Please visit my website: www.rguitars.co.uk for advice on guitars! I have specialized in guitar advice for 27 years and have a showroom in Stratford Upon Avon - opposite the train station. We also have a world wide delivery service. I have done 4 blues videos including this one which you can find in my "Tuition" playlist here ruclips.net/video/qa2TOROXs6g/видео.html - Hope you enjoy them!
Man I’m so happy to for the first time have the feeling that it might be possible for me to one day understand guitar theorie. The way you explain is very pleasant to watch too. Please continue to guide us and thanks for the lesson
I’ve been playing for 10 years and am the definition of the “I know cool licks and chords but have no idea what I’m actually playing” so I started watching this to really become a well rounded player and man has this got me inspired and excited to evolve as a player! Thank you 🙏🏻
@griffey422 hey curious how the progress is going for you? At this point I’m in the boat you were and I’m really looking forward to learning the theory and everything.
Hey everyone! I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you for the kindest, most supportive words of appreciation I could have ever wished for! Its actually made me quite emotional at a time of massive uncertainty for all of us. To think this one video has helped so many and could help so many more in the future .... well its overwelming frankly! Anyway... I will take that response from you guys to mean you dont mind me doing another one.... or two.... !! Bless you all guys!
You are actually a great teacher at least for a beginner like myself. I have learned a lot of stuff separately not being able to use it. You managed to put a lot of information into the right context so I finally learned something very useful. Thank you so so much, this was an eye-opening lesson for me. 🤩👌👍
Richard - thank you so much I found your video to be absolutely great and has made sense of a lot of things that I was basically just copying without understanding up until now. Please continue and don't stress over the blurring - it didn't detract from the theory you were explaining at all. I'm now going to practice and then watch your second one!
Just finished the watching your video and absolutely loved it. I've know the blues scale for a couple of years and until now, I've ( like all the others you spoke about) never had a clue what I was doing with it. Thank you so much for doing this. It has explained so much for me. The the diagram you added in was magic too btw. Brilliant video, huge thank you again and I hope you get to do some more videos for us.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! You are a natural teacher, very clear and easy to understand. Don't worry about the out-of-focus camera, it didn't detract from the message at all. Good teaching like yours is much more important than slick production. Please do more in the same vein.
Absolutely amazing, anybody who gave this a thumbs down are being completely unfair..I’ve 69 and have been playing guita are 57 years. If you want to learn the blues listen to this guy he knows what he’s talking about. Best explanation I’ve heard on RUclips so far. Everybody else talks about the pentatonic scale but don’t explain it and knowledge is power. Blues Power so listen up people. Use this and you’ll be playing blues tomorrow without learning unless licks. This teaches you to get you own style! I wish I had you as a teacher 57 years ago. I would have saved about 20 wasted years just having no knowledge of why I was practicing in the pentatonic shapes every day!
Richard! You’re a legend, friend. What an incredible gift that you offer us all. Thank you, from all of us. We’re all incredibly lucky to have your patience and undivided attention, which you’re sharing to every corner of the world. I’m 10,000kms away from you, and what a luxury to have you teaching us in our homes. Big respect. The blur! It’s wonderful! It adds character, charm and texture. The sign of a true artist who’s willing to create beauty, make mistakes, and embrace them with grace and flow. Big love, brother.
You are obviously a very accomplished guitar player, but what I like most is your willingness to unpick this addictive style of guitar bit by bit for us learners. Thank you so much. So many RUclipsrs seem to want to show their expertise but fail in being able to share adequately in that knowledge. To think we've spent half an hour on basically one chord and ~I'm NOT bored yet says it all. Keep up the good work, I don't mind the occasional focus issue ! Cheers.
There are LOTS of RUclips videos that talk about playing chord tones. Your's is the only one that I've found that actually explains what that means in a coherent manor. Looking forward to future videos. Thank you. Thank you.
Heya, please don't apologize, I learned more in 30 minutes of your teaching than I have in the last 30 years of my life. WOW, a lightbulb just went off in my head and I feel reborn. I know pentatonic and some basic scales and have trouble remembering licks due to memory loss, but you have just shown me how to create my own licks just from feel and knowing the basic approach. Practice will now take on a whole different perspective for me! THANK YOU!
It's funny how many videos are technically very sound, but the ability to put it into layman's terms so us beginners can understand it is so rare. Thank you for posting this. First time in the year I've been trying to understand blues I've found information that made sense to me! (mostly.)
Richard Ive been playing guitar since I was seven and now 71. I have been in three bands and had a wonderful experiece over a span of 24 years. I sat down to watch your video because ive learnt the Pentatonic scales through the fretboard, which I never knew existed in this past year or so, but no teacher has pointed out like you the reason you cant play blues using these scales. I was getting very frustrated because ive learnt the Pentatonic Scales and still sounded rubbish. I must point out that I was a Rhythm Guitarist in all three bands but wanting to learn lead guitar now, this is where you have, and you only taught me how to play true blues, full marks, love you man.
I love you too! To have helped someone who has been playing guitar for 64 years is truly an honour - Thank yo SO much for letting me know and here is to your next 64 years!
I have been watching RUclips videos for weeks!! Literally weeks trying to find a video that breaks it down this far for me to easily comprehend. Thank you so much. I had so many breakthrough moments here. Please keep sharing this knowledge!
This is like learning from a more knowledgeable and experienced friend in your sitting room. Fun and no pressure. I’ve heard of intervals but couldn’t explain them to anyone. Great stuff. More please.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this Blues lesson series! I learned the 5 pentatonic scale positions, learned many blues chords, learned how to play several different songs, etc. and decided it was time to learn how and why all this works. I contacted a long time acquaintance who is a touring blues man here in Nashville about taking lessons from him since he is nearly 70 years old and not touring as much now to see if he had time to teach me the hows and whys of blues. He agreed and I was able to take two lessons from him and then the virus hit. :( I had to call him to let him know that I couldn't take lessons any more due to virus concerns and the fact that I couldn't afford to pay for services anymore because of the shutdown of our business. God I hated making that call... Now I come across this video in my suggested video feed. I figured it would be like the rest and not really go into much detail unless you buy their package of lessons. What a surprise! You are providing the information I need to be able to play and improvise while knowing that what I am doing is going to work. This is EXACTLY the thing I lost! I pray for the world to get through this, and I want you to know this sort of thing you are doing helps in more ways than you know. God bless you!
