Rick's Guitar School - Scale Choices: How to Spice Up Your Solos

[@dagreeneyedbastard9298]

To all those who are watching these videos, you should NOT be putting a thumbs down on this mans videos. He does not have to share his knowledge with you but he is and is doing it for free. Please do not display an ungrateful attitude towards those who are selfless.

[@theothertroll]

Got it Dr Freud

[@Priyadarshan_Nag]

DaGreenEyedBastard Those guys were probably had their screens turned upside down 😂😂😂

[@robertdukarm2578]

I don't think they are hurting Rick. We overwhelmingly know that he's the man.

[@EvaPopStar]

Dude! No joke!🎸

[@yonikup2865]

at least it's just 31 out of 117,692, thats 0.00026339938%

[@RickGraham]

For me, the ear is the most important thing bar none. I also need to have the freedom to know how I could solo over something and not limit myselff to just 1 safe choice. Cheers for the comment Sean!

[@DanielVerberne]

A wonderful lesson and a great example of the increased fluency one can obtain from actually understanding instead of simply 'playing by patterns'.

[@Priyadarshan_Nag]

Man that solo at the start was so sweet😊 You should be playing with Joe Satriani in G3!

[@yassinedjebbari4819]

@Mr. Husky Ugh

[@danielkaufman8291]

You just made me twice the guitar player for explaining a very simple concept that I struggled to understand in the past. Thank YOU!!

[@sacredgeometry]

Your videos are inspiring I have been playing pretty extensively for the last 20 years and its reminding me how to play guitar properly after getting bogged down with technique and theory for so long. :)

[@YLEmusic]

Seriously Rick you are a fantastic guitarist and teacher as well. I have never bought an actual package from anyone regarding lessons but i think that you will be the first. Thank you for the free classes and for the inspiration as always. Kind Regards.

[@skidara]

My new favourite guitar teacher!

[@MikeMotoka]

thx rick i've been trying to make the transition from the first guy you described to the approach more aware of the chords and although i think i have a good amount of the theoretical info down its been really hard especially when you have been thinking like the first guy for a long time, this is just what i needed.

[@RandyMassia]

That Suhr is absolutely gorgeous.

[@musicalexcursions]

Great point Rick. This is something I've been trying to get students to understand for quite a while. If you're playing to the chord you're on at the moment rather than just the overall key it should help you play what you mean to play.

[@xRisingForcex]

thanks so much for this video rick!! i keep finding myself coming back to it. it is so illuminating, and has helped tremendously in smoothing out my thoughts regarding jazz improvisation.

[@tunnza69]

This is the first of many of these youtube lessons that ive been able to understand. Great lesson.

[@aaronbergAPB]

Your posture and playing is very controlled. I am learning much by just watching vid's by you. Thank you for the inspiration. I'm growing my own style and with yours in mind. Cheers, ApB

[@TheNewMountain]

Rick thank you so much! I watch all your videos but this one was fantastic to hear. Thank you for going slowly but also giving some guidelines. This is just the sort of teaching that works for me. One question, when you improvise, how much is actually improvised and how much do you have planned out? Whenever I improvise, I find myself making the choice between lagging and really playing the changes or being in the pocket but playing rubbish. Did you ever struggle with this?

[@kingofkingsVAR]

If anyone is gonna save my guitar journey, it's Rick! #GOAT

[@RickGraham]

Thanks Micki! Buying products from my site really help support me to do more free content, thanks!

[@RetroBytesTV]

Easiest one to hear for a beginner is the C#. I would practice using the C# over a Dm7. I would take a look at each shape in my C Key map, and find where all the C#'s are. Then I get a sense for how it sounds over the chord, what it wants me to resolve to, etc. Do the same for G7 and Cmaj7 using C# on both chords. Next add in F# and practice using it over Dm7, if one spends enough time on it, they'd realize it sounds weird over Dm7 but is still a good passing tone.

[@johnnypatterson77]

Man I got to say I understood what you are talking about with trying to keep the root notes in mind, most guys don't describe it this way. So I will listen to what you have to say there is always room for improvement. The targeting comment made all the difference for me so thanks man.

[@Liveleadplayer70]

E dorian C Lydian = D major scale F major scale...as much as I love thinking in modes it's just how i gotta think of it quickly too start with...great lesson man...I really try very hard too be creative with these concepts...it's like i think,"now i know, just know there is an alternative too the obvious first choice". and every little bit helps...thank you very much

[@tritonneptune3834]

His playing inspires me to pick up my guitar

[@gcolnr]

Great stuff! I think, like a lot of people, that I was falling in the trap of looking for the key that made both chords work. In his example, either GMaj or CMaj. With this one lesson, it understood why that thinking was limiting my soloing choices.

