The BEST WAY to STOP Random Playing (and Instantly be More Musical)

[@Aurazan]

FINALLY! Someone explained it to me! Everyone is like "learn the chords, they are important" and that's literally all they say and I'm thinking "but why? I don't wanna strum and play the chords, I wanna learn how to make riffs and play solos" Thank you! I get it now.

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@oluisart]

so you don't wanna learn how to play, you wanna learn how to solo sorry to say that but this is the path to mediocrity on guitar

[@bignutsalsobigballs]

@@oluisart who cares? As long as you’re having fun it really doesn’t matter

[@tanguis19]

@@oluisart don’t be such a square, have fun

[@Nichi-Ji]

@@bignutsalsobigballs it matters to the ears of anyone walking by

[@jaydenvessel8761]

I can’t believe that at 4:22 am, I finally found the video I needed to really solidify my lead playing, you’re a godsend

[@MarkZabel]

Glad I could help! Now get some sleep! :)

[@seanfitzpatrick7878]

It's really fun to hear other guitarists talk about their journey because most of us have taken the same path while, at the time, thinking that our journey is unique. When I made the chord-scale connection some years back, I likened it to Neo seeing the blueprint of the matrix for the first time. This step (the one this lesson teaches) is both a huge step toward melodic soloing and a giant eye opener as to how much there is to learn. The consolation prize is that you will know what it is you need to get better at in almost an instant.

[@MarkZabel]

Well put Sean. A few people have commented that this is just CAGED. No. This is, as you say, a gateway for much, much more learning - melodic construction, voice leading, chord extensions and substitutions. For me, it was the real point at which I feel I started to truly understand things - including how I needed to listen more intently and develop my ears. Time and again, when I went to melodies I loved from singers or to guitar solos I loved, this was what did it. Before then it was, "Okay, time for a solo. What scale should I use?" Thanks for your well thought out comment!

[@pangeaproxima9446]

Ok, ok...

[@chinacharltan]

I've been playing guitar for years, and I'm a chronic-noodler when I improvise. I refuse to memorise scales because I know it would just feed my bad habit of random note selection. The hope was that I would instinctively learn to feel the music and the soulful solos would somehow emerge one day after lots of mindless noodling. But it hasn't. And I think you've finally unlocked the door for me to break the plateau I've been in for years with these simple, logical and practical first steps. I am very grateful for this, and I look forward to putting it to work soon.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful. Give it a whirl. "Feeling it" certainly is the goal, and this can help you get there by providing a framework. Best of luck with it!

[@albinoviper2876]

So noodling did help you in learning that you have to learn more to do more when you WANT to do more than you do.

[@handleismyhandle]

I've found getting stuck musically useful in a way because I didn't let it stop me from practising, even if I was playing virtually the same thing over and over. . . I got sort of unstuck because I started to develop speed and technique that I never had before. It's interesting that I can write music in all different scales using electronic programs fairly seamlessly, but something about the repetition of guitar in a physical sense got me more locked in. I should apply this idea of matching progressions to writing some new music for guitar when I have the time to do so. It would be fun to have that versatility.

[@oldbridgemaker2094]

This. This is exactly why David Gilmour's solos sound so melodic. He plays to the changes not to the key. I learned the solo to Time on keyboard, playing the chords with my left hand and the melody with my right. I noticed right away that the vast majority of the melody notes were contained in the chord being played at the time. Lightbulb moment.

[@MarkZabel]

Exactly!

[@siemniak]

Hmm i always thought it was obvious... This knowledge has been out forever 😅 there are videos from 80s with guitarists saying that the basic of improvising are not just scales but playing correct notes to chord changes. Basically whole jazz music is about that isn't it ? 😅😅😅😅

[@TheJofrica]

@@siemniak It's absolutely not obvious for rock/pop lead guitar playing, though yes the knowledge has been out forever. Most guitarists start out learning a scale shape and then noodling that over a typical blues progression. Most guitarists just end up learning a repertoire of licks and then just repeating those and mixing and matching. Jazz music is the exception, since that is taken mostly from horn soloing. In jazz you start out by outlining the chord changes with arpeggios. From there, it is a matter of dicing those arpeggios up rhythmically and inter-splicing them with themes from the melody. But unless a guitarist is directly working in jazz, they might not ever discover this type of thinking. A whole different approach to soloing is using repeated motifs (repeated melodic/rhythmic patterns) rather than either noodling or straight arpeggios. Jim Hall and Barney Kessel are examples of guitarists who use motifs well in their solos.

[@TheJofrica]

@@siemniak An example of a guitarist who works with the chord changes well is Jimi Hendrix. Why? It's because he has stated that his favorite guitarist was Kenny Burrell, another jazz guitarist. So while Hendrix was a rocker, much of his influence was in jazz structurally, and you can really hear that in his playing.

