Teach on Udemy

Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.

Learn More

Your cart is empty.

Keep shopping

The Beginners Complete Guide To Guitar Improvisation

Name: The Beginners Complete Guide To Guitar Improvisation
Rating: 4.5 (37 reviews)

Learn to IMPROVISE in ANY key and develop FREEDOM on the guitar to create beautiful GUITAR SOLOS and musical ideas.

Created byBrandon Carbenia

Last updated 6/2021

English

What you'll learn

Improvising on the guitar
How to solo in any key
Develop freedom on the guitar
Learn the notes of the guitar like the back of your hand

Course content

8 sections • 100 lectures • 7h 37m total length

1.1 Course Introduction3:27
In this lecture we talk about who this course IS for and who it's NOT for, along with what you will get out of this course. This course is for the guitarist that knows a little about playing the guitar but wants to unlock more freedom on the guitar and be able play there ideas anywhere on the guitar neck. By the end of this course, you will be able to improvise and solo in any key. We do this by achieving three main Goals. These Goals are:
1. Learn the notes of the guitar neck.
2. Be able to play the Major and minor scales all over the fretboard.
3. Know what key you are in and what scale to play.
After this course I promise you will have a mastery of these three areas and you will be able to solo in any key, anywhere you want on the guitar and you won't be restrained to only a specific part of the neck like so many players.
How to use the book and get the most out of this course
Download this book in the reference material of this lecture.
This course comes with a nearly 300 page e-book. I have included in this Book, all the tables and reference materials, as well as some very helpful graphics and charts that are referenced throughout the video lectures.
This Book Includes:
Helpful Reference Images
All course content, formatted in Book form.
Tables and illustrations for added clarity of concepts being discussed.
Charts and cheat sheets to get you leaning everything in the course faster than you thought possible.
And so much more!!
1.2 The Chromatic Scale2:42
In this lecture we cover the basics of the chromatic scale. I lay out exactly what the chromatic scale is, and how it's constructed. We play through the chromatic scale with all sharp notes and then with all flat notes to demonstrate all the notes found in western music. The chromatic scale encompass all notes found on the guitar and is EXTREMELY important to understand and know the order of the notes by heart. It's the basis for Module 2 which is ALL about applying this scale to the entire fretboard and memorizing it on the guitar.
;earn the notes of the chromatic scale (Prerequisite for Goal 1)
1.3 Intervals4:16
In this lecture I break down intervals to teach you how to effectively understand them. Often teachers make this concept too complicated but I show how and why intervals are named the way they are. It all has to do with the Major and minor scales.
1.4 The Major Scale3:17
In this lecture I show you how a Major scale is constructed in whole steps and half steps and how to use this formula to construct a Major scale in any Key.
1.5 The Modes of the Major Scale5:02
In this one we talk about The 7 modes of the Major scale and exactly what they are and how to think about them in an effective way.
1.6 The Minor Scale3:15
In this lecture we learn what is meant by the "relative minor scale" and how to construct the minor scale in any key using whole steps and half steps just as we did for the Major scale.
Learn the scales (Goal 2)
1.7 Triads and Chord Theory Basics3:31
In this lecture, we learn the basics of harmony. We talk about what a chord is and how to construct one. We discover what a triad is and how to construct the 4 types of triads, which are Major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads.
1.8 Major Scale Harmony Part One (Triads)2:39
In this lecture we dive a little deeper into leaning harmony. This time we look at the Major scale and learn that just like there are modes that are built from each note of the Major scale, there are also chords that can be built from each of these notes. So just as there are 7 modes to the major scale, there are also 7 triads that can be built from the Major scale.
1.9 Major Scale Harmony Part Two (7th Chords)5:17
In this lecture we learn what a seventh chord is and discover how to construct the seventh chords of the Major scale.
1.10 Minor Scale Harmony (Triads and 7th Chords)4:35
In this lecture we talk about how to learn the chords of the minor scale by using the information we just learnt about the Major scale triad and seventh chords. We also talk about the benefit of learning them in both minor and Major.
;earn the chords (Goal 3 part 1)
1.11 Keys Centers And The Circle Of Fifths (And Fourths)10:00
In this lecture we learn about the Circle of fifths and give you a rundown of the information that is inside the circle. This simple yet powerful idea is a great way to learn and memorize all kinds of information in music. We learn about Major and relative minor keys, and how to memorize the order of keys with the circle of fifths and a simple mnemonic.
1.12 Major And Minor Keys/Scales In All Keys9:00
In this lecture we learn how to construct a Major or minor scale in any key and how to quickly work out the notes of any Major or minor scale. This will be very important for the rest of the course so that you can find the notes to any Major or minor scale that you want to play.
1.13 Harmonic Content In All Keys (Using Scale Degrees)10:00
In lecture 1.8 "Major scale harmony part one (Triad theory)" we learnt the triads found on each of the seven tones of the Major scale. And in lecture 1.9 "Major scale harmony part two (Seventh Chord Theory)" we learnt the seventh chords found on each of the seven tones of the Major scale. In this lecture we will take this concept further by learning to apply these formulas to any key and find the triads and 7th chords to any Major scale.
1.14 Harmonic Content In All Keys (Minor Keys)4:35
In this lecture we cover harmonic content (Triads and seventh chords) in all minor keys.
Learn keys (Goal 3 part 2)
1.15 Conclusion to Module One1:17
In this one we just wrap up Module One on theory and get ready for Module Two where we really dive into learning the fretboard.
Module One: Comprehension Check0:38

