This is Why You Suck at Guitar 18: You Don't Know the Major Scale!

Downloadable TABS, charts, bonus lessons, backing tracks, and MORE available on my Patreon page! / benellerguitars
instagram: BenEllerGuitars #weekendwankshop #thisiswhyyousuckatguitar18 #thisiswhyyousuckatguitar
unclebeneller
Hey kids! Its Uncle Ben Eller here with the return of the legendary This is Why You Suck at Guitar series!!!! You loyal Suckamaniacs have been sending me numerous telepathic messages, smoke signals, and carrier pigeons clamoring for some lessons on scales and music theory, and i'm happy to oblige. In this mega-sized lesson, you're going to learn EVERYTHING you've ever wanted to learn about the major scale, and more!
The major scale is the basis of EVERYTHING in western music. Its the basic building block, the DNA strand, the blank canvas of music. Everything that we hear in music is directly related to it! Its like a cheese pizza: even if you're making a supreme pizza, you know what its built on top of? A cheese pizza. That's right.
In this lesson, i'm going to show you all some basic theory secrets of how every major scale is constructed, and show you the 5 scale patterns you HAVE to know to get the most out of it! These 5 patterns are the ones that i learned that helped me understand this magical scale to its fullest. Master these easy concepts, and you'll be able to play scales across the entire board with ease, just like Francis Bubbletrousers!
Along the way, i'm also going to show you all how to combine and link these shapes up for maximum fretboard impact. And some tasty shred sequence ideas, too! And the easy secrets of using your newfound major scale knowledge to create and map out every other scale in the known galaxy!!!
If you practice these things on the daily, i guarantee you'll be on speaking terms with your real dad again in NO time. What have you got to lose? Oh yeah, YOUR DAD!
Playing my Suhr Modern Satin into the Fractal Axe FX III. Its so lovely.
What else do you suck at?! Let me know and we will talk about it in a future episode of TIWYSAG!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for learning all about the major scale, guys! What do you suck at on guitar that we should talk about next time on TIWYSAG?

[@toddmcdaniel7603]

You had me at the intro. Basic, quick chord changes without barring all the time. Just my thoughts. Thanks Uncle Ben.

[@DrDizzleFrizzle]

Hmm, what about the intricacies of a Neil Breen film? In all seriousness, how to take my fingers to slow and lame to speedy weedlyweedlers

[@Herides1]

Modes please! I would love to hear your take on modes. I think it would help a lot. If modes are too complex for now, how about just learning how to play to a backing track or a drum beat (for the people who are the only person that plays an instrument in their friend group *cough* *cough*)

[@kathywhite4547]

Ben Eller playing over chord tones I still don’t get it .

[@thomasaquinas601]

That was the best guitar lesson I've ever had. Practical, digestible, inspiring. Been a wankshop fan, but now this is my new favorite.

[@gadfly9376]

Clearest explanation of something that my brain has resisted understanding for over 30 years. Subscribed.

[@timothygary1]

Same!

[@joshdaniel8729]

Yeah it makes me realize how little I know about guitar. Guess I will never have that radio hit.

[@gmac6529]

same

[@travershall7152]

Same👍

[@markusgarvey]

Word.

[@monsterram6617]

This was a major help.

[@protestssopeacefulweneedad2017]

Pun intended

[@bestboy897]

Ahhaha

[@djcurdislameisaliveandwell1367]

Dang! Beat me to it! Minor bummer.

[@AyedYoutube]

fucking minors!

[@rich-lf1bm]

He made it seem to take minor effort

[@WolfieboyMachi]

I have ADD, and have been plucking at a guitar for about 7 years without much progress due to never knowing what to do in regards to learning the scales, and my mind scattering all over the place, refusing to focus and retain information. Especially when all other tutorials have been half baked at best, and my brain struggles to organize things and put it in order. Now I finally get it. This video is amazing, thank you so much.

[@massimobozzi1]

Uncle Ben, you bastard! You just taught me more theory in five minutes than I’ve learned in 40 years of playing on my own.

[@mindcontrol67]

Wow! That's a long time not to know this already.Almost half a century.

