Make Your Solos More Interesting With Melodic Sequences
You may remember I mentioned about just playing scales up and down... and how that tends to make your solos sound like scales running up and down... not really very cool.
You'll probably want to download and print out the TAB for this lesson (it's below the video) before you get started.
Keep in mind that you'll probably have to practice this for a little while before you try to turn on the metronome. I would encourage you to memorize the pattern as it applies to box 1 first, then try with a metronome.
Downloads
This Video (MP4)Mac users should use the MP4 version to download the video
- This Video (WMV)
Windows users should use the WMV version to download this video.
22 Comments
tony
March 17, 2015i just happeneed to be listening to some U 2 yesterday and stumbled into a tune lic that is so repetive its silly . you know being St patricks day an all being part irish U2 is a favorite .It was really kool when i played an octive down . Can not remember when a lic came so easy .it may have a lot to do with just listening to a tune and taking lessons from Griff . nice vest can i have it . One rule I stand by is not to get too wraped up with just scales going up and down with no goal . just break one down scale and use only a few notes and noodle around with it and find out what can be done with it . later gator .
tony
March 5, 2016a year later and can now play just about anything . still working on melodies . creating my own of course because i think alot of us here are hoping to be able to do that. this three note example is a great lesson.
Terry
March 17, 2015Thanks Griff, this is invaluable. I can’t over emphasise how challenging I have found timing. The theory is simple, but the practice is something else. So far the only way I have been able to play in time is to play along with the CD. But when I play without it I can hear myself slowing down and speeding up, and I can’t do anything about it. Not to mention the annoying little mistakes, badly fretted strings etc that seem to crop up whenever I get over-familiar with something. I found counting very difficult when playing a song, particularly with different length notes in each bar. This is a really good way to learn.
I’m just over half way through BBG, but the plan action now is to not go any further until I’ve really got this nailed.
Eric
March 18, 2015Terry, if you think about it back in the day blues wasn’t going to make a clean sound and having a bad buzzing string you might work that into your blues…
Eric
March 18, 2015Terry, if you think about it, back in the day blues wasn’t going to make a clean sound and having a bad buzzing string you might work that into your blues…
Luis prieto
March 22, 2015Thanks for all of the lessons learned, due to your recordings.
mark
March 17, 2015Back to basics. A nice walk though. My comment is that after so many years of practice, I Still get days where I struggle or fumble majorly. Some days the feel…is simply not there. This is doubly so with tremolo!! Some days… the proficiency is simply not there, ain’t gonna happen. Other days I’m there after about two minutes. But yeah, even when you can play fast it’s good top slow down sometimes to um, ground yourself. OM…..
Thanks.
CRAIG RISHEL
March 17, 2015HEY GRIFF NICE LESSON AS USUAL! KEEP EM COMING. WHY ARE YOU PLAYING THE 8th FRET
ON THE 5th STRING f#? THANKS
CRAIG
March 17, 2015SORRY I LOOKED AT IT WRONG!! GREAT LESSON THANKS
Mike
March 17, 2015Thanks Griff. All this counting biz is starting to pay off. This lesson along with the 1/4, 1/8, 1/16th videos which you included are really helping me in my struggles.
Thanks again.
Sam
March 17, 2015If you and the available technology would have been around when I was in my early 20’s, I’d be a world touring bluesman now. You’ve helped so many maybe I can help you and few others, on your long downloads maybe use .rar compression or at the very least, a re-connecting download. Too many times the frustration of waiting a half hour to get to 90 percent completed and my flaky broadband ip takes a dump. Two times in a row, I’m pulling hair out, being bald for last hundred years, it’s hell on the kitty kat. Thank for all you do.
Eric
March 18, 2015Hi griff ,
I started doing this to my scale practice , to make it sound more complex. Small steps right? My next step went into spainish classical 3/4 string pluck with the step scale that you have introduced. I just look for new ways to move it up a notch in my practice.
I tried to teach myself notation but I learned tab at the same time and that stuck. Eric.
Manuel as (Manny)
March 18, 2015Hey griff, Now I see the way you do the tripled, thank’s
Gav
March 19, 2015Seems now that I’m in my late fifties, i seem to be spending a little too much time in the woodshed, polishing my particular pattern.
Thanks for all your good work Griff.
Regards from Australia.
Mike Logeren
March 21, 2015Thanks Griff,
That is the easiest I have ever heard 1/4 , 1/8, and 16th notes explained.
The light bulb just clicked on, and the timing is already improving.
Michael Adkison
April 2, 2015Thanks Griff,
This session is very helpful. I am a fairly good rhythm guitarist, but I want to expland my lead guitar playing. I perform classic rock with a friend who plays 12 string and backs me up with most leads. I hadn’t considered how much blues guitar instruction might improve my leads for playing classic rock.
Your timing signatures demos are very helpful.
Michael
LAURIE
April 25, 2015You’re awesome! Really learning a lot and getting where I wan to be. I’m an advanced player but can always learn more.
Sunny
January 11, 2016Man! this is big! This lesson is a heaven send. Thanks so so much for the knowledge and the master teaching.While I still have a long way to go, my playing is already better now. Blessings , Sunny
Legoge47
March 5, 2016This may be a day or so late but I am trying to count at least in a whisper when I am playing. I had no idea that I need to do it so much.
Manuel
March 5, 2016Great Job Griff, Listen I’ve started counting out loud and now I’ve been doing better,your rite counting does make playing easy’er, I guest you can teach an old man new trick’s, LOL, see’ya
Ramon
November 26, 2022Thanks, Griff. My playing has improved a lot thanks to your lessons. I just need to start creating better melodies when I’m soloing. Thanks again.
Lyle Stanton
March 23, 2022Received a vidami pedal today. A delight to practice with, no more mouse clicking. Have you used this yet, if not are you going to?