2.1 The Chromatic Scale And The Guitar10:00
In this lecture we play the chromatic scale on the guitar and deconstruct the tuning of the guitar to better understand how the notes are laid out across the guitar neck.
2.2 Fretboard Memorization3:57
In this lecture we learn a really great way to learn the entire guitar neck , but really focus on knowing the Low E string of the guitar and getting super familiar with that.
2.3 How To Memorize The Guitar Neck Quickly11:21
In this lecture, we discover some great ways to memorize the guitar neck quickly, using a few secrets of the guitar neck and some great quizes to get you knowing the notes on your fretboard quicker than you ever thought possible.
2.4 All C's on the fretboard6:15
In this lecture we learn some great ways to memorize all the C's on the fretboard. We go through some really great exercises to get you knowing your fretboard by heart and really commit it all to memory. Just like words in your primary language we want effortless recall of any note on the fretboard.
2.5 All D's on the fretboard6:04
In this lecture we learn some great ways to memorize all the D's on the fretboard. We go through some really great exercises to get you knowing your fretboard by heart and really commit it all to memory.
2.6 All E's on the fretboard5:11
In this lecture we learn some great ways to memorize all the E's on the fretboard. We go through some really great exercises to get you knowing your fretboard by heart and really commit it all to memory.
2.7 All F's on the fretboard4:52
In this lecture we learn some great ways to memorize all the F's on the fretboard. We go through some really great exercises to get you knowing your fretboard by heart and really commit it all to memory.
2.8 All G's on the fretboard4:53
In this lecture we learn some great ways to memorize all the G's on the fretboard. We go through some really great exercises to get you knowing your fretboard by heart and really commit it all to memory.
2.9 All A's on the fretboard4:52
In this lecture we learn some great ways to memorize all the A's on the fretboard. We go through some really great exercises to get you knowing your fretboard by heart and really commit it all to memory.
2.10 All B's on the fretboard4:31
In this lecture we learn some great ways to memorize all the B's on the fretboard. We go through some really great exercises to get you knowing your fretboard by heart and really commit it all to memory.
2.11 Flats1:31
In this lecture we learn how to find the flat versions of the notes that we just covered in the previous lectures.
2.12 Sharps2:05
In this lecture we learn how to find the flat versions of the notes that we just covered in the previous lectures.
2.13 Conclusion to Module Two1:21
Wrapping up the loose ends on Fretboard Memorization.
Quiz One4:07
This quiz asks you two questions and covers the Notes of the low E string from fret 1 to 12. Listen and watch these quizzes to get you knowing the notes on your fretboard quicker than you ever thought possible.
Quiz Two4:04
This quiz asks you two questions and covers the Notes of the low E string from fret 12 to 23. Listen and watch these quizzes to get you knowing the notes on your fretboard quicker than you ever thought possible.
Quiz Three6:04
This quiz asks you two questions and covers the Notes of the low E string from fret 1 to 23. Listen and watch these quizzes to get you knowing the notes on your fretboard quicker than you ever thought possible.
Comprehension Check For Module Two0:25

