The Dickey Betts Scale - Learn his style - Major Pentatonic Scale guitar lesson - EP404

[@GradyElla]

I grew up on a steady diet of Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Outlaws, BB King, etc. Then, George Benson came along, then Wes Montgomery then Charlie Christian. And THEN comes Pat Methany! OK, I'm now almost 64 years old. I can still pick up a guitar and rip off just about any Allman Brothers song note for note and I'm reaching a point in life where it's becoming obvious that I'm never going to keep up with Pat Methany and I don't even know where to start sometimes with George Benson. There's something to be said for just playing melodic lines that are, let's be honest, pretty easy under the hand, but just flow so naturally. I'm really find myself gravitating back to those old days when you didn't need to even know what key you were in! Just find the note on the e-string and put your hand over four frets and start jamming away. Even my wife says, "you sound best when you don't have all the charts out and you're trying to sound like someone else, just sound like yourself." "Myself" has always been a mix of all the above. This lesson of yours is like being given permission to just play. Time to put the Fake Books away and fire up the turntable. Even an old, scratchy version of Carlos Santana playing Song of the Wind is still a beautiful thing. Probably one of the best pentatonic scale solos of all time.

[@lickmyfuckinnuts]

I can certainly identify with all you said, hopefully someone else will read this and Come Away with something

[@jameswestmoreland9717]

Can dig that. Listening myself to the brothers playing for free in Piedmont Park in Atlanta and the Dead showing up sometimes as well, maybe Spirit, too. and the Memorial auditorium there, too. Old guy me. 71

[@jfson4321]

Not old. You have a more refined sense of melody than most. Age takes away dexterity not the communique deep sense attunement.

[@smedleybutler8787]

It time to get some Steve Gaines in your life.

[@DaveMac-sw3of]

Well Spoken, You Nailed It !

[@erik4683]

Revisiting this excellent lesson today. RIP Mr. Betts 😢

[@mbgamer5437]

@erik4683 Me too! Rip Mr. Betts, you are awesome, always will be

[@EvanBNW]

Same here.

[@tomf9292]

RIP Mr Betts, creator of the most beautiful guitar leads ever! TY for the GREAT music.

[@user-xw6vz1hl7y]

Dickey Betts is nothing short of a genuine World Musical treasure

[@dickschlitz1360]

A hard man who played like an angel

[@GuitarJoLa]

Oh man, that just floored me! The way you PLAY and the way you TEACH are both amazing! Just AMAZING! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@frankdonaghy3253]

I wish he was able to teach me in person.

[@imitatefirst]

Brian is the man! Great teacher.

[@vincentmensah9362]

@@imitatefirst Thanks and more learning to know more better.

[@vincentmensah9362]

Haaaa i can't atop watching thhis!!!

[@MikeLike8]

After Jeff Beck’s passing I have rediscovered Allman Brothers and Dickey Betts. Dickey’s style of guitar play speaks to me. I wish it didn’t take this long to have delved into his great guitar playing. It was decades ago I learned Jessica, and play it often....more to be learned!

[@HTNT9]

I love Dickey Betts solos..they are so melodic and all the notes flow so well into each other

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Yeah, that's called a scale..

[@DavidL3O]

Strictly my opinion but you are one of the best teachers online!!! You play so smoothly it inspires me to keep growing. Many many thanks to you good sir for sharing your time knowledge and wisdom with us! 🙏🏻

[@john84896]

Thank you for recognizing the beauty of dickies playing...I loose my my mind when Allman fans trash him because his attitude could allegedly be a lil rough around the edges back in the day...his playing was always angelic

[@kurtgoodwin1135]

Dickie Betts has been one of my very favorites for almost 50 years (wow). I love his approach, his melodic soloing, his tone, just everything. And I feel like you just gave me a missing piece of the puzzle, adding in the 4th and leaving out the 7th in the scale. The minute I ran up and down the major pentatonic with that 4th added, I thought, man that is Dickie through and through. What a wonderful simple insight - just beautiful. thanks!

[@louisstephen7368]

Dickey

[@Fernando.Canal2]

And also that kind of 3bar lick repeatedly inside a 4bar, sounds beautiful

[@kevinmusso2397]

You are hands down the best guitar teacher on YT.

