Hey Blues Fans,
Here’s a combination lick/exercise in the minor pentatonic scale that emphasizes what I cal the “Pivot”. Basically, the pivot is when you play a note on one string, play the note directly beneath it, then back to the original note. You do this using the same finger. This technique is used by all blues players. Listen to Billy Gibbons in ZZ Top’s classic “Blue Jean Blues” and you’ll hear this technique.

Once you’ve mastered this lick, try to come up with your own licks using this pivot move.

Have fun.

[flv:pentatonic_pivot_lick.flv 550 412]

**UPDATE**
THANKS TO LISTENER ROBERT WHO POINTED OUT THAT THE LAST VIDEO WAS NOT WORKING. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED AND THE VIDEO WORKS NOW.

Hey Blues Fans,
I posted a few videos about 1) how to find the minor pentatonics starting on the A string; 2) how to easily find the major pentatonic scale; 3) how to combine the major & minor pentatonic. I’ve received several requests for an actual video of me demonstrating these scales. For reference, I’m reposting the original videos first, then the new video. If you haven’t seen the original videos, I suggest you watch them first; if you’ve seen them already, skip down to the last video.

As always, have fun.

How to Play the Minor Pentatonic Scale Starting on A-string Notes
[flv:pentatonics_on_a_string.mp4 550 412]

How to Easily Find the Major Pentatonic Scale
[flv:finding_the_major_pentatonic.mp4 550 435]

How to Mix the Major & Minor Pentatonic Scales
[flv:mixing_major_and_minor_pentatonics.mp4 550 435]

Video Demo of the Above Tutorials
[flv:major_minor_pentatonic_lesson.flv 550 435]

Hey Blues Fans,
I was listening to some Greg Koch and heard a turnaround lick that I really liked…so here is a lick in that style. This lick is shown in A, but you can move it up and down the neck and play it in any key. You may be more familiar with Greg Koch’s instructional videos than you are with his actual music. I really enjoy his playing…fun and inventive. I highly recommend that you add him to your playlist.

As always, have fun.

NOTE: In the video I mistakenly called the last chord an A7add9…it’s an E7#9. Sorry about that.

[flv:greg_koch_turnaround.flv 550 412]