[@GarrettLoganGriffin]

I’ve been playing guitar for about 21 years. Played pretty consistently from ages 14-30. I got really good at doing covers. Playing technical metal stuff note for note but never rally knowing the fundamentals behind it all. Got consumed with work and it sucked out my soul and will to play. Stopped playing for almost 4 years. I decided to go back into it as a beginner to really learn the fretboard, chords, scales, etc. I’ve watched countless lessons and tutorials over the years, and none of them at quite as clear, concise, and efficient than yours. They really do help, SO much.

[@HerrinSchadenfreude]

This is almost my exact story, except that I played violin before guitar and then forgot everything I'd learned about music theory. So now I'm in a rut trying to go beyond where I was years ago on guitar plus the music theory and playing technique that I never got past. It's very frequently frustrating - especially when I listen to all these other players and it seems like if I wanted to ever get there I would have to have played religiously throughout.

[@GarrettLoganGriffin]

@@HerrinSchadenfreude Life happens brother. I still find it hard to pick it up. I know it will be cathartic for me, but it’s like I have this block telling me I shouldn’t be playing. I don’t know how to get passed it. Hope it works out for the both of us.

[@loranstaley1119]

Same! 41 years old now and feel like I’m starting from the beginning. To all you self taught folk out there, take some lessons!! Or watch Ben lol. You can’t teach yourself something you don’t know even exists

[@MU6AFA]

part 1 : 2:08 part 2 : 6:05 part 3 : 11:24 part 4 : 17:21 part 5 : 22:32 summary, tips, secrets : 27:11 important secrets: 28:02 A THANK YOU WILL WORK.

[@sharadaprasad9311]

Thank you

[@velvetlies8923]

grassy ass

[@MU6AFA]

@@sharadaprasad9311 no need dude

[@MU6AFA]

@@velvetlies8923 lol . i didn't understand what you mean

[@vanderneut]

Or, if you want it even quicker: 1. 26:40 Linear 2. 26:44 Standard form 3. 26:49 One-octave shapes 4. 26:57 3-notes per string 5. 27:03 4-notes per string ;-) Seriously though... these are really awesome tips.

[@keokai808]

I know this is an older video but, in my endeavor to get past the boredom of a beginner. Practicing the same scales over and over, I found this video. Awesome! You just gave me a new life and new ambition! Thank you so much!

[@BenEller]

Glad to help!!!

[@NiqScott]

I've finally started having lessons after 45 years of sucking at guitar, and this video has helped more than anything I've read or watched so far. I might put my headphones on, and play it on a loop while I sleep.

[@AlfredoGuako]

There was a guy telling me that learning guitar on KZbin doesn't work because all the teachers suck and don't teach you the right way to play... He looked suspiciously like my stepdad. Thanks for making my real dad consider noticing me uncle Ben

[@juliantorres3593]

Because its all supplemental its like knowing a a bunch of words of a foreign language but you cant write or hold a conversation

[@GMec78]

This may actually be the most important guitar lesson on the internet

[@DannyVardy]

I've been playing guitar for 30 years and I've NEVER seen this taught so well. There is no "may actually be" about it, @GrantMecozzi. I 100% agree with you. It IS, without doubt, the most important guitar lesson on. the internet - PERIOD!!! This lesson should be watched by every struggling git player. Ben, you just changed my musical life and gave me the keys to the guitar playing kingdom... You should win a Pulitzer prize for this. Much respect dude... If you've watched this and are reading my comment and don't realize the significance of this lesson - I respectfully suggest you give up guitar...

[@silverface2011]

Agree. Delivered with ease.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

I've been playing guitar for over 55 years, and I've seen/heard/watched/read from a book, etc., what amounts to everything in this lesson, but I've never heard it tied together in anywhere near this illuminating of a way. Waaaaaay back, LONG before the Internet, virtually every guitar method, whether a book or, nowadays, a video, begins with "learning the Major scale." Most, if not all, take you through the motions of memorizing this, as well as other scales, but they typically fail miserably at teaching you what to actually DO with them! They try like hell, but none of them manage to connect it all in a logical, useful, and intuitive way. Watching this made it feel like the scales have fallen from my eyes (pun totally intended)! This IS the most important guitar lesson on the Internet and, for me, this is the most important lesson via ANY medium. Ever.