[@barrietait1927]

Hi from a 73 yr old bass player trying to play 6 strings! This is a great lesson which reminds me so much of Peter Green and Snowy White Slabo Day which takes me so far back. Wonderfull use of more or less a single position of a scale. Brilliant work love your way of teaching.

[@charliejervis2747]

Dickey is a great guitarist, singer, composer and musician.

[@caleshtcincredibles]

I play country and country rock and I just keep coming back to this video......thanks again for doing this!

[@sidgriffin813]

A fine lesson. Betts is fine picker. I saw the Allmans a second time after Duane passed. Just Betts on guitar in Columbia, SC in 1975. He played so well and so out front of the stage I could tell he was making a firm but polite musical statement of "Duane is gone, we loved him and will miss him, but hey, I am here and I can pick too!'. It was a stirring performance. Unforgettable.

[@fjg1956]

Dude you have a gift for teaching. Seen a couple of your lessons and you have the ability to explain in a simple concise way. The key is the way that you consistently break it into small bites allowing the viewer to not get overwhelmed or frustrated. Good job.

[@allenh7835]

WOW That intro was hypnotizing. I was in another world when you started talking.

[@frankortega4280]

Brian you are spot on with Dickie Betts’s instantly recognizable style. An outstanding introduction and lesson with great note choices, articulation and guitar tone to capture his style presented in an easy to grasp manner. Thank you for sharing your work. Awesome.

[@andrewptob]

Love Dickey Betts! I’ve always been inclined to play major, so him and Jerry Garcia are two of my favorite guitarists

[@jpalberthoward9]

Dickey and Duane were the original dynamic duo. In some ways, they were almost opposites, but together they were beyond phenomenal. Dickey was, and still is a genius.

[@simonvanderheijden432]

😔

[@larrycavallucci3258]

I am one of your Premium members. THIS lesson is one of my FAVs and I've learned it by heart! Wish you did more Southern Rock Gtr guys.

[@mboyer68]

Wow..I'm finally to the point where I understand what "the key of E" and an E chord shaped like an A at the 12th fret, etc. is. And I don't have to go crazy copying down tabs because I know that the notes I'm gonna use are in a specific place on the neck. I began playing when covid shutdown started. And I love guitar! I'm still a beginner but working hard to graduate to intermediate. Thank you guys at active melody, I think you're the best KZbin guitar lessons by far. Keep up the good work!

[@bslayton68]

I have been watching and learning from many different teachers, for a long time and have never commented, but you are hands down the best teacher i have seen. Thank you for sharing. Please keep doing what you are doing!!!!

[@kenbigham1673]

Your playing and teaching methods are so clear and inspiring. I find one of your lessons each morning to get me out of bed and into my music studio. Thanks for what you do!

[@mikereynolds3294]

Agree !

[@havasumark]

Brian, I just watched it for a second time.. That was a great lesson, and a mid week lesson as well. You are converting me to a full time guitar player!! LoL!!

[@stevedouglas7375]

Excellent lesson! When Dickey was in his prime -- wow. And let us not forget he was a very talented songwriter as well.

[@JimLarranaga5k]

Thanks, the Major Pentatonic sounds so sweet and soulful. By adding the 4th Dickey creates a hybrid scale. Clapton modifies his minor pentatonic scale too. And I think Clapton often resolves his licks to the 5. It's those little details that make their styles memorable.

[@danielleelizabeth9417]

Exactly small nuances that always set them apart.

[@Rectitude4U]

He starts over the G shape of the E chord if you’re thinking of CAGED. Such a good lesson. This is why I Liked, Subscribed, and became an Active Melody member.

[@sealsept]

Yes, myself as well

[@maurice19541]

When the conversation turns to great guitarists Dickey's name is never mentioned enough. He trully was one of the all time greatest - his feel, tone and melodic sensabilities are off the charts.

[@johncarlson306]

I'm not a guitar player, I play drums but I love love love the ABB and Dickie Betts so I clicked on this. . I know zero about the theory you are laying down but when you were explaining the scale all I could hear was Melissa. excellent interpretation..