[@patmac3510]

@@TheJofrica thanks, that is interesting! However I can't find anything on the web about Hendrick s liking Kenny Burrell. Got a link?

[@ArdFarkable]

This guy is directly helping hundreds of thousands of aspiring players. This is what makes a legend! Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@MrArtist1971]

I agree. Maybe I'm dense but after playing for years I haven't found much solo instruction other than 'learn your CAGED patterns'. Mark is a Godsend. Thanks Mark!!

[@carlako3238]

I'm an engineer learning guitar, and for the last couple years I've known there was some connection to good sounding solos and scales but could not figure it out. I just knew I wasn't doing it. Hearing you verbally made that connection made sense, and then hearing your improv got my heart racing because I understood it! Thank you :D

[@MarkZabel]

That's great! (From one engineer to another!)

[@jamdanaur]

I've been playing for decades (ugh, I'm old). I've based most of my solos around the minor pentatonic scale and it's various positions around the neck. Along the way I've learned passing tones, blue notes, and other things that have me playing what I've seen described as the mixolydian, major pentatonic, and blues scales. I'm trying to eliminate a lot of those extra notes to focus more on box one of the minor pentatonic because there is a riches of potential there. The licks you present and how you connect them to chords was eye, and ear opening, to me. While you didn't play anything that I don't already have in my seemingly limited bag of tricks, the intention with which notes are chosen is something which will recast my solos into something grounded in logic for me and rooted in those classic rock licks for those listening. I'm so glad that I discovered your channel! I also see that your other vids will provide additional treasure to explore. Thank you!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you! Yes, intention is the key word here. It can make all the difference.

[@jimc6687]

Mark Zabel: He's easily presented us with the best guitar instruction on the Internet in (under) seven minutes! Everyone should save this very nicely portrayed and demonstrated pertinent short lesson into their favorite file and refer back to it until we have it down.........even 10 or more times!! Jim C.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Jim C!!

[@schaddalton]

Also, unrelated time-saving FYI: There's zero need to sign your name after a comment on the internet when you use that exact name on your profile.

[@19grand]

@@MarkZabel he put words perfectly to match my thoughts. Thanks.

[@rensb9214]

I cant even figure out how to play that c chord

[@negativezer0591]

@@schaddalton it kinda goes hard tho

[@mr.prower]

You said it took you time to finally understand what you were doing wrong... and you don't even hesitate to share it with us! You truly are a good man.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@MichaelLittle47]

The simplicity of the explanation was nice. As it just got right to the heart of the matter for someone looking to make music. Also, I appreciated "the little secret" at the end, which basically says, "Just do it, and your ears will soon catch on".

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Michael!

[@haideesoto4539]

Hi Mark, this is the best advice I've ever reiceived in my decades of playing guitar. And by the way one learns all chord positions along the neck within the pentatonic boxes. I have yet a long way to go, but now the road is clear. A million thanks for this....really. Greetings from Spain.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful! Hello from NY, USA.

[@ProfessorHoffman]

This is exactly what I've been struggling with recently. You broke it down so well and helped me understand how and where I can improve. Thank you!

[@johnnewman8412]

This is such a great tool for learning where all your chords are in any particular area of the guitar. It seems a little overwhelming at first (I always struggle with major and minor chord shapes for chords outside the regular I, IV, V) but it really does work like a charm to improve the melodic quality in your playing. This is one lesson I'll be working on for quite a while. Thanks Mark, your videos always seem to come through with the most useful stuff that helps someone play right now!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks John!

[@jarridb91]

This is the Holy Grail of guitar lessons, couldn't figure out how to get out of the noodling stage, feel like I've been in it for too long now. Can't imagine how much time I've wasted practicing the wrong way. Thank you so much for this!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad to help!

[@GrandpaJean]

This instruction motivated me to keep learning. I was stuck at this exact point knowing the CAGED shapes etc, but aimlessly moving around. Thank you for such a great breakdown.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it helped!

[@jlrjlrjlr]

This video is well organized. You're clear, concise, and your enthusiasm really shows. Thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks John!

[@brada-smith2807]

Finally! I have been waiting for years for this video. I've been practicing scales, arpeggios, chord progressions - almost all youtube videos seem way beginner or way advanced for me, and I haven't been able to address my lack of direction in soloing. Thank you so much.

[@MarkZabel]

So glad it was helpful to you!

[@seabyrd1948]

Love your lessons. They are so well constructed , logical and to the point. Thanks again.

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Thanks so much for the kind note!

[@chrisvanallsburg]

excellent lessons thank you! Been playing 30 years and have taken a lot of lessons and learned a lot of songs. But you are tying it all together. Gold.

