Soloing with Thirds and Sixths on the Guitar

An explanation of thirds and sixths on the guitar, and how to use them in solos.
For more information about my teaching, and my long career in music, here's my website: www.pfmusic.co.

[@jasonkesser]

This is the perfect example of a lesson that explains something simply, but is as complex as you want it to be, and is able to give a wide variety of ways to explore, practice, and apply in a short KZbin length video. I’ve watched probably 50 videos on thirds. This should serve as a lesson to youtube teachers as much as guitarists. Well done sir...massively appreciated.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Many thanks Jason, I appreciate you taking the time to post this very kind comment.

[@leonardoeloi67]

This is pure gold.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks.

[@marcofranko2]

I come back to this lesson a lot.

[@drew1up943]

Awesome video on thirds and sixths! I appreciate the demonstrations on ideas on how to use them. I learned a lot. Can't wait to get home and try it out.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Andrew!

[@bartjelories]

This lesson is important for beginners, its connecting some dots. Tnx

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Bart.

[@matinee310]

Excellent!!!!! After all these years it now makes sense! Thanks!!!!!

[@totaitunuiparai3450]

ive been trying to figure out how to play like this for so long..thank you for sharing.

[@PeteFGuitar]

You're welcome +Totai Tunui Parai, thanks for watching.

[@jamesgormley9840]

Love your lessons! Great content. Always learn something new when ever I watch one of your videos. Please keep doing exactly what you do. Thank you...

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks James!

[@LiveToPlayGuitar]

Thanks Pete! Very nicely done...look forward to future lessons...

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thank you, watch this space!

[@tapecknows]

Thank you for this video Pete! I can say I've learned something new today and your improv at the end was great to put everything together. I'll definitely check out your other videos now

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Daylo!

[@mookytc]

Very nice lesson Pete! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@mookytc]

I will say the material was explained well and I can go up and down the board with thirds. That said there is a mental block with sixths. Just invert (meaning opposite of thirds) it right? Trying to play the C Major scale with sixths, 5th string root third fret and it is not clicking like it needs to. Old dog here sometimes the tricks take a bit.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Yes, sixths are simply "upside-down" thirds. For example C and a higher E, becomes the same E with a higher C, on octave above the original C.

[@mookytc]

Cheers...thx again!

[@downhill240]

Lessons clearly explained here! Thanks for sharing!!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks +downhill240!

[@drutgat2]

Thanks very much, Pete.

[@PeteFGuitar]

You're welcome!

[@JNITLOST]

Many thanks Pete - I have learnt a lot

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks +John Austin.

[@pedrokarandeniya162]

Hi Pete enjoy your lesson from Sunny Spain. Thks

[@PeteFGuitar]

Gracias +Pedro Karandeniya. I played a very enjoyable show in Gijón recently with Sister Cookie, and we're planning to return to Spain in December. Thanks for watching!

[@pleaseu2nite]

Great lesson love it, a whole new world just opened up for me thank you

[@marcofranko2]

I keep coming back to this lesson, I've just about know how and when I can use them. My friend's, it takes work, but its WORTH IT. Thank you Professor Pete. " Seriously "

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Marc.

[@ambroseharper8316]

Very good indeed, many thanks 😊

[@PeteFGuitar]

You’re very welcome.

[@nmchugh1]

Good lesson Pete, I had no idea the lower note from the third turned upside down became a 6th? A lot of teachers don't give an explanation as to what could go wrong? No wonder I was getting lost in the music theory of it all!!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks +Nidge 68, I'm happy to help. Thanks for watching.

[@muhypno]

Thanks Pete, very helpful!

[@PeteFGuitar]

You're welcome Mike Uttley, thanks for watching.

[@omarjiffrey5475]

I wish I knew this a long time ago

[@PeteFGuitar]

Better late than never Omar! Thanks for watching. :)

[@dudamachao]

excelente aula . . mesmo sem entender o inglês rsrs . . parabéns

[@jimhouse9961]

Good stuff! Thanks mate.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks for watching Jim. :)

[@SnapPunchRobert]

Very clear lesson. Thanks. :)

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks.