[@kohZeei]

Dude, I love you! Out of all of the many guitar teachers I've found here on youtube, you are leagues above everyone else. It makes me so happy I finally found someone that makes sense to me after all these years of searching. You get to the point, do a great job of avoiding confusion, got humor and actually shows tabs in video etc. Just top Notch stuff! Am literally binge watching your stuff now and loving all of it! Thank you for doing this, and please never stop, you rock!

[@janichmondieu6505]

Everything that I've learned how to do in a traditional way, I applied this type of simplifying approach, before teaching the skill to another person. There is a recognizable human element in making something easier to envision. I so admire this dude for his desire to make this easier for me and others. Thanks Ben, continued success!

[@BenEller]

Cheers buddy, thank you!

[@dajoler]

Whenever I feel too comfortable with my guitar skills, Uncle Ben's always there with the tough love, telling me why I can't shred like Yahweh Mousemeat. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@Guithulhu]

Thanks Uncle Ben. Your wild rice is good, too.

[@ilikeguitars3511]

Uncle bens rice is amazing

[@Guithulhu]

@Chris Kinsella Not to worry, Chris. Mars, intends to change branding to get rid of legacy stereotyping.

[@finneusj]

Yes! Finally it’s clicking! Been “reginning” for about a year now and NO ONE has said “you MUST start with the major scale as it’s the mother of all music”! And NO ONE has explained that you really need to learn scales in a liners fashion first, which then makes it MUCH easier to understand how to “link” scales!! THANK YOU!!

[@OldManTenno]

As someone who didn’t know shit about music theory for over 20 years, this was the best explanation of doing a major scale on guitar. This immediately opened things up for me in not just speed, but approach. Thanks for the kick ass lesson, Ben. 👍🏼

[@joepope5793]

I wish there was a way to direct every aspiring guitar player digging through YT for lessons to this very video. This is SO important and you articulate WHY it's so important and the practical applications of this so well. And to top it all of you're doing it for free. You're a damn saint, Ben.

[@JaMeshuggah]

Why You Suck At Guitar is how I found this channel. Glad it's continuing!

[@DW-zw2xp]

Listen, Listen, Listen This is a must.... It took me years to learn this! Gigging for 45yrs plus. I couldn't explain it any better!!! Thank you, Ben!!!!

[@childrenoftheabzu]

Best teacher on the internets by FAR. Ive known this lesson and the major scale forever but his explanation is easy to understand and he explains it EXACTLY how I explain it to other people. The way he understands the fret board is a lot like mine. As such, if I need to learn something Ill first check if he has a lesson about it first.

[@jimhagler3716]

Hey uncle Ben, you speak clearly and describe things clearly. you are perhaps the easiest teacher to understand on utube. you're also entertaining! all in all just great. but you could slow down just a little when you're showing those shapes and stuff. after all man, you got to remember the rest of us, well, "We suck at guitar" cause we ain't listened to our uncle ben enough. I'm 61 and you gotta teach me to shred cause it's on my bucket list and the clocks tickin dude. Peace and keep it up.

[@SwirkH]

For a long time I used to think I could get away with knowing only pentatonic/blues scale. But once I learned the major scale I suddenly started to UNDERSTAND how the music theory works (thanks Rick Beato ! The best music teacher on KZbin), it totally opened my mind. I discovered intervals, modes, I started to build chords everywhere on the neck and move between different keys. Major scale is absolute must for every guitarist. All of the basics of music theory lay within it.

[@matthewmorrison1431]

As an intermediate self taught guitar player that doesn’t quite know what I’m doing and likes to noodle over progressions, I think this video just changed my entire outlook! This is great content, thanks for the lesson Ben!

[@johnthibodeaux5189]

learned more watching this video than in the last 4 days of searching KZbin to learn scales etc. the epiphany of going up a fret at the B string was phenomenal to my brain. thanks.

[@wombozombo]

How did you know that I suck at guitar, uncle Ben?

[@BenEller]

Juan Ramz your mom told me last Friday

[@SuperJiggawhat]

@@BenEller daaaaaaaaaaaaam son!

