Simple Steps to Melodic Guitar Solos | Targeting Root Notes

[@salantino]

FINALLY !!!!. This is the lesson I have been searching for more than a decade. A huge PENNY has just dropped in front of me . Thank you very much

[@GregShute]

That’s so good to hear! I’m so pleased that you found this video useful, it really is the key to unlocking more melodic soloing. I wish you every success with your future playing!

[@iamgumbydammit2217]

Straightforward and understandable. Well done. Wish I’d come across this video before I spent years hounding this out by ear on my own!

[@frankswildyear]

You are a gifted teacher. Thank you so much

[@GregShute]

frankswildyear thank you! Really appreciate that!

[@rajennaidoo7]

By chance trolled upon your channel. Excellent tutorial on soloing which seems so daunting to beginner /intermediate player. You unveiled the shroud of mystery so simply. Back to basics. My ego got the upperhand and I tried to walk before crawling. Going to follow these steps, get comfy then the rest just happens as a process. Last but not least you excellently demonstrated that 'simplicity is indeed the ultimate sophistication!' Profoundly grateful for this. Warm regards from Sunny South Africa.

[@GregShute]

Thanks so much for your comment. I’m really glad you found the video useful and that it has helped to demystify some of these concepts. You’re right, the process is so important, build on what you already have in a well paced and thorough way and you’ll be making progress constantly. All the best with your future playing. Greg

[@arabar1111]

Thanks mon! Basic stuff! You make it sound so easy!

[@herbiherb196]

yes man... 👍👍👍 great job, greetings from Vienna

[@GregShute]

Thank you 😊

[@Roman-is4jj]

Thank you for this valuable lesson.

[@GregShute]

Hi Roman, thanks for your comment. I'm really glad you found the lesson useful!

[@MillieWarhamcheckedandvetted]

When I listen.to.you playing its the same feeling as receiving a gift

[@GregShute]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment Millie. Really glad you enjoyed it :)

[@georgerose1315]

Awesome lesson. Thanx! Very helpful and explained well!

[@GregShute]

Thank you! Glad you found it useful!

[@breath55]

Oh My Word !! Lightbulb Moment right here. Thanks ever so much

[@GregShute]

That's great to hear! So glad it was useful to you!

[@mitheory3757]

Thanks Greg really practical lesson makes sense should tidy up my hit and miss technique lol

[@GregShute]

Glad you found it useful! All the best with your playing!

[@lesliecumberland834]

Great lesson eapecially being able to use the Backing track to play along to Thanks OLD man here wish I could afford lessons really enjoyed this lesson Greg

[@FirstLast-nn2bj]

Excellent lesson!

[@GregShute]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@MustafaBaabad]

Simple and sensible yet very melodious. Thank you very much. Cheers from Java.

[@GregShute]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video. 😊

[@acaraleow2997]

One of the best step by step note targeting solo lesson..finally I understand the way to go to soloing. A learner guitarist like me must really know the notes of the fretboard perfectly well to go far in soloing. Thanks Greg. Awesome. Not forgetting, one needs a good ear to hear the changing notes too.

[@GregShute]

Thanks so much for your comment, I really appreciate the kind words. I'm so glad you found it useful and it helped with your soloing! You're absolutely right, learning note names and using your ear are two really huge parts of improving ourselves as guitar players, and musicians in general! All the best!

[@johnmacmillan627]

Thx Greg, very helpful for my level

[@GregShute]

Really glad you found it useful!

[@ivo0007]

This was great, thank you!!!!!!

[@GregShute]

You’re welcome, glad you found it useful!

[@johnbetancourt2718]

Thank you great lesson.

[@GregShute]

Glad you liked it!

[@thewolfofthefs6334]

super lesson thank you. thank you thank you

[@thewolfofthefs6334]

more of these please. I understand the changes much better, can you do lessons that include the 1, 5 and 7? and the third, can't forget that third.

[@GregShute]

Thanks for your comment, I’m glad you found it useful! Yes I plan on doing more of these very soon! 😊

[@blueskilla6]

this def adds some flavor to solo, thanks man

[@GregShute]

Glad you found it useful! Thanks

[@blueskilla6]

@@GregShute btw do you have any ideas/videos on how to learn the fretboard and internalize it?? it’s something i’ve been struggling with

[@satchrules101]

Very good lesson ! Wish I had this lesson years ago! Subbed

[@GregShute]

Thank you! Really glad you found it useful!

[@HektorBandimar]

At last! I understand what is meant by root notes and soloing over chords, great lesson, thank you.

[@tag243]

Thank you!

[@Data.Monster]

Awesome tutorial Greg, so simple ... thanks!

