Free Christian Guitar Lessons Lesson 11
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Working with the Pentatonic Scale
The Pentatonic Scale is one of the most common Guitar Scales used in Music. This Guitar Scale can be used for Guitar Soloing and basing a song around. If you plan on moving up to the Advanced Guitar Level, you will need to know this Guitar Scale inside and out.
The Pentatonic Scale consists of just 5 notes. Those 5 notes can be played in various places throughout the Guitar Neck, as long as you know how to play this scale.
In this Lesson, we are going to be just touching on the Pentatonic Scale. We could easily devote many Guitar Lessons to this topic. If you would like to know more about this Guitar Scale after you have completed this Lesson - you can look this up on the internet and find countless Lessons specifically for the Pentatonic Scale.
This is just 1 of many Guitar Scales and 1 of the Easiest at that. After you have Mastered the Pentatonic Scale, feel free to tackle other Guitar Scales. There are Major Scales, Minor Scales, Blues Scales, Diminished Scales, 7th Scales and then there are 7 Modes. Long Story Short - There is a lot that you can learn and you can go as far as you want to with the Guitar.
Let's Look at the Pentatonic Scale as a Whole
Working with the Pentatonic Scale
The Pentatonic Scale is one of the most common Guitar Scales used in Music. This Guitar Scale can be used for Guitar Soloing and basing a song around. If you plan on moving up to the Advanced Guitar Level, you will need to know this Guitar Scale inside and out.
The Pentatonic Scale consists of just 5 notes. Those 5 notes can be played in various places throughout the Guitar Neck, as long as you know how to play this scale.
In this Lesson, we are going to be just touching on the Pentatonic Scale. We could easily devote many Guitar Lessons to this topic. If you would like to know more about this Guitar Scale after you have completed this Lesson - you can look this up on the internet and find countless Lessons specifically for the Pentatonic Scale.
This is just 1 of many Guitar Scales and 1 of the Easiest at that. After you have Mastered the Pentatonic Scale, feel free to tackle other Guitar Scales. There are Major Scales, Minor Scales, Blues Scales, Diminished Scales, 7th Scales and then there are 7 Modes. Long Story Short - There is a lot that you can learn and you can go as far as you want to with the Guitar.
Let's Look at the Pentatonic Scale as a Whole
This is the G Major Pentatonic Scale.
The 1st note that you would start with is the 'G' found at the 3rd Fret--6th String. This Scale can be moved to start at other places on the Guitar Neck. If you were to slide this whole pattern by 2 Frets to the 5th Fret, you would have the A Major Pentatonic Scale. The 5th Fret--6th String is an 'A' note. It's a good idea to try to match the Scale with the Key of the song.
So, if the Song that you are playing starts with a 'G' Chord, you'd be safe adding the 'G' Major Pentatonic into the mix. This might seem like a lot to view at one time.
Let's Break this down into '5 Positions'!
By 'Breaking This Down' into 5 different Positions, it allows a person to learn this entire scale much easier than trying to learn the whole thing at one time. In the Position pictures -
You see on each string, the dots (notes) are 3 to 4 Frets apart.
You see on each string, the dots (notes) are 3 to 4 Frets apart.
Each Fret will have 1 Finger.
The dots furthest to the Right (Fret 3) you will use your Index Finger. From that position (going to the Left), the next Fret over (2nd) will use the Middle Finger, the 3rd Fret over will use the Ringer Finger and the 4th Fret over will use the Pinky.
The dots furthest to the Right (Fret 3) you will use your Index Finger. From that position (going to the Left), the next Fret over (2nd) will use the Middle Finger, the 3rd Fret over will use the Ringer Finger and the 4th Fret over will use the Pinky.
Each of the positions are done this same way. Meaning - each Fret has it's own Finger, 2 Frets to the Left of the Index Finger will use the Ring Finger and 3 Frets to the Left of the Index Finger will use the Pinky Finger.
Time to Move Up to a Medium Pick!
In all of the previous Lessons, I used a Thin Guitar Pick (.38 MM). Now that we are getting into working with individual notes, a Medium Pick will offer more precision. Precision is very important when Playing the Guitar! Using a Thin Pick when doing Guitar Scales is pretty hard. I recommend a Medium Guitar Pick (.60 MM). Guitar Picks can be picked up at your local Music Instrument Store and are usually sold individually or in packs of 10. I usally buy them in packs of 10. That way, you don't have to worry about losing a Guitar Pick.