[@MarkZabel]

Great to hear!

[@fender_fan]

One of the finest guitar lessons I've seen on KZbin. Found this video by accident while looking for someone else's lesson page but this is honestly better. I've been playing scales for two years now and not understanding how to make them into leadlines or solos. It's starting to make sense now. You've more than earned my subscribe!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks so much! You really made my day!

[@jabe1807]

Thanks to you. I am 65 and this help me a lot.😀

[@MarkZabel]

So glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@kungstu22]

This video is the way. Simple. Concise. Nutritious.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@GnarStark]

VERY useful bit of information for guitarists trying to figure out how to play lead. You’re a natural at teaching too

[@jeffnewman8633]

Thanks Mark, we are so fortunate to have you on KZbin. The way you explain things makes it easy to understand for both the beginner and the intermediate. First class mate, cheers

[@MarkZabel]

Great to hear! Thanks!

[@MindsEyeVisualGuitarMethods]

From one guitar channel guy to another, you really knock it out of the park. Well spoken, clear instructions, right to the points, and no wasting time! Quick and packed with some really excelent tips! Eact opposite of my style, where I think I might be able to explain something quick and usually go on for an Hour! Thanks man, subbed.

[@MarkZabel]

Very cool, thanks! I'll check out your channel too.

[@jessehutchings]

This is something I need to get back into practicing. For years I haven't played along to music and it's definitely taken its toll on my improvising abilities. When I was a teen I practically learned how to play by learning songs, playing along with them and then using the chords and scales from the song to solo over it and that is what truly made me fall in love with playing guitar. However, I haven't owned a stereo in over a decade! But! Now I have a smart phone with a speaker that's good enough to use as a small stereo and it actually sounds good!

[@MarkZabel]

Hi Jesse! I did the exact same thing - playing along to the radio and MTV (when it really was MUSIC Television). Thanks for sharing your story.

[@Rossmelanson]

Mark went from zero to hero with me at first I thought oh Mark is just another wannabe music instructor, but his chord mapping is genius presentation!! Da man!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks brother!

[@wannwarriors]

Dude, This is so me it's ridiculous!! I even gave up and started playing drums again. I love the way you broke this down, I am thinking I may pick it back up and try again using this method. Thanks.

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome. You can do it! (But keep up with the drums too!!)

[@SteveWattse]

More pearls od widsom from Mark! A great guitarist and teacher, and what a humble guy. Love your stuff.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks brother!

[@davidturnage3467]

That nugget of guitar tutaledge, built on years of your guitar experience.......is definitely worth my subscription! Wow, wish I knew an instructor like you years ago. You didn't just teach a little lick, or some melody line........you're teaching a mindset with this tutorial. Pure light bulb, eureka moment kinda stuff! Thanks! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks so much David!!

[@AnarchistCatGrrl]

I've been playing guitar for 20 years. this is legitimately good advice.

[@onsenfan6242]

Thank you so much! I’ve been lost wondering how to do solos that sound good for about 40 years. Now I know the secret of how to approach them. Great video!

[@MarkZabel]

You're very welcome. Thanks for the kind comment!

[@victorformosa228]

Great lesson, underneath each scale there is a chord (s) the beauty of what you have shown is the fact you don't have to jump all over the fretboard, thanks Mark.

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure Victor.

[@johndeeregreen4592]

This is basically how I was taught. However, I was taught this method at the same time I was taught modes and how intervals from the appropriate mode create the chord. This both allows working with arpeggios and ending on a chord tone, too; works very well with sweeping, as well.

[@MarkZabel]

Interesting. I never got into sweep picking, but the related technique of rake picking certainly lines up with the modal view you're talking about here. I'm fairly sure I learned them separately, but you're right - they certainly go hand-in-hand.

[@CountryHitsUSA]

This is one of The Best Video's for soloing I've EVER SEEN! Thanks Mark!

[@MarkZabel]

Wow, thanks!

[@kBarBeats]

nice lesson! that's why i believe playing and practicing jazz (bebop to be specific) is very important for every modern musician, even if you don't like jazz, because it's a great way of learning the basics of melodic playing and grasping the correspondence between chords and different scales/modes

[@MarkZabel]

I won't disagree! Country, Bluegrass, and Western Swing are also good gateways - emphasizing the chord/scale connection is a generally simpler context. Also, they're great in that, like jazz, they emphasize improvising and playing off of and with other musicians.

[@jaredsullano8112]

Wow I've been struggling with this for a year now. Thank you so much!