Subbed if only for the fact that you're honest, clearly passionate, and want to teach others. I'm 33 and have been playing since I was 7. Now, most of that was self taught, but I had a tutor for 2 years and great guy, REALLY knew how to play guitar, but did not know how to teach it to me. So I thought copycatting was just what everyone did. 3 years ago I start looking into music theory and was blown away. I knew the VERY basics, but this I-VII was Greek. Thank you for this invaluable primer as I'd like to actually know how to play, not merely be able to memorize stuff.
My first thoughts were, “ oh a 32 minutes about blues meh, uninteresting ” but then I started watching the video and I loved it! Thank you very much Richard you are a wonderful teacher 🙏🏻
I know my theory and my pentatonic scales so I was able to easily follow your presentation. I'm just starting to be able to improvise lead playing and I learned more in this short tutorial than in hours of watching other videos. I hate wasting time getting pitched to buy a lesson package while being strung along by being promised some valuable information or "secrets". It was really refreshing that you just put this out there to help your fellow guitar players.
This has been the best blues lesson that actually was not boring or so technical that looses my attention. I absolutly got engaged in the way you explained the lesson, the bluriness was the least of my worries. you are a great teacher. Thank you so much for taking your time to do this for us guitarists that are struglling to become better.
I ve got to say this is one of the best videos , on this subject I ve seen ! For me in my 70s , and having had the good fortune of being brought up in ACTON / EALING , west london . we had the Ealing club , and blues legends playing here , which drew in , and jammed here ! jack bruce , ginger baker , eric , the stones , the who , ronnie wood ( the birds ) etc the ricky tick , with jimi hendrix first gig for £ 20 ,and jim marshall , with his shop , who was always there to help us ! I ve learned even at my age , and 59 years of playing guitar ! YOU CAN NEVER KNOW EVERYTHING , and its a great project from this , youngster ha , ha ! cheers and thankyou , Richards guitars , this is what makes being a musician great fun , OUR FRIENDS ! and our local shops who willingly share their experiances / advise cheers / thankyou , ritchie .
What a lovely comment. Thank you so much. What we have in common... I was taught in Acton!! At the guitar institute by Iain Scott and Shaun Baxter. Check them out ! I had to to live in Ealing for 3 months as part of my studies. Thank you so much for sharing your memories
@@RichardsGuitarshop hi mate , unfortunatly , I never knew these guys ,as in my thirties ( late 1970s, I left acton , and was able to move to france ,full time and never went back ! ) though ironicaly I ve got a lot of school / childhood friends ,who are from acton / ealing , who came here to ,and , live ,for a creative , cheap way of life ! NO RAT race here ! and crazy house / property prices , etc , so ,it was a fun place to bring up your family , cheers mate and thanks for your video / memories , ritchie .
@@harryhole4427 hi harry , yes I ve been very , very lucky ! and unbelvialbly , I moved to France many years ago , to bring up my family , in the rural countryside , and bought a ruin of a farm ,( for the price of a very average family car ! ) which we brought back to life ! and , our neighbour was the legendary american blues singer Screaming jay hawkins ( I put a spell on you ) till he passed away in january 2000 , who use to drop in for a drink / music in my studio , and when they came over to stay with him members of the CLASH , who use to take screaming jay as their support act on their american tours ! magic people and so into their music ! cheers ritchie . p.s. ironicaly the Clash where from west london too ,
Really well explained, no showing off or anything, you look really focused in teaching and sharing your knowledge with the audience, thank you so much. Just subscribed the channel.
Well done, Richard. Anyone at the beginning of their guitar journey who watches this vid and takes time to grasp the concept of Intervals (and the related subjects you listed) will save themselves years of confusion and frustration.
Richard, please understand that this is seriously the best video on RUclips ! You have illuminated a dark road for me and I’m elated that I stumbled upon it. All of the so-called “guitar gurus “on RUclips show you note for note how to play somebody else’s song ... that one video (and I know you have more) is like a Jurassic Park gate to creating your own sound...well done. My vote for video of the year !!!
1:13 Knowledge is power...yet, a lack of knowledge leads to frustration. 25 years ago I was a beginner. I became so frustrated with my 1st guitar that I grabbed a hammer and beat the heck out of my frets with the strings on! Last week I completed the fret job on this same guitar, along with new paint, pickups, etcetera, and it plays and sounds amazing. Thanks to the internet, and videos like this one, my knowledge is now Power! Akka-Dakka baby!!! 😎
My harmonica teacher told me if I'm playing harmonica at a jam and use a note that doesn't fit play it again and people will think you meant to play it 😀
After endlessly searching for someone to explain the chords vs scales, I've finally learnt to after watching this video. Thank you! Ive been playing guitar for 17 yrs now but went cold with it 5 yrs ago after the tinnitus devil kicked in. (Protect your ears kids!). Im only now getting back into electric guitar and absolutely loving it again. The timing of your video is a blessing. Instant subscriber. My biggest hurdle now is improvising by mashing the major and minor scales all over the fretboard, and understanding how they relate to the chords. Work in progress. Thanks again for the excellent videos!
Hi. Well you wont believe this but all my videos I am doing right now are leading toward all of that! Start watching all my other videos from #1. I promise you - you will get something from them even though they say they are for total beginners. Trust me!
I've been noodling on guitars with some basic music knowledge for years and finally wanting to take it to the 'next' level in terms of understanding why it all works - this video is packed with key knowledge and insights - thank you
Hi Richard, I've been playing guitar for over 50 years and fall bang into the group (forgive the pun) who haven't a clue about what they are playing. Sure, I can play a range of styles and can learn a solo but I've long been frustrated by my inability to jam and improvise for the very reasons you have explained. It's like knowing the words but being unable to have a conversation. I have looked at countless RUclips tutorials which leave me none the wiser. Watching your video was like we were in the same room chatting away. Your teaching style is very relaxed and is like you're showing a mate how to play. Forget about the focusing issues and all that - your approach is superb. With any luck, you'll get this old git here jamming along instead of just playing "menu-solos"! Thank you - it's just what we need in these miserable times!