[@asansone57]

It’s amazing the sound and feelings you can create with the major pentatonic scales…

[@margovallen]

Great lesson. Just exactly what I needed to help me in my Pentatonic Major Scale playing. Always loved Dickey Betts' guitar style. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevetracy427]

Nice lesson. The 1st Great Southern album is full of this stuff with Dickey & Danny Toler.

[@jeffbaker8596]

This is such a great lesson for working those expressive bends and phrasing. I'm following along on an acoustic guitar-what a great finger workout!

[@albertbentley3443]

Brian, you are a fantastic person and teacher I've been following you for years now and you are so unassuming and easy to learn from, you are right, just learn bits of it until it sticks there, Just fantastic

[@ericsantiago2746]

I honestly love you bro! You have taught me to teach myself to go to heights I never thought I could achieve. I was ready to quit after playing almost my entire life. Never give up folks. If you love playing as I do. You just got to believe. One day it will hit you. When it does. Look out!

[@kevinhines3487]

This is an excellent lesson. So many good points: melodic leads, simplicity, theme development, bending in tune with vibrato and mixing in triplets. Immediately after working on the lesson I went and listened to Dickey's beautiful singing and playing on Sail Away, the outro track from Enlightened Rogues and you can hear everything in the lesson displayed perfectly in the middle solo. Beautiful playing and singing. Wonderful lesson, Brian. Thanks

[@thismoment9180]

You are an excellent teacher-- clear, precise, informative, and most importantly contextual (hence we can really understand the "why" so can apply somewhere else (as opposed to learning by memorization.)

[@axehound3718]

The trick with adding the 4th is not to overdue it and move the relative feel of the key to the 4, which is hard because it’s so close to 5 (where everything naturally wants to go). It’s like holding back water!

[@donaldknee9162]

Thank you for the way you Teach something I can follow and you can feel it your a great teacher thanks again ill be signing up for lessons very shortly may God bless you and everything you do

[@joesheehan5475]

one of the best videos i’ve ever learned from, the explanation of adding the 4th and dropping the 7th, amazing. And all the licks, actually not that difficult. Just just a little that I needed. Thanks man!!!

[@paultownsend6043]

So much soul in that playing, great lesson as always Brian.

[@marybethhempel9101]

Thank you Brian for putting this up again and reminding me of this lesson!! I just love Dickey Betts' sound!! 🙂

[@jbsid77]

You're a legend in your own right Brian. Thank you for all of this

[@mrdcwdcw]

This has introduced me to a whole new sound compared with what I'm getting from the very same scale! Thanks.

[@brianm9902]

I have been a member now for a few years on and off, my wife does not mind me having the membership, she hears the improvements, its just the way Brian teaches and explains things, the backing tracks really help nail things down, love this lesson, I have been getting into these guys like Warren Haynes, but that backing track , dang I was noodling on that, but I have added a slide on the second string to the b I just messing about , this is what Active Melody is about improvisation, great lesson Brian as always cheers

[@buddhamus]

Another great lesson. Looking forward to working on this one. Dickey Betts (along with Duane Allman) has been one of my biggest influences. Thank you for this.

[@jasonwendt1221]

Fantastic! I decided to learn how to play guitar last April when we were all stuck inside. I'm 50, so I'm late to the game. I'm not sure what it is, but your teaching style/content just made everything click. I've been jamming to the jam track ever since. I actually sound like someone who knows how to play guitar (a little)! I'm now a subscriber to the website. Keep up the good work! Thank you!!

[@zozikfreeman9403]

Thank you, Brian. You are an amazing teacher and guitarists. Your lessons are aways fun and aways something to learn . God bless you

[@domsawyer8953]

You are just so smooth, my friend. Why can't a find a live, in-person teacher like you?

[@telefrk49]

My god what a cool lesson! Thanks Brian!! I have been an AM subscriber for prob 3-4 years and just love it!