[@mattnthat]

Awesome video Mark, quick tip I think would be helpful for beginners like me prior to watching this, get a little grasp on the CAGED system, once you understand that all these chord inversions make total sense IMO

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Great tip! I believe it depends upon how intrepid the learner is. The more willing to just plunge in, the less CAGED is needed prior to it. So I think either works. My experience tells me you're right about 75% of the time on this. A majority of players need to be seriously coaxed to try something they don't know and are willing to sweat a bit to figure it out. One last wrinkle. Once you're willing to go down the "how does a chord fit into this?" path, you're not limited to major/minor triads. 7ths, 9ths, #9, b7b5, you name it - all fair game. I really love doing that myself, as it often leads me to deeper areas like "voice leading" for example. I find I'm surprised at the cleverness of the player or composer quite often. Makes me appreciate the music even more sometimes! Thanks again for your insightful comment!

[@Mcrossova]

This is the video I've been looking for for 2 years. THANK YOU

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eyezik5743]

Phenomenal video! Excellent information explained very clearly and easy to follow along with, and it wasn't spread out over an unnecessarily long time like some thirty minute basic solo videos on youtube! Thanks Mark!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zenncatt]

Excellent exposition Mark. I enjoy your videos and teaching style.

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you!

[@thehonkening1]

Great advice! I've been trying to do this sort of this (playing notes appropriate to the current chord in the progression) but it is so hard and requires so much brainpower!! I even made a diagram of all the triads (basically an extended version of the fretboard diagrams you have in this video) and it helps. It takes discipline to practice things that are really difficult, but I just gotta hunker down and get thru it I guess. As you say, you just gotta do it 4, 5 times, maybe 10 in your case (and 100 in mine)

[@MarkZabel]

Glad to help!

[@MojoP]

Some of the simplest yet best [and extremely well articulated] guitar advice/instruction/theory on the net. Thank you🏆

[@MarkZabel]

Wow, thanks!

[@JulioMacarena]

Bro! I've got a great ear, and can often land on a chord note, and know my scales, and know the CAGED system, but this simple and clear instruction helped me tie it ALL together. I literally picked up my guitar and had changed my way of thinking about soloing AND also playing solo music. Wow. Thanks. :)

[@MarkZabel]

That's great! Thanks so much for the feedback. Totally made my day!

[@WestSeaSpirit]

I'm literally on the same journey as you with noodling and scales (2 year frustration) and you just stopped me dead in my tracks. Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad to help!

[@bwalk009]

Thank you, Mark. This is certainly food for thought and so well explained. The way you described your learning experience is me to a tee

[@MarkZabel]

You're very welcome. Glad you could relate to it!

[@sanchitjain5591]

I am pausing the video in between to write this comment. This is the most helpful information over youtube for an intermediate player. I've been noodling for past 8 years. No full songs practiced, not any original music recorded, just noodling and being happy with small licks and riffs which i have already perfected in different scales. Let me come back to this comment in next 1 year with the progress and update.

[@MarkZabel]

Love it!

[@harrychapin808]

Yep! Ur 110% CORRECT!! UR one of the few who've not only pointed this out, but created a DEMONSTRATION. I believe this is one of those cases where LESS is MORE. Great example of WHAT U JUST EXPLAINED & DEMONSTRATED, is the solo in "HOTEL CALIFORNIA." FELDER and WALSH are landing on CHORD tones throughout the ENTIRE SOLO... and that's what makes it sound INCREDIBLE!! WHAT U just demonstrated, MARK... is the KEY 🗝 to guitar soloing. The melody of the song is based on the chords... so why shouldn't the solo??! If one plays the melody in "HOTEL CALIFORNIA" ON GUITAR 🎸... one will notice many similarities in the solo. KUDOS!!

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. And thanks for that insightful comment. Hotel California - especially Don Felder's part of the solo, emphasizes chord tones and is extremely melodic.

[@harrychapin808]

@@MarkZabel In the solo you taught from ARS' "SPOOKY"... BARRY BAILEY (RIP), not only plays chord tones, he's following the melody... and so does "STEVE STONE" (I think it's STEVE STONE), in the more jazzier 3rd section ( USING OCTAVES), of the solo. U MARK, may be the only teacher on KZbin, who taught/ teaches this iconic solo. It's probably one of the most tasty, cool 😎, bluesey- jazzy, thick-toned solos ever recorded and played!! WHY? CUZ it has incredible FEELING! KUDOS again to you, MARK!! AND if I recall correctly, you even mentioned how BARRY was incorporating the melody 🎶 into his solo. I don't understand why more people/ musicians don't recognize the incredible talent of "BARRY BAILEY!!

[@user-tc5pl3zw3h]

Yes, this really does help me. I do this when noodling, but I didn't know how to really utilize the technique with a purpose. Now I'm playing for a reason, not just hitting notes in the scale.

[@MarkZabel]

Excellent!