Absolutely superb lesson. The trick with the 4th and flat third is such a great explanation. Combined with humour and self deprecation. Much appreciated
I think it’s the light on the wall over your left shoulder. I’m self taught. I was gigging at 14. Played in front of thousands, but never really knew a scale or what. I was doing. Now at 61, I’ve re taught myself from RUclips. I wish I’d had a teacher back then.
eh Richard, excellent video!! This was among the best videos I have seen on YT for guitar instruction.... you're really good at explaining the theory of this great instrument.. Having watched this video I am now beginning to see how all these things are related.. great video .. many thanks... Don't worry about the technical difficulties .... I was too dialed into what you were explaining to us to notice a focus problem
after 40 yrs of playing guitar the best thing I ever did was learn some theory.,actually know what I'm doing now,..wish I learned theory a long time ago but .,no I was a big shot and played by ear..2017 till now I'm at a whole new level...thanks to you and others like you...
@@HK-sw3vi true story my friend.,only thing I knew was tuning names eadgbe.,and basic chord shape and names..I could only copy songs.,but now I can make my own songs...
You don’t know how grateful I am today for your video. It’s not like blues are hard, but just no one knew how to teach. You did it in mere 30 minutes. I’ve had so many breakthroughs! Thank you very much.
Ok. The best tutorial I have found and I searched alot. I'm finally getting it now. I will be watching this video over and over. Don't worry about the blurriness. I totally got this. Thank you very much!
The technical staff failed but you didn't. Thank you so much for this video as I found it as a best training video I ever seen in my life. Very well explained. Look forward following you on the channel and learning more from you. Thanks again.
6 and a half minutes in and ive FINALLY found someone who is trying to give me the keys to create my own music instead of just copying or showing off licks they know. Liked and subscribed, cheers!
I've been trying to get some theory in my brain & under my fingers. I feel a person can learn something if they are trying to. Sometimes, when it comes from a variety of sources, one teacher will say something that helps to make sense of concept that was previously a bit foggy. Your video helped do that, Richard. Don't worry about the camera, or things you felt detracted from your vid. I could not do any better at the making of a video and the editing of it myself. Your chart, and especially your explanation about it helped me a ton! I know that pentatonic "shape" for a variety of keys, or can find it when I need to. But understanding WHAT notes sound Good, Better, and Best, and especially WHY they do, is SO Important! You presented that in a good way! Can't wait for the next one! Oh, and Thank You for taking the time to even do this!
Bruh don't worry about the technical issues. This probably one of the most important lessons I've seen. People rarely teach the whys and why not of playing chord tones. Thumbs up and I'll be telling friends about you.
well Richard, I don't know know how I never managed to understand all of this in the many years that ı've been trying to play guitar!. I will be following you closely, I now believe that I will be able to play the blues in a respectable manner. Thanks a million.
I am learning to play guitar after years of on off usage with basic chords and power chords being the extent of my knowledge. I'm not a very book smart person, never finished college. But for some reason, the theory behind music is really clicking and fascinating to me this time around. I am finding I play better when I know the theory behind something, rather than just copying someone else. This video is spot on and has helped me tremendously. You should be very proud of your work here. As it has help this total internet stranger grow and learn.
Hi Bro, good lesson indeed. Like so much how you call the note: Do Re Mi Fa etc. I'm Italian and all the terms about music are in my language just because a Medieval Priest begin write the notes of a Grgorian Chant. Apart of this very useful Lesson even for me, I start play guitar in 1970....and still learnin new things every day. Saluti da Genova CoVid quarantine time!
Ab fab, teaching as it should be, from someone who knows his subject and that's from a University Lecturer, many thanks, keep up the great work! Stay safe!
Where have you been all my guitar life?? Thank you so much - your lessons are hitting the nail on the head for where I am and what I need to learn. Cheers buddy! :)
Man...This was golden. I know all 5 positions of pentatonic scale. Got me into CAGED system.Saw hundreds of videos on subject and I put this one in top 3 ever.This connected all for me now.Can't tell you how much it means.OK...got to go watch next video now.Would love to see your approach on Minor blues-rock-slow blues as that's the music we all love anyway..: )))
Grupa ToTaL' cant thank you enough for those comments. Unbelievable. Will be doing all the above. I think it’s going to be hard not to continue what I have started! Brings back some memories! This is how I started it all!
Excellent lesson. You are a great teacher. Playing scales has suddenly become more meaningful to me and less mechanical. Thanks for the little things that make it all 'click' into place.
Keep going, BEST help I’ve had sorting out, the tiny shard of music theory I’ve tried to learn. Curling the minor 3rd toward the fifth, brilliant. Can’t wait to see the next shape, and how that changes things. Don’t worry about the focus, that diagram up top was super helpful, landing on the R 5 m7 and R, and flicking the others a little quicker. M3 wow, didn’t know about that and it fits perfectly. I feel like I have just begun to get the tools to express myself through my guitar.
Love the way that you explain things and concentrate on one idea before jumping onto the next one. Don’t worry about the blurring, it didn’t detract from your common sense and enthusiastic approach. Look forward to more videos
I like music that has blues leads but haven't been interested in learning to do it. Stuck inside, so why not? I know intervals and chord construction but not scales, not really. I like the analogy to knowing how to speak vs mimicking word sounds by memory. Stuck inside so what the hell! Not bothered by the minor image quality issues; you're a great teacher, it doesn't matter. Thanks fella, this is fun!
Your doing a Fantastic job mate ! and your teaching and explaining is perfect keep it up , I play guitar and have learned a lot from you 11 out of 10 !!!!
2023 and this video is just amazing! Richard you are a blessed teacher, I’ve been trying to figure this out for a while and you just made it easygoing. Again, thank you!!!! And keep posting, I’m definitely subscribing to your channel. Cheers from Uruguay!
Hi, please don't apologise this was great. I could answer "yes" to all of your questions at the beginning and I believe shuffle is the rhythm of life, although the tempo may vary. I've been afraid of playing solo and now I understand why, because I land and stay in the wrong place, I now understand that the chord is more important than the scale. I am certain that she who has to hear me practice will hear an improvement. I'll tell her her hearing was blurred before!!!
