My Problem With Relative Minors

For publisher-quality tabs & backing tracks of this lesson:
erichaugenguit...
Livestreams & More on Patreon: / erichaugenguitar
My Truefire "Guitar Zen" Courses:
erichaugenguit...
To Book a Private Lesson: www.erichaugen...
To Donate: paypal.me/ebha...
Behind the Scenes on Instagram: / erichaugen_guitar
My Music on Spotify: spoti.fi/3d79BBJ
Sound Tools Used in This Vid:
"Dogwood" Guitar www.danielfiel...
Greer Southland Overdrive greeramps.com
Strymon Deco sweetwater.sjv...
D20 head www.duskyamp.com
Silvertone 1484 Cab
Ohma Active Ribbon Mic ohmaworld.com
Valhalla Vintage Verb valhalladsp.com/

[@renokid64]

You Eric are the most chill vibe guitar teacher on the Interwebs. And for that, we thank you!!!

[@lsdzheeusi]

Eric, I was really excited when I saw the title, but crestfallen when the subject wasn't my cousin's deadbeat children. Those relative minors are certainly worthy of a deep dive!

[@lonepeakoralsurgery8896]

“Never disappoints” could easily be the motto for all things Uncle Eric. Between KZbin, my Patreon subscription, and multiple True Fire course purchases, I have and continue learning SO much!

[@kennkil1]

Man, that relative minor “trick” has been such a crutch for way too long. You defined the hard limit I’ve been experiencing for years with lackluster noodley mush major solos. Right on Eric, such a simple idea that opened up a new pathway for exploration.

[@timearll266]

Eric Eric Eric… The first thing I want to say is that I learn something new from every single one of your videos. The second thing is, I usually only get half way through before I put my phone down and go play my guitar. Lastly, the guitar playing usually starts off with working on whatever concept it was in your lesson but quickly morphs into something different that may or may not involve those concepts. I’m fine with that. I don’t need to drill on each new concept. The really cool part is that it gets playing and thinking differently and it quite often takes me places I’ve never been before. That’s the magic, man. Almost five years on and you’re still bringing the magic but it’s not just your magic it’s our magic. Thanks again for what you do and how you do it. ❤

[@tazador793]

This guy is a musical encyclopedia. What a really good teacher. Need to check out your web place

[@rockinbobokkin7831]

New to the channel, but actually most thankful you talked about that guitar, because that wood and form is outrageous. Gorgeous natural finish , and it does sound incredible.

[@ashwin_ramakrishnan]

I thought using the relative minor would save me the trouble of learning all the minor pentatonics, but this makes so much sense. Thanks Eric. I've been thinking about this so much and this makes it clear.

[@timwillis9654]

Great lesson. This is like one of those band practices when people don't have to rush off and we get to screw around after finishing the set. Always happy moments. No wonder this channel is taking off. Awesome to see.

[@torontolarrivee7965]

That is an exceptionally good sounding guitar. Really pure and balanced sounding.

[@haymakersboston]

Wow, love hearing those chords around the 12th fret with overdrive sounding so in-tune...

[@katharinecreswell4866]

Good lesson. Awesome Guitar! Sometimes I work really hard to figure out something that I already knew. I tend to over complicate stuff because I think it will make me better, only to realize I took a really long way around to get to the same spot.

[@pan-galactic-gargleblaster]

I think relative major/minor should be a 10 minute discussion with your guitar teacher. Like "hey here's a fun fact about the way music works." Then immediately move on to CAGED hahah. Relative major/minor is definitely a critical lightbulb moment for beginners going into intermediate playing

[@jeffrowlette]

As a self taught guitarist from the early mid 80s, no youtube, no tabs, no teachers except for Hendrix, Clapton and Vaughan, that 10 minutes took years!

[@Bearthalamass]

​@jeffrowlette I started bout the same time. Took me a year to learn how to tune and play smoke on the water on one string. Once I learned how to tune and learned a few chords I was off to the races lol.

[@benbush1227]

Great guitar, The lesson, man MUCH APPRECIATED! Nothing like having an educated mind with musical understanding, deliver the knowledge into the layman’s atmosphere, it’s a gift thank you Eric Haugen.

[@harrymunden7905]

Big up uncle Eric ✊ much love from the UK! Been following your channel for years, you’re the best! More Ribot and Rawlings stuff would be amazing if you ever find the time 😁 I can’t get enough of that stuff

[@9outof10]

Are you following Alex Farran's videos?

[@brucejackson1329]

Thanks!

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks Bruce!

[@toddladner866]

The concept of the relative minor is great for writing because it catagorizes some possible chord substitutions in a limited fashion. Subdividing the infinite choices as I like to look at it. On the fretboard it is useful as one way you can visualize note relationships when you are memorizing the intervals. It shouldn’t carry any more importance than any other tool. Certainly not as a soling philosophy. Your lessons are always great and this one is no exception! Thanks

[@grilledcheese1318]

Holy shit! You have a ton of subs now. Idk how long ago I found you but its been years. Sick.

[@el0blaino]

That guitar sounds great! Never expected that neck pickup to be so different!

[@lit3229]

Love the Dusky!

[@jameyaustin]

Thank you uncle Eric. Always enjoy the show. Cool jacket ~ guitar strap ~ guitar ~ etc accouterment for the preso today, btw. Happy Friday!

[@frankbennett3075]

I’m a big fan of natural and transparent finishes on guitars. Both ways sounded good, but it sounded more in the flow of things when you played to the changes.

[@justpickuptheguitarandgo2]

Nice lesson! I love experimenting with stuff like this and learning what works and what doesn't.

[@rwaggs81]

The difference between the relative minors here (G#m and C#m) in pentatonic form is one note. You can kinda hybridize the two scales in this situation. But yeah, I also prefer mixing in more chord specific lines if I have any time to prepare.

[@bertpainter8385]

The main problem why relative minor association is so prominent is because most all teachers today want to relate everything to the 1st position of the 5 pentatonic position that most all beginners start out with when learning how to solo. We've all been shown the 1st position in A at the 5th fret to start out with when learning how to find what notes work in the famous rock key of A. So when the the chord changes to the IV we've been mostly taught to just go back 3 frets to play the same pentatonic scale when D happens, etc etc. Less thinking if you just go back 3 frets when you think about any major chord that we look at from the low E string on the neck. D chord is playing, we know where the D note is on the low E string on the 10 fret so we were told go back 3 fret and play that 1st position pentatonic scale and theirs the note to play while Dma is playing, etc etc. When minor chords pop up we don't move back 3 frets just play 1st position pentatonic where the note shows up on the low E string. As we advance we start to learn more position of the pentatonic scale but now we're lock in the that way of thinking. I blame the early rock guitar teachers trying to make things too easy so students want to learn and get interested. Although I can't blame them as I learned the hard way with reading music and learning jazz stuff which really bored the hell out of me. But now I'm glad because I would never have wanted to learn that later after playing rock which is all I wanted to do as a kid. It took me a while to readjust my learning ways to solo with feel playing rock after learning jazz 1st. I never got to the advance levels of playing jazz. But now I realize jazz is all about feel too if your really good at it. Although sometimes I wonder with some advance jazz players. It seems too technical for some that know a lot of jazz and theory. Feel is another style to learn for some.

[@Curt.dammit]

Those Dogwoods are super sick looking! (and sounding)

[@paulchateauneuf3478]

I didn't see Planet Telex coming. And gold foils too. Great lesson

[@theelderskatesman4417]

Yes. I've had major clashes with online tutors who tell the world that 'major pentatonic shape' is the same as the minor, just with the root at your pinky. It's the wrong way to see the fretboard. I will die on this hill!

[@TheMasonator777]

For you, maybe.

[@haikat4]

its just a position. idk this video is weird to me. i play thru them all.

[@TheMasonator777]

It worked for Leslie West. Should you stop there? I didn’t. That said, I simply don’t see what all this extra calculus is that you are talking about. I think it’s good to learn all the intervals in relation to the root of a given fretboard position and you can be playing major or minor at will. I mean, whatever works for you is great, don’t take this wrong. It’s not the conversation that bothers me. It’s the commenters that say, “Yes, you are right, this is wrong to do!” that drive me up the wall. People need to stop “dying on hills” when it comes to ideas about how to play the guitar. The cool thing about this instrument is that it’s an endless playground, an experiment, a laboratory. I spend very little time as an instructor telling people what not to do. I tell them what they could do.

[@TheCSteve]

Do you have some diffcult licks for me to learn .. Not fast but just like licks who start with a bend and things like that .. More bends in a row .. I am ready for that Eric

[@OM10PYE]

I knew that was Sister Golden Hair. Lovely playing. 🔥

[@karllongbottomguitars9192]

Those gold foil pickups sound absolutely fantastic 🔥

[@Mindwave416]

Dang dude glad to see that guitar back thats a cool ass custom axe!

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

I think what you’ve highlighted here is that relative minor is a convenient shorthand for learning the fretboard (and the corresponding theory) quickly, but it is not a viable improv strategy for making lines and fills that actually serve the musical context. And I think we all have both heard and played inappropriate relative minor substitutions at one point or another. It’s serviceable but wouldn’t call it good or musical. Insightful video as always brother!

[@chrisjames1924]

That is a beautiful looking & sounding guitar

[@macsarcule]

Thank you, Eric!

[@michaelmillican5592]

I love that guitar!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a good day ❤😊

[@patrickcarroll1754]

Eric may have a problem with natural minor, but I have 0 problems with Eric Haugen. Why he isn't interviewed by Rick Beato yet, I don't know. I mau have to start a petition Excellent lesson and explanation Eric. You blended theory with a sense of understanding all of us can grasp and the right amount of metaphors to speak to me. Thank you for speaking my language. You just keep getting better #MostlyRightBrainer

[@shanec8224]

What is that body made of? Some reason my eyes keep telling me it’s cardboard but I know that can’t be the case

[@chyeaOGKush]

hog man - i know you demo the classics but its funny how ive been listening to this song ( and a lot of america) this week - good timing

[@TheCSteve]

I like this channel .. Thumbs up ..

[@TomO.3678]

Hey, Eric, great tutorial as always! A very groovy guitar, too. Thanks! 😎✌️

[@Hbarroso-bx5ou]

So to find the relative minor count down 3 frets ?

[@snapfinger1]

Groovin’ is about skanking B flat ninth for James Brown. For 30 minutes.

[@LilJonnyGuitar]

what is the difference between playing G minor over B and playing B major over B? Nothing...

[@santino148]

I'm very jealous of your blazer. Been trying to find one like yours but my local thrift stores never have my size. Sucks to be short.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

banana republic factory clearance section!

[@simonsmith2642]

So… Major/minor boomer scale.. Gotcha. It still works. I always put the 4 way series mod on teles.. out of phase on a push pot is crazy useful too.

[@josetomasserranoleon8556]

lOVE U ERIC

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

🤙🤙🤠🤠

[@1crimson7]

Groove & fill - 🎸⚡️🎶🌈💕

[@BrianLTanner]

What are those pickups!!?? The low end of the chords is unmatched. I want a set

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Daniel makes them for his builds!

[@davemassie3726]

Good lesson Eric. Love the Tele and strap! Thanks for sharing!

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

I grew up in Middletown NJ.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Hell yea! My friend Andrea's from there!

[@learningguitar7948]

For the major CAGED shapes that you show, it looks like your D shape for the chord is wrong, the note on the high E string should be two frets higher. The scale shape is correct.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

That's intentional! I find it easier to grab that structure as a sus2 - it's more important to see the root and be able to get it that way.

[@learningguitar7948]

Ah got, thanks for clarifying. I never play the chord that way anyway, prefer the C shape. But I do visualize it that way to see the notes in that scale position.

[@wogfahov]

Dolly! ❤❤❤

[@SonOfHutch]

That’s a very handsome guitar Uncle Eric.

[@bretschwartz]

Why wouldn’t you just play E major and focus on the passing chords using caged positions?

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

You could do that to! It would sound a little more "leady' that way but also a good approach!

[@gab_ale]

LOL. I first read that you had problems with relatives that were kids. 😅

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Oh dear. I wonder if this vid is gonna get flagged by the community guidelines bot!

[@misterknightowlandco]

Yeah I have problems with relative minors too but they’re my sisters kids and not my responsibility 😂

[@nohero178]

The thing about CAGED: none of my favorite guitarists used it. Why use something they didn't?

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Depends who your influences are but I see it in Frusciante, Knopfler, Gilmour, Hendrix, & Cropper - they don't use the whole shapes, but definitely pieces of them!

[@Lanearndt]

Everyone knows that you play within the relative minor pentatonic of the parent major key and bend into the half steps as you need them! One of the most important "semi theoretical" things a player needs to know is that 2 major chords a whole step apart are always the IV and V chords of the parent key! Even if it's only temporary, that's the only source of two major chords a whole step apart, the IV and V of the key! It's like if you tried to match minor pent scales to every chord of Hey Joe you'd sound really really lame!!! In Hey Joe, Hendrix uses only the pentatonic, (we could say minor box but could be the major box) and if he wants any of the important missing diatonic notes he is bending in and out of them!!

[@patrickhite3026]

Sounds like Dickie Betts style.

[@hannanathan564]

I’m just not a fan of “tricks”. Learn the objective theory before trying to add subjective interpretation. The song is simply in E. B is the 5. A is the 4. Highlight the individual chords if you want, highlight the key if you want. Bottom line is, “tricks” lead to roadblocks eventually. Objective theory is simply descriptive and accurate. There’s no reason to be in the key of E, and think anything remotely close to “what is the relative minor of B and of A”. The only things you should be thinking are “oh, it’s in E major, that will always work in a diatonic song. Oh, here’s a B major. Oh here’s an A Major”.

[@fuzzfuzz4234]

I honestly don’t understand how you have problems with relative minors and chord changes. If you already know the chord progression, You could approach the parallel minors as a parallel progression like a counter melody.

[@heartpath1]

I couldn’t relate less to your way of thinking about music. With just a bit more study all these simplistic but somehow complicated concepts vanish because you see how chords fit together to make a progression. The way you describe this literally boxes you in forever. It’s a prison of your own making. Anyway.

[@robertpeters1510]

daniel should " prettify" the bridge and pick ups

[@discobacon5160]

Siblings don’t have the same DNA 😅

[@criminalpictures1984]

I'm finding it difficult to focus because your guitar looks like it's made out of cardboard.

[@zachluz]

-----> "Eric is a genius" button.

[@bored7743]

i think i know what ur problem is with relative minors.. they're too young! *sweet home alabama plays in the distance*

[@jeffpeterson5791]

If you learn the chords up and down three strings at a time , it’s just a matter of flatting the third to get the minor thing, well anyways I don’t know what the

[@graysonhoward1562]

It’s generally a good thing to have a problem with minors that are also your relatives…

[@georgechristiansen6785]

The title sounds like you just don't want to......or shouldn't baby sit your relatives kids. I'll be here all week, folks! But seriously: not learning both major and minor pentatonics is peak guitar lazy. That's also one of the reasons that I don't like CAGED: weird think the C shape of G, but make the 3rd minor calculus.

[@mrebysan]

I don't mess with minor relatives...gross!

[@kennkil1]

Man, that relative minor “trick” has been such a crutch for way too long. You defined the hard limit I’ve been experiencing for years with lackluster noodley mush major solos. Right on Eric, such a simple idea that opened up a new pathway for exploration.