[@rays2794]

Great lesson as usual! I’m not quite an intermediate player so it is a lot to grasp but I’ve saved this in my favorites and will certainly come back to it in the future.

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome! Glad to help.

[@denisblack9897]

watch it everyday, you'll get it bro

[@Ottophil]

Ive been noodling musically since 1996. No plans to stop

[@owlsonik37]

I’ve been playing the guitar for years and never thought of it that way before!! Thank you!!

[@MarkZabel]

Happy to help!

[@gitpickn8551]

I have been in a rut for a while now and I'm searching for an escape when I saw this video. I'm not completely on board yet but this definitely got my attention so I'm going to give it a try. By the way not only does this chord progression style remind me of the Eagles, I thought you sir sound a little like Don Felder. Which I am a huge fan so please, this is meant to be a compliment. Hopefully this will stop my doodling so thank You!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks so much Todd! I would take that as a compliment any day of the week!! DF is a great player!

[@adrienp8838]

Sir, i can not thank you enough, as i'm stuck in that noddling intermediate level for years now, and this might be the most concrete and clearest line of thought i've ever heard to get me out of this

[@MarkZabel]

Glad I could help!

[@cinpa2968]

Use chord tones? Duh, if only it were that simple. But now it is! This made sense in a way I’ve always hoped for. Being highly visual (and incredibly dense) the different colors for chords tones over the scale was an “a ha” moment. This is fantastic and is probably going to piss my wife off because I’m going to try this out right now instead of the chores I promised to do today. Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and especially for the kind comment!

[@guruofendtimes819]

The chord uses the root, 3rd and fifth so you can riff just on the chord notes.

[@octavioimazio5358]

Really well explained! I kinda knew this but I did it a little different, I mapped the scale onto the chords. Played each chord and imagined the scale overlaying

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. Whatever works for you!

[@joeurbanowski321]

Playin through the changes..👍🏼 It puts you INTO the music… -not NEAR the music… Thanks Mark..! ..👍🏼❤️ PS…a little bit of guitar theory doesn’t shut the door on creativity….it throws open all the windows…! 💪🏼👀

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Joe! You said it. Studies consistently show that creativity is positively linked to knowledge.

[@Sofistakatedrednek]

This video just made so much sense to me. Been playing for over 20 years and the light just came on.🤯

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome!!

[@ronoberbeck967]

Thank you! Some people get very annoyed at directionless noodling.. it can be an annoying ostentatious and overbearing display of too much, especially at loud volumes!🙄 Yeah the 70s kind of made us all believe that we could just all be the Grateful Dead at times. That said, I really enjoyed Jerry's playing and it had its element of noodling, Especially in concert! The band Phish also comes to mind.. And I would say Buckethead does his share when he plays a half hour to 45 minute song. he does have an incredibly solid technique which makes it work. I believe noodling has its Place, as long as there's some semblance of Melody. thank you very much for the tip, especially because I thought at the very end you were going to say.. click the link below and send me x amount of dollars and I'll give you that tip.. 😉🤣 Thx again

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for the thought-provoking comment! I must admit I don't like the long, random sort of noodling. Maybe if I were high, LOL! Kind of like listening to water in a brook I guess, which is not unpleasant. Don't get me wrong, I like extended solos from time to time - but not the ones that have no direction. Duane and Dickey come to mind for me. Their solos, no matter how long, always take you somewhere ... and in the case of Dickey they usually take you back home to where you started. He was an excellent storyteller on guitar. I haven't listened to Phish or Buckethead, but I always thought Jerry had a great knack for creating improvised melodies. Sometimes they went nowhere, but mostly they didn't.

[@ronoberbeck967]

@@MarkZabel you mentioned Dickie Betts! One of the Masters of taking us on a Beautiful and logical musical ride that always started off with excitement and logically came to a concise and cool conclusion. I'm always amazed at jazz improvisation.. it seems like noodling, but I know it also employs the same technique as you suggest. Thank you for doing what you do, it's not easy - I've tried. It takes dedication, repetition and attention to detail. Thx for freely sharing knowledge. Excellent work man!

[@jinazhou1235]

Holy shit, your diagrams are connecting EVERYTHING for me. Best guitar lesson on soloing I've seen so far, hands down. thank you so much sir

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! You totally made my day!

[@ronswary]

I love to noodle … nothing more satisfying than a backing track playing and improvising over it . I’ve never been impressed with covering someone’s solos . I like to find my own from my style … take a song as simple as cocaine by Clapton when it’s time for that solo it’s so easy to not just make the original sound so out dated and slow lol 🎃

[@MarkZabel]

Hi Ron. I understand what you're saying, but improvising isn't noodling ... or it shouldn't be. Just playing a scale is going to sound random. Being mindful of the music and the changes you're playing over is a big part of improvising and it's WAY more fun. Players like Guthrie Govan or Larry Carlton or Andy Timmons don't noodle when they play. Stopping noodling is not the same as learning a solo note for note.

