Level 1 Example

Most people learn how to solo by finding the key of a song, and lining up the root note of the pentatonic scale to fit the song. For example, if the song is in the key of D minor, place the root note of the minor pentatonic scale on D and play along!

My free video The Pentatonic Scale shows you how to put the G Shape pentatonic scale in the correct key. Visit my free Jam Tracks page if you’d like to practice finding the correct major or minor pentatonic scale for a given song.

The jam track above shows a map of pentatonic shapes all over the fingerboard. My video How to use the CAGED System to play a Solo explains this map for major pentatonic scales, and I’ve got one for minor pentatonic scales too.

If you’d like to learn even more about how these concepts work, check out my these two courses: CAGED Basics and CAGED Basics II available to members of my online school.

Learn more about my online school here: What Is Patreon?

Level 2 Example

This section is about adding two extra notes to the pentatonic scaffolding. Sometimes these extra notes are all in position, and sometimes they are not.

If you want to understand how major scales are made, check out my free video Music Theory for Guitar: Major Scales on YouTube.

If you’re interested in more music theory, like the circle of fifths, relative minor scales, and how to build chords, check out the full Music Theory for Guitar Course available to members of my online school.

Level 3 Example

This level is a bit tougher. You’re not playing any new notes between level 2 and level 3, but you’ll have to focus on these rules/guidelines:

1. Always start on a chord tone.

2. If you move through the scale, keep going until you arrive on another chord tone.

3. If skipping notes, only move from one chord tone to another.

These rules give a solid foundation for melodic playing, and if you practice following these rules precisely, you’ll significantly level up your playing.

HOWEVER: These are not actually rules. They are more like a starting point for learning to pay attention to chord targeting. Think of this list of rules as a jumping off point to further develop your soloing awareness.

If you want to learn how to write your own chord progressions in a major key, check out my free video “Turn a Major Scale into a Chord Progression: the easy way” If you want to understand WHY this works, check out my live lesson “Chords in a key (and more)”

Targeting chord tones is tricky and takes a lot more practice - my free lesson “How to Solo on guitar: HARMONY” goes into quite a bit more detail, but this stuff still takes a lot of practice.

Members of my online school have access to CAGED Basics I & II, CAGED Soloing, and Melody Making lessons that REALLY help you understand these concepts and the fundamentals behind them. If you’re interested in digging deeper into these concepts, consider becoming a member! It’s only $11.67 per month. Check out our FAQ if you have questions.

Level 4 Example

We’re starting to get into jazz territory, but you’ll find guitarists accenting 7ths and extensions in pretty much any genre of music - at least sometimes.

The goal here is to follow the rules from the previous section, but include 7ths and 9ths as part of your “chord tones.”

I don’t have any free youtube videos about these concepts, but if you’re interested in learning more about these complex and beautiful chords, my Music Theory Monday series dives into a lot of the fun, deeper music theory concepts behind these chords.

Level 5 Example

This final level is mainly to show that you CAN use all 12 notes when you’re soloing, but it works best in a context where you acknowledge the key and accent the chords as they go by.

Another way to think about it is like this:

1. Always start on a chord tone.

2. If you move through the scale, keep going until you arrive on another chord tone.

3. If moving chromatically, alway start on a scale tone and continue chromatic movement until you reach another scale tone.

4. If skipping notes, only move from one chord tone to another.

Music Theory For Guitar

A 7 Part Music Theory Course, Designed for Guitar Players

For many people, music theory can be a scary concept, which is why I’ve produced a course specifically designed for guitar players who want to learn music theory. This course breaks things down into the smallest possible pieces so that everyone can understand not just what music theory is, but how to actually use it on the guitar. My Music Theory for Guitar course teaches:

1. Major Scales

2. Minor Scales

3. Intervals

4. Circle of Fifths

5. Major Triads

6. Minor Triads

7. Diminished & Augmented Triads

The CAGED System

A series of courses covering the CAGED system and how to use it to navigate the fingerboard.

• CAGED Basics I

• CAGED Basics II

• CAGED Soloing

Recording Basics

A series of courses designed to introduce guitar player to the basics of recording yourself at home.

• GarageBand Basics

• Song Seed Creation

• Jam Track Creation

• Home Recording Studios

Weekly Live Stream Q&A

Every week, I host a private live stream video lesson, where members can join in and ask questions about guitar, music theory, songwriting, or whatever else might come up!

• Submit Questions

• Chat in Real Time

• Suggest Discussion Topics

• Explore Anything Related to Music and Guitar

• Have Fun With The Community!