One topic I get lots of questions on is around improvising on the guitar. How does it work? Do you really just make it up on the spot? How do you know where to start? and the list goes on and on. I thought I’d take a few minutes and make an analogy that will hopefully help put things into perspective and help some of you connect the dots on the topic of improvising on the guitar (or any other instrument).
Music is a language (no really!)
I’m sure you’ve heard many of the phrases around the topic of music being “conversational” or musicians “communicating” with each other and maybe didn’t give it a lot of thought, but the big secret in improvising is understanding that learning to play music is exactly the same as learning a second language. I should re-emphasize the word EXACTLY. It’s no different than learning to speak English, Japanese, Spanish, or any other language.
When we are toddlers and learning to speak our first words, we only know a few words, “mommy”, “daddy”, “ball”, etc. Even though it’s crude, it can still be effective. When a toddler points at their cup and says “drink”, we know what they want with a single word, it’s not elegant, but they’ve got their point across.
Now let’s compare that to a new guitar player that wants to learn how improvise. One of the first things that you’ll learn are “licks”. So what the heck is a lick anyway? A lick is a few notes that are put together from a scale that make up a little phrase. Think of a lick as a word. Just like toddlers start learning words, new guitar players start learning licks. Where do you learn them? The best place to learn licks is from your favorite guitar players, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
A scale is the alphabet
Over the years I’ve received several emails from people that read something like this, “ok, I’ve learned how to play the minor pentatonic scale but I don’t know what to do with it.. I find myself just going up and down the scale when I solo and everything sounds the same”. Can any of you identify with that? If we compare the minor pentatonic scale (or any scale for that matter) to the English alphabet, then when you play up and down a scale, it would be the same as saying, “H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P…. P, O, N, M, L, K, J, I, H”, repeating it over and over again. Obviously you wouldn’t be communicating anything if you did that, you’d only be letting people know that you are familiar with the alphabet. Just like the alphabet provides the boundaries for how words can be created, scales provide the boundaries for the notes that we can play within a key. This gets back to my point that you HAVE to put those notes together into phrases or licks to start communicating “words”.
Licks can be powerful communication tools
Just like the fact that a toddler saying “drink” can be effective in getting a point across, so can a simple lick. B.B. King was always the master at creating a simple (sounding) lick and making it convey powerful emotion in the way that he would bend the string, strike it with his right hand, apply his signature vibrato, and so forth. Just remember, the point isn’t necessarily to play fast, heavy, loud, or even all over the neck of the guitar, the point is to communicate with the audience and to convey an emotion. That takes a lot of pressure off in knowing that you don’t have to be Stevie Ray Vaughan to sound really good in a jam session and to stir emotions. Some of the best jams happen when someone breaks things down to a few notes and a basic melody.
Solos are sentences
So if the alphabet is a scale, and a word is a lick, then what is a sentence? A solo is a series of licks that are arranged in a way of communicating an entire phrase. So instead of saying, “drink” you are now saying something like, “I would like a glass of water with some ice, please!”. You’ve now arranged several words together into a sentence to convey a point in a more articulate way. Remember, you can still be emotional with just the single word, “drink!”, but if you’d like to convey emotion in an articulate way, you would add more words and create a sentence.
We all improvise, every time we speak
Have you ever considered what an incredible art form it is to speak? Speaking is improvising. Creating phrases and arranging words on the fly, no rehearsal required, you do it every day without even thinking about it. Some of us are more articulate than others when we speak. Some of us have funny “isms” that we work into our sentences. Some of us have strong accents or even phrases that are local to our region. Music works the same way. Once you’re comfortable with playing licks (you don’t need many to get started), you can start experimenting with them, playing them slowly, rearranging them, and you’ll start to realize that in a fairly short amount of time you’ll be able to improvise and convey an emotion through your fingers.
“How do I get started?”