[@paulcrooks4467]

Good lessons

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Paul.

[@BaileysMariner]

Oh wow this is amazing thank you

[@PeteFGuitar]

How kind of you to say so, many thanks.

[@heatmanable]

Nice job ..

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks +mickey dono.

[@davidjohnrobinson2887]

Would like to see that demo in tab form. Can"t see what"s going on even in slow mode. Thanks

[@trevormason3825]

This ❤️🙌 thank you

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Trevor.

[@garyh9740]

I think I hear how Angus Young gets his ringing blues notes out of this "trick" with the lead in thirds technique!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks for watching +gary h!

[@opiekundps8806]

Hi I have "problem" :)when I started to learn music ,I focus on chords and scales and created nasty habit in this way - habit of mindless playing scales instead of music. How to get rid of it? Besides there is something more No one taught me how to compose in different music generes I would like to know how to arrange accompaniment which is based on a simple C major chord,once will be flamenco then the country, funk,bossa etc etc The same chord, harmony is the same, the same notes but different genres - how to do it for jumping between different styles?

[@PeteFGuitar]

Hi +Opiekun Dps. Daily practice, and lessons from a qualified professional teacher. Thanks for watching.

[@king-ci4ob]

good... but where is tat black semi solid guitar? damn i like tat guitar

[@masulsa40]

When playing the 6th, root note is on the highest string?

[@PeteFGuitar]

Yes, that is correct.

[@masulsa40]

thanks!!!

[@benmurray1019]

Cheers for the lesson, really cleared a few things up :) Also great playing, your improve at the end was fantastic to watch :)

[@lowbias]

Fantastic lesson, thank you! Some feedback for you : I found it confusing to have the diagrams rotate from chords to the intervals. New subscriber!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks.

[@JNITLOST]

Hi Pete - John again. I understand your video a bit more now BUT one last thing. "Sweet Little Sixteen" intro has a note on 1st string fret 11 ie Eflat which is not in the scales of A or Am? Don't understand this at the moment could you please enlighten me - Many thanks

[@PeteFGuitar]

Hi +John Austin. If it's this version you're talking about kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2eYoJmBipuLbKM it's in the key of C major, and the chord during the intro is a G7. Chuck goes from G + B down to D + F, which if you put them together are the notes of the G7 chord. Some of the thirds in between are deliberately dissonant passing chords, which create momentary harmonic tension, which gets resolved by the strong statement of G7 followed by C. The importrant thing is, it sounds great!

[@paulodon3382]

Wow!!!!!....I love this tutorial ❤, wel explained with exercises. Thank you so much for giving me another knowledge.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richardngila7838]

Thanks for the lesson ,requesting also tutorial on 4ths,5ths,8ths(octaves)and 10nths , thanks once more and a'm looking forward for the lessons

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks for watching. I am available for private online lessons.

[@nicolim6656]

Great video! Are you using hybrid picking alot in that improv part at the end? Would love to see more vids on how to use thirds and sixths!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Nico. Yes, hybrid picking.

[@dekzan]

Why there are both major and minor thirds when you played the major C in 3rds ? Shouldn't all be major 3rds ? Did you use bogh just to sound better ?

[@PeteFGuitar]

Good question. Major scales contain both major and minor intervals, because the gaps between the notes are not equal. You've probably heard of the major scale formula: tone tone semitone, tone tone tone semitone. So some of the notes are two step apart, while some are one step apart. So when we move up the scale in thirds, sometimes the two notes are four semitones apart, like C and E (a major third), while others are only three semitones apart like D and F (a minor third). If we altered the scale to make it all major thirds, then we would have to use notes that are outside of the C major scale, like F#. I hope that helps. Watch this video also... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH6spneoaMyAe5Y

[@dupsazimut2273]

On Sixths, how do you play without playing the intermediate string ? You play with two fingers at the same time ?

[@PeteFGuitar]

Hybrid picking - Use the pick on the lower-pitched string, and the middle finger of the picking hand on the higher-pitched string.

