Use the Altered Scale to Add 'Outside' Sounds to the Blues

Tabs and backing tracks available on my Patreon:
/ jackruch
Check out my Truefire course here:
truefire.com/o....
Follow me on Instagram:
/ jackruchgui. .
Today we take at look at some simple licks derived from the altered scale. I'll show you 3 simple licks and how to apply them to your solos over a 12 bar blues.
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I couldn’t agree more. To me all the shredding is just useless musical gymnastics with no soul. Jack makes music with soul and he can teach like nobody’s business.

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Precisely!🇺🇲🎯💯💥💯🎯🇺🇲

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Its all about the story on a instrument.

[@ErnieLeblanc]

Yee'Up!

[@marshallohio5512]

Christ, what an extremely nice and relaxed individual ! How smooth can a guitar lesson be ? He must be a gourmet chef on the side ! Stay Positive!

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This man must be protected at all costs

[@ew6629]

Your lessons are some of the best out there in helping us get out of the pentatonic rut with amazingly tasty phrasing ideas. Thank you so much.

[@JackRuch]

Glad you like them!

[@Jallatt]

I've been playing for a long time (much longer than KZbin's been around). These lessons are fantastic. What a great player.

[@JackRuch]

Glad you like them!

[@nmnsaimemark1842]

Thank you for trying to teach the unteachable....taste! You're awesome

[@billville111]

What a great feel 💯💥 Somebody someday will do a successful 10 part series on FEEL. I pick Jack. The world would be a better place because KZbin players desperately need to learn the vibe.

[@chillidogkev]

I mean, I just love this channel and as a teacher Jack is right at the top of the pile. Any fool can put up some lessons on KZbin but to teach, motivate, inspire and explain concepts in a way that really works is a whole different story. Apart from anything else, isn't that just one of the most beautiful, killer guitar tones you've ever heard?!?

[@JackRuch]

Thank you!!!

[@wicksp335]

You hit on exactly the problem: how to start very simply introducing the scale and in the right places. Like it, thank you.

[@JackRuch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lllULTIMATEMASTERlll]

Dude. I've been learning guitar on KZbin for over a decade. Your videos are some of the best. Exactly what I needed.

[@JackRuch]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@bryana297]

That tone is A1 👍. The "in context" is highly useful. Some people talk so long you forget what it's even supposed to sound like. Subscribed.

[@JackRuch]

Thanks Bryan!

[@oneworld9071]

Aw MAN at 3 minutes in...... I totally understand intervals, but never connected the value of knowing by rote those intervals in transposition...... huge thanks. I've as so typically found transposition to be something best avoided unless absolutely necessary. This just opened up the doors and windows :)

[@baranyiproduction]

What a goood lesson, pefectly explaind, relaxed and first of all a huge content! Thank you. PS. Your english dialect is the best understandable on the planet.

[@Geetarhed]

One of the best teachers out there, practical, musical, well explained. Given the speed picking youtube vids a miss. These musical ideas and demos priceless.

[@JackRuch]

Thank you Rob!

[@stevebuffington6534]

I have been looking for someone like you all of my life. Finally-something I can understand and get me out of the riffs I am so ingrained in. THANK YOU, Mr. Ruch!!

[@JackRuch]

Thanks Steve!

[@johnmac8084]

You're really helping me jazz up my blues Jack, thanks 😀

[@JackRuch]

Awesome! Thanks John

[@joserra79]

Hey Jack! Could you make a video explaining your guitar tone setup one day? How you set your overdrive tone, etc Thanks!

[@JazzgutsVGvanKampen]

Very good lesson Jack, it all boils down to a good melodic outside phrase which resolves logicly to a good chord note, you explain it beautiful and with logic, thanks Vic

[@JackRuch]

Thank you Vic!

[@curiousguitarist]

The best bite sized delivery for getting this sound in your head and under your fingers. Thank you, THANK you Jack.