[@siggiarabi]

@@BenEller oooh fuck

[@97stratocaster21]

@@BenEller ouch.

[@Weshopwizard]

That was an unnecessary escalation.

[@jasonesty3880]

You had me at the Terry Pratchett quote. Subscribed.

[@azizaziz7007]

I can't even explain my frustration on how many YT videos that I've seen to understand the best way to learn scales and almost all of them leave out the crucial part that is so clearly mentioned in this video. The WWHWWWH part and shortcuts to remember the patterns. Some YT that has millions of subscribers are often vague and make the subject harder than it is. Uncle Ben has done a great job!!! thank you

[@eyeofthetiger8287]

First lesson after 25 years that opened a window for me . Thanks you are a very good teacher !!

[@bradsmith6662]

“Accidental Holdsworth”?? 😂 Totally worth losing coffee through my nose!

[@jimkavanagh9521]

And the appropriate accompanying image of the master himself seals the deal.

[@samueltractorton2088]

😂🤣😂

[@notan23]

Man, you really speak a language that made me understand this SO much more than I ever did before! Awesome teacher

[@joe429t]

I’ve been playing for 30+ years and I know I suck. I play just good enough to fool people who can’t play. I tried taking lessons many years ago and just couldn’t wrap my head around theory, which proves that my teacher sucked. Your 25 minute video unlocked something I never knew was there the whole time. Granted I still suck but that’s slowly changing. Killer lessons Uncle Ben

[@thumbscrews]

Well, there it is. It finally clicked for me, I think. Thanks Ben for making me suck less at guitar.

[@JohnM-zz8bd]

This is the scale lesson I've been looking for 4 over a decade. Great lesson, thanks uncle Ben!

[@nickm2483]

I really envy young guitar players just starting out learning to play. I'm 35 and started playing guitar at 14. It was 1998 and KZbin was still years away. I never had access to any lessons like this and magazines from that time really blinded you with lots of theory. The concept of learning the major scale as a sequence of steps and half steps is so simple but really effective - and means you can apply it to different keys really quickly. So much easier than learning fret numbers (which change the moment the key changes). Great video Uncle Ben!

[@Markuscarcass]

I agree. Im 40 and started playing when i was 16. I dont suck but im jealous of the younger guys who started learning with access to youtube and on line material like this. Most can probably shred the hell out of me. At least with solos. If i had the patience, time and motivation i had back then with the same access to this material id be a famous youtuber myself by now. After all these years im kind of forcing myself to take a step back and learn more theory. Thanks to guys like Ben, Steve Stine, Music is Win and countless others for breaking things down for almost anybody to be able to understand.

[@Tama_Abiru]

Learning music theory and how to read music is exactly why you didn't understand and would have taken much less time than learning by fret patterns. The theory isn't meant to "blind" you.

[@rossscarbro4602]

Bro I’m 47 but started a bit late at the age of 17 (1989). Magazines and tab books was it for me but good luck finding those books back then pre-internet

[@mattnewman6049]

Started playing bass in1985 at age 10 by copying Steve Harris, Paul McCartney, Geezer Butler from records. Gave my self basic sight reading training and learned the neck. In high school jazz band I started to hear how to walk through changes more complex. Thankfully my ear could hear the intervals. Tablature is not the way to learn guitar. The dot on string chord chart is much better for visualizing the neck. I had a few DCI VHS lessons back then. Mel Bay books, ect. The Jamie Ambersold tapes. Ect. Since the the advent of youtube my knowledge of theory and harmony has increased exponentially. New players have such a valuable resource on youtube such as this fantastic lesson.

[@ArnfinnRian]

And at 12 minutes out I had a true revelation. I always start from the low string ... thanx Ben, I needed that.

[@tad5920]

I always forget the scootch up! But I will never give up - and the Accidental Holdsworth makes me feel so much better about it!

[@DonkeyFreckle]

The pocket octaves part was great. I always changed position when landing on a root note to a different CAGED pattern, but when Ben threw in key changes it opened up more doors of thinking. Thank you for the lesson!

[@clockwerk76]

Ben, your content continues to define this segment of KZbin. I'm twice the player I was when I discovered your channel, and I've been playing a long time. An entire tier of technical skills I'd never learned were introduced, and I can't thank you enough.

