Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Allman Brothers Style Mixolydian Scale Guitar Lesson – EP080

Description

In this lesson, learn what the Mixolydian scale is and how you can incorporate it into your playing. Also learn some classic Allman Brothers licks, with some Jerry Garcia thrown in for good measure. I’ve included 2 versions of the MP3 jam track (one normal tempo and one slow tempo) to help you practice.

Part 1

Part 2

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Slow Walk-Through

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Comments

  2. Brian says

    I’ve had a couple of folks already point out that I was mispronouncing the word Mixolydian - I’ve always referred to it as “MIX - O - LO - DE - AN”, but the proper was to say it is “MIX - O - LID - E - AN”.  Dang, I’ve been mispronouncing that word for how many years?

  3. stevie P says

    Great lesson Brian, nice to have some parts that as you say are a bit of a mouthful..where they sound complicated but when broke down are actually quite simple..this will help to push myself and I’m sure others.
    And I’ve always wondered how the MIX - O - LYDI - AN ( haha) scale worked,this is going to help me no end…

  6. zippity2@myway.com says

    Great lesson, its starting to make sense, after 30 years, I have picked more in three months of lessons at my pace(slow). Thank You for sharing your skills. Seth.

  7. jimbostrat says

    I pronounce this lesson as Won-der-ful, Brian!! Two things jump right out at me with this lesson: 1) You’re mining those lower bass string notes which is a super technique that’s often overlooked and 2) this is a great example on what I’d describe as ‘phrasing’………..very cool technique we all need to master especially when playing along with vocalists!! Call and response and utilizing almost all of the fret board is also demonstrated here so……….this becomes a super stand alone lesson!!

    Jim C.

  11. Allan says

    Hi Brian
    Yet another fantastic lesson. Every time I log on I’m always impressed by your lessons. Love the variety, love the Blues, Almond Bros, Hendrix, whatever you put out there. Keep up the good work.
    Happy Christmas Mate & look forward to rockin’ with you in 2015
    Allan Toohey

  13. zydecoPope says

    Fantastic lesson Brian!  I really enjoyed your dissection of the song and your style of teaching. I’m a rank beginner but was able to s l o w e l y follow along.  Heard myself playing it and realized I had to become a member.

  14. xiamen602 says

    Seems a little uncool to just say the same thing as everyone else on the page but…..a truly excellent lesson Brian, superb.

    I have spent forty-odd years pronouncing mixolydian incorrectly so I wouldn’t worry too much! It always reminds me of the rabbit disease miximatosis. I pronounce this correctly but cannot spell it!!

  15. StreakyPete says

    Never mind pronunciation, I shied away from the Mixolydian scale for ages merely because it sounded like it would be a bitch to learn!
    However, with this lesson, and your explanations, I really did have a ‘Light Bulb’ moment.  I find I can shift in and out of the Mixolydian scale to give my noodling a refreshing boost.
    Also, the point about shifting the solo playing to match the chords is so effective. It might sound daft, but I hadn’t even considered doing that previously.
    I was wondering if a potential follow up lesson might explain how to get a second lead guitar to play harmony to this, or to a similar, piece.
    I can almost hear the opening bars of ‘Jessica’ when I’m playing the Mixolydian scale.  I think it would be great to either record one lead, or use a looper, and then play the harmony on top.

  17. Donzo says

    I’ve been listening to the ABB since about the time of Duane’s passing. So this lesson is great! One of my goals is to learn to improvise and jam. I can hum an improvised solo a la ABB that can go on and on but can’t transfer to my fingers - this lesson gives me a foundation to do that! One question, the structure isn’t std 12 bar blues can you explain the structure? If I were to jump into a jam, how would I know what the structure is?

  23. musiclover says

    >Two things jump right out at me with this lesson: 1) You’re mining those lower >bass string notes which is a super technique that’s often overlooked

    Yeah spot on Jim . Being an old bass man converted to rhythm guitar over 20 years ago (and still trying to get a proper handle on it) I’ve always been attracted to the lower register when it comes to soloing and enjoy the meshing of rhythm and lead together more than straight out lead solos.

    Anyway thanks again Brian and Merry Xmas and to all the AM tribe!

  26. ochomarvo says

    Very nice and more challenging than it sounds and looks. For me anyways. Mainly because I’ve never played nor attempted to play this style. I love the Allman brothers tho , not so much the grateful dea . I never got into them but I know they’re great at what they do. Actually licks 2’and 4 have been most challenging. I can’t wait to get to the actual lead parts where I’ll feel for comfortable ✌

  27. ochomarvo says

    P.s. also playing in major scale has my fingers baffled , lol.. Throughout the years their muscle memory naturally wants to play minor licks so I really have to focus. Basically retraining my fingers.. This can only help

  28. ochomarvo says

    Shew ! The 2 parts you said were a mouth full but were actually easy are giving me fits !  I can do them but not consistently.. I’ll be using them for exercises for a while.. They should be easy for me but they aren’t .. couple days I’ll have them down and get to the parts that will be more comfortable..

