BC-015 • Beginners Guitar Lesson - Improvising Basics

[TheBriguy31]

hey i'm having a hard time figuring out this quick stumming technique. the only way to explain what i mean is by saying it's right before the chorus of the song big city dreams. could you make a short video possibly to explain this. i can't find one anywhere. thanks

[TheBriguy31]

hey i'm having a hard time figuring out this quick stumming technique. the only way to explain what i mean is by saying it's right before the chorus of the song big city dreams. could you make a short video possibly to explain this. i can't find one anywhere. thanks

[mikebi2616]

I know nothing about improvising. I don't know scales. How do I know what notes I can hit so it doesn't sound off key? Where would you suggest I start? Thanks for your response.

[rubenitaa]

O melhor professor que já vi!

Parabéns e muito obrigada!!!

Estou muito, muito feliz por você existir!



[cjkeegan100]

thank you im truly getting it now finnally :)

[davidtheguitarman]

Great lesson. I want to ask you a question. I can't exploit the pentatonic boxes as they should, I can only improvise always the same melodic lines and this make my improvisation boring. How can I exploit it better?

[alexisrips]

A PRO!!!

[paulsemgs]

What where the back track choards?

[HennesseyClyyde]

some of you dont understand that there is no next to this.Its all about what you can do.Think of scales as a pattern in which the notes that sound good together just add notes or take notes away repeat the notes play it faster or slower with the beat/backing track.Scales in music are like a panters brush its just a kinda tool to express your mind/yourself. A painter can learn all the tecniques in the world but t the end of the day its what is in his mind that he expresses through tecniques.

[ecaple11]

@HennesseyClyyde well said..

[futebalmakedonia]

theres something i dont get

umm, well

i dont get this,

if i wanted to play over the key of G,i know what chords are in it , but do i have to play on the g major scale or can i play on a note that is G, and i dont get understand, can you move the scale higher up the fretboard and still sound good??????????????????????????­???????????

[DrakeBellCovers]

That's right! :) In theory you can keep the same scale pattern, and move it up or down the fretboard depending on what key you want to solo in. All you need to do is move the root note of the scale (the first note you'd generally play), to the fret which has the same note as the key you're in.

Hope this helps! :)

[Landerkuh]

@futebalmakedonia you have 5 different shapes in the G major scale. All of them use the note G as root note but on another string. This means that your shapes will be on a different place on the fretboard but you'll still play in the key of G as long as you play those shapes and use G as root note!

[ivncdo0809]

Thank you so much foe these lessons justin!! Nice!! but does anybody tell me what's the tittle of the next lesson?? i simply got lost after this lesson because i couldn't find lesson BC-016....thanks for answering and greetings from italy!!

[Trian1993]

its all about feelings and practising. if you can feel the rythm, you will rock, but enouth to have some feeling.. anyway i play on the guitar more than 2and half years, but i can't do this improvising thing, because i don't practise. good luck, nice lesson

[Lordedargon]

ok, this sounds daft, but when you improvise do you play the scale as normal?

[alyannanicoleq]

what's the next of this?

[shoshomo]

I cant find the tabs for the solo scales except A :S

I would be gratefull if som1 links it to me

[andrex10]

he is playing in the A scale

[cueroargentina]

the shape of the scale is always the same for each position. If you want to play a G minor pentatonic scale then just move yourself two frets down. I hope i'm clear about this...

[guitarmatt94]

lol this is a lesson on improvisation.why are u asking for tabs

[sk8erguy011]

lol

[babykooksy]

There's 3 basic patterns. Major, Minor and Pentatonic (which is shown in the video). You can play the shape from any fret and it will be in that key. Move the 'A' one up a fret and you're in Bb

[BlancyBuck1970]

hey justin, im not sure if i've ever commented on you video's however i've been lookin at many guitar lesson video's on youtube and i always return to your channel. in short i think you are the best guitarist and teacher on the web.keep up the GREAT work, and ill be watching.

your fan/student

BB1970

[ArchaelN123]

Great explanation Justin! Thanks for the lesson I've learned so much.