[@ronswary]

Think that’s what separates beginners from more experienced players how to actually use the scales and modes I’ve been playing music for 30 yrs I guess a lot of what I do is feel by now lol to me a lot of it noodling I know what works but finding different ways to use it . Economy playing for sure .

[@MarkZabel]

@Ron Swary Makes total sense brother. Thanks for clarification. I bet your ears have gotten better over time, and by "feel" you mean playing based on what you hear changing in the music around you (beat, chord changes and so forth). Nothing wrong with that. What I'm talking about is really students (and some players on stage) who just run through scales with no ideas whatsoever. Random scales or arpeggios. The method here is really just a gateway for one's ears to grow into understanding when one is playing a note that fits the music around it. For me, I don't usually map out chords or anything. I usually just have to soak in the beat and get an idea or two in my head and then play - all feel. (But if I play something I don't usually play, like bebop ... yeah, I totally need to think about it the first few times I play through the changes ... and it usually sounds bad anyway, as bebop's not my thing! LOL!

[@ronswary]

@@MarkZabel ya from that aspect just mindlessly doing a scale run or arpeggios isn’t fun . That’s most of mordern heavy music super fast no feeling behind the notes just how fast can I get from root note to root note and use as much of the fretboard they can to make it look flashy . I can’t explain it really I’m not educated enough I guess but it’s definitely a strong sense of timing and direction tho . Being able to feel the progression happen around me . And if it’s something new i always get that oh you got on that one feeling but nail it on next turn around . I tend to play a lot of a lot of blues solo stuff. I’ve only been playing with a pick for the last 3 years of almost 30 fingerstyle it’s tough but I’m sticking with it .

[@ronswary]

@@MarkZabel I should clarify that It’s not a I don’t “want to know “ a recorded solo I just find for me it’s more a challenge to make a new one than look at some tabs or have some-guy say put this finger here it’s good for some but I like to learn a different way I guess. There is times I’ll watch scrolling tabs and play along but I don’t play much “cover” music I like to just write in the spot or practice around lol I’ve caught myself jamming along to backing tracks based on famous songs that I know by ear and I’ve found say a page solo or Clapton by “noodling “ around . I know the key I know the chord progression so it has to be from these notes but how I say and the fingers find it . My wife says I was born in the wrong time I’m 40. And where I’m from not very many people played music didn’t have a group of buds to jam with I’m self taught . Started on piano at 3 or 4 Trumpet by age 9 and all through school solo ensemble stuff and guitar @10 . Had to reteach myself music at 19 after a car crash. Without playing music as a way to escape and express and explore I’m sure many can agree where would be 😎

[@tonywhyte2523]

Wow 👌 great explanation for getting out of noodling !!! I'm king of noodling since high school and I'm 61😳....having to reinvent myself now that I am retired. Thank you....just subscribed 🙏

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks a bunch Tony!

[@kevindame3757]

In my humble opinion, theory makes people stiff and too reliant on knowledge. When I write, feeling and heart guides me and then something rich emerges from the cluster of ideas. Dynamics, and spacing/phrasing are very important to me

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for you comment Kevin. I'm not sure you watched until the end, but I would encourage you to do so if you haven't yet.. This is 100% about getting your hands, ears, and brain in sync. Hearing chord changes as well as dynamics will make you play more in synch with the music around you. This is very, very gentle theory. Dynamics and spacing are good descriptions - I like that!

[@thedragonofthewest5789]

thanks man what a nice human being you are! loved the way you explained the concept

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for the kind comment!

[@willjones4992]

that is one of the most fabulous les paul deluxes i have ever seen

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you like it. I like it too!

[@manny2092]

I like the way you teach! You are a good teacher! Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you!

[@johnnewman8412]

One other thought/realization that struck me as I was trying to come to grips with this approach today is that the more you learn on guitar the easier it gets to over-complicate the f*ck out of everything! Even though your lesson says 'chord tones' over and over again I was STILL trying to somehow work the pentatonic box shapes in there at the same time! It finally clicked when I watched your improvisation again: it's perfectly fine to play everything from box 1, A minor pentatonic as long as you know where the chord shapes for all the chords are! Jesus, it's so simple and I've been making it so damn hard for years, and getting nowhere by doing so. So thank you again for this lesson Mark, this just might be the 'lightbulb' moment I've been waiting for!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks John. Yes, "playing chord tones" really often just means "end your phrase on a note in the chord that's being played." But you can use notes in the scale to get there however you want. In fact, it doesn't even matter if you use notes from a scale. It's just that scales are typical things used to create melodies. So if we use them, we'll produce melodies that sound ... typical, and therefore pleasing to people. So yes, if you're good with a scale, any scale, use that. The chord tones are where you rest or "breathe". Thanks again!