The very first thing I would recommend is to become familiar with the minor pentatonic and major pentatonic scales. Why those 2? The pentatonic scales are simplified versions of the major scale. The major scale has 7 notes – do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti (you don’t count “do” again because it’s a repeat, just an octave higher). The major pentatonic scale, however, has only 5 notes (penta = 5). I find it’s easier to start there and eliminate options to start understanding how the whole thing works. Several artists have made entire careers out of the major and minor pentatonic scales!
Once you understand those 2 scales, then you need to learn how to find the key that a song is in. I have a video in the “Blues Lead Course” that is available for Premium members that explains this more in detail, but essentially you are looking for the “root” fret by playing notes up the neck of the guitar on the 1 string (high E) until you lock in on the root fret. Once you figure out the root fret, you now have your boundaries (alphabet) established. You can now start playing licks (words) from within that key. Start with one or two, don’t overwhelm yourself, just try to convey an emotion, try to make your fingers sing with a few simple notes or licks. If you can do this, you have unlocked the mystery of improvising and made it farther than most. Some people struggle for years never understanding this basic concept.
Getting “unstuck” is as simple as getting inspired
I know a lot of you understand all of this and you have applied everything but still feel like you’re stuck. Getting unstuck is as simple as getting inspired. That’s really it. I create new guitar lessons every Friday that are created with the purpose of inspiring, motivating, and informing you to help you get “unstuck”. Even if you don’t like the particular style or song, you should try to learn it, because without fail, you WILL learn something new that you can use. I’ve been playing guitar over 25 years and every time I sit down to learn something I hear another guitar player doing I learn something. Be a sponge, soak it all up and a small percentage will leak into your playing and improvising. The part that leaks out will be yours, the stuff that YOU liked and cared enough about to use it when communicating with your fingers.
The Blues Lead Course that’s available to Premium Members is a great starting place for all of this because I created over 40 different licks that you can use to get things started. I also include 3 different jam tracks played in 3 different keys so that you can see how these licks are applied. Learn more about Premium Membership.
excellent Brian…..I have become completely unstuck since joining AM, I had all the scales etc….but always sounded the same…..from my roots in 70’s hard rock I have become a whole new player by playing your lessons…and listening to blues and new players all the time……the method works!
Thank you, Brian, it’s great to have it all “in a pile”! Your essay itself was itself inspirational–like your lessons. The need for inspiration can’t be overstated. (I’ve been lying low since last Monday, very uninspired, sick as a dog; fortunately, my doctor found and treated an infection, recovering now, going back to work tomorrow.)
Hi Brian, all the lessons you create are brilliant… obviously some resonate with me more than others… given my level or skill and understanding. No lesson has been more beneficial to me than the 12 bar blues lesson and I want to say a huge thanks!!
Well said Brian!
After the most recent open jam I attended, I mentioned to the host that I needed to learn more licks as I don’t know a bunch of licks compared to the other players that play there. He told me you do not need to have a large vocabulary of licks to communicate a feeling and add to a song. (He also mentioned I was doing great and he likes that I let my solos have space in them.) You are reinforcing what he said by stating you don’t need to speak a full sentence to get a point across.
I also am finding that after learning some of your lessons that bits and pieces of them are ending up in some of my solos. This really surprised me. It is like learning a couple of new words a long time ago and all of a sudden being able to use them in different sentences.
Thanks for all you do!
thats Cool man I have not been daring enough to play in public .
Good to see you back in the blogging chair again, Brian. Always a treat to read your posts.
I always thought my solos were empty, a bunch of notes here and there. The comparison with words , phrases accent and way to express ourself is really fitting.
Thank you very much
Brian , what a great explanation of soloing, im not there but i no what u r saying is true, sometimes i sound great but dont no were it comes from, and i believe that watching u on active melody has rubbed off some on me!
great analogy Brian !
Funny, though we may understand the concept , when you lay it out in the way you have, it somehow makes it seem a little more clear and easier to digest . * grins* now I can simply figure I have a drawl in my playing.