[thestrugglewithin]

Good explanation using the alphabet, punctuation etc as analogy to explain. really helped me. cheers bro

[deycha1]

" t and h... TH"

LOL LOL

[dedetube]

How important are scales? do slash, clapton , satriani etc. use them when writing a song? and is there a renowed guitarist who doesn't use them? and how do you know what chords go together and what scales to use with them?

[Anonymousmuffin]

Yeah they do, not so much when writing, but they still do. They all pretty much have their own favourite for improvising. Slash has the minor Pentatonic, Yngwie has the harmonic minor, Satch has Lydian. Not sure bout clapton.

You cant improvise (Solo) without knowing the scales. A little boring to learn, but improv is real fun :D

[dedetube]

Thanks for te reply, 'but not so much when writing', so do they just go with the flow when writing (well the majority)? Right now when i right i just go with the sound in my head and use all my memory to find out where the notes & chords are, pretty much trial and error

[Anonymousmuffin]

It is similar and it is based on the major or minor scale. If they are working in the key of Aminor then they use the Aminor scale as a sort of foundation. Then it is pretty much what sounds good. But obviously accomplished musicians have a much better idea of what will sound right and can think really far ahead and have a better sense of melody etc.

[veggieburgerfish]

You can improvise with out using scales, it's just harder (but easier to sound original). If you look at all the great blues guys, no one ever taught them a scale in their life. Hendrix couldn't even describe a chord progression, and he could play the blues like no earthly creature ever has. Check out red house.

[u2ber87]

yes but Hendrix learned a lot of theory as a kid.

So later it was like breathing to him... he didn't think. He could use intuition. Many others alike.

He definetly first learned the scales.

[veggieburgerfish]

It's strange, as an extreme example hendrix literally new NO theory. His bassist called him up before a jam and was like "so are we gonna just do it in E and play one chord for 4 bars, then 4 chord... etc." and hendrix was like what? I just play... Different musicians use theory to different extents, but Hendrix's playing jourineys through all sorts of "scales" whilst he plays, crossing into pentatonic, the blues scale, dorian and even the double harmonic scale at points.

[veggieburgerfish]

He knew none of this, he just new what it would sound like by playing, hearing what it sounded like and remebering. On the other hand, Clapton, satch and vai all know reasonable amounts of theory. There's no right or wrong way- some people (like hendrix) just soak up theory in their own terms from what they hear around them. All theory originally started in this way anyway.

[veggieburgerfish]

On the other hand it's just as valid to learn the theory behind it, and it can give a greater understanding of why what you play sounds like how you play, and I find this is a great help when writing songs or jamming. Don't let people snub you for learning scales, but also don't feel you have to stick to a scale while playing; it's best to keep a good balance between both methods.

[u2ber87]

I didn't know that about Hendrix... amazing.

[veggieburgerfish]

I know, he's my favourite guitarist of all time. If you think his rock stuff was good then check out his blues. absolutely outstanding...

watch?v=wCQBbgb_Lvo

watch?v=w8vL2RQ_ZJM

watch?v=CjOQ9r35uiU

[againstas]

jam my little ass off =] lol!

[BEYONDILIMIT]

wat's more important knowing all the 5 positions of the Am pentotonic scale or just licks for each scale liek the 1st then learn 2nd and the their licks and so forth

[TheJazzyFrenchman]

Its important to have a healthy library of licks for each position and really be comfortable with that position in general before you move on to the other ones. I made the mistake of learning all the major scale positions at once and now I have a lot of material I can't do jack with!

I know you left this comment a while ago but I hope this still helps.

[kangkanpunkmonk]

are there scales like d minor pentatonic and stuff too?/

[desy2478]

Yes there are. Check out his site it's very good. He suggests getting a bit handy with the one scale shape before learning others.

[ryanroolz2]

yes there are a,asharpe,b,c,csharpe,d,dsharp­e,e,f,fsharpe,g all minor then there are major ones too dont worry they all use the same 5 shapes

confusing yes im a begginer too

[BananaHarvester]

is that the a minor? and do you have to play the notes in order?