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

This is me too! Gonna have to try this out!

[@MrArtist1971]

Thanks for your instruction Mark. Can't tell you how grateful I am. Great teaching.@@MarkZabel

[@wyvernofhefei8712]

Yeay Mr.Zabel. There's a bunch of great instrument players (not exclusively guitar player) at any level wether it's professional or amateur, but only few of them are great musicians. Grasping out and understanding even the simplest chord/scale/mode and exploring every possibility to make it works is often better than just noodling around. That's why some people are just playing instruments but not the music itself.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks and well said.

[@Furrylizard79]

Great video! I’m exactly stuck in the noodling phase and I have never understood how to solo over chord progressions in the same position. Never understood “play the chord tones” until I watched this, really well explained thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Happy to help!

[@ScarlettTheViewer]

Hey I'm not great at guitar but I've been doing this when I play over a chord progression! I usually hit the root, 3rd, 5th, and sometimes 7th, or 9th intervals in the given chord (i.e. the notes that make the chord). But sometimes I want the chord to sound a little different or make an inverted chord by playing the 4th or 6th intervals. E.g. Bending the D over an A minor chord (4th interval) sounds very nice when you want to allow the tension to build. But then landing on an A or maybe an E would sound the most comfortable to the ear. Or playing a B over a C maj chord (7th interval) and arpeggiating your way back down to C: B, G, E, C. Those are all notes in a Cmaj7 chord. You have a lot of options but if you're highlighting whatever the rhythm is doing, it'll sound much nicer.

[@timjoyalle318]

I learned the CAGED system pretty well. I learned my root notes. All my playing sounds so mechanical. This is the piece I was missing. Now I have a much better idea where to land. Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome! So glad I could help.

[@mati4181]

Man, I wanna give this guy a hug.

[@downhill240]

Mapping those chords is a whole new game for me! I consider this a break-through moment! Thank you for sharing!!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PolyphonicSigma]

Thank you for this awesome lesson! Your tutorials are succinct and instantly useful. Very happy you posted this, I have been stuck in a rut using same phrases and licks for a while now

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!

[@noobfishing101]

I’ve been noodling for years. This is eye opening. Thank you!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrArtist1971]

Thank you. Fantastic video. Learned a lot, sir.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrArtist1971]

@@MarkZabel Hi Mark, I don't mean to impose on you but I was wondering if you could expound on your Jessie's Girl solo video. And explain the theory going on there. I always wondered. I know it's in D so I assume the solo is arpeggios, etc. Just wondering your thoughts on it. Thanks again!

[@MarkZabel]

@@MrArtist1971 Great suggestion!

[@FCMC123]

Great insight. An excellent habit to instill into my understanding of the chords and scales and how to “land”. Thank you.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@magnificus23]

Whoa. Who knew that I’ll find one of the most useful video ever just searching what to listen while brushing my teeth

[@jasongraham4425]

I’ve been playing for over half my life. This has been a problem whether it’s just a habit to noodle or I can’t think of what to play but, this is the most helpful advice I’ve heard in a very long time thank you.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Jason! I'm happy I could help.

[@maheshhr4657]

Man I'm blown away by this video. It's that kind of moment" when some one says what's the meaning of life" to me. You really opened my eye. Now I know why noodled on Guitar.👍

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks so much! You really made my day!

[@dancurtis461]

This is the best guitar instruction video I've seen all year.

[@MarkZabel]

Wow, thanks Dan!! You made my day!

[@antant4287]

Great tip. The song at 2:50 is as good as anything on the radio right now and better than most.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you liked it!

[@kimhornhem5399]

one way to stop noodling is playing with other musicians! You bounce off so much ideas and learn how to communicate through music better, jams are a must!

[@edwardlong7773]

Ya know.....this one hit and will really help, yeah I'm going to have to take a moment and go back to breaking my chords and scales down, just using what I was doing was exactly what he described....sounding random when I tried to improvise to backing tracks.......this lesson just hit home and gave me that "there is what I'm missing" part....awesome lesson💯

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks buddy!

[@guitarmanjon]

That's so simple but so brilliant. Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Westernerd1]

Awesome. Love the "follow your ear" bit. By doing that we find we can create more musically than we give ourselves credit for...Peace Mark!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks brother!

[@jerrymooney5804]

I really like your teaching style. Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@vmmoxd]

You explained this so incredibly well and your use of visuals on the fretboard made this just soooo much easier thank you for taking the time to do that! Subscribed!!!

[@MarkZabel]

I'm so glad!