3.1 Intro to Module 31:03
Welcome to Module 3 on Fingerings and how to play the scales.
Now that we have looked at the first goal of this course, memorizing the notes of the fretboard of the guitar. This module of the course we will work on the second goal of this course. How to play the notes of the scales all over the fretboard. The objective is to continuously improve in your ability to clearly visualize your entire musical range and move effortlessly across it.
3.2 The Seven Positions (Or Patterns)4:26
In this lecture we explain the 7 positions of the guitar and how we're going to study them in the following lectures.
3.3 First Position: Pattern 1 (Ionian)2:46
In this lecture we take a look at the 1st position of the Major scale apply the 4 exercises to it to really get this pattern under our fingers.
3.4 Second Position: Pattern 2 (Dorian)2:09
In this lecture we take a look at the 2nd position of the Major scale apply the 4 exercises to it to really get this pattern under our fingers.
3.5 Third Position: Pattern 3 (Phrygian)2:03
In this lecture we take a look at the 3rd position of the Major scale apply the 4 exercises to it to really get this pattern under our fingers
3.6 Fourth Position: Pattern 4 (Lydian)2:09
In this lecture we look at the 4th position of the Major scale apply the 4 exercises to it to really get this pattern under our fingers.
3.7 Fifth Position: Pattern 5 (Mixolydian)2:00
In this lecture we look at the 5th position of the Major scale apply the 4 exercises to it to really get this pattern under our fingers.
3.8 Sixth Position: Pattern 6 (Aeolian)2:06
In this lecture we look at the 6th position of the Major scale apply the 4 exercises to it to really get this pattern under our fingers.
3.9 Seventh Position: Pattern 7 (Locrian)2:34
In this lecture we look at the 7th position of the Major scale apply the 4 exercises to it to really get this pattern under our fingers.
Identifying The Seven Positions
3.10 Patterns In Any Key Part One: Major Keys4:52
In this lecture we learn how to apply any of the seven patterns/positions to any key that we want. All we are doing is learning the correct starting position to start the pattern on and then we can freely play the pattern to stay in key.
3.11 Patterns In Any Key Part Two: Minor Keys6:06
In this lecture we learn how to take the positions that we learnt for the Major scale and apply them to the minor scale. Just as we learnt the chords in a new order starting from the 6th degree of the Major scale, we can also do the same thing with the positions.
Playing The 7 Positions On The Correct Starting Note.
3.12 Practicing These Patterns In All Keys4:08
In this lecture I lay out a great way to go about practicing all of these positions in every key, so that there are no blind spots in your playing. If you take this practice seriously, you will develop freedom on the guitar no matter what key you find yourself in.
3.13 Conclusion to Module 32:26
In this lecture we wrap up learning the scales/positions and move towards learning how to tell which key we are in and what scale we should play with that information.
Comprehension Check For Module 30:27
Comprehension Check For Module 3. Lets make sure you are really understanding everything that we covered in Module 3.