[@benstern310]

if you carried on playing the c over a f chord, would that become a mode?

[@PeteFGuitar]

No JJ. Have a look at this to learn about modes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJS0lqZ3lNKUarM

[@shaunmcinnis1960]

Beautiful stuff Pete.I've Been trying to incorporate harmonies in my solos, so this was very encouraging.it adds so much to any melody.Your a very good player and teacher, thanks for posting Pete!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Many thanks Shaun.

[@halimzaghdoudi1124]

ahh so pentatonik gets rid of the differentiating thirds which is why you dont have to change anything during chord progressions when using pentatonik, right?

[@PeteFGuitar]

Yes, the pentatonic major scale doesn't contain the perfect fourth or major seventh, so you are less likely to play notes that sound unresolved against the chords when you use it.

[@EdgardoPlasencia]

I was missing the English of my piano students in London... Great lesson !

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@dekzan]

Great lesson on the subject. Very objective, rather than unecessary bla bla bla. Thanks for saving my time and helping me to learn and improve.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@bryanreed4268]

I've been playing the guitar for over 20 years and only sometimes studying it.😉 But lately it's been time expand my repertoire. It's amazing the next steps that you can take when you take the time to learn some things. Your video is really useful! Beautiful sounds and pretty simple, movable patterns to access them. Over the next couple weeks it will be your lesson that guides my practice. Thank you!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Hi Bryan Reed, I'm really pleased that my lesson has helped you. Thanks for watching, all the best.

[@bruceewing166]

Thanks Pete very helpful

[@SketchingRocks]

Sorry Pete I just can't grasp this lesson. LOST on the keyboard (fretboard lol) :(

[@PeteFGuitar]

Keep trying Greg. Eventually it'll make sense.

[@SketchingRocks]

@@PeteFGuitar I am thks

[@jimmyperinientertainment2832]

i guess you use the g c and d thirds and sixths when it's their time to play ? it's hard to see

[@PeteFGuitar]

Yes that’s correct.

[@JimmyWestra]

You went from 3rds in Major or Minor to positions and note placement, leaving out whether the new note placements were Majors or Minor 3rds. Are you saying intervals in scales are all; Major Minor Minor (1 Major 3rd, 2 Minor 3rds, ect) in consecutive Intervals after 2minor 3rds a major 3rd is the next position as a rule? Then you went to rules of not Major or minor 3rds , but rules broken of C scale as compares to F scale, and left out whether positioning and intervals were the same to using a sharp or flat in a 3rd note, in the F scale, which is a given if you are playing in F isn't it (Bb)? Are those intervals in F 3rds still Major-Minor-Minor-Major-Minor-Minor?

[@PeteFGuitar]

Yes, major-minor-minor, which is why when playing over the F chord the second third contains a Bb, which is outside of the key of C major. If you need a justification, just accept that the key temporarily changes to F while the F chord is being played.

[@skatetodeath666]

could I do the same shapes of thirds for the other chords but further up the neck ? I see jhonny winter doing these minor thirds a lot same with SRV and looked like they do them always from the first minor pentatonic shape usually. I am just trying to figure these out lol

[@PeteFGuitar]

Yes +sinister steve, that's exactly right. Move the patterns up the neck to match with the chord changes. Thanks for watching.

[@skatetodeath666]

+Pete Farrugia Guitar Teacher great thanks for clearing that up.

[@rfd66]

interesting. i just wish that you made you camera shots on your fingers closer and clearer so the i could see the actual fingering. the box that appears in the left hand does match what your fingering on the neck is ( at least as far as i can see). but if you close up on the fingers it would help. thank you for making the video. everything helps. i hear the beginning of cat stevens' peace train starting at 5:35. interesting to know how that works. thanks again.

[@b123kotey]

Good, honest and straight forward approach to teaching. Refreshing.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@crashdaddy261]

Fantastic. Pls don't delete as it's now in my library.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks.

[@jolojolartbali9703]

From indonesia

[@michaeldusso6882]

EXCELLENT…..many THNX !!!

[@PeteFGuitar]

@@michaeldusso6882 Thanks!