[@bobby9847]

Hey rick i just realized you used to be fat. I'm fat too and was even fatter. I got up to 380 by the time i was 18 and I'm 24 and its melting off now. I'm already down 110 pounds and got another 70 or so to go but i plan on swimming my ass off this year. Good work m8 I'm right behind you

[@Riffs4U]

Hey Rick, first of all let me thank you for this video.. That's very understandable explanation. Please do more of it!! Cheers

[@CMM5300]

I definitely like any and all insight about where and when to use what scales.

[@lwilso20]

I just had one of those "lightbulb" moments. My head is filling with new ideas. Thanks a lot.

[@RetroBytesTV]

Not sure how most people visualize the fretboard, but i split the neck up into 5 shapes, and those 5 shapes are arranged on different parts of the neck, (like a slide rule) depending on the key you are in. Within each shape, I learn the diatonic arpeggios off each of the tones. This way I am aware, where the chord tones are. So even when I am thinking of C major when soloing over Dm7-G7-Cmaj7, I still know where each chords arpeggios are, as well as the extention arpeggios.

[@dossman6]

Love your style. The way u end phrases so unique. Full step descending slides. killer

[@Itz_Makoto92]

Finally a video that clears me out this fffffuuuu*** point, the relationship within scales and chords! Thank u very much..gonna feed my thoughts with study!!!

[@georgec6639]

Your series is superb.

[@rmal88]

Brilliant! I love your videos and i love the way you play. One of my favorite guitar players for sure. I wonder if i ever come to the UK, if i'll be able to get private guitar lessons from you? Would LOVE it! Keep going!

[@unfetteredaxes1032]

Thanks Rick! I'm growing, thanks to you brother!

[@SeanAsheOfficial]

Honestly, with improv I've always relied on key centre and then have trusted my ear to lead me to the right notes (sometimes haha). BUT, I'm really glad you put this lesson up, because I have always been looking for a way to approach chord scale theory but until now I haven't 'gotten it'. II do find myself thinking about using other modes over scales, but i haven't approached it from a chord/intervallic perspective. Thanks Rick!

[@Mfiguk]

This is how i see it, if you fancy reading this, two key centres, awesome, 1st key centre, D major , i immediately think of three Major pentatonics related to any Major key centre, they are, the 1, 4, 5 from the D major, which are the D Major pentatonic, the G Major pentatonic and the A Major pentatonic, i then find the relative minor pentatonics, all those years of playing Paul Gilbert pentatonics, so D Major pentatonic is the B minor pentatonic, the 6th, you can do the rest yourselves if you fancy and use the same formula for the G Major key centre, I hope it helps, awesome lesson by Rick, thank you

[@mijit.859]

Love the tonal sound effect etc - 👍

[@RetroBytesTV]

I would then create a back track with a Dm7 vamp and practice inside the C major key center making melodies. Listening to how each note feels over the chord, but most importantly, making melodies. Do the same for G7 and Cmaj7. Practice using each arpeggio in the key of C, and listening to what color each one provides. The next way to go about it is to slowly bring in each outside tone 1 by 1. In C major, that would be Bb, Eb, Ab, F#, and C#.

[@RetroBytesTV]

The point of all of this is to get your ears connected to your fingers. After a while you start to know that if you use a C# (maj7th) over a m7 chord, you get a specific sound. You start to know that if you put your finger down at that specific spot, or phrase it in a specific way, you get that type of sound.

[@BornaMatosic]

Very nice lesson and super cool impro solo!

[@charlielaffer]

in jazz u definately think of each chord seperately (in bebop anyway).. i wouldnt think of Ab mel minor over G, id be "seeing" the extensions. It takes a long time but is worth the hours put in. Wicked lesson Rick, might have to transcribe this solo! cheers

[@OTG4FITNESS]

Awesome! you bring back memories of my high school days.

[@joeleke64]

This has really thaught me a lot! Thank you!

[@mrbullseye]

Oh, I see, I see. very good lesson. I just sat with my gutar and fiddled around with this and by mistake found that if you make the second chord a C7 you can play C lydian dominant for a very interesting sound. I dunno why it sounds good, but it does. Wonderful video, thank you Rick.

[@jsauce666]

Beautifully described.

