is the name of the pedestal that you use to support the guitar? I would like to buy it but I do not know how to look for it on the internet. Please help me.

[@paulandlesson]

I purchased a Gracie guitar stand years ago. They probably cost less now and made differently but the damn thing was expensive when I purchased one.

[@augustinmuratjunb9830]

I would like to learning guitar with you, I have the basics already

[@mikah4051]

I like your teaching method. Simplified conceptually.

[@scottt3100]

I agree with this. I've never actually practiced scales but I have sight studied the scale shapes. I have practiced the songs that I enjoy playing, extensively, and so this works for me just fine.

[@cardlink62]

Very dynamic and enthusiastic. Great presentation.

[@kevinburrows9655]

I would thrilled to play the scales like that. Literally thrilled.

[@diegoambrosio9121]

So, the suggestion is to substitute scale practice for playing music, i.e. soloing away?

[@ashisrai6265]

That's​pretty much about improving melody or improvising , but what about improvising or playing on our own as u claim in terms of run like scales going up and down , I hope u understood the question

[@celticguitarworkshop]

Sound advice. Thank you!

[@JONCOR2004]

This is actually great advice, though many seem to underappreciate it, or have been fortunate enough to have someone teaching them this early on. I spent many, many years practicing my up and down scales in the piano while wondering why I wasn't able to improvise... well, because I never practiced improvising. Seems simple, but I wish someone told me that when I started playing 25 years ago. Now I know it, but it took many years of frustration to get there. I know many people starting on any instrument will be grateful to hear this. Thanks Claus.

[@remrem501]

Interesting. I love that he is truly thinking outside the box. But as a beginner, I need to know the notes that sound good together. Learning the scale patterns, I'm learning what notes work together. If I skipped that I'd be all over the place trying to figure out what notes compliment each other, it would be a constant state of trial and error, and then trying to remember what notes worked in groups. It seems like the long way around the block, instead of learning the notes in a scale in a pattern I can remember, and then improvising from there. But I appreciate the passion and the creative thinking. I just can't see it working for me.

[@ylst8874]

Man you are smart ! I felt that sequence thing and I realised it prevents me from playing melodic actualy but I couldn't make clear sentences as u can. Yes the sequence thing prevents me from playing freely. After practising that I must practise wht ur saying and backing tracks also. U are great man thank u !

[@justcallhoward]

Brilliant mindset ... thank you, very helpful and actually encouraging in the face of all music theory in general, which begs to be mastered. The priority is to find those things most challenging and enjoyable to the individual musician. Music is such an infinite playground.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Much truth here. I leaned the 'CAGED System,' and knew my pentatonic and diatonic scales all over the neck, but when it came time to solo I'd have trouble moving between positions. I could jump from one position to the other fine, but I eventually had to find, and come up with my own licks and exercises that would smoothly transition across multiple areas on the neck. It's all about sounding like you're *not* playing scales and gimmiky licks. Many players never learn the notes on their instrument, but don't handicap yourself that way. When you know the notes all over the fingerboard, can see many chord shapes, and know the associated diatonic/pentatonic scales. everything changes for you. Then, it's just a matter of playing/practicing - *A LOT!!*

[@antoniobacani1343]

a very practical instructions Claus, it's easily sinks in my mind.

[@dkt8102]

You have a great energy in your teachings. Made me more interested in what you still wanted to say.

[@mksalgado]

I play guitar and I mostly do cover music, but learning scales I've been putting on the back burner, so now I'm at the point that there's not a song I can play that all ready exist that I want to play. that's what I do when I play electric, so my question is can you make a video that'll teach me the scales I'm supposed to know, because I've been already using it up and down the neck just by learning some rock songs. but I need to know for my own good and see how the artist for example slash gets his ideas.

[@EpicPie0]

This is more insightful philosophy than a step by step what to do, I value this stuff more than most videos. Wisdom is more valuable than knowledge

[@Lucifer2066]

Yeah, they came up with this a very long time ago, it's called "The Circle of 5ths". You should check it out sometime.

[@akinnon2000]

I try to break arpeggios in half and use open string to switch position, like Villas Lobos Etude 2 it help me a lot.

[@flight-or-flight]

That's quite cool! Just like in mixing audio, it's useless to focus on just one aspect (pattern). You have to get a feeling for the whole thing and go further into detail from that if necessary. You can't practice without that feeling for the context. Everything else is like going to school and remember a whole lot of information and forget it after an exam without ever being able to contextualize and apply stuff.