Let's Practice - Position 1 of the Pentatonic Scale
We will just be working on Positions 1 & 2, in this Lesson. Just parts of Position 1 & Position 2 will be used in the Practice Rhythm. I recommend working on the other Positions as well. This can be done on your own time. If you get the concept down with the first 2 Positions, the other Positions should be easy to learn as well.
To get the most out of these recordings - Have your Guitar out, Tuned Up & Play along!
Time to Move Up to a Medium Pick!
In all of the previous Lessons, I used a Thin Guitar Pick (.38 MM). Now that we are getting into working with individual notes, a Medium Pick will offer more precision. Precision is very important when Playing the Guitar! Using a Thin Pick when doing Guitar Scales is pretty hard. I recommend a Medium Guitar Pick (.60 MM). Guitar Picks can be picked up at your local Music Instrument Store and are usually sold individually or in packs of 10. I usally buy them in packs of 10. That way, you don't have to worry about losing a Guitar Pick.
Let's Practice - Position 1 of the Pentatonic Scale
We will just be working on Positions 1 & 2, in this Lesson. Just parts of Position 1 & Position 2 will be used in the Practice Rhythm. I recommend working on the other Positions as well. This can be done on your own time. If you get the concept down with the first 2 Positions, the other Positions should be easy to learn as well.
To get the most out of these recordings - Have your Guitar out, Tuned Up & Play along!
---Youtube Video - Pentatonic Scale-Position 2- Click Here---
Run through these recordings multiple times. Practice these 2 Positions until you feel very comfortable.
As mentioned previously - Parts of these 2 Positions will be used in the Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm.
Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm
In the Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm, we will using a combination of the Pentatonic Scale and Major Power Chords. This will be both Fun & Challenging. The reason this will be a Challenge is, due to getting the timing down.
The parts of the Practice Rhythm that will use the Pentatonic Scale - In this Practice Rhythm, we will just be focusing on Position 1 & Position 2. And, we will just be focusing on String 5 & String 6 (the 2 thickest Strings). Instead of hitting each note once (like you are familar with), we will hit each note 2 times. I will do my Best to explain this out the Best that I can without over explaining things. Once you get through this Practice Rhythm, you will have new Doors open up for you - when Playing your Guitar!
Getting the Pentatonic Scale part down
In order for me to show you how to play this, I will have to put it in TAB Format. TAB Format will tell you which Fret & which String a note is played. If you need additional help on how to read TAB, you are welcome to go to a search engine (like Google or Yahoo), type in 'How to Read TAB' and you will find out all that you want to know (and prob more) about reading TAB for the Guitar.
Run through these recordings multiple times. Practice these 2 Positions until you feel very comfortable.
As mentioned previously - Parts of these 2 Positions will be used in the Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm.
Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm
In the Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm, we will using a combination of the Pentatonic Scale and Major Power Chords. This will be both Fun & Challenging. The reason this will be a Challenge is, due to getting the timing down.
The parts of the Practice Rhythm that will use the Pentatonic Scale - In this Practice Rhythm, we will just be focusing on Position 1 & Position 2. And, we will just be focusing on String 5 & String 6 (the 2 thickest Strings). Instead of hitting each note once (like you are familar with), we will hit each note 2 times. I will do my Best to explain this out the Best that I can without over explaining things. Once you get through this Practice Rhythm, you will have new Doors open up for you - when Playing your Guitar!
Getting the Pentatonic Scale part down
In order for me to show you how to play this, I will have to put it in TAB Format. TAB Format will tell you which Fret & which String a note is played. If you need additional help on how to read TAB, you are welcome to go to a search engine (like Google or Yahoo), type in 'How to Read TAB' and you will find out all that you want to know (and prob more) about reading TAB for the Guitar.
Looking at this Diagram -
The 'E' (with the numbers on it) is the Low 'E' (Thickest String/String 6). The 'A' is the 5th String.
-Notice that there are 2 of each number, side by side. This simply means hitting each note 2 times. Looking at the start of this part - you will use the Index Finger at the 3rd Fret (2) times. Then, on the same String, you'll use your Pinky at the 6th Fret (2) times. Move onto the 5th String, Index on the 3rd Fret again. But, then the Middle Finger will be used on the 5th Fret.
----You will repeat this cycle 3 times. Then while still on the 5th String, you'll slide your Pinky to the 8th Fret (2) times - Index Finger on the 5th Fret (2) times. Move up to the 6th String - Pinky Finger at the 8th Fret (2) times and finish with the Middle Finger at the 6th Fret (2) times.
This Whole Pattern is Repeated Twice, each time it's played!
