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Dickey Betts style lead – Major Pentatonic Scale – EP404

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how add a note to the major pentatonic scale to get that classic Dickey Betts sound. Classic Dickey Betts style lead including harmonies and triplets.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Slow Walkthrough

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Comments

    • Chris R says

      I agree, but it’s Saturday lunch times for me here in Sydney, Australia. It’s like getting a Christmas present every weekend! And I’ve always been so fond of the simple I to iim progression. Definitely a favorite of mine. It’s really melodic, relaxing, smooth, and very cool! And it’s so easy to play and improvise over. Thanks again, Brian.

      • Ricky H says

        Yes!!! great lesson, I love that Brian said to put the jam track on and just see where it takes you. I watched the video without my guitar then have been playing with the jam track for 45 min and all his lessons from the past are seeping in. Feel like I am finding my own style finally. Thanks for all the vocabulary

        • RNArizona says

          Ricky H– I really had the same reaction. Although I like Dickie Betts and the Allman Brothers, I can’t say that I’m a big fan, but playing along with the backing track just came so naturally, it really struck a chord with me. I’ve had a similar experience playing along with some Latin-type backing tracks in a Santana style. Quite different, but it came quite naturally as well. You might give it yourself. I guess that everyone finds certain comfort zones in different types of music.

        • Danielle M says

          I agree with what you have said David. It is as though I have found a treasure I did not know existed, and now I have found it I am addicted, even though I am attending grad school I still either stay up late or wake up early to make time for some lessons. Usually takes me a couple of days to really get the hang of one; sometimes longer depending upon the skill level.

    • Neil R says

      I love Brian’s lessons and his instruction is fantastic. I always liked Dickey Betts guitar solos with the Allman Brothers and can’t wait to try this with my Les Paul Guitar. I won’t sound near as good as Brian or Dickey Betts but looks like good fun to practice.

      My wife gave me a Trio-Plus band simulator for Christmas and having lots of fun using Brian’s techniques and improvising over different styles with the Trio-Plus. Like being in a band.

      Thanks Brian, you are the Best Guitar instructor I have seen and I’ve watched lots.

      Neil

      Edmonton, Alberta
      Canada

      • James L says

        I too can’t figure out how to reply with a stand alone message.

        I do have a question though. I am often unsure of whether to use the major or minor pentatonic. I most often seem to use the minor. I understand that the major pentatonic is the minor dropped three frets. Some of these licks use the notes exclusively of the minor pentatonic. Would these therefore be licks and patterns to use in the minor pentatonic? And that fourth…would it work? The extension that I learned and use of the minor pentatonic is 1/3/4 on the second and second and first string while the fourth involves 1/2/4 on the second string. Thanks for the clarification.

        I’m newer to the site and this is my first post. I’m a long time player who has picked up tons of stuff along the way and I find that Brian is helping me to sort it out. I’m an “ear guy” who knows little theory…again bits and pieces.

        Thank you.

      • M R says

        Hey Brian
        Have a different interpretation- please tell me if I’m way off base.

        Was playing the E then F#m like the ‘Keith Richard technique’

        But the F#m fit the 4th pentatonic C – shape?

  7. Steve M says

    This is beautiful. I’m a little confused though. The MP3 tracks “without guitar” actually have guitar. I was hoping that would be a backing track so I would be able to work on the scale we learned. Am I missing somewthing?

  9. Bradley B says

    All I can say is wow! Love Dickey Betts guitar playing! I know he played on some Marshall Tucker songs too, I know searching for a rainbow for sure.
    It would be great to have a lesson on Marshall Tucker band style of mixing the major pentatonic and mixolydian, that would be awesome! Thank you so much Brian!!

    Also would be great to have a lesson on in the style of Blackberry smoke on the way Charlie Starr plays, absolutely love that band!

  11. Tom D says

    I have just rejoined your lessons after being absent for about a year. My comments are not about this lesson but are about modes. I have been revising lessons EP178 and EP375 and I love playing them. Probably because I am a big Santana fan. Regarding modes I would like to recommend a book I purchased a long time ago by a great Australian jaz guitarist named George Golla who used to teach where I was learning jaz & classical guitar at that time. It was published by J Albert & Sons in 1975. It is probably out of print, but I could e-mail you parts of it if you like. I am addicted to your lessons which have modernized my guitar playing .

    Reply

  12. Jeff W says

    Love this one Brian! More southern rock style pentatonic stuff please! )Jeff Carlisi, Don Barnes, Greg Allman, Dickey Betts, Michael Campbell, “Skunk” Baxter, Johnny Winter, Warren Haynes, Don Felder, Steve Gaines, etc) ✌🏼🎶🎸

    • Adam P. says

      One way to think about it is that if you use chords in a single key, “E” in this case, they’re just using combinations of the same notes in the “E” scale. Here the progression is just the 1 chord (E) and the 2 chord (F#m). The E major scale has the notes for both of those chords so you can pay less attention to the changes if you want.