[@deniswith1n]

I've been playing for over 10 years and haven't come across anything that breaks this down and connects the "islands" for me. This was so simple to understand. Glad I stumbled upon your videos. I feel like I might be able to learn some theory now instead of just reading and playing tabs forever. THANK YOU!

[@methoxyll]

ive been trying to understand scales especially with how to do them with the pattern istead of down the string, i couldnt understand it for the life of me untill now. this video really helped me. thanks so much

[@motordrum7749]

I’ve waited a long time for you to give me another reason why I suck. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@MrMetalhorse]

Joke's on you Ben, I don't know any scale! Oh wait, that makes me suck even more.

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Yes he did he also took extra music classes at Pasadena. What the beast know are intervals. If you listen to the solo on. On Fire that run is major Ed will surprise you

[@bobravenscraft5376]

The reason people think Ed doesn't know scales he hears tones he knows major is whole whole half whole whole whole half

[@woodyshade]

the cool thing is that for every major scale there is a relative minor associated which exploits the same scale pattern. if you take the A major, its relative minor is the F#. Besides the F# minor scale, it is possible to use this very same pattern to construct the seven modes connected to A and the pentatonic scale associated with some of them. Just using the A major keynotes, starting from a different note than A, it is given the following: F#=minor scale. pentatonic. G#=ionian mode. A=major scale/mode. B=dorian mode/pentatonic. C#=phrygian mode, pentatonic. D=lydian mode. E=mixolydian mode. Learning one pattern means to unfold 8 scales with common notes.

[@ShizzleMyChizzle]

Wow, this is gold! That RAM analogy was also genius

[@orionparrillo6604]

Describing the scale as an order of whole and half steps has finally made me understand them, which I never thought I'd ever be able to do, so thank you.

[@acevedohiram]

Uncle Ben is my real dad. My step dad couldn't teach like this😂

[@leblon712]

Maybe he was just a half-step dad 😃

[@rikiwakwak]

Best guitar lesson i've ever had. I know more now about how the fretboard is connected and can be moved around on, than i ever have. THANK YOU. Subbed the other day.

[@jerbear-pw7xm]

videos like this are why i love the internet and its infinite wealth of knowledge !

[@mikek464]

The 3 note per string major scale is the first thing my teacher, Johnny Monaco, made me learn then how run up the neck and also the cycle of fifths. After that he said it was a waste to continue paying him since I had chords and stuff down. He threw scales and theory at me and sent me packing lol.

[@Dubnot]

How did Ben know I was sucking at guitar again? Your finish line analogy makes a whole lot of sense.

[@rickdb8480]

"Uncle Ben" .. Show some respect for gods sake

[@matthewdavies7444]

Thanks for spending so much of your time putting this lesson together. It's very good.

[@jimyhelix7458]

From the way you explain things, to the sequence you explain them, to the way your guitar sounds, everything excellent. Thank you Uncle.

[@squareyes1981]

I describe it as a spiral staircase with 12 steps. Take 12 steps and you're back where you started, just one floor higher

[@chrisf6216]

18:48 +500 points for explaining the "why"... and another+4000 points for knowing how to show this non-offensively. This is my desert island YT channel. Thank you BE - cheers!

[@jimmymiller5780]

Just wanted to say ive been playing 40 plus years and always knowing there was something i was misin and u just helped me to understand what that was thank u so much uncle ben

[@elidireye8493]

This videos have just improved my understanding of the scale. I wouldn't have done it without it. Thank you!🇵🇬

[@leascaart]

As a new guitar player, this TUTORIAL IS THE BOMB!!! THANK YOU!!

[@c0ffeeJunk13]

An(other) outrageously good lesson AND and a Terry Pratchett quote?? It just doesn't get any better than this.