[@joeg46Highlands]

A very useful video. Thanks! As a horn player I often use altered scales when soloing over dominants. The easiest way to figure out the scale is to remember that every note in the major scale bar the tonic is flattened by a semitone. So your BAlt scale is a Bb Major with a sharp tonic; your F#Alt scale is an F Major with a sharp tonic.

[@GS-uy4xo]

Never explored it from this perspective - time to get out the pencil and paper ! Thanks for sharing.

[@kendipietro6855]

I have come to realize that you are a treasure with the knowledge you share with us. Thank you.

[@JackRuch]

You are very welcome

[@mediocrecoverbandguitarguy2416]

I mostly come here to watch you play. The lessons are great too.

[@Peter-sk5vg]

Jack, superb. Youve got a great tone and touch. Thanks for your clarity and generosity

[@kevinhines3487]

Another clear explanation with useful application. Right on!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Man such great lessons!

[@JackRuch]

Thank you Robert! Love your channel

[@andrewksadventures]

Hey Robert and Jack! Rob is here hey, who would've thunkded it!?! Great scale to use. Cheers.

[@TheSpiralnotebook]

Love your relaxed, calm voice.

[@cooghoublaga7555]

Nice bite size digestible lesson on a complex subject, many thanks!

[@JackRuch]

You're very welcome!

[@davidolson1243]

It's not how fast you play, but what you say. Subscribed.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

You are a class act Sir. Thank you for sprinkling your talents on KZbin, we all appreciate it. Tremendous playing. Greetings from Edinburgh, Scotland 😊

[@JackRuch]

Thank you kindly!

[@MC-1976Mei]

Mr. Ruch you are a phenomenal guitar player! Thank you for sharing your blessed guitar playing and music with us. Just wanted to say that I've learned so much watching your videos. I've been stuck for so many years and you've been a huge inspiration in advancing my playing. Would you ever make an instructional video for players that need some sort of path to follow, practice routine, structure, music theory, what were the most important things you did to make yourself such a great guitarist?

[@musicjunkie2k]

Outstandingly informative. You are the king!

[@JackRuch]

I appreciate that!

[@czgibson3086]

One of the best lessons I've ever seen on using the altered scale. Thank you!

[@JackRuch]

Awesome, thank you!

[@elijahsomlock_music]

It’s hard to even get through the lesson when I’m stuck listening to the intros🤣 ROCK ON! 🎸

[@HMJohnsonGuitar]

You are one soulful player.

[@JackRuch]

Thank you!

[@VPicksGuitarPicks]

You are so THE MAN! Love your videos and I learn a lot of cool stuff from them. I have played guitar professionally for over 50 years now, but you have stuff under your sleeve that really blows wind up my skirt! Thanks Jack.

[@JackRuch]

That is awesome! Thanks

[@theguitaraficionado8349]

What a great lesson. I've struggled with how to use the altered scale for so long...especially when it comes to timing, note choice, and being able to hear and identify the "altered" sound. This lesson broke things down into just the right amount of information to get anyone headed in the right direction. Would love to see this concept expanded into a TrueFire series. The first series was extremely helpful. Thanks for taking the time to create these little gems.

[@JackRuch]

You're very welcome!

[@bassplayer9432]

Great sound and feel! I really appreciate the use of space in your solos 👍

[@fran6b2]

I am a music teacher my self and you humble me Jack Ruch. You are a great pedagogue! Keep up the good work!

[@kennywally]

Solo guitar doesn't get much better than this. So inspiring.

[@bluzzjazz]

Yep, yep, I like it very much. Such great, smooth tone!

[@JackRuch]

Thanks for listening

[@tombrunelle2974]

Tasty tasty Jack! Another winner. Thank you for taking the time and breaking it down. Some serious wood shedding to do!

[@JackRuch]

Thanks Tom!

[@joshuakoyukuk6381]

You have a great way of explaining things to make it easy to understand.

[@JackRuch]

Glad you think so!

[@influenceocean1679]

New favorite channel. Man, you are so tasteful. Love your groove man

[@JackRuch]

Thank you!

[@Sammywhat]

THAT TONE!! Thank you for this, Mr. Ruch!! God Bless You!! 🙏

[@JackRuch]

Thanks for listening

[@brainstain2904]

What a fine blues player he gives me shivers up and down my spine! Thanks for the Memories Jack! I'm going to buy your courses!

[@JackRuch]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@brainstain2904]

@@JackRuch Not very often that the dude you think is so great answers your post Thank Jack your the real deal keep up the great licks!

[@robertblake3909]

You ARE an educator! Loved this post. It spurred me to buy your shades of blues course. Just what I needed to put it all together. I got it now!!! Thank you!

[@JackRuch]

You are so welcome!

[@zipperdingo6385]

Thank you Jack, lovely and simple way to learn from you

[@bobartur1386]

This lesson really improve my playing! Thanks a lot!

[@clarkesinspace]

Love this video and how you teach!Super important to perceive the altered scale in terms of the dominant chord that you’re on. My two “quick cheats” for the altered scale are thinking whole tone scale between the third up to the root Or the more commonly taught one(also more complete) melodic minor starting a half step above the root. That being said I totally believe understanding it relative to the chord you’re on is what gives meaning to it. Thanks for a great and clear lesson

[@Django61]

Thanks for this lesson Jack. Very cool, and accessible. I’ll be using this soon. Thx again 🪕✌️

[@JimmyDel]

Always find gold in your lessons! I'm finally getting my head around some of the more jazz concepts and this and ii-V-I turnarounds from your lessons has been an absolute game changer. Thanks Jack!!

[@JackRuch]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@daninick]

another cool and sometimes easier way to get this idea is to think of the altered scale as being the same as playing the minor melodic scale from the b2nd (minor melodic C in the case of going from B to E)

[@thomasthornton5378]

Dude, you got my brain and hands jacked up. I've watched like 5 lessons tonight and I'm just over here like, I know the chord tones to anything but now I need all the "wrong" notes syncopating and building tension to everything I plan to resolve

[@danilosalis6391]

What a great lesson! Simply explained yet very thorough. Just what I needed. Thanks a lot Jack! 🙏🏽

[@kevinallman6700]

Beautiful as always Jack..working through your videos has TOTALLY transformed the way I approach my playing,studies and listening..as I am such a theory virgin I have to concentrate so hard but when I do make progress I am really proud of myself..😊😊 once again thankyou from the bottom of my ♥️ love,peace & happiness

[@JackRuch]

Thank you Kevin! I'm glad to hear that

[@marshalmcdonald7476]

Great video--demonstration, then straight to business. Thanks.

[@JackRuch]

Thank You!

[@calravens8707]

Thanks for the great lesson again. Beautiful how much mileage you get from one idea. Very clear explanation and tasteful playing!

[@JackRuch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Daberney]

There was an ad for Hershey Chocolate in the middle of this video, but I didn't mind---the lesson was worth it. Hope they at least send you some free Reese's Cups! 🍫

[@mariozedda3036]

Thank you, Jack, all the way from Italy, for another excellent, inspiring and awesome lesson on the blues. Pentatonic, diminished and altered scales become clear concepts under your guidance.

[@dwise3651]

Smooth-unique-helpful. Thanks Jack-enjoy your work with the Heritage also👍

[@timsmith190]

I rotate through a selection of your lessons again and again hoping to get some of the info burned in. Each time I revisit one I pick it up a little quicker. Thanks for constructing such great lessons and sharing your knowledge. It's not lost on me.

[@viv2199]

Hello Jack! I am one of your new Patreon subscribers and I’m loving your soulful music and crystal clear instruction. Thank you so much! ❤️

[@JackRuch]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jab3879]

wow. been playing 20 years, this is just amazing. tone, feel, everything. nice job

[@po3333]

Excellent lesson.. thank you so much for the lesson.. Love it.😊

[@wesboundmusic]

Oh God, I really love your tone and feel! Reminds me of the love for the instrument, which I need to rediscover and your videos help a great deal! 🙏

[@steveandsheilalauder8261]

This is very good. Thanks Jack. I'll try to internalize this.

[@danqodusk8140]

Great lines, Jack. I definitely need to do some work with the altered scale to get a feel/ear for it's tones.

[@MrPXavier]

Absolutely the best practical lesson on the altered scale With useful and very tasty licks Many thanks JR

[@brownsfan7753]

Thank you for making things totally understandable!! Love your playing!!

[@JackRuch]

My pleasure!

[@alanbalkany1438]

VERY helpful! Great practical examples that gave me an understanding of how the altered scale is used. I also learned a lot from the non-altered parts. Thanks!

[@WickBeavers]

dat intro be mighty sweet playing, man. I'm gonna learn this one, thanks!

[@davidt9841]

Hi Jack, Love your stuff, man! I’m sure it’s been over a year since I first caught one of your videos, and I subscribed that day, and told you I’d be back! I’m pretty sure I have tapped into ALL of your videos since then. You’re smooth, tasty, informative, and a joy to listen to. I see that you’ve ditched the hoodie and jacket, today! Glad you turned the heat up! ⬆️. Carry On, Brother! 👍🎸✌️😎

[@JackRuch]

Awesome! Thank you David

[@ThomasHope73]

Another really well presented lesson Jack! Nice one!👍

[@JackRuch]

Glad you liked it!

[@bingobrownable]

As soon as I heard the first few notes and the sweet tone and lovely playing, Subscribed. Lovely playing and nicely explained.

[@davidchavanel1715]

Great pedagogic skills! Thanks!

[@MARTINIG9]

Very good teacher

[@dommccaffry3802]

Sounds great. Kind of sounds like jazz to me

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

Nice Jump Blues with Diminished arpeggios and M7b5

[@chillfactorberlin7547]

I knew about those concepts and use them but it’s always great to hear your melodic approaches 👍

[@chantduplantier9871]

Great content! Thanks very much! This answered some questions for me!

[@JackRuch]

Great to hear!

[@peterconnors6977]

Thanks Jack, another great lesson.

[@JackRuch]

Glad you liked it!

[@rokam5568]

Every lesson of yours is pure gold! Love your tasty phrasing! Greetings from Italy 👍👍

[@ShawnTubbs]

Love your playing Jack!

[@JackRuch]

Hey thanks Shawn! Love your channel

[@RickDanner]

i love your ease at playing beautiful

[@JackRuch]

Thank you!

[@elephantfootrisers]

Great lesson, tasty licks.

[@Jonobueno]

Nice!! some really tasty ideas and a good explanation. Thanks !!

[@iantaylor827]

Love this Jack. Thanks a lot.

[@JackRuch]

My pleasure!

[@johncostigan6160]

Tips worth their weight in gold.

[@frisell1968]

Those lines lovely

[@SMart7751]

Jack, great lesson. The only suggestion I can offer, is to include the formal definition of an “Altered” scale. Really enjoyed the video! 😊

[@fred-xz7zt]

another great lesson

[@jimiwmusic]

Thank you for this brilliant lesson. You play beautifully and are a great teacher!

[@iggyward]

Pure Gold!!!

[@blarthviniciuspiassi4408]

10 !!! Very Good Lesson !!!

[@brettstrachan9800]

i love a good 2 for the price of 1... the altered lick is on special .... get it while it's hot ... thank's Jack. Simple but so effective oo

[@quentinfaivre3948]

Gros feeling 👌🙏

[@patopaiar8895]

Genius. Thanks.

[@giorgiomisseri9655]

Hi Jack , IM Giorgio from Italy. Your lessons are amazing. Thanks guy

[@JackRuch]

Glad you like them!

[@nikkomorgan]

Sick playing man!!!

[@CapitaineBuisson]

Great lesson! Interesting subject and well explain! Thx

[@JackRuch]

Glad you liked it!