  14. Maxwell E says

    What a little beauty as a learner doubt if I will be able to match your speed in the fast parts, but I can get around that, my age bit of a problem , it is so simple and so effective , this little one will help me tremendously.
    Thanks Brian…another keeping sane piece.

  15. Ian R says

    Fantastic, Brian. I can’t wait to start learning this one. I look forward to getting up on Saturday mornings ( in England) to see what you have got for us this week. This one looks a cracker!

  16. Ian C says

    What a great ‘bang for your buck ‘ anyone could get from this lesson.
    A relative novice could feel that they are easily making great progress by playing a basic version and for more experienced players there is real sophistication when the timing, bends and vibrato are hit just right. I find majoring on the major pentatonic refreshing change after so much minor blues.
    Also I think you have the lighting just right, perhaps new shiny strings and a clean up on the fretboard have helped as well. Whatever, but frets, strings and fingering seem to really pop out impressively clearly on this lesson.

  17. Glenn W says

    I always know that even if it is a style of music I don’t listen to normally there will always be plenty of valuable material to absorb. I like that in this lesson you highlight a note to NOT play (the 7th) rather than just adding a note which is fine but the thought process is different.

  21. Ralph P. says

    Great lesson Brian. Love Dickie and the Allman Brothers were one of the most creative guitar jam bands of all-time. I just did a recording of your EP245 (Jamband) lesson and this lesson ties in perfectly with that lesson. Great job encapsulating Dickey’s approach, tone, and vibe.
    You should give a warning: Harmonizing lead lines can be VERY ADDICTIVE. GUITARISTS BEWARE!

  23. Craig H says

    This is really good stuff. Like Glenn W said the advice to leave out the 7th was really good. In the beginning of the video you said to not worry about the chord changes and just use the scale. But I noticed that you are hitting chord tones on the changes (which IMHO makes it sound really good). Was that unconscious?

  27. John O says

    I’ve not long been a premium member and this is my first comment…I’ve been playing and teaching piano for over 50 years and and only started on guitar in 2017…as a change I needed some new inspirations and guitar has certainly given me so many options …so many styles …and so many new people to learn about…I’ve never heard of Dickey Betts until I started following Active Melody…and I’ve learned about many other guitarists as a result of this website….but then there are so many different guitars and styles it’s impossible to be able to do it all…. Brian has a great approach to all of it and the explanations are so good….it’s infectious…..you just feel you want to do it all …it isn’t a race or a competition with everybody …we are definitely blessed with the “You Tube” medium which unfortunately wasn’t around when I was starting , so now it’s here is the opportunity to use it to it’s full potential……

  33. Francois M says

    Incredible. I’ve spent so much time trying to play chord shapes or anything but a basic pentatonic scale. It’s great to see a lesson on how to use the pentatonic scale so well. I can appreciate why so many guitarists of all levels use it.

  36. Mohamed D says

    Hearing you is so inspirational. I feel I become a better player by even listening to you. You put so much effort and time. Thank you. Fan for life. If you have time, could you tell me, how did you get that tone? Even the tone is so perfect.

  37. Paul D says

    Great lesson Brian! Love Dickie Betts, Love the Allman Brothers! I saw Dickie Betts and Duane Allman when I was in high school back in the 70’s! Can’t wait to start playing it! Thanks again my friend!

  39. David M says

    Awesome lesson Brian! Just spent a few hours learning your solo and improving over the jam track. The triplet bursts are a bit tricky to get smooth but well worth it! So glad I joined as a premium member!

  40. David G says

    Super lesson, Brian! One of my favourite players, and in fact I had been playing a lot of these licks already, but without the understanding that the lesson brought me (as well as a bunch of new ideas). My only regret is that there was no second part (I confidently told my wife that I couldn’t go out for a walk with her because I had to play through the premium part of the lesson first :-). But great stuff and thanks particularly for including the harmony on the jam track, which really adds to the authenticity. I think I will be inspired to try learning ‘Jessica’ now. Really energizing lesson!

  43. San Luis Rey says

    Thought that it’s been awhile since we did a Dickey Betts or Allman Bros lesson so I looked and it was EP 080 and EP 030. These are great resources to use with this lesson and jam away with!
    Thanks Brian!

  46. Steven F says

    Hi Brian

    I have a really dumb question, but it may have occurred to other students too.

    When you’re playing a lead solo and you want to throw in a few harmony notes — should you of think of it as, for example, adding the fifth relative to the root/key of the song, or relative to the note that you happen to be playing at that moment in the solo?

    Thanks very much for your comment on this important issue!