[@lukejaekel14]

This is a great tutorial because I've been playing guitar for about 6 years now and I still can't fully wrap my head around guitar music theory. I'm fully self-taught in guitar and I have come a long way learning really challenging songs and I found it's all about repetition, repetition, repetition ladies and gentlemen. I've been at a stage for a couple years now where I still didn't know how to get better and was almost stuck at my guitar learning level. I learnt general music theory at university (mainly on piano) but I found it hard to transfer that knowledge to the guitar. What you said in this video makes perfect sense to me now and I can finally start applying this knowledge to create my own sequences instead of just learning songs and not really knowing how this riff or solo was created musically or what it means. Learning songs is useful don't get me wrong because you get used to certain techniques but learning this stuff helps you understand why instead of how. I owe you a drink my man because this is one of the best and most easily explained scale tutorials out there on KZbin by a long stretch. I'd pay literally £30 for a tutor per hour just to show me loads of modes but you my friend did this for free and helped so many people learn the basics including me, keep doing what you're doing and thank you.

[@Vlad-bo8py]

Nice. I've been playing guitar for almost a year now, and i just started to learn music theory.

[@jeffdavis1552]

Ben is a fantastic and brilliant teacher. I've been playing 40 plus years and stumble all over what he teaches in a way that the dots are so connected. Thanks Ben for the enlightenment.

[@jbro8552]

I suck at guitar because I do not practice enough, but this stuff gives me something to work on. Thanks for the info.!!!!

[@derekmc9580]

Fn sweet lesson man. These are concepts I’ve kind of been putting together but this lesson really helps drive it home. Good stuff Ben. Thanks

[@shawngaske1229]

This was literally the most eye opening and informative guitar lesson/tutorial I've seen in ages. THANK YOU for this. Subbed.

[@sole__doubt]

Favorite guitar channel. Im gonna watch this video daily until it sinks in totally.

[@chadgarber]

This is one of the most helpful guitar lesson videos I have ever seen.

[@martynspooner5822]

Just starting to get my head around this so was incredibly helpful thankyou

[@danpaulrose1]

Well done, Ben. Thanks. Enjoyed your teaching style and pace.

[@chayetpagano555]

Thanks Ben!!!! This really help me out. I've been playing all afternoon and the fretboard really make so much more sense.

[@mattlisankie9119]

this is the most useful 30 minutes of music instruction I have ever experienced. thanks ben!

[@pdub1739]

Ben, this was glorious! I am coming back into playing after over a decade away and now learning what I should have learned years ago. This all finally "clicked" for me. Simple as it may be for many, I've met numerous people who are killer on guitar who don't even know the how or why something sounds correct, or any scales for that matter. This will help those like me get lost too easily make a little more sense. Subscribing for sure and will be checking out your page. Thanks!

[@jeffro.]

"Less clickin', more pickin'." --Ben Eller I love it!

[@chrisj3022]

Such a great teacher... Much obliged brother Ben

[@ineedwafflestabernacle]

Hey Ben, I just wanted to say thanks for reading my mind. I was trying to improvise earlier and kept thinking "Damn, I wish I knew my way around the whole fretboard" and along comes this video not even 10 minutes later! Thanks a bunch, you're my favorite biological stepdad ❤

[@nunya8605]

What a real straight forward practical great lesson

[@Cmajor165]

Great video Uncle Ben. I've been putting this off for ages, I'm so pleased I watched this video. Thanks!

[@HalJikaKick]

The Tom Quaye tuning changed my life (after playing for 36 years) GREAT VIDEO on these crucial fundamentals.

[@stevenvanrensburg2938]

An excellent lesson uncle Ben, never thought about a 4 note per string major scale. Would love to see more on other scales. Thanks a billion.

[@Urkuri79]

Man, I don't know how much I can thank you for this stuff but you're hands down the best guitar teacher I've ever met and I've tried a few, plus a lot of youtube / online stuff. You literally manage to unpack stuff in minutes that others teach you over the course of weeks and make your head spin. :D Truly the way to go!! I'm a professional in other stuff and I suck at guitar but I spot a talent when I see one, you rock at this! I don't know for how long I suck at guitar if you keep coming up with this stuff!!! :DD As for future content I propose more of this, tools to help you improvise. Anyone can practice shreddin' patterns but unleashing the inner musician, learning your instrument and then being able to play what you hear in your head is the shit. Lotsa love from Finland! -Petri Väätäinen

[@PRO2358]

Thanks uncle Ben, watched countless videos, but this is the first time l'm able to understand scales properly logically from your video

[@BenEller]

P M thank you!