Very good guitar teacher and player....which you don't ordinarily see together. Taking up playing again from years ago and this guy breaks it down in a very lucid way. Very gifted player and teacher. Glad I stumbled upon this RUclips site. Thanks... Franke from USA!
I'm not going to lie I'm only 22 minutes in and I gotta say. When looking for videos for any kind of theory you don't see this kind of effort. I've been playing 15 years and I know most of this but anything and everything helps. Right down to even seeing some else play and feeling their style and emotion. Awesome video man. Keep it up \m/
This has turned up just in time, I was just researching today blues theory as I wanted to be able to understand why I play what I do when playing covers of all the blues stuff I enjoy. Really helpful, this was. Big thanks, don’t suppose you could send me a looper pedal to Barcelona could you, it seems i have some work to do =) keep it coming.
This is great. I never understood the musical language until you cleared me on the terms. Much appreciated. The knowledge was more important than the quality of the video. You can work on the quality of the video later
I keep coming back to these lessons...Priceless. Your a wonderful teacher. Very clear, and has added so much color to my playing, and the beginning of quiet confidence, as i become aware of why i place my fingers, in the positions i do? I've been playing for 40 years, and have searched far and wide, for someone i can understand, in their teaching expression. I even enrolled into a one year jazz course,NZ, 2020, just to try and understand some of the magic, the language of music speaks? There are a lot of good teachers out there, thanks for being one of them!!!
Jazzy Jazz wow that’s incredible. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I feel so blessed to receive such feedback. If you have been inspired by something I have created ... what more could I ask? Thank you so much
Dont know Intervals, Chord construction or blues scale, OK with diatonic and pentatonic scales. Im 75 - used to play in a band in the late 60's and early 70's but have virtually done nothing with guitar since. Since I retired I have got myself a Jackson Dinky which plays rathed well after I redid the frets. Im OK with open chords and bar chords (although my hands get very tired with bar chords). I am loving your series on blues but this old brain is stugling a bit. Would love to see something on chord construction and Intervals.Dont stop please - very enlightening even though I have to watch each video quite a few times, I'm really enjoying where your taking me. Thank you. Really helps to pass the time under the current circumstances. Cheers.
Mate, been trying to learn blues from RUclips , how to use scale, where to land etc... and this is by far the best lesson about the topic. Thank you soooo much, that is literally changing my life
Your fine. Blur and all. The lesson came through fine as well. Ill watch it several more times to let it sink in. I've tried a few times over the years to get a grasp on theory but it has not stuck. I've been dabblings in the blues for a couple of years now and I love it. Blues is all I want to play, listen to and learn more about. I feel like if I don't get this angle of it soon my blues will not progress like i want it to. Time to jump in with both feet. My time is running out. I will succeed.
This was exactly what I need. And your excellent content far outweighs the occasional blur. No Worries! Thank you for this marvelously clear tutorial. It's fabulous.
This is exactly the kind of content I've been looking for. I've been self learning and my goal the entire time has been to get to a point where I can express myself through my instrument. I'm not quite there yet but this has certainly helped me get closer. Thank you
This is the most informative pentatonic video I've ever seen. I answered yes to all of your questions, but I've never seen it all explained so clearly why notes that fall outside of the scale are necessary to make the it all sound "tonic". Perfect! I have subscribed and will be watching. Thanks again..
Thanks so much for this lesson @richardsguitars I'm a bass player who's dabbled in guitar for years and you are by far the easiest to understand guitar dude I've seen.
you still reading these comments? finally a teacher who made me see it, the loop station is a very useful tool for these lessons, actually, it should be forbidden to make blues lesson video's without a looper
Haven't picked my guitar up for 20 years, then this quarantine came and trying to relearn. I love learning as much as I can, especially the blues! Thanks for posting!
Please visit my website: www.rguitars.co.uk for advice on guitars! I have specialized in guitar advice for 27 years and have a showroom in Stratford Upon Avon - opposite the train station. We also have a world wide delivery service.
I have done 4 blues videos including this one which you can find in my "Tuition" playlist here ruclips.net/video/qa2TOROXs6g/видео.html - Hope you enjoy them!
Thank you so much!
This was incredibly helpful. Really helps you to listen and understand how and why certain notes work. Thanks!
Really great lessons, thank you
Loved it! I'm a beginner and that was an half an hour of pure blues gold. It said "theory lets you sound like this".
Man I’m so happy to for the first time have the feeling that it might be possible for me to one day understand guitar theorie. The way you explain is very pleasant to watch too. Please continue to guide us and thanks for the lesson
I’ve been playing for 10 years and am the definition of the “I know cool licks and chords but have no idea what I’m actually playing” so I started watching this to really become a well rounded player and man has this got me inspired and excited to evolve as a player! Thank you 🙏🏻
same here!
22 years and in the same boat
@griffey422 hey curious how the progress is going for you? At this point I’m in the boat you were and I’m really looking forward to learning the theory and everything.
I felt this
Same here
Hey everyone! I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you for the kindest, most supportive words of appreciation I could have ever wished for! Its actually made me quite emotional at a time of massive uncertainty for all of us. To think this one video has helped so many and could help so many more in the future .... well its overwelming frankly! Anyway... I will take that response from you guys to mean you dont mind me doing another one.... or two.... !! Bless you all guys!
You are actually a great teacher at least for a beginner like myself. I have learned a lot of stuff separately not being able to use it. You managed to put a lot of information into the right context so I finally learned something very useful. Thank you so so much, this was an eye-opening lesson for me. 🤩👌👍
Richard - thank you so much I found your video to be absolutely great and has made sense of a lot of things that I was basically just copying without understanding up until now. Please continue and don't stress over the blurring - it didn't detract from the theory you were explaining at all. I'm now going to practice and then watch your second one!
You earned it! this is great
Interesting-most teachers go ahead to the B flat on the 1st string when showing the pentatonic minor . you are the first I've seen that stops at G
Just finished the watching your video and absolutely loved it. I've know the blues scale for a couple of years and until now, I've ( like all the others you spoke about) never had a clue what I was doing with it. Thank you so much for doing this. It has explained so much for me. The the diagram you added in was magic too btw. Brilliant video, huge thank you again and I hope you get to do some more videos for us.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! You are a natural teacher, very clear and easy to understand. Don't worry about the out-of-focus camera, it didn't detract from the message at all. Good teaching like yours is much more important than slick production. Please do more in the same vein.