  54. John Johantges says

    Hi Brian,

    I didn’t think you could top your earlier Allman Bros. lessons EP030 and EP080. However, not only did you top them, you knocked it out of the park with this Dickey Betts gem! I’m glad I worked hard on your EP030 & 080 because those two lessons set me up for quick success on your new EP404.

    Thanks,

    John J.
    Carmel, IN

  57. Gary W says

    The Dickey Betts lesson definitely one I’m going to enjoy working on! Love the weekly lessons. So much content on Active Melody it’s sometimes a bit overwhelming to decide what to focus on – but a good problem to have! I’ve experimented with other learning programs online and Active Melody has them all beat – hands down, in opinion!

    Keep up the great work, Brian!

  62. Rob B says

    Really liking this lesson, been playing it on both electric and acoustic. Still working on getting that harmonized part up to speed but fun to play. Thanks for all you do

  63. houliAK says

    Long time member. Everybody has their light bulb moments. The Dicky Betts triplets played back on themselves and the harmonized dual guitar part explanation about how they are the same intervals made sense. Go up a third or a sixth and play the same intervals. Funny something so easy is hard to see sometimes.

    I took my first trip out of Juneau in a (COVID) year and didn’t have a guitar in my hands for a week. While I hated not having my guitar, seems like the break did me wonders. The guitar felt really good in my hands today and the lesson, scales and leads flowed easily. Thanks Brian.

  65. Paul S says

    Hi, Brian. Great lesson and your teaching style / method is superb. In the background of your video it looks like you have an old Fender Bandmaster that I had decades ago with the large speaker cabinet. Enjoyed that amp – wish I still had it.

  66. Phil G says

    Just looked at this lesson. Really like it! Looks so simple. But, I must admit I am a little confused. You mention the A shape E chord, and the E shape E chord, but the E scale notes you are playing are out of the G shape E chord. Am I right on that?

  69. Alfred Dowaliby says

    Lovely! I have long been a fan of the Allman Brothers, and they were unbeatable when Brother Duane and Dickie worked their guitar harmony magic. I just recently got done learning Ramblin’ Man, including Dickie’s beautiful lead guitar parts, for my band.. And it hooked me into wanting to study more melodic Allman Brothers lines. So the timing on this is perfect. I gotta say Brian had a very soulful look on his face as he played on this. Very appropriate!

  76. Wolcott66 says

    Brian – I just renewed my premium membership for about the 4th or 5th time this week. I think when I first discovered Active Melody, Brian was on maybe lesson 33 on find the key or something. The first one that really blew me away was EP62 — the Gibbons and Paige blender lesson LOL. I’m still learning it today!! Bottom line is; with all the great instruction out there on line, if you have to prune it down to one primary teacher, Brian is it. Hands down. And he has enhanced and expanded and embellished the lessons constantly by adding so many elements — backing tracks in multiple keys, and various tempos, Tablitures, ability to adjust the speed, now a built in metronome, print-outs of all the traids. Compared to what he was doing , maybe 8 or 9 years ago when I first found him, those were all good but these are incredible. I just revisited the first Triads lesson and I could not believe how much info and help he is packing into these lessons!! I realized a while ago, that he can stop now; and I would be busy the rest of my life just learning the lessons that apply to my personal interests! I could never go back and work on all 400. Forget that. Too much. There is something for everybody. I had to edit down my learning — trying to do too much. As Brian says, I got caught time and again, chasing the next shiny object that went by and got constantly distracted. So now, its down to this: I learn guitar technique — how to be a player — from Brian’s lessons. Period. I learn specific songs from others who are fine teachers; but I can’t have 12 different instructors talking in my ears at once. It’s too much. Old rule applies to most things in life — if you try to focus on too many things, you end up focusing on NOTHING. I love Marty Schwartz and Papa Stache, James James, and Shut up and Play, and a host of other fine instructors for learning songs. And I throw them a bone once in awhile for their teaching. But here is where I get the most benefit and it’s well worth the premium member fee.

      • Wolcott66 says

        BTW Brian. I am amazed how you can come up with actual compositions, in the style of all this artists from various music styles, each and every week that sound so good. The above mentioned EP62 – – hell, I love just listening to that over and over again. Have you ever tried selling them? I’ve often thought of building them into complete 3 or 4 minute songs myself and adding lyrics where possible, but I don’t seem to have the creative ability.

  77. GEORGE M says

    Hi Brian, Great lesson again, learning so much, even if I will never be able to play like you?

    Brian, I would appreciate it if you could tell me what setup you are playing on? (that is, guitar, amp, etc., and what setting the amp is on.)

    G Macauley

    • Wolcott66 says

      I can relate, Bruce. Always playing alone, you are never quite sure if you are really playing better or not. One day, my wife, who is the only person who ever hears me play, walks in and says: “Is that you or the record? I can’t tell anymore.” First time I had some affirmation that I was in fact getting better.