[@GregShute]

Thanks for commenting Pablo, really glad you found it useful!

[@nelson3d867]

Very helpfull. Thank you.

[@GregShute]

Glad you found it useful!

[@GaryPfingstl]

It's the Albert King box. Also referred to as the house of blues. The BB King box is 2 frets higher in the 3rd position.

[@GregShute]

Yes you’re right. Mixed up my King boxes in the video! Thanks for the correction.

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

Just found your channel. I've been working on targeting root notes but trying to learn licks that get me to those root notes seems to be more of a problem for me then knowing where they are in the progression...

[@jesterraj]

Yep that's me.....great lesson!

[@GregShute]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@marcoosorio1825]

The intro is beautiful

[@wilmoney4619]

This is the best lesson ive seen of basic soloing. Subscribed sir.

[@GregShute]

Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed it. 🙏

[@arturomelendez7262]

I finally understood this. Thanks a lot!

[@GregShute]

Thank you! Glad you found it useful!

[@otep6800]

This video is so high quality its suprising how you only have 180 subs, good video man

[@GregShute]

Thanks man appreciate it! Hoping to keep growing the channel in the future.

[@otep6800]

@@GregShute can u upload your backing tracks? They can be really helpful in your lessons 🙂

[@GregShute]

@@otep6800 The backing in this video is just on my looper but I have a playlist of backing tracks which you can find here kzbin.info/aero/PLz8HZu2bN0UQB9V2Ak99BUmmsBtmMZei5 I'll be adding more to this soon so I hope you find something that you can use! Thanks again

[@michaelmiller1424]

Thank you for this excellent, easy to understand lesson. Solved a few puzzles for me.

[@GregShute]

Thank you! So glad it was useful to you.

[@ivanjasek6282]

Great great explanation. Thank you. Your Tele rocks! 🎸

[@GregShute]

Thank you, glad you found it helpful! 😊

[@preopticfear]

Great lesson

[@GregShute]

Thanks Kyle, glad you enjoyed it!

[@hannahpate6787]

This has been the most helpful video yet for me!

[@GregShute]

Hi Hannah, that’s great to hear. I’m glad you found it helpful!

[@kalrasmussen4780]

Great lesson You explained it so neatly and completely. Melodically speaking of course ☺️ This has taken me to the next step Thank you so much

[@GregShute]

Thank you. I’m so glad it helped you! 😊

[@johndambrosio1568]

Cool song! What is the name of the backing track used for this?❤

[@GregShute]

Hi, thanks for your comment! The backing was actually just a loop in the key of A minor that I created for the video, but you can apply these concepts to any blues based backing track. Cheers

[@bws1billsimpson362]

Thank you for this. 1. Can you play any “scale” notes in between the chord tone target notes, to fill in or lead into the target note? Or try to stay in that small area? 2. When the chord change quickly, do you still attempt to target each chord tone? Thanks for a clear and outstanding video.

[@GregShute]

Thank you for your comment and apologies for the slow reply! To try and answer your questions.. 1. Yes absolutely! Think of the chord tones as the most resolved sound over each chord, the other notes in the scale will create varying degrees of tension against each chord. This can be analysed further but I would recommend using your ear as a guide at first, the good old saying “if it sounds good, it is good” is always worth keeping at the forefront of your mind! It’s the tension and release that will ultimately give you the most melodic sounding solos. By understanding which notes outline each chord, you will have a much better command of your lead guitar playing. 2. If by the chord changing quickly you mean a passing chord which lasts for only a beat or two, then you don’t need to be as concerned with all the chord tones for that chord, simple is almost always best, so maybe choose a couple of notes that outline the sound of the movement. A lot depends on where the chord progression ‘rests’ as this will ultimately determine where the melody wants to resolve. Again, it’s important to use your ear to determine whether your note choices work over the fast chord change. By relating the chord to the scale you are using you will be less inclined to guess which notes sound good and have a more informed approach. I hope that makes sense and answers your questions! I haven’t been too active on my channel recently for one reason or another but I have plans to do more videos like this so I hope you find those useful as well! Cheers, Greg

[@tombombadill22]

Terrific!

[@GregShute]

Thank you!

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

Wonderful lesson and very easy to understand!! Like the folks used to say about using the “KISS” system “Keep It Simple Stupid” Your a great teacher! Love that Telecaster!! Reminds me of the one played by Merle Haggard.

[@GregShute]

Thank you so much for your comment. I’m really glad you found the lesson useful!

[@jimmyg9814]

This is great content, thank you!

[@GregShute]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@A_majorGaming]

Damn brother thank you so much.