Thank you! Perfect expression of the process. I very much appreciate the way you teach 🙂
Excellent blog Brian. I agree with all the comments posted. Still can’t believe how much this site has taught me. Thank you Brian.
Good advice, Brian. I especially like the part about trying things even if you don’t like a particular style.
Listening to different music styles seems to be common among the greats.
Thank you, Brian. This was very helpful.
Here is my favorite line, “Even if you don’t like the particular style or song, you should try to learn it, because without fail, you WILL learn something new that you can use.”
So true!
Michael
As a seasoned Premium Member, I’ve reached the point where I try to learn each lesson (well, most of the lessons) then try to improvise and double the length of it. Or sometimes triple the length of it. More and more I am coming up with some interesting improvisations that I would like to keep. So I thought I should learn to write tabs to keep a record of my efforts. But I found that takes way too much time, so I’ve started just recording my improvisations on Logic Pro (using an Apogee Jam). I’m only just learning how to use Logic Pro, so right now I just play Brian’s jam track on my iPad, then record a track on Logic Pro simultaneously. But I’m thinking maybe I could import the jam track into Logic Pro, then create a new track and play along with it to my heart’s content.
The music/ language thought is the key to the deal…… embracing that connection inspires all kinds of ideas…..each one of us speaks differently …….learn first by copying and your own voice will emerge naturally ……
Thanks Brian
Thanks Brian your analogy lays plain the task in hand. Just got to master it!
Brian, what a great analogy. Very happy to be a premium member after huffing and puffing about signing up for so long. I play alone with an acoustic guitar mainly and really appreciate the combined rhythm and lead pieces you provide. These pieces with give me the confidence and skills I need to perhaps seek out others to play with.Thanks very much, your teaching method is much appreciated.
As an addendum to my previous post, I’ve always said I wish I could play guitar like I can talk, I just didn’t make the full connection until reading your excellent blog, it really has lifted the veil.
Here’s a recent article that expands on the conversational aspect of music, using Pat Metheny as an example: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/09/science/new-ways-into-the-brains-music-room.html?action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&module=MostPopularFB&version=Full®ion=Marginalia&src=me&pgtype=article&_r=0&referer=https://m.facebook.com/
Related to this and sometimes directly related to music, sometimes not, Oliver Sacks’ books on perception are very rich, and his Musicophilia is one I’d recommend to anyone who’s reading this.
Brian, your analogies in this blog really resonate with me. Moreover, your teaching methods and attention to detail are extremely effective. My guitar playing has progressed significantly since I have become a premium member and introduced to so many great lessons and resources.
Please accept my heartfelt “Thanks” for all that you do. You truly have a gift and thanks for sharing your talents .
With Sincere Appreciation.
Bob Badum
Hi Brian, many thanks and congratulations for what you give us. Got not really time for practicing the guitar but I try to do my best a large part from your lessons. Many thanks again from France.
Whenever I get stuck, I just launch into Duke Ellington’s “C-Jam Blues!” There is just something about that tune that inspires improvisation! I have no idea why, but it works!
I really like this article, good stuff. Helps me a lot.
well explained as always Brian absolutely love your lessons i find them hard at first but once you explain it becomes easy!
i have tried other internet lessons but you are by far the best!
thanks
nick
I have been taking youtube lessons for almost two years from the likes of Papastache and Tim Pierce. However, I became a premium member with ActiveMelody about two months ago and under your tutelage my guitar playing has really taken off. You have wonderful technical teaching skills that help to illuminate the fret board for me. I have been able to take my existing knowledge and blend it with your lessons very well. Sincerely, Bert Clark
Hi Brian, I really love your lessons but I do struggle with improvation and constantancy, been playing for a couple of years.
I like how you throw in some theory in your lessons but my eyes glaze over, thats not your fault, think my ADD holding me back.