Before Attempting to play the Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm - Learn how to Play this part. Get to where you can play this very fast. I have 2 recordings for this part alone. 1 Slow Tempo & 1 Fast Tempo.
Maybe this will help
The only Guitar Strings that you need to worry about to play this part are the top two Strings, String 5 ('A') and String 6 (Low 'E'). Get yourself very familiar with playing this part, it will be repeated about 3 times.
Pentatonic Intro/Bridge Part - 1 Time
The 'E' (with the numbers on it) is the Low 'E' (Thickest String/String 6). The 'A' is the 5th String.
-Notice that there are 2 of each number, side by side. This simply means hitting each note 2 times. Looking at the start of this part - you will use the Index Finger at the 3rd Fret (2) times. Then, on the same String, you'll use your Pinky at the 6th Fret (2) times. Move onto the 5th String, Index on the 3rd Fret again. But, then the Middle Finger will be used on the 5th Fret.
----You will repeat this cycle 3 times. Then while still on the 5th String, you'll slide your Pinky to the 8th Fret (2) times - Index Finger on the 5th Fret (2) times. Move up to the 6th String - Pinky Finger at the 8th Fret (2) times and finish with the Middle Finger at the 6th Fret (2) times.
This Whole Pattern is Repeated Twice, each time it's played!
Before Attempting to play the Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm - Learn how to Play this part. Get to where you can play this very fast. I have 2 recordings for this part alone. 1 Slow Tempo & 1 Fast Tempo.
Maybe this will help
The only Guitar Strings that you need to worry about to play this part are the top two Strings, String 5 ('A') and String 6 (Low 'E'). Get yourself very familiar with playing this part, it will be repeated about 3 times.
Pentatonic Intro/Bridge Part - 1 Time
---Youtube Video - Lesson 11 Practice Rhythm - Pentatonic Part 1 Time - Part 1 of 5---
-In the Practice Rhythm, this part is actually done 2 times before moving onto the next part. Let's practice it as it is actually done in the 'Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm'.
Pentatonic Intro/Bridge Part - 2 Times
-In the Practice Rhythm, this part is actually done 2 times before moving onto the next part. Let's practice it as it is actually done in the 'Lesson 11 - Practice Rhythm'.
Pentatonic Intro/Bridge Part - 2 Times
---Youtube Video - Lesson 11 Practice Rhythm - Pentatonic Part 2 Times - Part 2 of 5---
The Power Chord Parts
If you have completed Lessons 8 & 9, this part of the song should be pretty easy for you. Practice these Power Chord transitions and then listen & play along with the the recording for this section.
The Power Chord Parts
If you have completed Lessons 8 & 9, this part of the song should be pretty easy for you. Practice these Power Chord transitions and then listen & play along with the the recording for this section.
---Youtube Video - Lesson 11 Practice Rhythm - The Power Chords - Part 3 of 5---
Let's put it all together!
The rest of the song should be pretty easy for you, if you are doing the Lessons in order.
--The rest of the song is done using Major Power Chords.
---Youtube Video - Lesson 11 Practice Rhythm - Done at a Slower Tempo- Part 4 of 5---
---Youtube Video - Lesson 11 Practice Rhythm - Done at a Rock Tempo - Part 5 of 5---
Let's put it all together!
The rest of the song should be pretty easy for you, if you are doing the Lessons in order.
--The rest of the song is done using Major Power Chords.
---Youtube Video - Lesson 11 Practice Rhythm - Done at a Slower Tempo- Part 4 of 5---
---Youtube Video - Lesson 11 Practice Rhythm - Done at a Rock Tempo - Part 5 of 5---
---Let the 'D' ring out as End
*Lift your fingers up for 1 second explained - This is in there to help you (the Guitar Player) to mentally restart your count of strumming and the pause will show that your moving to another part.
-You don't want it to seem like 1 continuous part. The pause will help to 'Break' the song up!
If you can Master this song - You're further than Most Guitar Players, with 4-5 years on the Guitar.
Once you are really comfortable playing this Practice Rhythm, move onto Lesson 12.
Keep Practicing!
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*Lift your fingers up for 1 second explained - This is in there to help you (the Guitar Player) to mentally restart your count of strumming and the pause will show that your moving to another part.
-You don't want it to seem like 1 continuous part. The pause will help to 'Break' the song up!
If you can Master this song - You're further than Most Guitar Players, with 4-5 years on the Guitar.
Once you are really comfortable playing this Practice Rhythm, move onto Lesson 12.
Keep Practicing!
Go Back Home