[@theblackwidder]

LOVE this lesson. Thanks for sharing brother

[@videostar555]

This is the exact kind of lesson I have been hunting for.... Now just need to learn improvisation and to land on the safe notes on these scales/chords. :)

[@RickGraham]

Cheers Dan! Sorry the music is taking so long, will get it done and sent soon mate

[@dogukansezgin4417]

Very good lesson. Thumbs up.

[@ronboy51]

Beautiful solo at the beginning of this lesson, Rick, not just super fast for the sake of "Look how fast I can play", but real structure and creativity. Some great ideas here and an excellent lesson. One small thing, and it's not really a criticism, but merely a word of advice. You might want to check your volume levels when you record your videos, in comparison to other videos on You Tube. I know they do vary a lot, but your's almost blew my windows out before I managed to grab the volume control.

[@RetroBytesTV]

I have seen people explain a ii-V-I in C major as playing D dorian over the ii, G mixolydian over the V, and C ionian over the I. To me that is way too much thinking, especially since one is getting no benefit since all those "scales" are the same notes. I personally think the key center approach is a much better idea, and in order to get the hipper sounds, using the 5 outside tones to generate your lines. It is all about learning how the notes sound in relation to the chord.

[@Timothy_Cooper]

Rick, I adore your playing. I have spent a long time studying theory but have yet to understand "key centers" or "tone centers" . I mainly want play rock, but I would like to know and feel the "centers" of what mode or pentatonic scale I should jam over the chords. I don't get jazz theory yet. I do adore your style. It is a matter of knowing what the key center or note center that I am at a loss to understand.

[@DanHomephysique]

Nice video Rick... If I ever try to learn guitar again I'm sure these videos will help me get the job done!

[@glennk1931]

Awesome playing.. Awesome video.. Thanks you..

[@bobbydhal2199]

you will have everlasting life !!!!!!! thank you for sharing your gift

[@RetroBytesTV]

You might not realize that essentially you are using a D melodic minor scale by using the C#, but you can always learn that after the fact (or not). The most important aspect is that now you have that sound cataloged in your head, and can call upon it. I personally feel this is a much better method than the chord scale theory, because if you were to tell the student that he can use a D melodic minor scale over the Dm7, I feel the student wouldn't really get a grasp on exactly what he is doing.

[@AdamIronside]

Great lesson man! This is the logical next step after learning about playing diatonically / in keys.

[@Vanadeo]

Dude you're awesome! Thanks for your time for posting these lessons!.

[@SixStringsOfWonder]

Wow this is so insightful.

[@gitsurfer27]

Wow really incredible lesson man thankyou so much! ive just learnt more about solo theory in those 13 minutes than ive managed to learn in months previous. im not an unexperienced played but i lack knowledge and this has opened many doors for me, once again awesome lesson dude! liked subscribed and on the mailing list.

[@ubershredder1989]

DAMN rick i just watched a video of you playing when you were 19, i didnt realize you were such Jason Becker fan. That part from temple of the absurd sounds totally sickkkk. if u have a moment check out my Perpetual Burn cover!!! :)

[@MrVdMeulen]

Hey Rick, I was wondering how you make the decision to go for the D-Dorian scale on the first chord and C-Lydian on the second one. Can you use this on any chord progression? Your videos are really helpfull, thank you!

[@Lydian7lc]

awesome stuff rick, i been waitin for more lessons like this

[@benthompson7221]

Great lesson

[@Carlguitar69]

I played by ear for years before I knew any theory. Jamming with anyone I could really helped my ear. I then tried to apply Bruce Lees flow like water approach to legato and just getting around the neck. Is the approach in this video like what Satch refers to as "pitch axis"? Sorry to be a tad nerdy. Great playing dude. Id love to hear the same thing on the neck pickup with the volume about 4. Now thats nerdy lol.

[@claudiuteodorescu1]

This is a really great knowledge-lesson. Thanks a lot!

[@guismth]

Thank you Rick!

[@BugraSisman]

Great Lesson Rick. Your all lessons are priceless! Do you set up your camera manual focus or autofocus?

[@jcfiallos]

Hey Rick, your good sound is one of the main reasons why I will buy the Axe Fx II, do you share your patches or sell them?, just curious, nice tone man! incredible

[@xRisingForcex]

immense and very insightful. thanks for this video rick.

[@ZackBrannon]

this kind of stuff is just what I need, subbed

[@RetroBytesTV]

Where as with the way I approach things, I'm still thinking of the C major scale fretboard map that I have always used, I just know where all the C#'s/maj7th notes are located and make a slight alteration, but i never really have to learn a new scale fingering. Also, I can have a choice between usng the C# or using the C. If you tell a student to use D melodic minor, he will be in that scale, and now he's always using the C#, because he's tied to a new fingering.