[@donaldharris8826]

The Allman Brothers Band has always been my Favorite Band , Yeah Man, "Dickey Betts", and who ever the other guitarists that incarnated into the band over the years, and the bandmates Solo Careers, "The Southern Rock & Blues Double Leads Guitars" !!! Dickey Betts tune called, " Bogenvillia", I still have his LP on Vinyl, just so many TRES GREAT tunes over the years and Amazing Solos !!! "Thanks For This " ABB Dickey Betts Video" !!! Play On FretBro . . . 👍😎🎸🤘☺️🎼🇺🇸🙏 DDH 7-10-2023.

[@Bloozguy]

I don't think people realize that is was Dickey Betts that introduced Duane to the dual guitar thingy. Said he got that from his fiddle playing dad, and said the fiddle players always played harmonies with each other, and so he just copied them onto guitar. I guess you could argue that it was Dickey Betts that gave us Southern Rock music!

[@joycethomas8868]

Mr Betts is a guitar genius

[@DelfinoSlim]

Just in the intro alone are so many licks I’m gonna steal. Great stuff!

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

If you wanna learn melody, this is the guy👍and he actively uploads it.

[@peterbernice7629]

This video has give me reason to want to play again and sign up as a premium member, in these difficult times I've just got bored of forever playing on my own, after listening to this lesson its given me a challenge to learn it, thankyou Brian your such an amazing player and teacher, be looking forward to the next lesson, kind regards 🤠

[@ziblot1235]

first picked up a Silvertone Guitar in 65. What I mean to say, is An old dog can learn new tricks when they are packaged in a fresh engaging style, by a great musician who isnt trying to show you how fantastic he is. This was my first lesson. I like Dicky Betts. Evenlived in Macon for awhile. Met some of the local guys.But I really enjoyed it. It takes a lot sometimes to get interested again. Im goinna stick with it thsi. time. My son keeps trying to get me to show him some stuff. BUt I need an inspiration.

[@darrenjonprior9504]

There should not be any dislikes in this video.. Again thank you Chief. 🙏

[@lynfox1533]

Another gem Brian, thanks, any ABB influences are always welcomed!

[@wharfrat7773]

Love it Brian...I started playing guitar because of my guitar hero... Forrest Richard Betts 🎸🤘

[@timleem3609]

Great lesson with an awesome backing track. The fact that you don't have to worry much about the chord changes makes it easy to just play the heck out of the scale with no worries that it won't sound good. Let's have some more of these type lessons on AM. Lovin it!

[@erik4683]

Yes! Thanks Brian. Beautiful composition as always!

[@canadianintheukbrian]

this was one of my favorites lessons there is many with AM but this one I always can jam to and create something , this lesson is a keeper !!

[@richardthomas4001]

Allman bros are in another world. It's a shame we lost Duane and berry. Dickie has. Always been one of my guitar heros. I wore out vynleback in the day. One of my go-to bands still. Derek trucks has really come into his own too. What a family, what a great sound. Had to put my 2 cents in

[@eug_rock]

Your lessons are very very good. Thank you from Italy, Brian. God bless you.

[@javieravendanocisneros5733]

Excelente lección para incrementar mis riffs, Betts es uno de mis guitarristas favoritos. Saludos Dr Avendaño

[@rogereisenback8498]

Best one yet for me I love that's sweet bluesy sound from The Allman Brothers

[@rogereisenback8498]

Currently learning Blue Sky

[@drewdietz2115]

simply outstanding, thanks once again Brian.

[@mohitmukhi]

So melodic! Beautiful playing :)

[@glynjames5948]

Brian now I know why I can’t wait for Saturday morning to come to see what you’ve uploaded that was epic absolutely loved it .(would have liked the tone info ) but hey that was a classic. Thanks again Glyner

[@1949Scamp]

Brian I don't say much but that solo was stuning !

[@johnmcelhaney8490]

Such a great lesson and examples!!! Thank you for taking the time

[@johnriley8314]

SO VERY GLA I found ya finally....been wanting to learn the MAJOR Scale for awhile,especially the MAJOR PENATONIC at that !!!! Dicky Bettts is a awesome BONUS to that I might add...LOL...anywyas...New Sub here...keep it coming man !!! ROCK ON ALL...ROCK ON !!!!

