This is the second free guitar lesson by Peter Vogl in which we'll use the audio backing track "Am blues", which is track 4, from the Let's Jam! Blues and Rock CD. In our first lesson we used the A Minor Pentatonic Scale which is a 5 note scale. The A natural minor scale is a 7 note scale. These 2 extra notes will add more depth and flavor to your solo. When used with taste this scale let's you “tell the story of the chords”. To learn more scales, try out The Guitarist's Scale Book by Peter Vogl.
Watch the lesson: Quicktime or Youtube
Here is one position of the A natural minor scale which is commonly referred to as the A minor scale. (listen to the scale)
Practice this scale until you are comfortable with it. Use all the notes in this scale to solo at any time during this tune. Most players will use the A minor pentatonic scale, and occasionally mix in the A natural minor scale. Using just the A natural minor scale throughout may sound a little predictable and academic. Try mixing it up between the two scales.
Now let's learn some licks from the A natural minor scale. (listen to this lick)
Here is another one. (listen to this lick)
Now let's learn one last lick out of the A Natural Minor Scale (listen to this lick)
Here is a more specific use of this scale. In this tune we play a Dm7 chord. Dm7 contains the notes D-F-A-C. The one note in this chord that is not in the A minor pentatonic scale is the note F. A minor pentatonic contains the notes A-C-D-E-G. Notice there is no F. In the A natural minor scale we have the notes A-B-C-D-E-F-G. Notice the note F. If we emphasize the note F from the A natural minor scale when we are playing the Dm7 chord, it sounds especially good. In this way we are “telling the story of the chords” by using the note F when the chord progression is on the Dm7 chord. Another common way to say this is “playing over the chords”. This means we use the notes from the chords to solo.
Now let's learn a lick using this idea. (listen to this lick)
This next lick also uses the same idea. (listen to this lick)
We hope you have enjoyed this lesson and have come away with some new licks and ideas. Keep practicing and keep visiting this site for new lessons. If you enjoy working with the lessons, tell your friends about freeguitarvideos.com.
Am Blues Chords by Peter Vogl is a Quicktime video lesson that will teach you the actual chords and substitutions used on track 4, Am Blues, of the Let's Jam Blues & Rock CD. We will look at virtually every chord shape and substitution used during the track as well as some chordal riffs. The concepts presented in the lesson can be applied to other songs and help your create your own ideas for rhythm guitar. $4.99
Watch sample clips from this lesson.
instructors