Thanks
Franco
Nice blog, I’m still learning a great deal of understanding what I’m playing these days.. learning is fun especially when you play what music you want to play too. Some genres I find too frustrating and not so fun to learn like shredding or them crazy speed riffs .. my style of playing is slow but i like to understand everything it is I’m playing..wonderful to be here as a member too..
I’m so grateful I found this site, and became ” unstuck” Didn’t know why or where I was stuck till joining. there’ve been so many hours of fun and enjoyment and learning. Play better than I could have thought, but the knowledge of the fret-board is a treasure that keeps rewarding every time I pick up a guitar. Thanks Brian and Bryce and everyone here !
I think this is one of the best sites around.(No what I mean is that IT IS THE BEST SITE AROUND !!) I’ve playing guitar for years, but somewhere along the road I lost my inspiration and motivation to play. Recently I decided that I would try to get back into playing as I have never lost my passion for music. I Umm’d and Rrrrr’d about joining AM but a few weeks I took the plunge and signed up. I love it and the way you put across what you are trying to demonstrate. Its simple and easy to follow and makes perfect sense. I have even found out that I new more of the theory that what I thought I knew as you put what your playing into perfect context. A big thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I would certainly recommend your website to anyone from beginner to an advanced level without hesitation. Brilliant work !!
Which lesson, in particular, are you referring to when you say “Blues Lead Course”. There are a lot of lessons that come up when I search for Blues Lead – but none of them struck me as the one you referred to in your blog.
Mike
Hi Mike, if you’re a premium member, this link should take you there: https://www.activemelody.com/courses/blues-lead-guitar-course/
I’ll watch this space. If it doesn’t work, please ask again.
I am premium and I did not see the lesson courses links – thank you for your help!
If anyone else is looking for the longer, in-depth courses, they’re all the way at the bottom of the left-hand column on the lessons page, the “search lessons” column.
Hey Brian, very recently I became a member of Activemelody. I could not have chosen a better site to learn and to improve my techniques. I too felt “stuck” at times which led to frustration. Very inspiring blog and i love the way you simplified everything…even I was able to understand the concept and for easy musical digestion.
I’m truly enjoying the lessons and learning a lot. …
Many thanks…….!!!!!
It amazes me that you can come up each Friday with each lesson. That alone inspires me. Never know what bits you use to ” Talk ” I suspect you play with other musicians often or just plain gifted. Top notch stuff , I’m looking foreword to an interesting year on your site !
Thank you Brian for all your dedication over the years, your teaching ability and presentation style is way ahead of most others online. As a natural fingerstyle acoustic player, I’ve learnt a lot over the years using your great lessons. I would however, really really look forward to you guiding us through your blues course licks in a series of logical sequences against your existing backing tracks. What are your thoughts Brian, any plans?
Hi Brian… I’m working on steel guitar bends but having trouble figuring out how to incorporate them into actual song material. Have you ever thought about doing a lesson on this matter i.e. perhaps a few guitar bends (steel) along with a jam track and how to get that feel for where to swell into the music and when and how to swell back out again using the volume pedal and some delay. Hope you will give this a whirl sometime soon… you do a great job and I have learned so much from your lessons. Keep up the good work.
Terrill T
I retired a few years ago, and this past spring decided to take up guitar again after quitting playing about 45 years ago. I really appreciate the work you have put into these courses Brian…they’re great. I had been in a bit of a “loop” of sorts this summer, having got my head and hands around the minor/major pentatonic scales; my improvising while playing along with jam tracks all sounded pretty much the same. After a few of your lessons I can see lots more interesting playing coming down the road….thanks so much, and all the best. Us older dogs are having a blast learning new tricks !
“I’ve been playing guitar over 25 years and every time I sit down to learn something I hear another guitar player doing I learn something” RESPECT!!!
RESPECT!!!
Thanks for all you do Brian. such a very long journey that gets tiresome at times but your new videos usually inspire me to try to learn the song. I should have started decades earlier but I’m still having fun. (Usually) The above lesson on improvising is a great lesson I will have to work on. (eventually) Keep up the great stuff amigo!
G