4.1 Introduction to Module 40:36
In this lecture we turn away from the second goal of the course (know how to play the Major and minor scales all over the fretboard) and turn towards the third goal of the course (know the key your in and what scale to play)
4.2 A Note on Nomenclature1:14
In this lecture we talk about how because musicians do not have a set nomenclature, there are many different symbols used to denote any one chord type.
4.3 How To Find The Key You Are In If You Know The Chords (Part 1: Major Key)9:53
In this lecture we look at how to tell which Major key you are in. We will look at chord order along with some great tricks to help us identify the key of a chord progression quickly and easily.
4.4 How To Find The Key You Are In If You Know The Chords (Part Two: minor key)9:55
In this lecture we look at how to tell which minor key you are in. We will look at chord order along with some great tricks to help us identify the key of a chord progression quickly and easily.
4.5 Is it Major or minor.2:29
In this lecture we learn some effective ways to determine if a chord progression is in a Major or minor key.
4.6 Conclusion to Module 41:06
Wrapping up module 4 on harmomy.
Knowing Your Harmony
Comprehension Check For Module 40:24

5.1 Introduction to Module 52:52
5.2 Putting It All Together5:01
In this lecture we take everything we have learnt from the last 4 modules and condense in down into a simple three step process.
1. Determine the key
2. Determine the scale and the notes of that scale ( especially on the low E string)
3. Apply any of the 7 positions to that scale.
5.3 Start Slow: A Note To Beginner Improvisers1:13
This lecture sets the student up with a great mindset for learning to improvise.
5.4 Exercises To Play The 7 Positions In A Musical Way5:13
There are a lot of befits to learning positions, but one downside to it is that they can sound a bit mechanical and like your just playing a scale. In this lecture we're going to go through some very effective exercises to get you out of your comfort zone and get you the playing the 7 positions in a more musical way.
5.5 Phrasing3:42
In this lecture we talk about phrasing. What it is and how to achieve good phrasing in your musical ideas.
5.6 Improvisational Concepts 1 (Setting The Scene: Initial Ideas)3:01
In this lecture we talk about how how to begin your soloing ideas.
5.7 Improvisational Concepts II (Telling A Story: Developing Ideas)7:22
In the last lecture we learnt how to begin a solo and in this lecture we discover how to develop ideas on our initial theme.
5.8 Improvisational Concepts III (Closing a Story: Climax And Resolution)5:30
In this lecture we learn how to increase energy in out solo for the climax and then end it with a resolution.
5.9 Conclusion To This Course4:07
Congratulations!! You made it to the end of the course. Thank you for choosing my course and I know if you made it this far you probably got a ton out of it. The following modules are meant to take you above and beyond and really develop even more freedom and knowhow in your playing.

6.1 Introduction to Module 60:56
6.2 Out of Key Chords8:38
In this lecture we cover out of key chords and how to think about them in a musical context. By the end, you'll be able to improvise right through those difficult out of key chords.
6.3 Pentatonic Scales13:39
In this lecture we cover Pentatonic Scales. We learn how to think about them in the same framework as we learnt for the Major and minor scales. This should allow you to quickly incorporate them into your playing.
6.4 Breaking Past Positional Thinking11:30
In this lecture we learn how to break everything we have built up in this course. Learning patterns is extremely useful to the beginner, but for those of you that want to really take your playing to the next level, and unlock more freedom on the guitar, here it is. We cover some great ways to get you thinking past positional/pattern playing.

C Major Backing Track5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Cb Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: C# Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: D Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Db Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: E Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Eb Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: F Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: F# Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: G Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Gb Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: A Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Ab Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Bb Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: B Major5:33
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: c minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: c# minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: d minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: e minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: f minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: g minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: b minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Ab minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Bb minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: A minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: D# minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: F# minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: Eb minor4:58
Backing Track: G# minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.
Backing Track: A# minor4:58
Use this backing track to practice the exercises or to jam and improvise to.

Requirements

Know the basics of how to play the guitar

Description

Learn the key concepts you will need to start improvising on the Guitar and develop more freedom on your instrument.

Master Improvisation Quickly using my simple yet powerful method.

In this course, you will master three primary goals.

Know all the notes on the guitar
Know how to play any major or minor scale anywhere you wish on the fretboard
Know what key you are in and what scale to play. All the time!

Imagine being able to Improvise freely and effortlessly

There are many benefits to learning to Improvise. Imagine being able to solo to any song effortlessly. Imagine being able to quickly come up with musical ideas on the guitar that are always in key and sound great with the rest of the music. From Soloing to songwriting to writing melodies, improvisation is a truly powerful and beautiful art that will unlock a new, endless musical territory for you.