  79. Jason B says

    G,day Brian, Love your sight and instruction. Any chance you could tell us how you have your amp setup, when doing electric? I’m always trying to find the settings as close to yours to try and mimic and don’t do well at it.
    Keep the good stuff coming, cheers mate.

  81. James L says

    I see now…you need to scroll to the bottom to comment.

    I do have a question though. I am often unsure of whether to use the major or minor pentatonic. I most often seem to use the minor. I understand that the major pentatonic is the minor dropped three frets. Some of these licks use the notes exclusively of the minor pentatonic. Would these therefore be licks and patterns to use in the minor pentatonic? And that fourth…would it work? The extension that I learned and use of the minor pentatonic is 1/3/4 on the second and second and first string while the fourth involves 1/2/4 on the second string. Thanks for the clarification.

    I’m newer to the site and this is my first post. I’m a long time player who has picked up tons of stuff along the way and I find that Brian is helping me to sort it out. I’m an “ear guy” who knows little theory…again bits and pieces.

    Thank you.

    • James L says

      So to answer own question, the minor pentatonic sounds right in some places but not all. The 9/11 triplet moved up to 12/14 work on strings 4/5 but on the third string it’s 12/13. I guess I’ll just trust me ear.

      Still wondering about how to know when to use minor vs. major. My basic understanding is that it’s based on the first chord of the song. Is that too simplistic?

      Thanks again.

  83. Steve P says

    Been playing and teaching for most of 50 years, many different styles, but I’ve learned almost as much in the 8 months since I found this site than in all that time. Brian is a great instructor and whether you’re just having fun or pursuing mastery, this site is going to be your best friend.

  84. John Johantges says

    Triplet Tip: Because the THIRD triplet has two starting points i.e. one on the 12th fret of the high E string and the second one starting on the 12th fret of the B string—I had a challenge going back to the 12th fret of the B string to complete the triplet (it thru my timing off). If it helps, what I discovered, when starting on the 12th fret of high E string, I simply counted to six when descending. When done counting to six, I did it again starting on the 12th fret of B. For me, that was an easy way to complete the triplet correctly and transition to the 9th fret of B string to start the song over again.

  85. john l says

    Well, you’ve done it again. I hope you’re happy with yourself. Another shinny bauble to tempt me with. SO Good. I can see myself getting lost in that e major box 2. Also, like the addition of the ‘bouncing ball’ when demonstrating the licks. (unless I’ve missed them before?)…Anyway, just really helps get to know the piece quicker. I tend to make little notes on the Print Outs and this addition is quite helpful. Thanks !

  87. Juergen L says

    Hi Brian, I love the sound in this lesson so much. I’ve spent verry much time trying to get this sound with my Kemper Profiler Stage but I can’t get it. Please tell me more about your equipment and settings to get this sound. Thanks and greatings from Germany, Juergen

  90. RNArizona says

    Brian, I’ve been a member for going on two years, and this lesson was the first that I remember where you suggested playing along with the backing track before finishing the lesson. I took you advice, and for me it was golden. I even played the “hook” riff before you demonstrated it around 11:50 minutes in. It just occurred naturally for me. You can tell by the comments, you hit it way out of the ballpark with this lesson. Thank you so much!!

  91. Lee R says

    Howdy, I really enjoyed this lesson, but am frustrated with the runs in bars 10 and 12. I can manage them, but it seems that the notes are 32nd instead of tripled 16th. They sound much faster than I see on the paper. Am I wrong, or do I just have to sit down with the metronome…

  95. Drew D says

    as usual, wonderful lesson, I like these slow methodical tutorials. No screaming, no hollerin going on, no hundred mile an hour shredding…. just slow, sweet music. Love it. thanks

    • Brian says

      Did you try the “START HERE” section that I created for beginners? I’d start there I guess. As far as which lessons to do – that’s a bit like signing up for Netflix and emailing Netflix and asking which movies to watch. It depends on what sounds good to you! Just jump into lessons that sound interesting.

  107. Larry M says

    This lesson was like a breath of fresh air. I’ve been concentrating on the minor pentatonic scale for quite a while and I’ve kind of ignored the major penta scale. And although I can’t do the faster runs in this lesson yet, I’ve managed to have a lot of fun with. I chopped off the lead-in on the slow without-guitar backing track, and I shortened it by half. Then I stuffed it into my looper and I can just noodle with the backing track for as long as I want. Eventually I’ll incorporate all the licks in the lesson, but for now I’m just having fun with it. I use a clean setting with a little delay and it sounds wonderful.

    Thanks for all you do, Brian.

  108. Darryl R says

    I love the sound Dickey put out. Always so beautiful! And Brian, you did a fantastic job on this. Keep it up. I’ve only been with you a short while and I’m a beginner so it’s hard for me but you make it easier for me to learn. I thank you.
    Darryl

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