[DragonX28]

"Jam your little asses off!"

LOL!!! xD

I would try to jam with my friend, BUT he doesn't know scales and chords and such... so I'm left to play backing tracks =P

[youngst4r18]

safe ur a legand up there with jimmi clapton slash van halen bob marley and all the rest u should know who thay are tab bak safe man ur so cool

[PianoGuitar92]

after then pentitonic scale can you skip t or what?

[seedevil]

lol pentatonic scale is like the most important for blues... actually for all music.

u cant really skip any of them unless u wanna just be one of those guys that can play some songs but doesnt actually "know" guitar.

well thats not true i take it back. some people can play based on muscle memory or "feeling" but this is rare.

[Anonymousmuffin]

Yeah some people can play just by hearing what they want to play in there head but its better if you learn scales first since it makes it easier and faster to learn to play by ear.

[Bandwiches]

That's an awesome sweater and thanks for the lesson man.

[Bartimaeus616]

zomg, amazing, ta much :D great starter for soloing and jamming :D

[Espoacdc]

the minor pentatonic

[crisisskateteam]

what scale is it tho

[omgharajuku]

Thanks so much for posting these, because by watching your videos and reading your website, I am learning things in a few weeks that otherwise would have taken me months to figure out...so thank you!

[dumhole327]

This lesson gave me a lot of ideas to improve my improvising. I actually transcribed all the licks you used here and my blues "vocabulary" has increased tremendously. Thanks Justin.

[sunflower7202]

where can u get the backing track

[NagualElias]

go to the jam track section of guitarbt, they have tons. this guy said he also is selling a jam track cd.

[GoodGawd]

YAY THE DVD XD

[lilyxzzz]

you're cute..."mate" XP

[AnhKiaa]

i didnt learn anything but thats cool 5/5 anyway

[ThorXMK]

Is the backing track available on his site anywhere?

[Oceaner235]

ur british or somtin u straned it wen u said asses XD but by far ur the best teacher ever

[FrankIsInReverie]

well done mate, i bloody foooken love you mate and i'm not even british

[PANT8909]

I finally got my strat back from my parents house after 2 years. I feel like I have literally learned a new language. I understand guitar now. Thanks bro!

[gitaristakinse30]

I'm learning guitar solos right now but i find it difficult to make my fingers faster. if you know what i mean. for me, doing guitar licks are are easy but when it comes to fast licks, I definitely having a hard time. do you know any exercises that i can do to make my fingers faster? you can also suggest some links. thanks.

[aztecmx]

well there isnt really a lesson for that it just takes practice and lots of it. i am also learning how to solo right now. i say use a metrodome. or something. like my instructor says . practice practice practice!!!

[bravesfanz10]

Justin you're awesome man I have leraned so much from you and appreciate it. I love your site and plan to buy some of your lessons...thanks

[ultraZZZZZ]

Very great lesson! thanks a lot !

[republicanteen]

Good lesson. ;) keep it coming

[JustinSandercoe]

Thanks dudes and dudettes :)

Glad you dig it, more coming soon and new site is rocking :)

Take care and have fun, J

[mohitsingh009]

kewl....mannnn u r awesome....

[FURRY1995]

@JustinSandercoe Have u done a vid teaching us how to know what notes work outside a scales so we can play up and down the neck rather than being stuck with the 1 notes in the pentatonic scale ???

[bjr04e]

This dude's the man, straight up, he just seems so genuine.

[pengam2006]

I like this dude... He's very likable. The lesson was ace too. I'm gonna check out more of his vids'

[windsurf17]

Justin's like the buddy who takes the time to teach you the guitar and show you the shortcuts that makes learning easier.

[o0soulchild0o]

nice guitar :D

[weed07]

my fingers just dont do what i want, hehe. i can´t hang my 3rd finger close to the 2nd, the is always close to de pinky... and qhen i play the pentatonic the 2nd finger is always lifted up. how can i solve this problem?

[74dorset]

sandcore..what a cool name

[jesusfreak10769]

another scale beginner guitarist should check out as they lean how to improvise is the blues scale. At the end of the video you all saw him mention the time he went out of the scale during the solo. even as he played i noticed that he went out of scale and little and played some of the blues scale. maybye it was just me but i suggest that you guitarist try it out. it's almost identical to the minor pentatonic. it's just the minor pentatonic with a few added notes.

[49atown49]

hey thanks alot man these vids helped me so much

check out my video we were jamming with the pentatonic

[tommyb001]

Great lesson mate. This one and the previous one have really helped loads. :D

[camargo152]

BEST LESSON EVER! THANK YOY SO MUCH..

[helltomeplz]

can you please post the tabs for the stuff u played plz ?

[IIIIKARENIIII]

Justin you're just beautiful and I hope you're receiving the greatest karma. I've been faking my guitar playing for way too long (and my band knows it) but you're the person that's finally helped me understand what i'm doing. RE: the comment below - the .030 part of this video is a classic aussie pose that my friends and I adore. Best of luck with your other endeavours!

[akosininio]

0:30 looks kinda odd

[666MagicMan666]

thank you man! you are an awsome teacher. It all seems so clear to me now.....sounds odd, but hey its a compliment and its beter than just looking at plain diagrams!

thanks man!

[JustinSandercoe]

thanks y'all. get the backing track on my web site - go to Products then Really Useful Play Along tracks CD - and the 12 Bar is a free sample :))) happy xmas everyone :) J

[digourno]

thats awsome. it seems so much easier to improvise with a beat in the background. THANKS!!

[akosininio]

Does anybody know where to get a backing track for the 12 bar blues Justin is playing?

[royboy1231]

this is the best guitar lesson EVER!

[Matt2xtreameJeff]

you are great

rock n roll

[DuckInASpruce]

you probably are the best teacher here on youtube! fantastic! thank you for helping me on my way to guitar-heaven. live for ever, buddy!

[CRACKHORSE123]

do you know how awesome you are? dude you are seriously the best teacher... EVER

[jimrox9000]

GREAT TEACHER ive been playing for a while (2 years) and this has helped!

[namesean]

Justin, I know you get a lot of comments -- but this is important, from a 5 year marketing director, a marketing graduate and poor donator of yours :) I stoped using you after the Beginners Guitar Lesson 15 - Improvising Basics and SO WEIRD on this thing is goes to 15 than stops dead until 90 or whatever, are they your paid pieces? Where can I get 15-90 HELP!!

Thanks man I'll check back here.

[TrueMusou]

JustinSandercoeSongs

He made a new channel for some of those.

[namesean]

Sweet thanks. I saw that like 1 hour after i posted this.  My quesiton is too long. Haa

[midnightrider56]

I just sneaked up from lesson 4 to see if i will ever play anything like a proper tune and if i ever get to do what justin did on this video, i will be so happy.

[elih999]

love again and more

so sweet

[dudt]

Can I ask if that was a Rock or a Blues thing you played to? What was the chords to the soundtrack?

[hbkmg]

It was a blues 12 bar track and it is free on his website as a download.

[dudt]

which website? please send me in private?

[herebesmewa]

AHAAAAA!!! NOW I GET IT, cheers mate you're a great help,you explain it so well....keep em coming :)

[jplume]

I've been watching your videos for a bit now and started self-learning guitar about 2 months ago. You have really helped me along quickly and been an inspiration. Can't thank you enough for your work to help us play, and I can't wait till you get your song vids back up! Later bro.

[ededed27]

Hey, your lessons are great and realy useful! i cant find the backing track you spoke about at the end of the video, is it on your site?

[JustinSandercoe]

it in the products section - see really useful play along tracks.