[@QGMODS]

nice video mate! any chance we'll get to see and hear that Ibanez again?

[@blakstallion]

Great flavours....yer a good player

[@BrentMarchMusic]

fantastic tips! what audio interface and software package are you using to record mate? sounds great!

[@marcossarmiento3334]

nice lesson very interesting sir

[@adilmiyanimran8269]

chromatic over blues scale.. love it

[@nickvareymusic]

Very heavy on the theory, which is not a bad thing! It makes sense to me but I personally would've preferred a few examples of how you would utilise your practice. Nice solo and tone at the beginning!

[@HamsterSpanks]

Thanks for the lesson brother! C- Lydian has the same notes as G-major, just "Think" Lydian right? Thanks again man, I am going to subscribe to your website now.

[@MrMetalbarD]

u are just AMAZING DUDE .... GREAT VIDEO .

[@Frytekma]

maybe try this with more folded progression, because i've never been tought to change Key in order to improve something... u can use scales which belongs to this key-in your example-Gmajor or Eminor i think so take the notes of Gmajor and name the scales(G ionian, A dorian etc.) i think :) maybe you can answer me?(im not attacking u or sth, just want to know :)

[@DivorcedFL]

Genius. Where's my looper pedal, I need to practice this!!

[@tomathor]

that is a rickdiculusly good lesson

[@EsotericDeathLegion]

Ha gay!

[@Chriselectricfingers]

rite on best way to impro would be for me to fallow intonation of the progression the rythem is played that way u cover a broad neck of modes aspect vs using the maj as ur root nd then fallow , in deed bro cool point.

[@penandplugs]

Just...mind=blown. Subbed, and eating at your every word from now on.

[@rickgrebenik7513]

This guy is top notch

[@christianmontes6213]

What would it sound like if you were to alternate between dorian and aeolian on the Em? I'll give it a try today, thanks for the great lessons rick.

[@jmgmetal]

Christian Montes Throw the minor pentatonic in there as well for those "mean feels"!

[@UNGETABLE7]

Intro song? Thanks and have a great one Rick!

[@RetroBytesTV]

I personally think that unless one specifically worked on using the F# over the Dm7, he/she wouldn't know it's possibilities. General theory would say that is a bad note to play over Dm7 but it isn't necessarily true. It's true if you hang on that note, but if you use the note to color your lines as a passing tone, it works very well. Again, would be hard to know unless specifically working with that note.

[@bcmarcos03]

Thanks dude. Im going to try this. Always see a minor chord like dorian and major chord like frigian. That #4 and major 6 will make the difference in my solos. Im sure of this! Thanks again.

[@manicster]

What about using the C major stuff too using C as the I and E as the III

[@JoseBarahonajrab66]

great content man :), greetings from el salvador.

[@jacobwisenbach1234]

I was wondering if you could explain reasons why you would use phrygian over a minor 7 chord? Also I was wondering if you have any thoughts on bebop scales or scales with chromatic passing tones to imply different tonalities Ex. Mixolydian with an added natural 7

[@elkuervojuarez1890]

Rick i think you is on fire bro. I have played for years and your classes are finetuning a lot of skills i already had but with your help i am a better player more accurate and more focused ... big fan of you ... and i seriously cannot for the life of me understand anyone who would have any reason to to put you down bro . Thsnkyou for the knowledge you share with us. .. p.s ... i know the strat has that twangy thing ... but if there is one thing is that .. long live ibanez. Love your custom texas mega pink 6 stting thing... should use that a lot more ... only joking strat away if you must ...

[@matthewscherer9681]

great lesson! I'm interested to know why you chose Dorian over the m7 chord? The major 6th in dorian always sounds off to me unless it's included in the progression

[@kanemiller103]

This is also known as modal interchange ? great video btw

[@espltd1815]

I ordered a download from your website....Its been days.....

[@arthurneroshchin5015]

what kind of pickups are these? they sound awesome

[@Myckey6]

Awesome person

[@CurtistheGuitarist]

thanks rick!

[@mo3225-c8r]

I somehow think of it in a different way: for the Em7 I´d think E dorian, then when the Cmaj7 comes I would think E aeolian, cause that´s the kinda sond/vibe I get from it...

[@DanHomephysique]

Don't sweat it dude, still loving the sweet outro you did for me :)