[@jamesmoore379]

I have been playing 40+ years. This is a great lesson. Kudos to Uncle Ben.

[@richbarraco1307]

I suck at coming up with a daily practice routine to become a well rounded guitar player. I feel like all I do is jump around KZbin and get bits and pieces. I need a daily practice routine covering rock chords, scales, arpeggios, soloing up and down the fretboard in all keys, transposing..... Help me uncle Ben 👍

[@97stratocaster21]

This was a great lesson. Extremely practical, regardless of genre

[@omartaher2974]

Ben!! Thank you so much for this content! So helpful and thorough.

[@andercoyote4170]

Another fine video lesson from Uncle Ben. Muchas gracias 🎸

[@johnmonroney8614]

Uncle Ben you the genius of the day. I have to hide from people so you muh only friend.

[@guitardavepdx]

What about a lesson on harmony? We all have a melody lead mentality, how many of us think about soloing over the chords with harmony lines instead?

[@bernicecanty721]

Great video packed with great content. Thanks Uncle Ben.

[@qa1424]

Thanks Ben. this is what I have been looking for. very informative man.

[@RobVenable]

Awesome...yes, please do the same for the minor scale!

[@fv3video]

Wow! You simplified the major scale learning curve. New suscriber here.

[@BenEller]

fv3video thanks for watching!

[@karathracey]

This is so TRUE!! Gotta know this because you can play it anywhere!

[@pfcmarks8]

Thanks, Ben! I appreciate you. Great work.

[@desertfox3151]

This is good stuff..guys like me whove been playing for 25 years, have natural talent, but suck..can really benefit from a no nonsense simple video like this..keep em coming..subbed

[@mdh2006]

I'm with ya in that comment. 33 years of sucking for me. Wish I would've learned this years ago.

[@motafov]

ben eller is the coolest youtube persona in cyberspace, never mind being a proficient "grandmaster" guitar teacher!

[@SunKing968]

GREAT job, Uncle Ben!

[@vikguitar2813]

I suck at guitar, been playing for less than 2 years. Learning the octave scale patterns is a game changer.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Been looking forward to this since seeing your Instagram post, even though I know my major scale. What I want to master is how to apply modes in my lead. Now that would be a great post. Practicing to a backing rack is pure gold advice.

[@EclecticEssentric]

A simple starter: Take C Major scale, bang out each mode. Look at what tones stand out from each other scale (usually 1 or 2 notes), and focus those over the corresponding chord. For C major, the 4th mode (F Lydian) has that major 7, and augmented 4th (creates tritone like Locrian's diminished 5th). Focus those 2 tones over an F Major chord played in C Major. Starter example in C Major: Ionian CDEBFGAB (7th), Dorian DEFGABC (6th), Phrygian EFGABCD (2nd), Lydian FGABCDE (4th 7th), Mixolydian GABCDEF (7th), Aeolian ABCDEFG, Locrian BCDEFGA (5th as passing note). Other notes are considered as well, depending on teacher, and usage. Certain chords in key will contain the key notes of each mode, making them give that mode's "sound". Good luck!

[@tjordulf]

Awesome, After years of being a Vocalist, who owns electric and acoustic guitars, but is not what you would call a guitarist, I've seen every kinda lesson and tutorial under the sun. But the WAY in which you explained that, I learned more in 1/2 an hour than I have in the last 30 years. So thanks for that man. I really like your honest, no bullshit approach, plus I'm so glad you likened fret numbering to memorising the phone book😊, I detest all that crap. I know you've gotta, 'wax on, wax off' a little, learning anything, but I don't wanna have to memorise the periodic table of elements FFS!! So, quite simply, thanks, and SUBSCRIBED!

[@tjordulf]

Incidentally Ben, as I said, I'm a vocalist, not really a guitarist, please, if you find the time, have a listen to my version of Ain't talkin bout love. I posted a link on your breakdown of that track. But here's the link to my studio channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3_SZ4GFqN2Hrac

[@dusanignjatovic9312]

Thank you for both of your videos: major and minors scales which gave me visual explanations and visualization of what I have to do with narrowing scales and how to practice and make connections within.