[@johnmacmillan627]

Thx Greg. When soloing and changing to another chord do you lead up to the root note of the new chord via the 7th note of the previous chord. It seems to sound better that way than jumping from the root note to the new root note?

[@GregShute]

Hi John, thanks for your comment. The 7th certainly has a strong pull to the root note, but you can really use any note in the scale you like. Landing on the root note gives the strongest sense of a shift to another new chord and for any player who is starting out with chord tone soloing it is the easiest way in, but there are ultimately many different notes you can target over a chord change. The key is to experiment and find what sounds good to you. As you become more and more confident with the ability to target notes, you should find that your improvising sounds more intentional and melodic. Hope that helps! Greg

[@stephenbrumlow931]

Great video and great concept! I think the extension is actually the Albert King though.

[@GregShute]

Thanks Stephen, I'm glad you found it useful! You're absolutely right it is the Albert King box! I hadn't realised I'd made that mistake! Thanks for pointing it out. The BB box would in fact be 2 frets higher than the one in the video! Cheers, Greg

[@milossimicsimo]

This is super helpful!! Thanks. Easy and well explained! Thanks :D!!!

[@GregShute]

Thank you! So pleased you found it helpful!

[@milossimicsimo]

@@GregShute Oh no sir! It is not just helpful no no! This short video resolved a few questions I had for a long long time :D. I'm sharing this to all my friends who are learning guitar :D!! BTW: Watched some other videos of yours, they are awesome as well :D! This is good stuff! Thanks again!

[@GregShute]

@@milossimicsimo Wow, thanks again! It's so nice to know that this has helped you to discover new things and answer long standing questions! That's my aim with these videos! Thanks for checking out my other videos too. I have many more planned so hopefully you'll benefit from those too! Cheers, Greg

[@philamrango4609]

Thanks man that cool

[@GregShute]

You’re welcome! Thanks

[@kavish.agrawal]

Beautifully explained, would you say that when you land on certain notes with the backing track, the harmony it creates makes it sound interesting? Thanks! Really appreciate the effort!😊

[@GregShute]

Thanks for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😊. Yes, all notes that you play will create a different harmony against the chords in the backing track. By learning how each note is functioning, ie what intervallic relationship it has with the chord, we can create more interesting and melodic solos. The use of tension and release is key to that. Hope that helps!

[@kavish.agrawal]

@@GregShute Understood, thanks !

[@julesavalon9061]

your tele is so sick thanks you deserve far morev views

[@GregShute]

Thanks! I really appreciate that! I love the Tele too!

[@geniodiez7432]

Nice one , bro !

[@GregShute]

Thank you!

[@brownpunk1794]

Great vid..new viewer here..can u help me pls..im learning a song in key of g sharp..what would a sad sounding scale u wud recommend? Apart from the g sharp minor scale. Cheers

[@GregShute]

Hi, thanks for your comment. The answer to your question really depends on the chords used in the song and whether the key centre is indeed G# minor. I would encourage you to think of how the notes in any scale sound over the indiviual chords in the piece of music. By listening to the relationship of the notes in the scale against the chord you play them over you can create melodies that sound 'sad' to you. I hope that helps!

[@wulfrache]

Where can i find some intermediate to begginer lessons?

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I’ve played guitar for 25 years without ever knowing a scale. I self taught myself to play by ear. But I can’t improvise 🤦‍♂️. I have to have a melody to hear and mimic, I can’t just float around the fretboard and make it up. I regret not learning this stuff years ago. Now I’m 38 and don’t learn as well as I used to lol So what I’m learning is you gotta hit the root note with every chord change? Just like changing chords in a song you change target root note ? When Chord changes you start and finish with the root note and the notes in between sound good

[@GregShute]

Hi, thanks for your comment. Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and got something useful from it! Hitting the root notes is really just the start, it’s a great way of hearing your solos match the chord changes which can ultimately lead to more melody in your playing. Once you start to feel confident with root notes you can progress to targeting other notes found within the chords which will give you many more possibilities. Trust your ears and back that up with fretboard knowledge and the music should follow! Happy playing! Cheers, Greg 🎸

[@jeffreybonto4173]

Simple yet effective! Thanks for sharing!

[@GregShute]

Glad you found it useful! Thanks for commenting!

[@Fghxegd]

Im two years late but thank you👍❤️😂 quality content

[@GregShute]

Thank you! Glad you found it! 😀

[@rogelioybarra4068]

Any tabs for this

[@davidguthrie3739]

Can’t believe I’m one of the charter followers. You deserve a few zeros added to your subscriber number.

[@GregShute]

Thanks for saying this David, I really appreciate the support! It's great to know people are enjoying the videos!