[@timtravasos2742]

That is absolutely Dickie Betts sound. I never knew that. Now I want to learn the major pentatonic scale! 🙂

[@timfywilliams]

Great lesson Brian. Lots of 'take aways' and lessons and it sounds great. It even sounds ok when I play it!

[@Krispy1011]

Great little lesson on E major and how Dicky Betts uses it - thx

[@cb-cj2ke]

Wow, one of the best lessons I've ever had!

[@bubbles3161]

This is awesome. Puts a smile on anyone's face

[@michaelmerrullo2043]

Very nice! It’s so nice to be able to play Allman Brothers nowadays with a looper

[@windlordseabreeze9369]

Sweet Jesus.....this lesson is magical

[@19ripcord70]

Great lesson!! Betts Rules!!!! I never thought I would get his idiosyncrasies. Thanks dude.

[@robertwhitcomb6105]

That pentatonic runs reminds me of Mountain Jam á la Eat A Peach

[@atobve]

Simply 5 Star lesson ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟I love this! Thanks Brian.

[@fenderguy5865]

I was not familiar with Betts before I found this video. Great lesson!

[@2000jpangburn]

That was a great lesson. I love using that 4th, but I haven’t been bending to it or bending up to the 5th like that. Definitely want to incorporate that into my playing.

[@richardhanratty1736]

Love the lesson and betts always one of my favorites. Great communication. Thanks cheers

[@billryan6024]

Incredible! Thanks! Hopefully in heaven I can play like this.

[@VicSharmaMusic]

I love the soulfulness and simplicity! Many thanks 🙏🏽 ✨✨✨

[@tefenstrat]

I've really grown to like your playing and lessons-I didn't at first...Nice job !! One thing you said though is really basically wrong-but not in a bad way. You said- no matter what D Betts was playing he could make it sound like himself. The ugly truth is that it doesn't matter how hard he tries or anybody tries to sound like someone else its always going to sound like them tring to sound like someone else. Eric Clapton said it best- he said - No matter how hard I try to sound like Muddy Waters or Buddy Guy - it always ends up sounding like Eric Clapton playing a Muddy or Buddy song. LOL And that is really a beautiful thing though. Its what make us all unique. Now dont get me wrong- I know what your basic point was....a great guitar player needs to find his own unique sound....and thats absolutely true... Dickey did that for sure :-) I love his playing.

[@havasumark]

Nice to see the LP out.. Another great one Brian!!

[@johnsee7269]

Don't we wish we could afford like one fifth of his collection! Good for him!

[@musicmanhunter1]

love the smooth sound guess i have to try

[@TimO-wt9sz]

holy moly im just loving this lesson at 8 am i cant wait to get home and work on this im really glad i stumbled on your channell i subbed right away like your teaching style thanks so much Tim from london ontario canada

[@randywolken]

Subscribe to his channel, if you haven't already. Great value for the lessons. He has really helped my playing over a short few months.

[@gregyoung5774]

Love your style and approach. You clarify and explain so well. Thanks!!

[@imannonymous7707]

Ya for sure it sounds like him ...the intro has elements of melissa blue sky and jessica. At least to my ear sounds so good

[@louisstephen7368]

It's Bougainvillea!

[@terryhunter2526]

Sounds like the intro to Ramblin Man to me

[@louisstephen7368]

Nope Rambln Man is in a different key, G originally. Brian is playing the melody lines and chords to Bougainvillea. You obviously don't know the song or you tone is off! What Brian is teaching is the key, melody and chords of Bougainvillea which are similar to Melissa, Mountain Jam and Blue Sky. Listen to the original Bougainvillea for DB and Great Southern's first album.

[@leeharper8363]

Excellent teacher. not showing off just teaching. I:ve learned a lot of cool stuff from you

[@craigseaborn4222]

that was really beautiful , thanks for sharing that! Craig

[@garyreistad224]

I really enjoy your lessons. You are an excellent teacher!

[@topkat48]

Good lesson, Brian. Dickey Betts is easy on the ears.

[@FaithHopeLove77]

Subscriber to Premium membership of AM. Love this lesson. Allman Brothers guitar is awesome

[@jerryjohnson575]

great lesson great flow ,,, fliud leads licks etc