Thank you so much!
Absolutely amazing, anybody who gave this a thumbs down are being completely unfair..I’ve 69 and have been playing guita are 57 years. If you want to learn the blues listen to this guy he knows what he’s talking about. Best explanation I’ve heard on RUclips so far. Everybody else talks about the pentatonic scale but don’t explain it and knowledge is power. Blues Power so listen up people. Use this and you’ll be playing blues tomorrow without learning unless licks. This teaches you to get you own style! I wish I had you as a teacher 57 years ago. I would have saved about 20 wasted years just having no knowledge of why I was practicing in the pentatonic shapes every day!
Richard! You’re a legend, friend. What an incredible gift that you offer us all. Thank you, from all of us. We’re all incredibly lucky to have your patience and undivided attention, which you’re sharing to every corner of the world. I’m 10,000kms away from you, and what a luxury to have you teaching us in our homes. Big respect. The blur! It’s wonderful! It adds character, charm and texture. The sign of a true artist who’s willing to create beauty, make mistakes, and embrace them with grace and flow. Big love, brother.
You are obviously a very accomplished guitar player, but what I like most is your willingness to unpick this addictive style of guitar bit by bit for us learners. Thank you so much. So many RUclipsrs seem to want to show their expertise but fail in being able to share adequately in that knowledge. To think we've spent half an hour on basically one chord and ~I'm NOT bored yet says it all. Keep up the good work, I don't mind the occasional focus issue ! Cheers.
There are LOTS of RUclips videos that talk about playing chord tones. Your's is the only one that I've found that actually explains what that means in a coherent manor. Looking forward to future videos. Thank you. Thank you.
I've been playing for 43 years... This is the best instructions I've had since I took a few lessons in high school!
Heya, please don't apologize, I learned more in 30 minutes of your teaching than I have in the last 30 years of my life. WOW, a lightbulb just went off in my head and I feel reborn. I know pentatonic and some basic scales and have trouble remembering licks due to memory loss, but you have just shown me how to create my own licks just from feel and knowing the basic approach. Practice will now take on a whole different perspective for me! THANK YOU!
I wholeheartedly echo this sentiment. Thank you so much for this video. Looking forward to more. Very well done.
Ronald Fraser ....You took the words right out of my mouth Pal! 🎵👌😎
It's funny how many videos are technically very sound, but the ability to put it into layman's terms so us beginners can understand it is so rare. Thank you for posting this. First time in the year I've been trying to understand blues I've found information that made sense to me! (mostly.)
Richard Ive been playing guitar since I was seven and now 71. I have been in three bands and had a wonderful experiece over a span of 24 years. I sat down to watch your video because ive learnt the Pentatonic scales through the fretboard, which I never knew existed in this past year or so, but no teacher has pointed out like you the reason you cant play blues using these scales. I was getting very frustrated because ive learnt the Pentatonic Scales and still sounded rubbish. I must point out that I was a Rhythm Guitarist in all three bands but wanting to learn lead guitar now, this is where you have, and you only taught me how to play true blues, full marks, love you man.
I love you too! To have helped someone who has been playing guitar for 64 years is truly an honour - Thank yo SO much for letting me know and here is to your next 64 years!
I have been watching RUclips videos for weeks!! Literally weeks trying to find a video that breaks it down this far for me to easily comprehend. Thank you so much. I had so many breakthrough moments here. Please keep sharing this knowledge!
Thank you so much. Please visit my website and checkout my day job! 😊. Comments like yours make it so worthwhile - thank you 🙏
This is like learning from a more knowledgeable and experienced friend in your sitting room. Fun and no pressure. I’ve heard of intervals but couldn’t explain them to anyone. Great stuff. More please.
Bless you - I couldnt ask for me and am actually quite emotional right now seeing these comments in context to the wider world events. Thanks so much.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this Blues lesson series! I learned the 5 pentatonic scale positions, learned many blues chords, learned how to play several different songs, etc. and decided it was time to learn how and why all this works. I contacted a long time acquaintance who is a touring blues man here in Nashville about taking lessons from him since he is nearly 70 years old and not touring as much now to see if he had time to teach me the hows and whys of blues. He agreed and I was able to take two lessons from him and then the virus hit. :(
I had to call him to let him know that I couldn't take lessons any more due to virus concerns and the fact that I couldn't afford to pay for services anymore because of the shutdown of our business. God I hated making that call...
Now I come across this video in my suggested video feed. I figured it would be like the rest and not really go into much detail unless you buy their package of lessons. What a surprise! You are providing the information I need to be able to play and improvise while knowing that what I am doing is going to work. This is EXACTLY the thing I lost! I pray for the world to get through this, and I want you to know this sort of thing you are doing helps in more ways than you know. God bless you!
Subbed if only for the fact that you're honest, clearly passionate, and want to teach others. I'm 33 and have been playing since I was 7. Now, most of that was self taught, but I had a tutor for 2 years and great guy, REALLY knew how to play guitar, but did not know how to teach it to me. So I thought copycatting was just what everyone did. 3 years ago I start looking into music theory and was blown away. I knew the VERY basics, but this I-VII was Greek. Thank you for this invaluable primer as I'd like to actually know how to play, not merely be able to memorize stuff.
Don’t apologize my man. You’re giving away value and we are grateful for that.
My first thoughts were, “ oh a 32 minutes about blues meh, uninteresting ” but then I started watching the video and I loved it! Thank you very much Richard you are a wonderful teacher 🙏🏻
You have just taught me in 30 minutes what I haven’t been able to get my head around in over 10 years of playing! Thank you so much 👍🏼
I know my theory and my pentatonic scales so I was able to easily follow your presentation. I'm just starting to be able to improvise lead playing and I learned more in this short tutorial than in hours of watching other videos. I hate wasting time getting pitched to buy a lesson package while being strung along by being promised some valuable information or "secrets". It was really refreshing that you just put this out there to help your fellow guitar players.
This has been the best blues lesson that actually was not boring or so technical that looses my attention. I absolutly got engaged in the way you explained the lesson, the bluriness was the least of my worries. you are a great teacher. Thank you so much for taking your time to do this for us guitarists that are struglling to become better.