J

[RajuX]

do u have a lesson where you teach how to imrovise

[NirvanaLady]

OMG!!! You're amazing!!! I'm a girl and no-one really wants to teach girls how to play the guitar but with your help and videos I can learn some cool stuff! I love to play blues especially! Thank you sooooooo much! You do a great job!!! ^_^

[ucantcme123]

tahnks

[scout4118]

You know the cliche. "Those who can do and those who can't teach." My friend you're in that blessed group that can do both. You give the best lessons I've ever had. I've picked up the guitar again thinking about a teacher but I don't need one now with your lessons.

[Jonblazk]

Respect.

[J0hn845]

I just went and tried it for 10 minutes and none of the notes seemed right together. I don't know how you do it... =/

[JustinSandercoe]

make sure you are playing the right scale at the right fret.

It works - I promise :)

J

[georgegeng]

you are an awesome teacher!! Very clear instruction. I love the letters/words/phrases/language analogy. you are the best

[JustinSandercoe]

thanks dudes :)

Glad you all diggin on it.

take care, J

[krystofflulu]

Hello, my name is Krystoff,

I'm French and I am very sad you're don't too because I don't speak engish very well. But just by the view I show you and I think you're a very good teacher. It's very Easy to play with you. Congratulations

[ANARCHISTARMANDO]

this dube is soo cool. thank you for shareing

[Jesterhead87]

the comparison with the language really openend my eyes ,thx! :)

[jheweng]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge to the world.

[BadenWayne]

Wow mate, you're doing excellent work here. Beats the hell out of all that stiff cr@p going on at music school, man.

[MuNkYBizNess]

You are a really great teacher!

[PLOKIJ9090]

groooovy

[hamzabadboys]

warar

[even200x]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Your altruism should be rewarded.

[SGBOSSMarshall]

justin... u rock! Your lessons are the best out there! Dude, if i lived in England i would want to get my lessons from you man!

-SGBOSSMarshall

AKA: ->wingrokr

AKA: Diego Carrion

[Nataku147]

Thanks Mate

[deuangerman]

Hey Justin, this lesson just stops after 3 minutes 11 seconds and I really want to see the rest of it.

By the way, you are by far the best guitar teacher I have come across on the net. You are what every person learning to play the guitar needs - clear, detailed and very engaging - sound great too! Keep it up and please fix this lesson!!!!

[biggy06605]

soo good

[Keksvontrevetzi]

Sound that fella, you are helping many people improve mate, non more so than my bad self

[tiagolascas]

awesome!

can you send me the acompaniment music?

i have been lookin for a accompaniment like that..

send me please

[onesidez]

awesome! thx 4 this great lesson.

[timrulez]

Awesome. Cheers Justin

[akoposiven]

i will learn much if it has english subtitles

[shauntheprown]

thanks justin for helping me start of with guitar. your the best thing to come out of ozz ha ha thanks again shaun

[Nick5513]

Thank you very much. 50 years young. Bought a guitar 2-1/2 months ago. Started with a teacher 2 months ago. Alot of theory & building chords all over in the key of "A". Dominant 7. Playing the 12 bar blues. He now says I need to begin to find a voice of my own on the guitar. Up to the third position, now , on the blues scale. He plays the backing as I explore. You're video really helps me to understand what he's asking me to do. Thanks again.

[shaggy0007]

awesome makes much scene now.. Thank You!!!

[pimpboogie]

Hi Justin, do you give right hand lessons? I'm alright with left hand and what you show, but for the right hand I'm not using mediator, I'm using my fingers... do you have tips?

[JustinSandercoe]

mediator? you mean pick? don't know exercises for that - just do it :) for pick technique - check out the spider exercise. J

[JustinSandercoe]

statues available soon ;)

[MuNkYBizNess]

hahaha, what about t-shirts with your face on?

[Ornithus]

Justin, you are god. i worship you.

[wakker17]

when will the backing cd be available justin?

[JustinSandercoe]

soon as I finish it... been busy... about a month I reckon :)

[flannellfitt]

do you have this tabbed out

[JustinSandercoe]

no, the lesson is on improvising...

it would defeat the purpose :)

J