Learning to Improvise is seen to some as being extremely time-consuming and difficult. This does not have to be the case. In this course I break down exactly what improvisation is and give you the tools you need to get started improvising faster than you ever thought possible.

Contents and Overview

With nearly 8 hours of video content this is what you’ll discover in this course.

You will

Learn how to solo in different keys and gain confidence by practicing over backing tracks in different keys.
Learn all the notes on the guitar and how to recall any note on the fretboard quickly and by memory.
Learn all Major and minor scales and how to play them anywhere on the fretboard.
Learn how to find what key you are in and what scale to play. All the time!
Learn how to build meaningful guitar solos that will get the attention of anyone who hears them.
Learn how to tell a story in your playing.
Learn how to develop past positional thinking and build a foundation to play anything that you wish.
Learn how to play in key with any song and sound amazing.
Learn the Music and Guitar Theory that you need to build a powerful foundation that will benefit you the rest of your musical life.
In the First Module you will learn all about intervals, triads, seventh chords, scales, modes, major and minor keys, the circle of 5ths, transposition, and so much more!!
In the Second Module you will learn some great ways of memorizing the notes of the fretboard quickly and easily, relative and absolute knowledge of the fretboard, and get access to some really powerful quizzes that will get you learning the neck faster than you ever thought possible.
In the Third Module you will learn the seven positions of the major and minor scales, 4 great exercises to develop these positions into your memory and playing, how to move these positions to any key you wish, and much much more!!
In the Fourth Module you will learn how to find the key a song or chord progression is in and what scale to use, how to tell if a song is in major or minor, and much more!!
In the Fifth Module you will learn how to put everything together and start improvising!!
In the Sixth Module you will learn how to incorporate the pentatonic scale, how to deal without of key chords and how to develop your playing past positional thinking.
In the Seventh Module you will get some hands on practice in improvising in different keys to really get all the ideas and concepts presented in this course out of your head, and into your fingers.
And much more!!

Along the way I will also share unique insights on guitar playing and help you get to where you want to go as quickly as possible!

By the end of this course you'll be able to easily visualize the notes on the fretboard to solo and improvise along to any song anywhere on the guitar neck you wish and stay perfectly in key. No more being grid locked to a particular area of the guitar neck or not knowing which notes to play next. This course will give you the confidence you need to explore your musical ideas and unlock more creativity and freedom, to express yourself on the guitar whether it's for soloing, songwriting, or melody creation.

Who this course is for:

Guitarists who want to develop more freedom on their instrument.
Guitarists who want to use improvisation to write better solo’s, music , and melodies.
Guitarists who want the ability to explore their entire instrument and stay perfectly in key.
Guitarists who want to freely improvise to any song they hear.
Guitarists who want to discover the full range of the guitar and not be grid locked to a particular area of the neck.

Are there any prerequisites?

This course is for all players from Beginner to Intermediate, and many advanced players would probably find this course very useful. The only real prerequisite is that you know the absolute basics of playing the guitar. You will get much more out of this course if you understand how to hold and play the guitar properly. If you know a few songs or chords, but want to take your playing to the next level then this course is for you. We start with the basics of theory and fretboard knowledge to get the newbie up to speed. Then we move into more advanced concepts.

Who this course is for:

guitar players that want to learn how to improvise
guitarists who want to develop more freedom on their instrument
players who want to express themselves better in soloing on the guitar

The Beginners Complete Guide To Guitar Improvisation

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

The Theory: Music Theory For The Modern Guitarist17 lectures • 1hr 14min

Fretboard Knowledge: The Notes And Learning Your Fretboard.17 lectures • 1hr 22min

Module Three: Learning The Scales14 lectures • 39min

Module 4: Harmonic Context7 lectures • 26min

Module 5: Learning to Improvise9 lectures • 38min

Module 6: Advanced Concepts (Develop Even More Freedom On The Guitar)4 lectures • 35min

Backing Tracks to practice to.30 lectures • 2hr 38min

Bonus Lecture2 lectures • 7min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: