4 Approaches to Soloing over a 12-Bar Blues Progression

[@zombieguitar]

Minor error at 14:55 in this video. When it shows the *A minor pentatonic, position 4*...the note that is on the 14th fret of the A-string, should be on the 15th fret instead. Sorry for this error. KZbin videos can't be edited, but I fixed it on the website version of this lesson which is here: www.zombieguitar.com/blog/4-approaches-to-soloing-over-a-12-bar-blues-progression

[@MrPvd1]

Brian, you are an amazing instructor. Your videos provide a wealth of learning material. Thank you so much.

[@zombieguitar]

@@MrPvd1 hey I just saw this comment now. I appreciate the words! Thank you 😀

[@hhendrix4644]

This is very, very helpful. Your lessons are very much appreciated. Thank you for what you do

[@connorreutter166]

Halls of justice painted green Money talking Power wolves beset your door Hear them stalking Soon you’ll please their appetite They devour Hammer of justice crushes you Overpower The ultimate in vanity Exploiting their supremacy I can’t believe the things you say I can’t believe I can’t believe the price you pay Nothing can save you Justice is lost Justice is raped Justice is gone Pulling your strings Justice is done Seeking no truth Winning is all Find it so grim So true So real Apathy their stepping stone So unfeeling Hidden deep animosity So deceiving Through your eyes their light burns Hoping to find Inquisition sinking you With prying minds The ultimate in vanity Exploiting their supremacy I can’t believe the things you say I can’t believe I can’t believe the price you pay Nothing can save you Justice is lost Justice is raped Justice is gone Pulling your strings Justice is done Seeking no truth Winning is all Find it so grim So true So real Lady Justice has been raped Truth assassin Rolls of red tape seal your lips Now you’re done in Their money tips her scales again Make your deal Just what is truth? I cannot tell Cannot feel The ultimate in vanity Exploiting their supremacy I can’t believe the things you say I can’t believe I can’t believe the price we pay Nothing can save us Justice is lost Justice is raped Justice is gone Pulling your strings Justice is done Seeking no truth Winning is all Find it so grim So true So real Seeking no truth Winning is all Find it so grim So true So real Thanks to Attila Blayer for correcting these lyrics. Play "...And Justice Fo…" on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) This song's title is the last words of the Pledge of Allegiance, which is said in the USA schools at the beginning of the day. This song might be inspired by the film "...And Justice For All" (1979) where Al Pacino's character is a lawyer who realized the corruption of the justice system. The album, this song belongs to, is characterized as having the most complex music among other Metallica's works. That's why it was so hard to perform some of the songs live, this song in particular. For this song it happened for the first time in over 20 years during the "Sick of The Studio" tour in 2007. AZLyrics M Metallica Lyrics album: "...And Justice For All" (1988) Metallica - ...And Justice For All album cover Blackened ...And Justice For All Eye Of The Beholder One The Shortest Straw Harvester Of Sorrow The Frayed Ends Of Sanity To Live Is To Die Dyers Eve You May Also Like Nine Inch Nails - "Head Like A Hole" God money, I'll do anything for you God money, just tell me what you want me to God money, nail me up against the wall God money, don't want everything, he wants it all No, you can't take it No, you... Deep Purple - "Highway Star" Nobody gonna take my car I'm gonna race it to the ground Nobody gonna beat my car It's gonna break the speed of sound Oooh it's a killing machine It's got everything Like a driving power big fat... Nirvana - "Heart-Shaped Box" She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black Hey!... Ted Nugent - "Stranglehold" Here I come again now, baby Like a dog in heat Tell it's me by the clamor now baby I like to tear up the street, Now I been smokin for so long, Ya know I'm here to stay Got you in a stranglehold,... Slipknot - "The Devil In I" Undo these chains, my friend I'll show you the rage I've hidden Perish the Sacrament Swallow, but nothing's forgiven You and I can't decide which of us was taken for granted Make amends, some of us... Submit Lyrics Soundtracks Facebook Contact Us Advertise Here Privacy Policy Cookie Policy DMCA Policy Lyrics licensed by MusixMatch Copyright © 2000-2023 AZLyrics.com

[@surfzup319]

Brian - I have been playing guitar for almost 60 years. I have toured nationally for decades. I have learned what you teach over the years, but I never really had clarity. You provided that clarity with this simple lesson. Well done. I am a fan.

[@OriginalKingRichTv]

Hey man question. So when did you first feel like you was ready to play gig

[@MVH5150]

@@OriginalKingRichTv you make a good point

[@namronmanelok4119]

I can't believe how much information I got from this lesson. Short,sweet and to the point.

[@edlauer5340]

I’ve been playing for years professionally. I know most of this …. BUT…..The way you plot out the guitar neck has turned on lightbulbs for me. 12 bar blues is an art and I really appreciate the way you glue these scales and chord tones together. 🙏🏻.

[@zombieguitar]

Keep in mind that these are just several different "approaches" to soloing over a 12-bar blues progression. You will still need to do some work when it comes to targeting specific notes as well as AVOIDING certain notes that don't sound exactly like you intended. "Blues theory" is not as cut and dry as "diatonic theory". The "rules" are more just guidelines, and not necessarily set in stone. For example, if you are doing approach #2 - one pentatonic per chord - you may want to avoid the 4th most of the time and replace it with the note that falls 1/2 step lower, which is the major 3rd. I probably should have talked about this in the video, but I was trying to keep it relatively short 😀

[@pafares]

i find this video very instructional and clear, you're not trying to show off your skills as a teacher but keep it simple, most people doing videos dont realize that some less studied ears cannot hear easily the difference between scales over certain backing tracks, the fact that you make the same shapes over different scales allows us to distinguish what's going on, other than just open our mouths and want to throw the guitar away. An inspiration for sure. thank you for your hard work! saludos desde australia!

[@imitatefirst]

Thank you my friend! This is definitely a “lightbulb” moment for me.

[@Sled007]

Amazing how you can instruct in a manner that makes the content so easy to understand. So many others try to explain in their approach, but just ends up as a ball of confusion with little incomplete tidbits of information. You are a natural Teacher and motivator. Thank you.

[@bobkozalov8821]

I can't agree with what you say. I got exactly nothing from this.

[@asdf9890]

I agree, Brian explains things so well and makes it very clear. I never understood modes very well and watched tons of videos only to be more confused. Then I found his video on the subject and it all clicked!

[@stephenhanlin2388]

@@bobkozalov8821 root notes & intervals is what you’re missing. Know where your blue notes are in your scales. Also learn chord progressions. Lookup chords of a key. I promise it’ll all make sense if you do those. I’ve been where you’re at. Try BB King lessons. It’s imperative to know how to mix major & minor pentatonic if you want to learn blues. That was BB’s specialty. You can do this Bob. I’ve been messing w KZbin for 5 years & ive been thru more videos & channels than I care to mention. Be patient with yourself. Once you start having fun it becomes an addiction. Conversely, when you get stuck again, which you will, then find something new to learn

[@heartoftexan]

I've been growing into this level 4 groove for 5 years and you broke it down in 19 minutes.

[@sallysigler727]

Been trying to decipher this info for 20 years, and Brian explains it in 20 minutes! 🙃

[@joshshamrockk]

I've been using the minor pentatonic in the one chord position for 20 years. Why hasn't anyone explained it like this to me before? It's almost like some guitar players try to confuse on purpose the way they explain things. Thank you so much for this lesson sir!

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

I don't think they are intentionally trying to confuse people but rather they are so far advanced they can't remember what it is to be s struggling beginner or intermediate player. They think they do but their lessons suggest otherwise. Finding a few good instructors on KZbin that "get it" and can teach down to real beginner/intermediate players is priceless!

[@frederickthompson8686]

Brian, you're a gifted teacher... KZbin is full of teachers who are well-intended, but you've actually thought things through and the result is "creative clarity!" Thanks again for another great lesson.

[@zombieguitar]

Awesome!! Glad to hear these lessons are helping 😀🤘

[@CraigStetsonScottsdale]

Well done. I’ve been struggling with this Am pentatonic stuff for many months. You’re the only teacher that could actually explain how to use the pentatonic position over the standard blues progression without trying to impress me with your talent and without confusing the heck out of me. Thanks for drawing back the curtain for me and others.

[@iipopoloo2]

Brian, you`re my favorite guitar teacher! Greetings from Bulgaria!

[@FEARnone-ev7qg]

man you are the only teacher i have evr got... your the best

[@tomjmartinez]

I've been playing my 1964 strat all this years and never really knew that I was playing these shapes. I just learned by ear. So nice and simple the way you explain it all. Love it!

[@TheMartinRNR]

Finally someone who explain this different approaches in a very simple way, In my case I usually use the minor scale with the major third, blue note, minor seventh, and some chromaticisms and emphasize the accents in the target notes of every chord, I usually use the pentatonic of the IV and V in the turnaround, or maybe in the V it all depends on what flows , almost nobody explained it as well as you, good job Brian!