  30. Alanlb says

    How bout Blue sky or Melissa?  Love Allman bro.  Have been using another teaching lesson some just to get some of this.  Would love to see your take, Thanks, you are best teacher, Alan

  33. stevie P says

    Well done ochomarvo…..I’m in the same position as yourself…I have it all memorised….but the normal tempo is still a little too fast for me in parts…I’m also having to learn to listen where the chord changes are on this one…so I know where I should be in the solo,this an excellent lesson, I’ve learned the Myxolidian scale and how to use it in my playing, I’ve learned a few new licks, it’s got me moving around the fretboard more fluent and I’m also having to listen for the chord changes, something I dont normally do to any great degree…

    • LARRY G says

      Hey I like the way you and stevie P are supporting each other. That really helps and encourages the person to get better and not give up. When I first listened to this I thought NO WAY,but I stuck with it until I started to memorize licks. That helped a lot. For me it would help if Brian would have the guitar version to download on all his lessons rather than only jam recording. I have a slow down software that helps me control the speed of most of the lessons.

  34. ochomarvo says

    Cudos to you too Stevie P ! This was a great lesson. I can do the licks up to speed it’s the timing right now for me .. when to come in on this one and that one, ect.  Im either a little too soon or a tad late on this one or that one.. I play along with him until I can keep up fairly well before I use backing track on my own.  Congratulations to you for learning it. It was no small task. Be proud ! ✌

  35. stevie P says

    Ochomarvo, I think we both deserve to pat each other on the back..lol
    this lesson has certainly tested my abilities…as during most of my improv playing along with backing tracks,i I’ve never really taken much notice of the chord changes,but now that’s alll changing for me and making me a lot better player for it.

  36. LARRY G says

    Help. Does anyone know how to transfer the “slow walk through” to the “Amazing Slow Downer” program. This would be awesome and obviously very helpful. Thanks to anyone who has this kind of knowledge.

  39. wolfman says

    I’m new to your site and am very happy with what you’re doing. Great styles of music explained very clearly. I know I will learn a lot here. Of all the sites I have visited, more than a few, you are the best. Thanks,  Joel

  40. agnosbaikala says

    Is there any way to download the solo along with the backing track as audio only? It is difficult to rewind the streaming video to a precise point . That is really what i need to be able to learn faster.

  41. Houseman says

    Hey Brian,
    I love this one. Can you pleaseee put a version of this with the backing track and guitar? I use all of the ones with guitar with amazing slow downer app to really nail down the timing and feel that you use. So please do that.

    Thanks much,
    Richard

  42. Angelo I says

    I really love this style…although it uses the full scale I’m able follow this more easily as a novice. I guess it’s the slower tempo and the melody of the arrangement, but I really enjoy this style of music.

  43. troutman says

    Brian

    Love this lesson EP080 and am trying to master it. Any way you can provide the Soundslice Tab Video viewer for this one? That tab viewer has been immensely helpful with the other songs (ie newer than EP 090)

    Also, can you provide more lessons with this style in mind ( Allmann Bros, Jerry Garcia, Mixilodian etc)

    Thanks

    Bob

  45. Adam P says

    Love this lesson. My new band plays southern rock, classic rock, etc. These major-oriented lessons really help. Soloing over tunes like Can’t You See, Melissa, etc. More please!

  46. Peter C says

    I love this lesson Brian,

    However, is there any way you might provide a slower backing track WITH accompanying guitar, as my phrasing is awful trying to figure it out. Your playing on the intro is great, but too fast for me to keep up.

    Cheers,

    Peter

  47. Mark R says

    I have been working on memorizing this for months now,One bar at a time,I must be a slow learner because I`m only half way through the lesson,Then I have to start working on getting the tempo rite.As a beginner guitar player, I feel if I can master a song like this, It should improve my guitar playing skills. This is a great lesson. Thanks Brian.

  49. Shotgun says

    I don’t care how you pronounce “MIX – O – LID – E – AN” Brian. I’m just delighted that someone has finally taken the mystique and other assorted b******t out of what I now know is a fairly straightforward musical technique. Thank you.

  50. Donnie B says

    I’ve been working on this song for a while now, it has definitely been a challenge for me. I hope to be able to post my progress soon. I have been a member for about 3 months and I’m really enjoying the lessons.

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