I ve got to say this is one of the best videos , on this subject I ve seen ! For me in my 70s , and having had the good fortune of being brought up in ACTON / EALING , west london . we had the Ealing club , and blues legends playing here , which drew in , and jammed here ! jack bruce , ginger baker , eric , the stones , the who , ronnie wood ( the birds ) etc the ricky tick , with jimi hendrix first gig for £ 20 ,and jim marshall , with his shop , who was always there to help us ! I ve learned even at my age , and 59 years of playing guitar ! YOU CAN NEVER KNOW EVERYTHING , and its a great project from this , youngster ha , ha ! cheers and thankyou , Richards guitars , this is what makes being a musician great fun , OUR FRIENDS ! and our local shops who willingly share their experiances / advise cheers / thankyou , ritchie .
What a lovely comment. Thank you so much. What we have in common... I was taught in Acton!! At the guitar institute by Iain Scott and Shaun Baxter. Check them out ! I had to to live in Ealing for 3 months as part of my studies. Thank you so much for sharing your memories
@@RichardsGuitarshop hi mate , unfortunatly , I never knew these guys ,as in my thirties ( late 1970s, I left acton , and was able to move to france ,full time and never went back ! ) though ironicaly I ve got a lot of school / childhood friends ,who are from acton / ealing , who came here to ,and , live ,for a creative , cheap way of life ! NO RAT race here ! and crazy house / property prices , etc , so ,it was a fun place to bring up your family , cheers mate and thanks for your video / memories , ritchie .
Wow, exposed to some of the greats, how good that must have been for an education in the blues. Jealous and envious :)
@@harryhole4427 hi harry , yes I ve been very , very lucky ! and unbelvialbly , I moved to France many years ago , to bring up my family , in the rural countryside , and bought a ruin of a farm ,( for the price of a very average family car ! ) which we brought back to life ! and , our neighbour was the legendary american blues singer Screaming jay hawkins ( I put a spell on you ) till he passed away in january 2000 , who use to drop in for a drink / music in my studio , and when they came over to stay with him members of the CLASH , who use to take screaming jay as their support act on their american tours ! magic people and so into their music ! cheers ritchie .
p.s. ironicaly the Clash where from west london too ,
@@RichardsGuitarshop baxters lp jazz metal is a brilliant lp. I played it a lot when I picked up a copy years ago.
45 years of playing and I didn't know any of theis stuff. You are a game changer Richard! Thanks.
Really well explained, no showing off or anything, you look really focused in teaching and sharing your knowledge with the audience, thank you so much. Just subscribed the channel.
Well done, Richard. Anyone at the beginning of their guitar journey who watches this vid and takes time to grasp the concept of Intervals (and the related subjects you listed) will save themselves years of confusion and frustration.
Richard, please understand that this is seriously the best video on RUclips !
You have illuminated a dark road for me and I’m elated that I stumbled upon it. All of the so-called “guitar gurus “on RUclips show you note for note how to play somebody else’s song ... that one video (and I know you have more) is like a Jurassic Park gate to creating your own sound...well done. My vote for video of the year !!!
I am speechless - thank you.
1:13 Knowledge is power...yet, a lack of knowledge leads to frustration.
25 years ago I was a beginner. I became so frustrated with my 1st guitar that I grabbed a hammer and beat the heck out of my frets with the strings on!
Last week I completed the fret job on this same guitar, along with new paint, pickups, etcetera, and it plays and sounds amazing.
Thanks to the internet, and videos like this one, my knowledge is now Power! Akka-Dakka baby!!! 😎
My harmonica teacher told me if I'm playing harmonica at a jam and use a note that doesn't fit play it again and people will think you meant to play it 😀
The resolve to a chord tone and the bend up the third really put the blues clearer for me. Thanks!
After endlessly searching for someone to explain the chords vs scales, I've finally learnt to after watching this video. Thank you!
Ive been playing guitar for 17 yrs now but went cold with it 5 yrs ago after the tinnitus devil kicked in. (Protect your ears kids!).
Im only now getting back into electric guitar and absolutely loving it again. The timing of your video is a blessing. Instant subscriber. My biggest hurdle now is improvising by mashing the major and minor scales all over the fretboard, and understanding how they relate to the chords. Work in progress. Thanks again for the excellent videos!
Hi. Well you wont believe this but all my videos I am doing right now are leading toward all of that! Start watching all my other videos from #1. I promise you - you will get something from them even though they say they are for total beginners. Trust me!
I've been noodling on guitars with some basic music knowledge for years and finally wanting to take it to the 'next' level in terms of understanding why it all works - this video is packed with key knowledge and insights - thank you
Thats really kind of you. I appreciate it very much. Do come and visit us too at www.rguitars.co.uk :)
Hi Richard, I've been playing guitar for over 50 years and fall bang into the group (forgive the pun) who haven't a clue about what they are playing. Sure, I can play a range of styles and can learn a solo but I've long been frustrated by my inability to jam and improvise for the very reasons you have explained. It's like knowing the words but being unable to have a conversation. I have looked at countless RUclips tutorials which leave me none the wiser. Watching your video was like we were in the same room chatting away. Your teaching style is very relaxed and is like you're showing a mate how to play. Forget about the focusing issues and all that - your approach is superb. With any luck, you'll get this old git here jamming along instead of just playing "menu-solos"! Thank you - it's just what we need in these miserable times!
Absolutely superb lesson. The trick with the 4th and flat third is such a great explanation. Combined with humour and self deprecation. Much appreciated
I think it’s the light on the wall over your left shoulder. I’m self taught. I was gigging at 14. Played in front of thousands, but never really knew a scale or what. I was doing. Now at 61, I’ve re taught myself from RUclips. I wish I’d had a teacher back then.
thank you for taking the time Richard. don't sweat the focus problem. it didn't take anything away from the clear lesson for me.
eh Richard, excellent video!! This was among the best videos I have seen on YT for guitar instruction.... you're really good at explaining the theory of this great instrument.. Having watched this video I am now beginning to see how all these things are related.. great video .. many thanks... Don't worry about the technical difficulties .... I was too dialed into what you were explaining to us to notice a focus problem
after 40 yrs of playing guitar the best thing I ever did was learn some theory.,actually know what I'm doing now,..wish I learned theory a long time ago but .,no I was a big shot and played by ear..2017 till now I'm at a whole new level...thanks to you and others like you...
there's no way you played for 40 yrs without knowing music theory, i mean after 40 yrs you'd learn the theory even if u didn't want to
@@HK-sw3vi true story my friend.,only thing I knew was tuning names eadgbe.,and basic chord shape and names..I could only copy songs.,but now I can make my own songs...