[@bluearmy4228]

I'm watching you a lot now Mark and learning tones of great licks! Thanks man!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad to hear it!

[@gund2281]

I LOVE this explanation. Still not great at actually DOING it since the issue I run in to is just the fact that IO forget where I need to go next. But just sitting here messing around with the progression you put up is already better than anything I've played in the past.

[@MarkZabel]

Fantastic!

[@tonyhutson4761]

I’ve done this for years and years in piano, for my own solos, without realizing what I was doing! Great commentary!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@dudeman5303]

This is totally really great advice. I don't know why so many people have all these guitar tutorials where they leave a certain amount of info out so you have to pay to *ACTUALLY* learn how to do it. I only know of a few KZbinrs who don't do this - Rick beato is one and Adam Neely is another, and they do have extra content/information that you can pay to learn but you don't *have* to do it, and they don't hide where you can get that information either. They aren't leaving a barrier between the viewer and the information. This is the first time I've found this from outside of those channels, so many of the other KZbinrs have all these paid courses and they intentionally make it feel like they've got this huge secret that makes music theory is bad, evil and completely unnecessary but then when you look at their site they're literally just teaching people broken music theory anyways (the viewer just doesn't know enough to realize what it is), so those viewers who are newcomers to guitar end up feeling like they have to rely on that channel to fill the gaps in knowledge - which they NEVER actually end up filling those gaps despite how they've intentionally built up a certain level of trust. They aren't there to actually get people to be serious players. They're there to get young people who want to dabble a bit to pay money for a little while until they lose interest a few months or so later. That knowledge barrier is why so many people end up quitting, they know something's missing but they don't know *what* that something is and none of the places they've went to to learn will tell them. It's basically a ponzy scheme. Their business model relies on the fact that those people never actually learn enough to know they're being swindled and that they are making sure these customers never learn enough to see through it. A lot of these channels even do paid ads on KZbin that makes it sound like they're a life coach, you can tell when it's one of those channels because they sell it like they've got all this secret knowledge that "music theory bureaucrats don't want you to know", it's all got this fake vibe of being anti-establishment but they *ARE* what they pretend everyone else is, it's 100% projection and they know it. The problem isn't that they've got a course you have to pay for - the problem is that they take advantage of people, lie to them, and never actually expect to fulfill the role they pretend to have and help people learn. I've seen several and when I've overlooked their program, it's even more boring than any of the legitimate outlets for learning like from Berklee and all that, and they're leaving out information?? It's pathetic. It is something I am completely sick of dude, thanks for actually not doing what they do. Most people end up going that route because it's easy to do it for a while and get people all amped up for a bit until they lose interest and to make money the whole time through it until the customers stop coming, then move on. There's nothing wrong with getting paid to teach - we live in a society run by money and capitalism, a man's gotta make money to live so our existence in this society requires that we make money for whatever craft we choose. I was expecting this to be one of those channels when I clicked on it, especially after seeing the top comment - they were so enthusiastic that I was convinced it was paid for actually but then I watched the video. I gotta say, whereas I have gotten this advice before from people I personally know, I know it works very well and I was very shocked to see someone on here ACTUALLY give great advice. I hope more people find this video, and I wish you well.

[@mat992]

So so true. Well said. I’m glad I found this video

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you so much. I'm honored to be mentioned in the same comment as Rick and Adam - they're great!

[@chasbodaniels1744]

I only recently found this channel, and am hooked. That soloing is brilliant.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks man!

[@readmails3033]

Loved the lesson and the clarity of your explanation.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@certifedcupcake]

simply explained. not drawn out. all the right info. and an inspiring humble attitude. Subbed! look forward to more lessons from you to help my guitar journey!

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome, thank you!

[@stevenprebeg]

This is great stuff … once you learn the CAGED system it makes your solos have a purpose and more melodic … Landing on the 3rd of each chord is always a good choice … and once you get this concept of all the chord tones being right under your fingers , it works for any key

[@MarkZabel]

Right on!

[@78tag]

Thanks bud, I am enjoying your style - I know you have a view of yourself as "old" but add 20 yrs and you are me watching you help us fossils. Thanks again, you do offer an easier program for getting better handle this snake in our left hands.

[@MarkZabel]

That is awesome! (LOL, I just recommended you see this video based on a comment from another video.)

[@78tag]

@@MarkZabel I'm kind of jumping back in no particular order to re-watch your videos. Sometimes you have to go backwards to progress. I do that a lot. :)

[@lofstrand127]

Thanks for this its a place I've recently found myself and it was nice to see it done

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@steveg.3022]

This is cool. Finding the chord shapes in the same position. Very helpful . Thanks.

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Glad it was helpful, and thanks for watching!