[@MetalliDay]

This maybe of topic but is it me or this guy's sounds like daz from Daz games

[@chrisoliver665]

Excellent tutorial. Many thanks.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@peterjensen8033]

Great lesson ! Thanks alot for sharing 🙂

[@PeteFGuitar]

You’re welcome, thanks!

[@nirajtanti8618]

Am angry at you for not finding you sooner... I so much was looking for this...

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Niraj.

[@anamrajbhandari6593]

Wow 😮

[@landon.cunningham]

This is a great lesson !

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@williamocallaghan5504]

Hi Peter always dug your lessons 🎸

[@PeteFGuitar]

Glad you like them!

[@marnel7787]

I have to wonder- In the second exercise with the A E F#m and D, Why didn't you play the same intervals over the D as you did with the E? Is it because you were keeping to the G scale?

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks for watching Marty. I did play the same intervals over the D and E chords. You may be confusing these patterns with the different intervals I used over the F#m chord. There is no G scale here by the way, this exercise is in the key of A. I hope that helps.

[@marnel7787]

@@PeteFGuitar Sorry, I guess I meant to say key of A. But what I'm seeing, is for the E chord, the third interval is 2nd and 4th string over the same fret (7th fret), and for the D chord, the third interval is 2nd and forth string One fret apart ( 5th + 6th fret). I really appreciate videos like this. I'm just trying to understand- Why things work the way they do. Is it just a matter of preference? Because if I play the third interval of that D pattern with the second and fourth strings on the 5th fret, it still sound's right. Thanks for your reply by the way.

[@marnel7787]

So I figured out the A intervals on all the strings, and I see that the fifth and six fret on the 2nd and 4th string is the particular interval for that key. Thanks for making me think. Sometimes we can answer our own questions just by using fret board logic.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Marty Nellessen I think you need to watch again, from 8 minutes onwards. Listen to what I’m saying, and also look at the tab at the top right of the screen. The third interval for both D and E are at the same fret, in fact the E intervals are the same as D, but consistently two frets higher.

[@lynmaher112]

Thank you.... one of the easiest lesson's to understand... thank you thank you.... it filled in a lots of gaps for me.!!!!!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Splendid! I'm so pleased that my video helped you. Thanks Lyn.

[@ChrisEllis1]

Just the thing I was looking for to add some sauce to my fingerpicking. Thanks.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Chris.

[@einc70]

really nice thanks.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks for watching and commentig +einc70.

[@lokigui]

just great, thanks much.

[@PeteFGuitar]

You're welcome!

[@dudeman8350]

No offense I do love learning from you

[@PeteFGuitar]

None taken Mike Fix, but if you want to see sweep picking and shredding, then there are plenty of other channels for that! No disrespect to Yngwie, what he does is very clever and takes a lot of practice, but it's really not my bag, I go for rootsy music with passion and feel over technique.

[@MrJoeyBoombotz]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks very much +MrJoeyBoombotz.

[@aloysiusAAJ]

Yeah Pete, I should like to add my thanks to you for setting it all out so clearly. Can the same thing be done for major and minor fourths? (I can't get my head round what their mirror images are)...finding an answer to this will prove instructive...

[@bryanreed4268]

Hi Pete, I wonder if there is a similar thirds and sixths lesson/example/orientation for playing blues guitar. Any pointers? Thanks 😊

[@PeteFGuitar]

Hi Bryan Reed, yes, you can do a lot with thirds and sixths in the blues. Remember that blues chords are usually dominant sevenths, so for each chord you can play a minor third interval between the fifth and the minor seventh. For example in the key of E, over the E7 chord, hold down the 2nd string at the 12th fret, and the 1st string at the 10th fret. There are several other thirds that also work. You could always book a Skype lesson with me. Details are on my website www.pfmusic.co.

[@edphaze6550]

Great lesson! Made me want to play Brown Eyed Girl from Van Morrison.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Ed. Yes, that's a very good example of this style.

[@marcofranko2]

He is the best, and knows music theory and always goes straight to the lesson. He is giving away two years of lessons. Dumping my drums, I have always wanted to be a solid guitarist.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Marc.

[@denispickering5660]

i love it. Thank you,

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks.

[@kevnkim1958]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This is one of the best of seen and I viewed LOTS! Much appreciated mate.👏👏👍

[@PeteFGuitar]

Many thanks Kev!

[@townbeach3603]

What kind of guitar is it

[@PeteFGuitar]

PRS Swamp Ash Special.

[@plan9guitar600]

Great lesson!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@PC-ko6dy]

Thank you, very informative. Have question - what about minor 3rds what are the equivalent shapes if you are playing over minor chords? Tks.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Good question. To understand this, you need to first understand the concept of relative minors. All 12 major scales have a relative natural minor scale, that consists of exactly the same notes. Go to the sixth note of the major scale, and that is the root note of the relative minor. For example, C major's relative is A minor. Because the notes are the same, so are the chords. Also, because these thirds and sixths are derived from the triad (three-note) chords, then the thrid and sixth patterns for C major, will also work with A minor. I hope that helps.

[@davidjohnrobinson2887]

Hi Pete. Could you show us that solo using 3rd"s & 6"s in slow mo! Got no idea how to stitch them in.Great work by the way. Ta, John

[@PeteFGuitar]

Hi John. KZbin can do that for you. If you click the "Settings" control, which looks like a cog wheel near the bottom right corner of the video window, a menu appears. Set the Speed option to 0.5, and then play. It's easy when you know how! Thanks for watching.

[@walterobrien467]

Thanks Man & God Bless

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@mrebysan]

MmmMMmm 1234567 WWHWWWH

[@josiahlinquist4043]

Awesome. It helps a ton

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@maxwellbowden9961]

Excellent information Pete. I was wondering about all the double stops Steve Cropper et Al used. Thanks mate

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Maxwell.

[@wubbs77]

Good lesson mate. I have messed around with rolling 6ths before, but never really knew what I was doing. I very much appreciate teachers who make things crystal and not overwhelming on the theory front.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks +wubbs77.

[@pedrogomezalfonso6926]

Good lesson. Thanks

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@jonwill]

Wow! Excellent explanations and visuals. And it was truly inspirational how you galvanized the theory you shared with that smoking solo work at the end. What a gifted artist; thank you for sharing.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks +jon wil, both for watching, as well as your kind comment.

[@kcw198]

thank you very much

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thank you +Wong KC, your support is much appreciated.

[@paulcrooks3742]

Useful,but I have to go over 6 the sgain

[@backstreetkid3854]

Game changer 👍🎶🎸

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@MedfordHills]

Great lesson as usual.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@rcubed7320]

Excellent! Really nice and great explanation and playing. Thank you!!

[@PeteFGuitar]

That's kind of you, thanks!

[@goldenfist100]

Pete just made me a rock star, too bad I don't wanna be one. Haha but on tha real, guitar experience changing stuff, thanks

[@PeteFGuitar]

Hi +goldenfist100, thanks for watching. Embrace your new rock stardom, it's your destiny!

[@Mestavo]

👍 good stuff man

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@downhill240]

Nice lesson. I'm subscribing and I'll look at the channel later!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks very much +downhill240.

[@jaclestrat]

Great lesson Pete.

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks!

[@Str8upLaw]

he has a huggable head

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks Demon!

[@tunguyen-pg2ux]

Great thanks

[@PeteFGuitar]

You are welcome

[@hottamanful]

many thanks for the effort .. but I would like to know how you strum .. unfortunately not shown in the video

[@PeteFGuitar]

It’s nothing unusual or special. For thirds, just hit both of the adjacent strings with your pick. For sixths, use your pick for the lower string and whichever of your fingers feels most comfortable for the upper string.

[@hottamanful]

Pete Farrugia Guitar Teacher thanks, this makes sense

[@mbaaden]

Great job pete! keep em coming!

[@PeteFGuitar]

Thanks! Will do.

[@kylemurphy1477]

big changing point in my playing now thanks

[@PeteFGuitar]

That's good to hear kyle murphy, thanks.