Man, finally I see a faint light at the end of the tunnel... Gracias..
what if it's a train?
@@HK-sw3vi I be like Wile E. Coyote then!!
Great tutorial Richard. Lesson much appreciated. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Will stayed tuned to your lessons.
I need it all Ive been playing for about 5 years on and off and Im ready to go all in.. Thank you Eli
You don’t know how grateful I am today for your video. It’s not like blues are hard, but just no one knew how to teach. You did it in mere 30 minutes. I’ve had so many breakthroughs! Thank you very much.
Blurred or not...as a beginner, I learned what I shouldn't have put off for so long. My first visit but definitely not my last!
You nailed it for those of us who tried to understand how to use the minor third for years, thank you greatly!!!!
Ok. The best tutorial I have found and I searched alot. I'm finally getting it now. I will be watching this video over and over. Don't worry about the blurriness. I totally got this. Thank you very much!
AWESOME!!! I am doing a follow up tonight which I am SO SO excited about.
The technical staff failed but you didn't. Thank you so much for this video as I found it as a best training video I ever seen in my life. Very well explained. Look forward following you on the channel and learning more from you. Thanks again.
This is just about the best blues lesson
6 and a half minutes in and ive FINALLY found someone who is trying to give me the keys to create my own music instead of just copying or showing off licks they know. Liked and subscribed, cheers!
I've been trying to get some theory in my brain & under my fingers. I feel a person can learn something if they are trying to. Sometimes, when it comes from a variety of sources, one teacher will say something that helps to make sense of concept that was previously a bit foggy. Your video helped do that, Richard. Don't worry about the camera, or things you felt detracted from your vid. I could not do any better at the making of a video and the editing of it myself. Your chart, and especially your explanation about it helped me a ton! I know that pentatonic "shape" for a variety of keys, or can find it when I need to. But understanding WHAT notes sound Good, Better, and Best, and especially WHY they do, is SO Important! You presented that in a good way! Can't wait for the next one! Oh, and Thank You for taking the time to even do this!
Bruh don't worry about the technical issues. This probably one of the most important lessons I've seen. People rarely teach the whys and why not of playing chord tones. Thumbs up and I'll be telling friends about you.
well Richard, I don't know know how I never managed to understand all of this in the many years that ı've been trying to play guitar!. I will be following you closely, I now believe that I will be able to play the blues in a respectable manner. Thanks a million.
I am learning to play guitar after years of on off usage with basic chords and power chords being the extent of my knowledge. I'm not a very book smart person, never finished college. But for some reason, the theory behind music is really clicking and fascinating to me this time around. I am finding I play better when I know the theory behind something, rather than just copying someone else. This video is spot on and has helped me tremendously. You should be very proud of your work here. As it has help this total internet stranger grow and learn.
Hi Bro, good lesson indeed. Like so much how you call the note: Do Re Mi Fa etc. I'm Italian and all the terms about music are in my language just because a Medieval Priest begin write the notes of a Grgorian Chant. Apart of this very useful Lesson even for me, I start play guitar in 1970....and still learnin new things every day.
Saluti da Genova CoVid quarantine time!
Been playing for 2 years and the best description of playing and the reason behind the tones etc I’ve seen that make total sense. Thanks
Ab fab, teaching as it should be, from someone who knows his subject and that's from a University Lecturer, many thanks, keep up the great work! Stay safe!
Where have you been all my guitar life?? Thank you so much - your lessons are hitting the nail on the head for where I am and what I need to learn. Cheers buddy! :)
Man...This was golden. I know all 5 positions of pentatonic scale. Got me into CAGED system.Saw hundreds of videos on subject and I put this one in top 3 ever.This connected all for me now.Can't tell you how much it means.OK...got to go watch next video now.Would love to see your approach on Minor blues-rock-slow blues as that's the music we all love anyway..: )))
Grupa ToTaL' cant thank you enough for those comments. Unbelievable. Will be doing all the above. I think it’s going to be hard not to continue what I have started! Brings back some memories! This is how I started it all!
I like this fellas teaching style.
Excellent lesson. You are a great teacher. Playing scales has suddenly become more meaningful to me and less mechanical. Thanks for the little things that make it all 'click' into place.
Keep going, BEST help I’ve had sorting out, the tiny shard of music theory I’ve tried to learn. Curling the minor 3rd toward the fifth, brilliant. Can’t wait to see the next shape, and how that changes things. Don’t worry about the focus, that diagram up top was super helpful, landing on the R 5 m7 and R, and flicking the others a little quicker. M3 wow, didn’t know about that and it fits perfectly.
I feel like I have just begun to get the tools to express myself through my guitar.
Love the way that you explain things and concentrate on one idea before jumping onto
the next one. Don’t worry about the blurring, it didn’t detract from your common sense and enthusiastic approach. Look forward to more videos
I like music that has blues leads but haven't been interested in learning to do it. Stuck inside, so why not? I know intervals and chord construction but not scales, not really. I like the analogy to knowing how to speak vs mimicking word sounds by memory. Stuck inside so what the hell! Not bothered by the minor image quality issues; you're a great teacher, it doesn't matter. Thanks fella, this is fun!
This to me is simply the difference between notes and the intent of notes. Bravo and. Thank You !!!
Your doing a Fantastic job mate ! and your teaching and explaining is perfect keep it up , I play guitar and have learned a lot from you 11 out of 10 !!!!
2023 and this video is just amazing! Richard you are a blessed teacher, I’ve been trying to figure this out for a while and you just made it easygoing. Again, thank you!!!!
And keep posting, I’m definitely subscribing to your channel.
Cheers from Uruguay!
Hi, please don't apologise this was great. I could answer "yes" to all of your questions at the beginning and I believe shuffle is the rhythm of life, although the tempo may vary. I've been afraid of playing solo and now I understand why, because I land and stay in the wrong place, I now understand that the chord is more important than the scale. I am certain that she who has to hear me practice will hear an improvement. I'll tell her her hearing was blurred before!!!