[@mjt7231]

This is amazing lesson. Have been playing for 25 years and you just linked something together for me I’ve been doing by ear the last decade.

[@linhpdb4313]

This is the best lesson for study 12 Bar blues. Its so easy to understand. Thank Kelly

[@stricknine8623]

You are a very gifted teacher. There are several great teachers on YT and you are among those and I think are the absolute best.

[@dirkgibbens377]

What an outstanding lesson! I've been playing guitar for over 40 years. Now that I'm retired I am finally putting effort towards being able to improvise solos instead of learning them note for note from recordings or tabs. When I started playing there was no KZbin... or internet... or personal computers. :-) These approaches provide building blocks from simple to difficult that will help me manage chord changes, allow me to use the entire neck and add color to my solos instead of just playing the the pentatonic scale from the I chord over the entire I-IV-V progression (which works, but gets boring). Thanks! My looper pedal is about to get a workout!

[@edzielinski]

I've spent time on at least 50 guitar education oriented channels, and when I want the most practical, efficient and effective techniques, this is where I go now. Brian has distilled a massive amount of theory and experience into the essential pieces, and all you have to do is pick them up and use them. Thanks for another great video, sir!

[@lespauljunky74]

Bro, your videos are literally changing my guitar life.

[@peterfinch4939]

From a UK beginner guitarist, thank you so much. Never learned more stuff in such a short time!!

[@DannyGatton94]

I’d always appreciate these blues based instructions. Thank you Brian

[@rotterdamrecordingstudio6459]

What a great and clearly explained video!

[@DannyGatton94]

Rotterdam Recording Studio all of his lessons are! Brian just knows how to get to the point

[@rigmormortis164]

Cool,calm,and collective...no bullshit,straight on,no selltalk,really the Only one you need,the great Brian Kelly .thanks as allways sharing your wisdom//Lasse🇸🇪

[@brandonnewyork11]

The part where you explained the pentatonic 4th position always has the root on the A string was a lightbulb moment for me. I know the shapes of all positions by heart and now its that much easier to not get lost when soloing over changing chords. Thank you!

[@panderadharendang7990]

My favorite guitar teacher mr Brian, thank I am from bali Indonesia

[@afri-dancer9967]

So I' started to play guitar again after 45 Years having picked up the guitar perhaps twice during that period.I did originally start playing Classical Guitar, Flamenco and basic pop songs.A big thanks to you young brother, your explaination of the scales has really helped me to understand what's going on and have given me a direction as to how I should go about learning to improvise.Thanks for sharing.

[@zombieguitar]

That's great!! I'm glad I was able to help get you back into the game again 😀

[@robmarchese]

Possibly one of the best videos I've seen on blues soloing. Lucid and intelligent and very well presented. Thanks, dude!

[@Antoni2u]

Finally, someone who makes perfect sense. Thanks to the big Kahuna! Aloha

[@elizabethanderson2968]

Great tutorial, very no-nonsense and easy to grasp.

[@sallysigler727]

Are you kidding me? I have almost lost my mind trying to piece together what was said in this video! This man gets the academy award of guitar players explaining how blues soloing is constructed! He also gets the five star award! ***** Thank you, Brian Kelly! 😍🎸👍

[@zombieguitar]

Glad to hear it 😀

[@bertrandkugler1070]

So great! Thank you 🙏🎶🎸 from Geneva, Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@jrvisions]

Another great lesson! Always love how you clearly break things down while providing much of whats really needed! I have to admit, with everyone now having much higher quality production videos, at first I didn't really pay much attention to yours when I would see the videos on my feed. After finally deciding to watch one completely, immediately I realized how good the content and information was and haven't stopped watching them since! No fluff but all business and great content! In the end that’s what matters most so much respect for what you do!! Just had to say that! Keep up the great work and thanks for all you do! :-)

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks man. Can I ask specifically it is about the production that initially turned you off from watching the vid? I'm trying to get to the point where more people want to click my vids!

[@jrvisions]

@@zombieguitar Sure but rather than replying about it all here publicly, I'll just send you a direct email which I'll grab from your website. I think that'll be best. :-)

[@JimKassSr]

This lesson is Golden! In a few minutes I got out of the old boring patterns and I love it. I know the pentatonic scales but now they sound like real music! Thank you so much!

[@vincevaughn3189]

This has to be in the top 5 of how to solo videos on KZbin.

[@charlesmurphy2417]

Holy cow. This is amazing. I have had instructors and watched countless of videos and none of them have been as easily explained and comprehensive as what you just did here. I can hardly wait to start practicing this

[@renren7109]

Thank you, this just demystified it for me, i've been avoiding this and just been playing songs for the longest time.

[@dougsmith8430]

This is an awesome lesson… The explanation on the Dominant 7ths was just what I needed right now… Thanks Brian!

[@davidg5832]

A very useful session offering practical applications of shapes and not shapes for shapes sake.

[@markward5845]

Brilliant video lesson... I have been practicing my soloing and you have covered in less than 20 minutes what I have been trying to get my head around!! Thank you so much.

[@kennyg-zx4sp]

I've watched many videos and none of them have been as easily explained the way you did here. I play 100% by ear and can do a lot of what you're showing but never really knew what I was doing right and what I was doing incorrectly. Will definitely be watching this lesson over and over again. Thank you very much.

[@spoketoosoon]

Thank you for this. This has unlocked a road block I’ve had in my head for years.

[@adelinrapcore]

This, for me, its literally gold! Thx man , you are a saint!

[@joetrinidad8228]

Brian Kelly ma men, you kick ass. To me this is the best pentatonic lesson I ever encountered, WOW !!!

[@deeminor6565]

Why did it take me so long to find ur video? U just opened up my guitar world ❤

[@benny2194]

Thank you for keeping the electric guitar alive.

[@davidjackson777]

Holy Moly, you are one great teacher! And a great player I might add.

[@Mpactpics]

What a fantastic lesson in the way to finding your own solo style, with improvisation, like the blues masters. 👏

[@ronkillette6945]

Finally!!! I learned more from this video than all of the other one combined! Thank you!

[@1scrubjay]

Concise, direct, clear, & excellent. Thank you so very much. You just helped synthesize a bunch of dangling ideas for me very coherently.

[@Ryan-sb2tw]

This really articulates it all logically about blues guitar for me. This saved me so much time. Thank you.

[@JohnShamrock-m7i]

I love this! ❤Now I can’t wait to try these out after I get off work this afternoon 😊

[@AndreStijns]

Brian, what a f......ng good lesson!!!! Thank you so much.

[@graemethorne4540]

Well that's a great example simplified so us laymen can understand what is going on and how it all fits together,others give you a example but you have hit the spot for me on this one,Thanks appreciated..

[@richardp5161]

I've been searching 1 4 5 scale shifts until I'm blue (sic) in the face, but this reveals everything I've been looking for . Thank you!

[@nambwereshukra6092]

Great teacher ever. This is just so simple to understand. Keep it going

[@ryanbennetts1989]

Right on, Brian! This is the best breakdown of the different variations! Most lessons leave stuff out, and for years I've been dumbfounded. Especially on the use of IV and V, and being able to add the minor or major 3rd to those. And of course, how to incorporate the darn Maj 6th note. Cool! Thanks!

[@soniatiwari3579]

Litterlly the best video,without any confusion.

[@diegooland1261]

Great lesson, just what I was looking for, thank you.

[@davidburns9219]

I am just getting to this stage in my guitar journey. Your explanation and video has been extremely helpful and insightful. A great break down of this invaluable technique to nailing the blues. Thank you!

[@stephenbowyer7269]

4 approaches, simple, masterfully demonstrated; my beany is way off to Brian as I watch and learn today. I needed this, My Thanks!

[@anjorinoreoluwa5086]

This lesson makes lot of sense,great teaching clues.

[@scoobyydrikcm7826]

One of the best lessons I have seen to date that explains things perfectly and concisely, thanks very much BK...

[@matinee310]

Brilliant as usual one of our best teachers on KZbin ! I’ve been a big fan of Brian for a long time and defo needs the recognition! ✨😎🥇 🧑‍🎓

[@reya7744]

A lot of lightbulb moments, thank you! 🤘🤘

[@jordanbrockmusic7151]

Hey man, this is the first video of yours I've seen. This is quality stuff, I've subbed!

[@sierraridgereaper]

Great lesson man. I really believe you are the best teacher on utube, everything explained in laymans terms makes things so simple to understand... by the way, the new course is excellent ... 👍👍👍

[@zombieguitar]

Hey thanks a lot man! Glad you liked the new course. At the end of this week I was going to look for some feedback from people that tried it 😎🤘

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

You are an incredible teacher

[@tamasresal3580]

Best video ever made about soloing. Great work, thanks for that!

[@Mortezakoroghli]

Thanks! Perfect for improvising approach!

[@lw8281]

I agree with Brian, you provided clarity to an old mistory with this lesson. Well done!

[@neilrobinson7615]

One of the best Zombie Guitar lessons of all IMHO! A real lightbulb lesson for me, particularly using pattern 4 Pentatonic shape for the 4th and 5th chords in a 12 bar. Very easy to see now it has been pointed out to me. Cheers Brian!

[@kumarayyar5025]

What a superb way to explain. So clear to the point . May God keep you rich and happy always 👏👏👏

[@jjryan1352]

The connections are being made 💡💡💡 You're just what I needed! (The Cars)

[@flyby4u2]

Right on…, some light bulbs went on for me in this lesson…it was always there, but I never SAW IT like I do now. One of the best 12 bar blues soloing techniques out there. Thank you thank you thank you Just saved me about $100 in lessons!!

[@th3co45t]

I was looking for something more than licks and this is perfect

[@shawntapley6733]

The problem with this exact subject is that its very often over explained to the point of making it incomprehensibly difficult to follow. This lesson is very clear, concise, and easy to follow and that makes all the difference

[@heymanuel3557]

Brillant as always, thanks Brian!

[@Mike_Spor]

I just started my first guitar lesson. And this is almost exactly my homework specifically playing in the same box area over the cord. Progression in three different scales , great lesson!

[@jwilkinson341]

This is one of the best lessons, thanks Brian

[@khye2271]

So much value in this FREE video.... Will buy a Full Access Membership as soon as I have the money....

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks man, much appreciated! 😎

[@shaneeubanks6396]

Wish I had this stuff on a dvd... yes I'm old school and still use dvds... thanks for explaining in simple man ways.

[@ernestpetu5691]

Thank you so much, this musical education is very apreciated blessings

[@martynspooner5822]

Not anything I can say that has not been said. A huge thanks as always.

[@paulcasilio1119]

May I echo the sentiments of others, Brian? You are awesome, my friend. Thank you.

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

A great lesson just when I needed it. Thank you! I have been trying to target the root notes over each chord in a progression and do not a problem knowing where they are over a scale and my timing is pretty good. My main issue is knowing licks that are appropriate over each chord change so that I will end up on the appropriate root notes.

[@recone829]

This is a great lesson. Thanks Brian. 👍

[@manfredbazarov6417]

Despite years of playing even the first approach is still a challenge. I feel like I'm just noodling up and down the pentatonic rather than creating music. In your demo it all fits around the chords so nicely. Well, more practice...

[@danielrenaud3985]

For somebody like me that is very deficient in theory I kind of sort of understood that I think if I go and spend some time with it it will actually make some sense. I've been a rhythm guy the whole time I've been playing guitar so learning to play notes and scales and more lead progressions is new for me. Very exciting it's like learning a new language at 54. So thanks for breaking it down in a way that an old guy can understand it

[@metalmick]

Brian, keep on keeping on. Your videos help me out no end. So many light bulb moments. Thanks again.

[@ericpatrick1900]

Excellent video!!! Probably the most important blues soloing lesson I've ever watched. THANK YOU BRIAN KELLY!!!

[@mikestroud9969]

Very nice video Big B. I will study this soon. Just pulled out a couple of guitars from my storage yesterday. Thanks man 😎👍👌💯

[@jomerapachecha6031]

One great teacher. Learn a lot with your approach of teaching. Thank you.

[@frankieroberts3444]

Fantastic the mist clears

[@PeterMajewski-gr3re]

Great lesson! Thank you for explaining in such clear detail! And , Thank you for taking the time to post these lessons! Wish we had KZbin 40 years ago!

[@giancarloalberti5770]

Wonderful explanation! Great teacher! 😀

[@JasonChafin]

I'd consider myself a pretty intermediate player. Decent with the CAGED system, know my Is, IVs & Vs in each five position, etc. I've been using the blue notes and grace notes in my soloing/noodling for a while now as I try to figure out different blues songs but I just didn't know how they fit into music theory. This video broke it down for me perfectly. I've been studying this for the past couple of days, so it's nice that you segmented the video into Chapters so that I can easily go back and re-watch the part I'm most trying to grok. Thanks!

[@spinnerone105]

The best blues soloing tutorial in youtube land! Thank you!!!

[@manin.kishore]

Lovely video Brian. Beautifully explained the strategic approach to soloing.

[@militant_daisies2194]

i really like this approach, thank you

[@asapdemolitionllc3311]

Brotha awesome lesson absolutely amazing even tho I knew all this now I know it ten times better thank you