Bless ya mate..this was somerhing i have been looking for like a year...undersanding intervals opened whole new world for me...
Very good guitar teacher and player....which you don't ordinarily see together. Taking up playing again from years ago and this guy breaks it down in a very lucid way. Very gifted player and teacher. Glad I stumbled upon this RUclips site. Thanks... Franke from USA!
Good lesson
No need to worry about the picture quality. I know quite a lot but this added yo it tremendously. Keep going.
I'm not going to lie I'm only 22 minutes in and I gotta say. When looking for videos for any kind of theory you don't see this kind of effort. I've been playing 15 years and I know most of this but anything and everything helps. Right down to even seeing some else play and feeling their style and emotion. Awesome video man. Keep it up \m/
This has turned up just in time, I was just researching today blues theory as I wanted to be able to understand why I play what I do when playing covers of all the blues stuff I enjoy. Really helpful, this was. Big thanks, don’t suppose you could send me a looper pedal to Barcelona could you, it seems i have some work to do =) keep it coming.
I've been playing this scale for a decade any none EVER explained it this simply and easily in a way I could actually USE. Thank you!
This is great. I never understood the musical language until you cleared me on the terms. Much appreciated. The knowledge was more important than the quality of the video. You can work on the quality of the video later
I've watched so many videos on Blues Guitar - You the first that make absolute sense. Great work !!!
Bring it on daddio, from the beginning to Hendrix, Stevie Ray, Rory, and Gary Moore level!!
I keep coming back to these lessons...Priceless. Your a wonderful teacher. Very clear, and has added so much color to my playing, and the beginning of quiet confidence, as i become aware of why i place my fingers, in the positions i do?
I've been playing for 40 years, and have searched far and wide, for someone i can understand, in their teaching expression. I even enrolled into a one year jazz course,NZ, 2020, just to try and understand some of the magic, the language of music speaks?
There are a lot of good teachers out there, thanks for being one of them!!!
Jazzy Jazz wow that’s incredible. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I feel so blessed to receive such feedback. If you have been inspired by something I have created ... what more could I ask? Thank you so much
The M3rd - that's the freshly chopped chillies that I've been missing in my Blues pie of wonderfulness
The m3rd curl.... Furiously scribbling notes
This has helped me no end. I struggle to learn anything unless I know why and you nailed it for me. You, sir, are a legend.
Dont know Intervals, Chord construction or blues scale, OK with diatonic and pentatonic scales. Im 75 - used to play in a band in the late 60's and early 70's but have virtually done nothing with guitar since. Since I retired I have got myself a Jackson Dinky which plays rathed well after I redid the frets. Im OK with open chords and bar chords (although my hands get very tired with bar chords). I am loving your series on blues but this old brain is stugling a bit. Would love to see something on chord construction and Intervals.Dont stop please - very enlightening even though I have to watch each video quite a few times, I'm really enjoying where your taking me. Thank you. Really helps to pass the time under the current circumstances. Cheers.
you've had the chance to see Pink Floyd performing live, how jealous I am!
Light strings help.
By far, the simplest, straightforward and fun lesson about blues guitar I've ever watched!!! THANK YOU!!!
Mate, been trying to learn blues from RUclips , how to use scale, where to land etc... and this is by far the best lesson about the topic. Thank you soooo much, that is literally changing my life
Ive started playing a year ago and this has been one of the most practical lessons ive ever had. Im now a stud muffin
Great lesson, I've been playing for years by ear so this really helps.
Fantastic. I hav a few more done now too and will be posting one every couple of days!
Your fine. Blur and all. The lesson came through fine as well. Ill watch it several more times to let it sink in. I've tried a few times over the years to get a grasp on theory but it has not stuck. I've been dabblings in the blues for a couple of years now and I love it. Blues is all I want to play, listen to and learn more about. I feel like if I don't get this angle of it soon my blues will not progress like i want it to. Time to jump in with both feet. My time is running out. I will succeed.
Everything i needed, nothing i didn't. Been playing 22yrs and feel like I've just gained years of experience from that vid. Humble guy 👍
Hi Richards, excellent video ! The diagram is a BIG help in identifying the chord tones.
Maybe the best half hour I've ever watched on guitar playing, thank you!
Thank you Richard, you have truly opened a door for me. I'm sat here, guitar in hand, messing around with these concepts having great fun.
Briliant!!
This was exactly what I need. And your excellent content far outweighs the occasional blur. No Worries! Thank you for this marvelously clear tutorial. It's fabulous.
One of the most Comprehensive easy to follow tutorials i've ever seen. Brilliantly done mate, I hope to see more of these.
Great tutorial and explanation on how to use the pentatonic scale to improvise.
Excellent Richard.
I've been playing on and off for 25 years. I really love your teaching and explaining.
Oh God! This helps so much! You are an excellent teacher! You're really reaching me. Can't wait for part 2!
This is exactly the kind of content I've been looking for. I've been self learning and my goal the entire time has been to get to a point where I can express myself through my instrument. I'm not quite there yet but this has certainly helped me get closer. Thank you
The blur video doesn't matter, you are a fantastic teacher !
Now I can ear and play the blues !
Thanks from France.
You are one beautiful being. Thanks for the advice and energy.
This is the most informative pentatonic video I've ever seen. I answered yes to all of your questions, but I've never seen it all explained so clearly why notes that fall outside of the scale are necessary to make the it all sound "tonic". Perfect! I have subscribed and will be watching. Thanks again..
Thanks so much for this lesson @richardsguitars I'm a bass player who's dabbled in guitar for years and you are by far the easiest to understand guitar dude I've seen.
Very helpful in making a foundational concept accessible
Thank you Richard.
You taught me not only how to read French, but how to understand it.
Hey Rich, you facial expressions are stunning when you play the blues, I salute you and tip my hat for you.
you still reading these comments? finally a teacher who made me see it, the loop station is a very useful tool for these lessons, actually, it should be forbidden to make blues lesson video's without a looper
Haven't picked my guitar up for 20 years, then this quarantine came and trying to relearn. I love learning as much as I can, especially the blues! Thanks for posting!